Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms and a Walk to Frager's

The chirping started and we knew it could only be one thing - the smoke detector battery needed to be replaced. Between my husband and I it took several tries to finally realize that the case on the smoke alarm had a simple pin mechanism that needed to be pulled out, and that it was a battery alarm only and not connected to electricity. Luckily we had the right sized battery. Then we remembered that we wanted to get a carbon monoxide detector too and decided to hoof it over to Frager's Hardware. It's been awhile since the original Frager's burned down. It is now divided and scattered on Capitol Hill...a "pad" at Eastern Market that has plant stuff; a paint shop on the corner of 11th and Pennsylvania Avenue; a rental space; and the hardware place on 13th. The slogan "if we don't have it - you don't need it" has generally worked. This time, we couldn't find one item we were looking for, but did find a Kidde carbon monoxide detector to go along with the smoke alarm. This one plugs in to the kitchen wall and has battery back up, and doesn't require us to climb a ladder to reach it on the eleven foot ceiling. Of course I always read the instructions before use - my better half usually doesn't. I think between the fire and carbon monoxide alarm tests we probably drove everyone nuts. And my ears didn't appreciate it one bit. But that's the small price you pay for trying to keep safe. And around here, that's not a small thing when everyone lives on top of each other in cramped spaces.