This is a great way to remember to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon detectors twice a year. Studies have concluded that when working smoke detectors are present, the chance of dying from the fire is cut in half. However, it has also been estimated that a third of smoke alarms that are in place are not working due to worn out batteries. Many of the communities surrounding our Red Bank office require installing or upgrading your smoke system when you sell or expand your home. Please make sure your home has a smoke alarm system in place and that it is being maintained properly.  Brk, first alert and Kidde are some of the manufacturers of smoke and carbon alarms.  All off these manufacturers make worry free models of their devices which have lithium batteries that are designed to last the life of the device without having to change batteries every year.  Stay safe and keep your system updated, and have these units changed every ten years once they expire