The New Year is a good time to take stock of all kinds of things we tend to put off --our health, our relationships, our spending habits. Whatever needs tweaking seems to get its best start just after that glittering ball drops in Times Square, depending on the time zone in which you live.

But how often do we stop to take a look around our house, room, by room, and take inventory on just how safe it is? “A good routine to get into on a monthly basis is to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms,” says Darrin Deany of Underwriters Laboratories. “You can do so very easily by pushing the button on the front of the unit. If you have battery-powered units, it’s also important that you check the batteries. Make sure you put a fresh one in every year.”

“Smoke alarms definitely save lives,” says Deany. “The fact is over the last 25 years, deaths in home fires have decreased steadily. In 1975, the year smoke alarms were introduced there were over 12,000 deaths. Last year, there were less than 3,000.”

It’s a good idea to make up a checklist that includes once or twice-yearly projects, such as making sure fire extinguishers are charged, fresh batteries are in flashlights and emergency radios, and that appliances and lamp cords don’t overload outlets and are in good shape. Taking your drill further, why not gather the family together and practice home fire escape plans?

Here is a room-by-room list of items for your new year’s assessment, some of which is taken from the UL Consumers Web site:

Family and Living Rooms:

Published: December 29, 2000

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