Replacing household products can keep you safe

(ARA) - While people take all manner of precautions to ensure the safety and health of their families, some household products may need more attention and maintenance to keep loved ones and the home environment safe.

Following is a list of time-sensitive products that require regular replacement to maintain peak performance:

Smoke alarms - These lifesaving devices expire after about 10 years or 87,000 hours of service. Yet, a new study conducted by First Alert, a leading manufacturer of home safety products, uncovered that nearly a quarter of Americans have either never replaced the smoke alarms in their homes or have not done so in more than six years.

Carbon monoxide alarms - An alarming 25 percent of American homes are not equipped with any CO alarms and another 23 percent of house alarms have never been replaced, according to the First Alert study. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

Fire extinguishers - Like their alarm counterparts, fire extinguishers need to be regularly checked to ensure that the pressure is at the recommended level and all parts are operable and not damaged.