You opened a pack of hot dogs for your last barbecue. You put the rest in the fridge. Quick: How long have they been in there? And more importantly, how long before they go bad? If you're like most guys you answered, "I don't know" and, "Hot dogs go bad?" Followed by, "I don't feel so good."

Because it's easy to forget when you put leftovers and open jars in the fridge (I've never remembered to write an open date on a single package), and salmonella can put a serious cramp in your week (pun intended), you might want to use something like DaysAgo.

DaysAgo is a small digital timer that counts up days and hours. Push the button, place it on the container, and it starts counting. (Up to 99 days.) A quick check of the display let's you know when it's time to toss.

They come with magnetic backs for use on lids of jars and refrigerator walls, or with suction cups to stick on glass and plastic. And they run on replaceable watch batteries that should last about 18 months.

Not just for food, you can use DaysAgo to count when plants need watering, contact lenses need replacing, medication needs to be dispensed, relationships need to be ended... anything.

By the way, the answer to the hot dog question in the first paragraph? Once a hot dog package has been opened you have about 1 week before they go bad. You can find a list of the USDA's guidelines on DaysAgo's website here.

$10 for a two-pack
www.howmanydaysago.com