DIY Life

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maple Chase Company, has issued a voluntary recall of about 280,000 FireX branded 10000 series carbon monoxide alarms and 12000 series CO/ smoke combo alarms.

Prior to going into full alarm sound, the recalled alarms can sound a "double chirp"/fault alarm when CO is present. The owners manual instructs consumers to take the alarm out of service when they hear the double chirp. Consumers could then be exposed to hazardous level of CO and suffer injury or death.

The recalled alarms were manufactured in Mexico and sold by commercial electrical distributors and electrical contractors and builders for installation into new home construction, and by Menards from June 2007 through February 2008 for about $20 for the 10000 series alarm and $30 for the 12000 series alarm. Please see the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers are advised not to take the alarms out of service until they receive a replacement alarm. To make arrangements to return the recalled alarm and to receive a free comparable replacement alarm, contact Maple Chase at (888) 879-3906, or visit their website at www.firexsafety.com.

How familiar is this: a TV commercial comes on, showing a calm, peaceful household. A typical June Cleaver type mom is humming and doing the dishes. Cute daughter is upstairs just bedding down with her cuddly teddy bear. All of a sudden, all hell breaks loose!

Alarms start wailing, lights are flashing, and a guy wearing a ski mask is high-tailing it down the sidewalk. Cut away to a dimly-lit command center. A very serious young man is speaking to June Cleaver, "Ma'am, it's all taken care of. Help is on the way."

That's right, they're selling you an alarm system. But Max at zedomax.com will show you how to build your own alarm system in under five minutes. Just follow his instructions. Don't think he can do it? He's even got a video that proves it! Here's what you'll need:

• A CB280 Start Kit
• A CLCD420-B
• A 4X4 Keypad
• A Keypad Controller

Max also includes the source code and explains that you can customize it with menus, scheduling, etc. Bottom line, you can geek this thing to your heart's content. June Cleaver not included, some assembly required!

Alarms, 2 way voice, video surveillance; you can ditch all these home security systems and follow Big Lou's advice for a DIY security system. Here's what you need:

1. Big boots
2. Large men's jacket
3. Gun and Riffle magazine
4. Beer

Curious about this odd combination of materials and how they come together to make one exceptionally reliable security system? Check out her video. Big Lou is a widowed mother of 4 teenage boys and the queen of DIY. Originally from New York, she takes care of all the repairs and maintenance in her Long Island home. She's gorgeous, tough and down right hilarious. Enjoy.

Whenever I think of my original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), I get a warm, glowing feeling inside. Growing up in the early 80s, I have such fond memories of all those classic games -- being the first kid in my class to beat level 8-1 on Super Mario Brothers, finally figuring out how to kill Ganon in The Legend of Zelda (gold cartridge, of course), becoming an accredited, Nintendo Power-certified Tetris master -- so you can imagine the great and profound sadness I felt when I finally had to put down my original NES console. I've since replaced her with a nearly-new model from eBay, but I keep my original system in the closet, and still pull her out from time to time just to reminisce.

As the years have gone by, I've begun to wonder if I could find another use for my old NES friend. I hate to have her sitting in the bottom of the closet, gathering dust and spiders, when she could be repurposed for a different, grander purpose. After looking around online, it's amazing just how many DIY projects exist for old NES units.