(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 26, 2000 ) The week between Christmas and New Year's is traditionally a time for relaxing, with the kids home from school and plenty of time together. It's also a good opportunity to work on making your home safer, starting with some basic safety equipment. "A great New Year's resolution is to make sure that you have a safe home," says Darrin Deany of Underwriters Laboratories. "A good routine to get into on a monthly basis is to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. You can do so very easily by pushing the button on the front of the unit. If you have battery-operated units, it's also important that you check the batteries. Make sure you put a fresh one in at least once a year." Make up a safety checklist that includes once or twice a year projects -- things like making sure fire extinguishers are charged, and fresh batteries are in flashlights and emergency radios. Also take a look at appliances and lamp cords for fraying and make sure outlets aren't overloaded. It's worth making sure there's a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. "Smoke alarms definitely save lives," says Deany. "The fact is over the last 25 years, deaths in home fires have decreased steadily. In 1975, the first year smoke alarms were introduced, there were over 12,000 deaths. Last year, there were less than 3000." The safety experts at Underwriters Laboratories also said you should use this time of year when families are together to practice home fire escape plans. If you'd like more ideas on safety checklists, visit their website at ul.com. ---------------Produced for Underwriters LaboratoriesContact:Scott Michaeloff, 212-980-9090orSandy Gentry, 847-272-8800 x43178andDarrin Deany, 847-272-8800 x43791---------------

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