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Importance Of Smoke Detectors Emphasized As Fire Prevention Week Approaches

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The second week in October is Fire Prevention Week – a great time to make sure your home is ready in case of emergency.

As WBBM Newsradio's Felicia Middlebrooks reports, a quarter of all U.S. households lack working smoke detectors. If that includes you, experts say you should get to a home improvement store pronto, and buy several.

There should be at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, and inside and outside your bedrooms.

You should test them every month and replace their batteries annually.

If your smoke detectors are old, they should be replaced every 10 years, experts say.

If you have a fire extinguisher, it should be placed at your home's exit, and make sure you and other family members know how to use it.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Felicia Middlebrooks reports

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