Protect yourself and your family by installing and maintaining working
smoke alarms (detectors) in your home. This information can help you
select the appropriate alarms, and install them in the correct locations
in your home.
Always look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark on any smoke
alarm you purchase. There are two types of smoke alarms available.
- Ionization alarms react more quickly to open, flaming fires
and are less expensive.
- Photoelectric alarms react to smoldering fires and are less
likely to react to cooking fires.
For more complete protection, consider purchasing an alarm that
combines both detection technologies.
Alarms can be powered by batteries or by your home's electrical
system.
- Battery-powered models vary greatly based on the battery testing
method, the battery changing method, and when the unit sounds
an alarm for a low battery.
- Hard-wired models are wired directly into the home's electrical
and/or security system and may have a battery back-up to provide
power in the event of an outage.
Where you place the smoke alarms in your home is as important as
how you maintain them. Be sure to place them where everyone in the
home can hear them:
- Outside each sleeping area.
- Inside any bedroom where the door is typically shut.
- On every level (floor) of your home, including the basement.
These smoke alarms, test kits and batteries can help to make your
home fire-safe.
 Smoke
Alarm
Smoke and fire alarms have a variety of special safety and convenience
features such as a "hush" button for non-emergency alarms
or hinged battery cover for easier battery replacement.
[$8 - $30] See
Suppliers
Smoke Alarm with Strobe
This model includes a strobe light that flashes nearly 60 times
per minute. Some models include loud alarms (85 to 90 decibels).
Both features are useful for hearing-impaired individuals.
[$82 - $205] See
Suppliers
Smoke Alarm with Vibration
This unit transmits an alarm signal to a device that vibrates your
bed or chair to warn of a fire.
[$232 - $286] See
Suppliers
Smoke Alarm with Escape Light
A super-bright escape light turns on automatically when the smoke
alarm sounds.
[$19 - $28] See
Suppliers
Smoke Alarm with Remote Control Silencing and
Testing Feature
This design enables you to test your smoke alarm using any remote
control device in your home, eliminating the need to stand on a
stool. A remote control also can be used to silence nuisance activations
such as those caused by cooking.
[$25] See
Suppliers
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
This combination alarm alerts you to the presence of both smoke
and high levels of carbon monoxide.
[$35 - $65] See
Suppliers
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm — Talking
Some smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have voice alarms that warn
"Fire! Fire!" when they detect smoke and "Warning!
Carbon Monoxide" when they detect high levels of carbon monoxide.
These models offer greater safety for visually impaired individuals.
Some units also offer a large strobe light adaptation for the deaf
and hearing impaired.
[$60] See
Supplier
Smoke Check™ Smoke Alarm Tester —
Spray
Use this UL-listed spray to test the smoke alarm without having
to stand on a stool or ladder to reach the alarm.
[$5] See
Supplier
Long-Life Lithium Battery
Using a lithium battery in a smoke alarm offers extended protection
and requires less frequent changing of the battery. This battery
is ideal if you find it difficult to reach the smoke alarm.
[$7] See
Supplier
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