First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm

First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm

Reviews : First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm

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Amazon.com Product Description

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, yet many people don't know they are suffering from CO poisoning until its too late. Since symptoms of CO poisoning are like the flu, you might not even know you're in danger at first. That's why a carbon monoxide alarm is an excellent way to protect your family. It can detect the CO you can't see, smell or taste in the air.

The First Alert SCO5CN carbon monoxide and smoke alarm uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor-the most accurate technology available. The alarm uses photoelectric smoke sensing technology which is environmentally friendlier and which reduces nuisance alarms, making it ideal for cooking areas. It is also great for sensing slow smoldering fires quickly. The permanent sensors last the lifetime of the alarm. The test/silence button both silences a non-threatening alarm or low battery warning and allows you to test the unit's functionality. The alarm uses different 85-decibel horns and lights depending on whether it's alerting you to smoke or carbon monoxide. A low battery signal alerts you to replace the battery and end-of-life alarm of three chirps alerts you to replace the unit. Two AA batteries are included. 5-year limited warranty. UL listed. Not available for sale in Massachusetts.--Bree Norlander

What's in the Box
One combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm, two AA batteries, and user's manual

This review is from: First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm (Tools & Home Improvement)

Good price for this product.

It replaces an older unit from a different company that had died and refused to stop beeping regardless of the battery that was put in it.

I assume that if I do not die in my sleep from smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning, the unit works as it should.

If I do die in my sleep because it failed, I'll figure out how to update this review from the great beyond. Wish me luck!

This review is from: First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm (Tools & Home Improvement)

Had an alarm located near the kitchen using the ionization technology. It was driving me crazy with false alarms. I couldn't even use the toaster without the thing going into full panic, necessitating me having to leave my food preparations and charge around to silence the alarm. The unit lasted only a year...no surprise under the circumstances. While researching for a replacement I came to realize that the photoelectric technology would more likely be better for said location. Plus, I found that it was wise to use both types in the home. Since getting this alarm, I have had no false alarms while cooking and now have the satisfaction of having both types, since the ionization ones are in other areas of the home. Now, if this one just works when there is a true kitchen alert needed, I'm all set.

Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable

Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable

Reviews : Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable

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Amazon.com Product Description

The Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable, providing two important safety devices in a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system that helps eliminate confusion, as it tells you if its detected fire or carbon monoxide, or even if it needs a new battery. This alarm has 9 volt battery backup, which protects you and your family - even during a power outage when many incidences occur. The alarm also allows you to easily silence nuisance alarms using its convenient Smart Hush feature. This talking combo alarm is powered by your home’s electricity and can interconnect with other smoke alarms in your home. Experts recommend interconnected alarms, because when one sounds, they all sound, providing an early warning against fire by dramatically increasing your ability to hear an alarm anywhere in your home, regardless of where the fire starts.

Combination Smoke/CO Alarm for Improved Safety

The Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable includes a voice warning system that eliminates confusion and clearly warns you and your family of a smoke or carbon monoxide danger, or if your battery is in need of replacement or your alarm is in hush mode.

This review is from: Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable (Tools & Home Improvement) This seems to be working as the manual says. The only problem is that I've had a few false positives. This is because that the manual states that this unit should not be within 3 feet of the bathroom entryway. I'm going to assume that this is due to fact that the heat or steam from opening the door after a shower/bath would set it off. And it does. I'm not saying that this is a problem, I'm glad that it is that sensitive. But I didn't install it to the recommended directions and this is the result. So with this result I'm going to say that this unit has been tested thoroughly and they have put much effort into the day to day operations of this unit. As for the Carbon monoxide I can't say how it would react in a real life situation. But I would hope that if the fire portion of the unit was this well designed then the Carbon Monoxide should perform just as well.
I could recommend this unit for anyone looking not just for piece of mind for fire detection but if they also wanted to detect carbon monoxide.

First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery

First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery

 

 Review : First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery

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Amazon.com Product Description

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%, and that's important because a home fire starts every 83 seconds! The faster you know about a fire, the faster you can start moving your family outside. The First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery with lithium battery gives you the peace of mind of a 10-year battery life warranty. It uses ionization smoke sensing technology with a new contemporary enhanced smoke gathering design. It features a low battery alert to remind you when to change the battery and has a missing battery guard to ensure that a battery is placed inside the alarm. The side battery drawer slides open for easy battery replacement. A blinking power indicator on the unit confirms that it is receiving power. The silence/test button allows you to both silence a non-threatening alarm and to test the unit's functionality. The alarm contains an optional pin to lock the battery and unit in place for tamper resistance. It can be mounted on either the ceiling or the wall and can be used in mobile homes and RVs. It includes one 9-volt lithium power cell with 10-year battery life warranty. 10-year limited warranty on alarm unit. UL listed for safety. Approved for sale in Oregon.--Bree NorlanderWhat's in the Box
One smoke alarm, user's manual, and one 9-volt lithium power cell

From the Manufacturer

First Alert® battery-powered smoke alarms are easy to install and have many unique features designed for different areas of your home. All feature low battery alert "chirps" to remind you when to change the battery. 

This review is from: First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery (Tools & Home Improvement)

After reading that smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, and not knowing the age of some in the house, we replaced them all with these devices. They're inexpensive, and if they operate as advertised the lithium battery will cost less than 10 years worth of alkalines. Besides, I get tired of getting out the ladder for the one in the high ceilinged room and with these there's no worrying about remembering to change the batteries. I just wrote the month and year installed with a Sharpie on the one in the basement and we'll replace them in a decade or so. 

This review is from: First Alert SA305CN Smoke Alarm with Long Life Lithium Battery (Tools & Home Improvement)

I was happy to see this model come out with a long life Lithium battery. I have about 4 of these in my home and it annoys me to have to change batteries at 4:00am to stop the chirping. Installation is simple, detector is loud and easy to operate. Worst complaint is the ugly design as it looks a bit too industrial for indoor use.

First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm

First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm

Reviews : First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm List Price: $44.99 Price: $21.47 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.  You Save: $23.52 (52%)  59% buy the item featured on this page:
Amazon.com Product Description No one wants to think about a fire in their home, but being prepared and recognizing signs of danger early can help keep you and your family alive and safe. The First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm is equipped to detect smoke particles caused by both flaming and smoldering fires. For convenience, it allows you to mute false alarms remotely using any remote control and without compromising the alarm's functionality.
This review is from: First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm (Tools & Home Improvement) Up until now I've only lived in houses with the usual smattering of random low-end smoke detectors. This smoke detector puts all of them to shame. Installation is incredibly easy. The smoke detector separates from the base with a light twist (not the usual yanking or bending that always has me convinced I'm about to break the thing). The mounting base is really light, which is nice when your standing on a chair and pressing it to the ceiling above your head. There are two long channels for placing the two screws that hold it up, which gives you a decent amount of error margin. If you're replacing an existing smoke detector, sometimes you can even use both original holes. First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm also put some thought into battery replacement. The battery compartment is a dedicated slot that swings out from the side. It's easy to open and close and keyed so it won't close properly if you put the battery in backwards. Although the battery is a standard 9V, the smoke detector uses pressure clips (like you'd find with AAs) rather than the standard snap-in design which requires more forcing. The remote silencer/test feature is great. Basically you hold down the volume or channel controls from your TV remote to silence or test the detector. This makes this smoke detector ideal for kitchens and rooms with high ceilings since you can silence it without having to get out a stool. One drawback of the remote feature is that if you have a bedroom or kitchen with a TV in it, you probably shouldn't buy this smoke detector for that room. Before we installed them, I had the detectors on a side table in the living room and managed to accidentally set off their test modes while using the remote to operate the TV. If you're buying the smoke detector for use in a house you plan to rent out, you might be concerned that all these convenience features will make it too easy for your tenants to disable the detectors. First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm solved this problem by providing two locking pins: one for the battery compartment and one for the twist-off base. These pins are installed and removed with a pair of pliers. Of course installing the locking pins makes the smoke detector harder to use. As one of the other reviewers commented, this smoke detector doesn't look like the picture on this page. Go to First Alert's web site if you want to see an accurate picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm

Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm

 

Review :Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm

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Amazon.com Product Description

The Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm combines two important safety devices into a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system that announces "Fire, Carbon Monoxide, Low Battery, or Smart Hush Activation." The voice alarm eliminates any confusion and clearly warns you and your family of a smoke or carbon monoxide danger, or if your battery is in need of replacement. This unit uses three AA batteries, protecting you and your family even during a power outage.

This review is from: Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've installed installed two of these Kidde brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in my elder parents home. I have one in my own home as well and have found them all to be reliable and trouble free. ( Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm )

What attracted me to this model were its many features:

First, it has a low profile, attractive and unobtrusive design.

Second and perhaps most important, it has a voice speaking function that, in addition to the 85db alert horn, will speak out clear warnings: "FIRE, FIRE" or "DANGER: CARBON MONOXIDE". I think that this feature is a terrific addition toward modern life-safety technology. Indeed, you will likely see more voice warning devices in the near future.

We rely on these detectors to warn us, especially at night when we are sleeping. Awakening to this detector from a deep sleep helps orient you quickly by telling you the specific danger -- clearly and unmistakably. Notably, recent studies have shown that children can sleep through traditional smoke detector alarms, but will respond to voice warnings -- which this unit provides. Thus, placed in or near bedrooms this device can be a true lifesaver.

Another favorite feature is ease of installation. It was a breeze and truly could not be simpler. A screwriver is all you need. A small power drill/driver would speed the process, but is not necessary. Two screws into the ceiling or wall and you are done with the mounting bracket. The detector then just clicks in to place with a clockwise flick of the wrist. This is a do-it-yourselfer's dream. It doesn't get any easier!

Battery maintenance is easy too as all you need do is turn the detector counter-clock wise a few clicks, and down it comes. You slide open the battery cover, take out the old batteries and pop in the new. Replace the detector back in the attached ceiling bracket, give it a slight turn and in it goes with a firm click. Done! Easier than screwing in a light bulb.

Finally, the price is right! Under $40 for a unique life-safety device that is quickly installed and easily maintained.

I have elected to use Energizer lithium batteries and replace them every 12 months -- with no problems. You may wish to change the batteries every 6 or 9 months. Duracells would also be a good choice. I personally would not use the cheaper, so called "heavy duty" batteries in a life-safety device.

I should add that I would also suggest that if you have a home with multiple levels or an apartment with several rooms, having a separate stand-alone carbon monoxide detector elsewhere in the house as part of a total home plan would be a wise investment. Kidde also makes a fine combination model that protects against Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas. That unit, which has a digital display, runs on electricity and has a battery back-up system. It plugs in any electric outlet and can stay in the wall socket, or it can be placed flat on a table or dresser.

I would also recommend Kidde's dedicated dual sensor photoelectric/ionization smoke detectors. These dual sensor devices provide maximum warning under fast or slow moving fire conditions. As one never knows what kind of fire could occur, these are the most versatile.

Be sure to test your alarm regularly. REMEMBER that most carbon monoxide detectors NEED TO BE REPLACED about every five to seven years (see manufacturer's guidelines). Similarly, smoke detectors have a useable life span as well. It's usually a little longer than carbon monoxide detectors -- check your manufacturer's guidelines.

Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm

Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm

Review : Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm

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Amazon.com Product Description

The Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm combines photoelectric and ionization sensing technologies into one unit to offer broad detection against smoldering and flaming fires. Experts recommend that for optimal protection you have both types of sensing technology in your home. This smoke alarm's trademarked Hush feature allows you to silence nuisance alarms, while an indicator LED and test feature let you easily confirm that the alarm is working.

From the Manufacturer

70% of all home fire deaths occur in homes with no alarms or no working alarms, and nearly one quarter of Kidde PI9000 smoke alarms in reported fires are not working. Both photoelectric and ionization sensors are built into this alarm, providing the best overall protection. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles associated with slow smoldering fires sooner than Ionization alarms. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles associated with fast flaming fires sooner that Photoelectric sensing alarms. For optimal protection of both types of fire, install this Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm. This model functions as a single unit smoke alarm with Hush feature, allowing you to quickly silence nuisance alarms. Install UL listed smoke alarms on every floor of your home, in hallways, inside bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. 

This review is from: Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm (Tools & Home Improvement)

Even though there are many, many types of smoke detectors available, there really isn't much choice. Literature on fire safety says to get one that has both the ionization feature and the photoelectric feature. You see many that only have one feature or they combine it with a carbon monoxide detector. Get a smoke detector that focuses on its job. Get a separate carbon monoxide detector and locate it down at your level instead of high on a ceiling.

The alarm is nice and loud, which I need. I wish it could wirelessly activate the other alarms when it goes off. You have to remove the smoke detector to change the battery, but that is very easy to do.

Don't forget to mark on your long term calendar to replace it in 8-10 years. The ionization feature may not work after that.

 

 

 

 

 

First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light

First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light 

 

 

Review :  First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light 

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Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring state-of-the-art technology that provides you and your family with an early warning of household fire, the First Alert SA720CN Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm with Escape Light is an effective device designed to be the first line of defense in your household's fire-safety plan. This UL-listed alarm detects the presence of smoke and fire, while also providing a source of light to help guide you safely outside.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Fire is a serious threat to every household; it can strike anywhere, any time. The frightening truth is that in 2005, there were nearly 381,000 home fires in the U.S., resulting in over 16,000 casualties. Thankfully, smoke alarms like the SA720CN help to reduce the risk of death in a household fire by up to 50 percent. The more smoke alarms you have installed in your home, the higher the chance you'll be alerted to a fire in time to escape.

This review is from: First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light 

Folks,
Ionization detectors DO NOT protect you. The results and test methods are false due to the fire industy's cozy relationship with smoke detector manufacturers (yes, direct kick backs, look it up) and money for lobbyists in Sacramento and Washington DC. The profit margin on ionization detectors is much higher than photoelectric. Only photoelectric (required in commercial buildings - why not residential?) WORK. 75% of ionization detectors did not sound AT ALL in smoke filled rooms lethal to humans and have failed repeated independent tests. I'm a 20 year veteran of the fire service and a paramedic. I can guarantee you will DIE from smoke inhalation before an ionization alarm EVER goes off. No one dies from being burnt, you die from asphyxiation due to smoke and poisonous gases. Read this and only buy photoelectric. There's too much information for me to go into it here. Be sure and follow the World Safety Fire Foundation link. If that doesn't convince you to go photoelectric you're playing with death. Email [...] and if you send a SASE I will send you a dvd proving much of these assertions to you. It includes a show from Canadian TV that is ILLEGAL to show in the US as well as other information. BE SAFE! My dept's Chief's message is below:
BD

Chief's Message
Warning: Your smoke alarm may not detect smoke

Currently, there is great confusion regarding the topic of smoke alarms. There are two types of smoke alarms used to protect residents in the event of a fire; photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms- both respond differently to smoke and flame.

Ionization smoke alarms react poorly to deadly smoke but faster to flames while photoelectric alarms react much faster to smoke. Ionization alarms are present in over 95% of homes in America and have a high failure rate when it comes to detecting smoke. The problem is, most deadly fires are smoldering fires and not fast flaming fires. By now, most people understand it is deadly smoke and heat that kills you before the flames even reach you. Ionization alarms should be labeled flame alarms and not smoke alarms.

An example of a fast flaming fire would be a Christmas tree fire, which certainly have claimed their share of resident's lives, but nowhere near the number of lives claimed by smoldering fires. Other fast flaming fires would be kitchen fires, which are the leading cause of residential fires, but rarely do they claim lives. I implore you to watch the following videos and audio clips: video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4 (University of Cincinnati presentation), audio clip 1.

Arguably, a greater problem with the ionization alarm is the number of false alarms it renders, thus leading to residents disconnecting the alarm all together. I must include an interesting story - a couple of years ago, with my infinite knowledge, I installed a combination ionization/photoelectric smoke alarm in my living room. Because my home is not large, the house is heated by a wood burning stove. After numerous false alarms (initiated by the invisible smoke) started by my stove, I gave up using the hush button (as it did not silence long enough) and disconnected the battery and remained disconnected until I went to bed. Finally after one season, I placed the combination alarm in my bedroom (replacing the older alarm) and placed a new photoelectric alarm in my living room. Do I need to tell you the results? Not one false alarm. So my point is, how many residents (worldwide) give up and just permanently disconnect the ionization alarm and expose themselves to a potential lethal smoldering fire? Moreover, there have been many fire deaths worldwide with working ionization smoke alarms present but failed to detect smoke. Regrettably, the fire industry has yet to take an official stand to eliminate ionization smoke alarms once and for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choosing Smoke Alarm Types

Choosing the Right Smoke Alarm What Types of Smoke Alarms Are There?

       Smoke alarms can be found with a variety of features and added benefits to help maximize home safety, however it is important to know there are two main types of smoke alarms. They are differentiated by the smoke sensing technology they are constructed with. These technologies are called ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors and differ by the way they react to a fire occurrence:

• Ionization technology smoke alarms are generally more sensitive than photoelectric technology smoke alarms at sensing small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by hot, flaming fires, that are consuming combustible materials rapidly and may spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen.

• Photoelectric smoke alarm technology is generally more sensitive than ionization smoke detector technology at sensing large smoke particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires, which may smolder for hours before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding.

For maximum protection, industry experts recommend the use of both types of technology on each level and in every bedroom of your home. Regardless of what type of smoke alarm you have in your home, First Alert recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.

How to Help Reduce Nuisance Alarms
        According to a survey performed by First Alert, a leading manufacturer of smoke alarms, nearly 7 out of 10 Americans have had a smoke detector alarm because of smoke from cooking. More than 50% of Americans admitted to having silenced a false alarm by removing it from the wall or taking out the batteries.*

It is very important to never deactivate a smoke alarm for any reason. One way to help reduce the occurrence of a nuisance alarm is to install photoelectric-type smoke alarms in those areas of the home where they happen. First Alert recommends installing a photoelectric-type smoke alarm in these areas because it is activated by sensing the smoke from a larger, “smoldering fire” – not, for example, from the smoke particles of burnt toast or a blast of humidity from a hot shower.

First Alert offers the industry's widest range of photoelectric smoke alarms designed to meet all local and state fire codes. All of the alarms manufactured by First Alert meet or exceed the performance standards for smoke alarms set forth by nationally recognized testing laboratories.

smoke alarm

Type of the smoke alarm.

Smoke alarm is one of many security devices against fire that you can find in the market. This security system comes in different types and different models so you can have wide variety of choices. However, sometimes people do not know how to choose the best system because they do not have enough understanding about the system. To help you know more about this security system, the author would like to share some information about smoke alarm system to you.moke alarm is a certain security device that is specifically designed to detect smokes in a certain house or building. You can find two different types available in the market. The first one is photoelectric alarm that is designed to detect any smoldering smoke conditions in a certain building or house. Bedding and upholstery fires are some examples of the conditions that could be detected by photoelectric alarm.

The next type is the ionization alarm. This type is specifically designed to detect flaming fire conditions like what usually happen in paper fires. Since both of them are very important in detecting different types of smokes, installing those systems in your house or office building will be highly recommended.

Then, you have to know more about the installation system and the maintenance as well. The most important thing in installing this security system in your house or office building is making sure that this alarm system should be installed in every room, even in the attics and basements. Therefore, fire could be quickly detected so it will not get bigger and destroy the entire part of your house.

You have to regularly clean or vacuum your alarm system so the dirt will not block the sensor. Then, you should also replace the alarm once in 10 years. Your alarm system works almost every single minute everyday so the performance will be decreasing everyday. Furthermore, disable your smoke alarm in annoying situation such as when false alarm occurs is not recommended. It will bring bad effect to the performance of the system.

By knowing well the type of the smoke alarm system and the proper care about it, your home or office building will have less risk of fire. It is quite simple, right?

Basic Tips:

1) Smoke alarms are made to detect two kinds of smoke- smoldering and flaming smoke.  Not all smoke alarms are made to detect both kinds of smoke.  It is best to purchase ones which can detect and alert to either kind of smoke.  These types of smoke alarms are often called dual sensing and can be purchased for under $30.
2) Get an alarm with convenient features.  If it's in your budget, you may want to consider purchasing a smoke alarm with some new and convenient features such as a remote control by which you can mute the alarm in case of a false alarm.  Other features include an easy opening battery box and easy access test button.
3) Many new homes require that smoke alarms get a hard wire instalation. For this you will need an experineced electrician. If you sleep with our doors closed and or have small children in your home, then consider having your smoke alarms hard wired so that when one alarms goes on, then all of the alarms will go on.
4) Special considerations- Research shows that younger children awake quicker to a smoke alarm which uses voice activation.  In other words, the alarm is a loud familiar voice that repeats loudly like an alarm siren.  For the hearing impaired there are also special smoke alarms such as those with strobe lights.

Installation Tips:

1) A smoke alarm should be installed in every bedroom, at the top of every stairwell, in the basement, in the kitchen and in hallways of your choice. There should be a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
2) Smoke alarms are best installed on a ceiling or wall. Ceiling smoke alarms should be installed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall while wall smoke alarms about 12 inches away from the ceiling. Install the alarms at least 20 feet from appliances like furnaces and ovens. For pitched ceilings- The alarm should be installed near the ceilings highest point.
3) Smoke alarms should not be installed near doors, windows, or vents as it could cause them to work inefficiently.

Maintenance Tips:

1) Test your smoke alarm monthly by pressing the test button located on the outside of the alarm.
2) Replace batteries at least twice a year.
3) Never paint over a smoke alarm
4) Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years