Home Care Challenge: Check the Quiet Protectors
Check Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers
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You know that feeling when you get back from vacation and immediately need… another vacation? Yeah. That was me this week. Somehow I came home feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. A cold snuck up on me, and I spent the first day back completely out of commission — on Father’s Day, no less.
So while I buried myself under the covers and tried to bounce back, my husband handled the chaos: unloading the car, unpacking, wrangling the kids, managing dinner, and even picking up our grocery order. (Truly a Father’s Day MVP.) I felt bad — mom guilt never takes a sick day — but I also knew I would've been useless even if I tried.
The good news is I recovered quickly, no one else got sick, and this week’s Home Care Challenge was thankfully light. Important? Yes. But totally manageable, even when you’re not at 100%.
This week, we’re checking in on two household MVPs that tend to fade into the background until you really need them: smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. They don’t get the spotlight often, but they quietly stand guard every single day — and deserve a little love.
Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
They're like your home’s invisible security system—especially when you’re asleep. And I’ll be the first to admit, it’s easy to forget about them until that 2 a.m. chirping reminds you (again) that the batteries need replacing.
If you haven’t done a full check in a while, this is your nudge to get started:
Locate every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home. I make a list to make sure I don’t miss any—we have more than I realized!
Press the test button on each one until you hear the alarm. If it’s weak or doesn’t chirp at all, it’s time for fresh batteries.
Replace the batteries once or twice a year. If you want to bundle it with something seasonal, fall is a great time (and we’ll talk emergency prep then too).
Know the difference: There are two main types of smoke detectors—ionization (for fast flames) and photoelectric (for smoldering smoke). Dual-sensor models are ideal, but if you're choosing just one, photoelectric is the safer bet.
Did you know?
That middle-of-the-night chirping usually happens because temperature drops affect battery power. The cooler it gets, the harder your battery has to work—hence the annoying 2 a.m. wake-up call.
Finally, smoke alarms and CO detectors don’t last forever. Most have a 10-year lifespan. Check the back for a manufacturing date and mark your calendar if they’re nearing retirement.
The Fire Extinguisher You Walk Past Daily
For months, I walked past the brand-new fire extinguisher we ordered. Still in the box. Just sitting in our mudroom like a fancy red paperweight. (Insert ashamed emoji here.)
If you haven’t checked your extinguisher lately—or don’t have one yet—here’s what to do:
Find it (or buy one—especially if your home didn’t come with one like ours didn’t).
Check the pressure gauge: If the needle is in the green, you’re good. Red? It needs a recharge or replacement.
Turn it upside down once a month to keep the powder inside from settling.
Confirm the expiration date—yes, these expire too.
And refresh yourself on P.A.S.S.:
Pull the pin
Aim the nozzle
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side
Bonus Tip: If you ever face a grease fire on the stove or grill, reach for baking soda or salt, not water. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide to smother flames, and salt acts as a barrier between the fire and oxygen. Both are pantry heroes in a pinch.
This Week's Challenge
So this week, whether you’re easing back into routine after a trip, getting your kids ready for camp, or simply feeling off your game — know this: small tasks still matter. You don’t need to overhaul a room or deep clean the garage to keep your home running well.
Sometimes, it’s about checking the quiet protectors in your home and giving yourself credit for showing up at all. Even if that looks like pressing a test button and calling it a win.
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