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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.

Yes, a faulty or broken light switch can be a serious fire hazard. Malfunctioning switches, often due to loose connections, exposed wiring, or overheating, can cause sparking or arcing. If you hear a crackling, popping, or hissing sound when you use the switch, it indicates live electricity arcing inside, which is a significant hazard that can ignite nearby flammable materials. If you suspect your light switch is faulty, turn off the power to that circuit at the breaker and contact a qualified electrician to remedy the issue.

If your oven is new, then it’s likely that the oven smoking is due to it being a new unit. In this case, you don’t need to worry about the oven smoking. However, if your oven is old, you can’t identify any burnt food or grease that could be behind the smoking, or you have concerns about the heating element, then you should hire an oven technician to inspect your unit.

Although you can put a smoke detector on a shelf, the NFPA recommends mounting one on the ceiling or a wall (within 12 inches of the ceiling). If you place your smoke alarm on a shelf, ensure it’s away from drafty, damp, or dusty areas and not near cooking appliances, heat sources, or fluorescent lights.