Thanks for the reminder. And yes, I replace my detectors regularly and keep the batteries fresh. I also have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen (and one in the car ;)).

Had a really good friend die in a house fire last November. Totally rocked my world in a bad way. I've always treated fire with respect and have always kept my detectors and such in good working order. But apparently my friend did not. He also had all of the doorways blocked with boxes and such. So the fire dept was delayed in their rescue attempts. Makes me really mad to think about it. Nobody needs to die in a fire in the 21st Century. Five minutes of prevention would have saved him. Totally unacceptable. :(

My mom smoked all her life and she would fall asleep with a cig in her mouth. I was in grade school and I would just sit there begging her to put it out, she would just flick off the ashes and fall back to sleep. We had couch fires and her bedding is really scorched.
Rick, I am glad it wasn't anymore serious than it was.

Now I think back to when I was in China a few weeks ago. 99% of Chinese men smoke and you can smoke anywhere there - in elevators, taxis, hospitals, anywhere. There are at least three ashtrays in every hotel room, but signs warning you not to smoke in bed.

I guess I also need to move the 2k rounds of ammo I have behind my couch.

I'll second VINMAN and suggest at least a CO detector (or 2) as well. There are detectors that will also sniff other potentially dangerous gases ... so, having seen 1st hand how "just" a cheap smoke detector can save your a$$ as well as your $hit, drop the ducats on a gas detector as well.

Having said that, more of our ASA calls are due to faulty gas detectors than anything else. But better to scramble your local fire/rescue guys once or twice for a false alarm than once (late) for a real one.

Very glad you're OK. Stick with a good Coleman lantern from now on; keep the scented candles around the tub for your bubblebaths.

JP

speaking of co detectors...I had a combo co/gas detector
and this is the truth!

I had a seriously Garlic pizza with peppers and Basil and olive oil 4 years ago...Wife and i went to bed... The co/GAS detector went off. I checked the whole house, opened the windows, couldnt find anything wrong. 30 minutes after closing up and trying to fall asleep, it went off again. Could it have been me...Naaaaaa.

well, i put the co/GAS detector under the covers and well, it did go off with explosive levels on the register..

Never ate that pizza again.

THe co/Gas detector did go off again later that year when we were working on the Gas lines in the house.

So, they do work.

Ok, what are the good brands for CO or other gas detectors to shop for?

For a CO detector, the only one I would recomend is the Nighthawk brand made by Kidde . Also Kidde for smoke detectors Dont really recommend the combo units, they work but not as good.