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Your smoke detector might be too high in some homes or circumstances to reach yourself. If you feel unsafe getting on a ladder to replace your hardwired smoke detector, call a licensed electrician or local handyman to knock this project off your to-do list. If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number.

In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.

A chimney requires both a cover and a cap, but these parts often get confused with one another. A chimney cover seals the top of the chimney around the flue pipe to prevent water from entering the chimney. A chimney cap is a piece that sits above the flue to prevent animals, debris, and water from entering the flue.

You can’t gauge the lifetime of a fire door like you could, say, an engine. Fire doors should be checked at least once every six months to ensure there are no signs of degradation like leaks, holes, water damage, termite damage, or anything else that might compromise the functionality of the door’s fire resistance. Check your smoke detectors while you’re at it.

When a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, you should always take it seriously. Infrequent and occasional chirps often point to a low battery, a faulty device, or dust buildup (this usually affects smoke detectors and not standalone CO detectors). A continuous alarm signals an emergency, and you should immediately evacuate and call 911. When it comes to carbon monoxide in your home, it’s better safe than sorry.