As you make your way along life's dusty trails, you and your family are protected by different kinds of safety detectors, sensors and gadgets. Many of these devices are things you don't see and probably aren't even aware of. For example, did you know that your car's air bag passenger protection system uses a crash detector and automatically performs a self-check of the crash detector system every time you start your ignition? But not all safety gadgets perform their tasks automatically. We still need Safety Sheriffs to round up the safety outlaws.

Wanted Alive: You

Since a clever disguise can conceal a killer, it's important that a Safety Sheriff knows who the crooks are, where to find them and how to keep them in line. And like any good Sheriff, you'll need the help of some good deputies.

The Detector Gang

The Detector Gang can be some of the finest hombres you'll ever work with. But be warned. Their reliability can't be taken for granted. If you turn your back on them, they might just quit working. And that could get you killed. That's why a good sheriff checks up on these fellahs to make sure they're still on the job, because if they're not there could be a whole heap o' trouble.

Now if you go huntin' for these members of the Detector Gang but can't find them, then your first act as Safety Sheriff should be to install them; 'cause they won't protect you if you don't put them in their place. Check with the State Fire Marshal's office for recommendations about installation locations in your home. I'd recommend you get professional help with that installation, too, because a detector in the wrong place can be just as dangerous as no detector at all.

Oh - and a word to the wise. The varmints in the Detector Gang aren't all the same. You have your detectors that are wired in and your detectors that use battery power. Make sure you know which one you're dealing with before you take them on, and don't mix 'em up because they'll zap you good if you mess with the wrong one the wrong way.

The Magnificent Four

The Detector Gang includes four different kinds of troubleshooters. Here's what you need to do to keep each one of 'em in line.

Smoke Detectors:You should find a smoke detector loitering inside every bedroom and on every floor level in your home and in every room of your business.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors:Alias CO, there should be at least one of these guys in the living and sleeping areas. The garage is another likely place. The CO's job is an important one: Protect you and your family from the deadly fumes that can leak from defective heating equipment, fireplaces and auto engines.

Heat Detectors: This poke usually hangs out in the garage or the kitchen, but could be in any location where there's a fire hazard. Often found with one or more of the other members of the Detector Gang.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: Also known as GFCIs, these are like electric leak detectors. They take current coming in on one side and compare it to the current going out the other. If the two aren't the same amount, their job is to shut the line down, because current's leaking out somewhere. Electrical safety codes require GFCI protection for outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, wet locations (e.g., laundry and bar sinks), garages, basements, pool areas and outdoor locations. They can be contained within an electrical receptacle, or in the main electrical panel. Both types have a test button and are safe to test with a simple push of your finger.

Just like a smoke detector, GFCIs just sit around waiting for something to happen. Most GFCIs do not sound any alarms and silence is not an indication of correct operation; some older types can fail and still supply electrical power. These safety detectors need testing every month to ensure they continue to protect lives.

Conclusion

With you as Sheriff and the Detector Gang as your deputies, you've got yourself one formidable posse. But the black hats aren't without a few tricks of their own. So next week I'll show you how to hunt down the bad guys and run 'em out of Dodge.

PRODUCTS RECALLED

5 Safety Detectors to Check

By Catherine Jones

Next week, Dave's going to cover maintenance issues for safety detectors. But here's one you should look into right now: That the safety detectors you're relying on have not been recalled.

This is a list of just five home safety products that have been recalled in the past year or so by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:

1. First Alert® ONLINK™ Battery-Powered Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms. These products were voluntary recalled last May due to reports that the alarms rapidly drained power from the batteries. If unchecked, the alarms would be unable to detect smoke or carbon monoxide. View recall here.
2. K-GUARD®, SENTRY® and FLAG FIRE® Model Fire Extinguishers manufactured by Ansul Incorporated. Announced November 13, 2006, these fire extinguishers were recalled after it was learned that the pick-up tubes could crack if the extinguishers were dropped, causing the extinguisher to fail to discharge properly when needed. View recall here.
3. Counterfeit “Square D” Circuit Breakers. On November 16, 2006, Scott Electric Co. Inc. warned consumers that counterfeit versions of its product might not trip when overloaded and pose a fire hazard. The recall includes a description of the counterfeit breakers and the actual breakers. View recall here.
4. Amprobe Digital Clamp Meters, manufactured by Amprobe Test Tools. The recall announced on March 15, 2007 states that the electrical testing meters can fail to give an accurate reading, posing a risk to operators of shock, thermal burns or electrocution. View recall here.
5. Digital Security Controls FSB and FSB Series Smoke Detectors. Issued on March 22, 2007, the recall indicates that these smoke detectors could fail to detect smoke during a fire. View recall here.

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