What activity helps to prevent injury from fires?

Checking smoke detectors monthly and replacing batteries annually is a critical activity for preventing injury from fires. Smoke detectors are essential safety devices that alert individuals to the presence of smoke, which may indicate a fire. Regular monthly checks ensure that the devices are functioning properly and can effectively sound an alarm when necessary.

Replacing the batteries annually adds another level of reliability, ensuring that the smoke detector remains operational over time. When smoke detectors are neglected or not maintained, there’s a heightened risk of smoke alarms failing to activate during a fire, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

In contrast, the other options suggest behaviors that can significantly increase the risk of injury. Ignoring smoke detector warnings can lead to a lack of awareness of potential fire hazards. Only replacing batteries when the alarm sounds may result in lapses where the detector is inoperative, and using open flames to check alarms is outright dangerous and defeats the purpose of having the smoke detectors in the first place. Overall, maintaining smoke detectors is crucial for ensuring a safe living environment and preventing fire-related injuries.