DAT - Turntable Repair, DJ Gear Repair, Audio Service - Brooklyn

CLIO, Michigan -- The Xbox had been a constant source of joy for Jennifer Walter's family.

In the seven years since her 22-year-old son brought it home, her three children had used the squat black console to play video games, watch movies and listen to music.

Now it is being blamed for ruining their home.

Two weeks ago, the family was startled awake about 3 a.m. by fire alarms in their apartment above the Whistle Stop Cafe, which they own.

When the smoke cleared, firefighters traced the cause of the fire to a recreation room off the basement where the Xbox sat.

Investigators concluded the Xbox -- which may have been on as long as four days -- had overheated and set a nearby spiral notebook on fire.

In the days since the Aug. 25 fire, the family has faced one problem after another.

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LESSON LEARNED?

So what do we learn from this issue? First: Yes, leaving most electronic devices on for extended periods of time can lead to overheating, possibly with disastrous consequences. Try to keep all electronics well ventilated, and ensure that air vents are clear of dust and aren't blocked by anything (even a single sheet of paper can be enough to cause a dangerous overheating condition). Don't lock computers or consoles behind closed cabinets, either: Even if they don't burn down the house, you could damage the electronics inside when things get too hot.

Finally, keep tabs on recall notices by checking sites like Recalls.gov from time to time to make sure your gear isn't on the danger list. And of course, if you've still got an original Xbox in use, check out Microsoft's recall information here. Better late than never.