Do You Need to Replace Your Smoke Detectors?

Hoppy Easter Weekend, all!

Our Easter dinner buddies are out of town this year. Sad! I'm not even doing a big meal. We're just getting some tasks around the house off the list, including replacing all our smoke detectors. Did you know... you're supposed to completely replace your smoke detectors EVERY TEN YEARS? Oh, and that's ten years from the date of manufacture on the back or side of the alarm, not when you moved in or bought them.

I had no idea. We've lived here exactly 20 years this month, and never replaced them. (I don't think we've even replaced the batteries in the last ten. Those detectors were wired into the house, so they worked unless the power was out, at least! Ack.)

Yesterday, Jeff installed new 'smart home' smoke detectors. They self-test, tell you when the (five- or ten-year) battery is running out, message you if the alarm goes off when you're away, etc. The old units were super easy to replace. Don't fall for all the gadgets that claim to be adapters for the base of your old model to fit a new model. You just remove the old one with its base and install the new one with its base.

Check your dates of manufacture and replace those ten-year-old smoke detectors, y'all!


Saturday 9: This Is the Way the Bunny Hops
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Why do you suppose there are so many songs about Santa Claus, yet very few about the Easter Bunny? 

The Easter Bunny is more shy and reserved. We just don't know as much about him.

Her?

... Hmm.

2) This song was written by The Kiboomers, two early education teachers who are passionate about the power of music to help kids learn. Tell us about a teacher who had an impact on your life.
There were several. I've talked up Mr. Spasic and Mr. Jackson a lot on the blog. How about Mrs. Lofland? She was my freshman high school Biology teacher. She wasn't the "hilarious/entertaining" teacher I typically enjoyed most. She was an older Southern lady with a sunny disposition and a great sense of humor. She enjoyed OUR jokes. She was one of those teachers I could (and did) talk to about all sorts of personal things, all four years of high school. She and my senior Physics teacher, Mrs. Lee, were the two teachers with whom I consulted heavily about my choice of college major. I actually ended up with a major that was a perfect mix of the two- Radiological Health Engineering. Cool, eh?

3) Legend has it that the Easter Bunny was introduced to America in the 1700s by German immigrants. These children waited for a magic creature who left colored eggs. Today's kids dye Easter eggs themselves. When did you most recently color eggs?
I haven't dyed eggs since Lauren was little.

4) The Easter Bunny is usually shown carrying a wicker basket filled with eggs, toys and candy. Is there any wicker in the room you're in right now?
No. There is wicker outside the window though.

5) While marshmallow Peeps are manufactured all year around, they are most popular at Easter. Do you prefer the chicks or the bunnies?

I prefer not to eat Peeps at all. *shudder*

6) A little time in the microwave can do ugly things to a Peep. Have you ever nuked a Peep?
Nope. I've never had my own Peep. I've bought some for Laura though the years, but that's it.

7) Would you prefer a hollow or a solid chocolate bunny?

Hollow. It's easier to eat.

8) A traditional American Easter dinner usually includes glazed ham or roast lamb. Which would you rather have as your main course?

Glazed ham, for sure.