2023 is right around the corner; making it the perfect time to do a health check on some of your most commonly used household items.\u00a0 It is easy to take things like a fire extinguisher or the family first aid kit for granted.\u00a0 This year, get ahead of the expiration game and take an inventory of products that may need replacing.\u00a0 In this quick guide, we cover all of the home essentials for you, so you are prepared (and can have peace of mind) all year long.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Fire Administration<\/a> recommends replacing your smoke alarm every ten years. \u00a0To check if your smoke alarm works, push the test button on the alarm.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t replaced the battery in a while, consider buying a new one, just to be on the safe side.\u00a0 Carbon monoxide detectors typically have a life of five to seven years<\/a>. \u00a0Be sure to check these too and replace the batteries, if needed!<\/p>\n Fire extinguishers can last anywhere between 5-15 years<\/a>.\u00a0 Check the gauge on the top of the extinguisher to see if it is still operational.\u00a0 If your needle falls in the green area of the gauge, you are all set.\u00a0 If it\u2019s below the green area, you are going to want to buy a replacement.\u00a0 While you are at it, take a second to review the instructions on how to use the fire extinguisher. Should a fire break out, you will be glad you did!<\/p>\n The home first aid kit is an item you hope to never use, but it\u2019s essential that you keep one on deck for emergencies.\u00a0 Many items in a first aid kit have an expiration date; however, you may not have to replace all of the contents at once.\u00a0 Take an inventory of all your supplies and replace any out of date medications or low stock items.\u00a0 Consider keeping a smaller first aid kit in your car too, you never know when you might need a band-aid on the road!<\/p>\n Regular replacement of household filters will keep your appliances and devices in top shape. Here are a couple of recommended guidelines so you can get the most from your machines!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve had a certain storage container for more than 10 years, it\u2019s probably time to upgrade.\u00a0 Containers can quickly lose their shape over time\u00a0 and you might consider switching all of your containers to a BPA-free plastic.\u00a0 BPA<\/a> is chemical that\u2019s been used in plastics manufacturing for more than forty years. In the last decade, researchers discovered it could cause some potential health effects, and ever since, we\u2019ve seen more and more products with a \u201cBPA-free\u201d label.<\/p>\n Cartridge replacement all depends on how frequently you use your printer.\u00a0 Ink cartridges that have been sitting idle in your printer for an extended period of time always run the risk of potentially drying out.\u00a0 Try running a small print job at least once a week to keep your cartridges primed.\u00a0 You can also run the printhead cleaning function on your printer a couple of times to get them going again.\u00a0\u00a0Toner cartridges use a dry plastic toner powder to produce a print, so the do not dry out like an ink cartridge, but they can clump.\u00a0\u00a0Most cartridges have a shelf life of 24-36 months, so if you have a couple in storage, you will be covered for a good amount of time.\u00a0 We recommend keeping your cartridges upright in a dark space for best results.<\/p>\n There is a comfort in knowing that your entire home is firing on all cylinders.\u00a0 Performing a quick health check on all of the essentials is a great way to kick off the new year and ensure everything is in working order.\u00a0 If you have any other replacement suggestions, drop us a line in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.\u00a0 Happy New Year!<\/p>\nFire extinguishers<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
First aid kits<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Home filters<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Food storage containers<\/a> <\/strong><\/h4>\n
Printer cartridges<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n