One of the best home maintenance habits you can develop is the regular inspection of your smoke detector and the replacement of the battery for the detector, whether it seems to need one or not. And one good way to remember this task is to associate it with our annual time changes.

While we all hope that we will never experience a fire in the home, it is an unfortunate fact that some of us will. And in the event of a fire, your smoke detector can save the lives of you and your family.

Your smoke detector can provide an early warning signal - providing valuable seconds of time for you and your loved ones to escape your home before disaster strikes. Smoke detectors are one of the best and least expensive safety features you can buy to protect you, your family and your home.

The remarkable thing to me about smoke detectors is how little they cost. In the 1970's, the cost of protecting a three bedroom home with professionally installed smoke detectors was approximately $l000; Now the cost of owner-installed detection units in the same house has come down to as little as $10 per alarm, or less than $50 for the entire home.

Today, the impact of smoke detectors on fire safety is dramatic and can be simply stated. When fire breaks out, the detector, functioning as an early warning system, reduces the risk of dying by nearly 50 percent, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. The simple smoke detector is most people's first line of defense against fire.

Georgia law requires every dwelling to have at least one working smoke detector. But for maximum safety, you should install a smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement and the attic. And for added safety, place one inside and outside each sleeping area.

Most manufacturers recommend that you position the unit on the wall approximately six inches below the ceiling. Because hot gases rise, you will be alerted early and still have time to escape to safety.

Here are some additional fire safety tips from Underwriters Laboratories:

* Test every smoke detector in your home at least once a month. Typically you push a button on the surface of the unit, making an electrical contact and sounding the alarm. If the alarm fails to sound, replace the battery and retest. If the alarm still fails to sound, replace the unit.

* Vacuum around the face of the smoke detector regularly to prevent dust or cobweb build-up which might prevent the unit from functioning properly. If a unit becomes infested with insects or spiders, replace it.

* Never paint a smoke detector. The paint may clog the testing mechanism, or it may block some of air holes designed to allow the unit to test the surrounding air for smoke.

* If ever a unit fails to operate properly, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Know that most battery operated units have a limited service life, often less than ten years, and are best replaced when they fail. If you must seek a repair, follow your manufacturers instructions.

Many smoke detectors have a "low battery" warning feature, where the alarm chirps once every couple minutes to remind you to replace the battery before it fails completely. Unfortunately, many people simply remove the battery to stop the chirping, then forget to buy a replacement battery.

I have solved that problem by always putting the spent batter in my pocket until I can replace it. It is small enough to fit, but large enough to remind me that I have an important task to remember.

And on the same level, never allow anyone to "borrow" your battery from the smoke detector to use in another appliance. The detector is only protecting you while it has power to operate.

In addition to installing smoke detectors in your home, the safety experts at UL also recommend that you develop a fire escape plan with members of your family. Here are some suggestions to increase your chances of a safe escape:

* In the event of a fire, every family member should know at least two ways out of each room.

* Stay as close to the floor as possible during your escape. Hot air and smoke rise, so the air nearest the floor may be safer to breathe.

* If you encounter a closed door during your escape, feel the door before opening it. If it's hot to the touch, use another exit. The heat could indicate fire on the other side of the door.

* Teach your children how to escape in case of a fire - not to hide under a bed or in a closet.

Some individuals, particularly children, older people and those with special needs, may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm. You should be aware of this when developing your home fire escape plan.

And finally, another piece of advice from firefighters:

Designate a well-lit place, a safe distance away from your home, where everyone will meet in the event of a fire. This will help firefighters determine if anyone else is still inside the home.

And remember; never return to a burning building for any reason.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has developed a Home Fire Safety Checklist, which is available on my website at www.money99.com for free download. Click on Additional Resources, then select Free Documents.