That’s because photoelectric smoke detectors react faster and could save lives.

• They use a beam of light to detect smoke. When the smoke breaks the light, the alarm sounds.

• Many home fires smoulder instead of spreading quickly, which produces toxic black smoke. They may take longer to develop into flames.

• Traditional smoke detectors wouldn’t detect the fire until flames were present.

• Photoelectric smoke detectors would sense the fire as soon as the smoke breaks the light.

• Photoelectric smoke detectors cost anywhere from four to eight dollars more than a regular smoke detector

Shaker Heights Fire Chief Kevin Jacobs said if residents can’t afford to switch, the fire department will provide a new one for them.
- WKYC-TV

Two-thirds of the smoke alarms in non-confined home structure fires are battery-operated. Homes built after 1980 are more likely to have hardwired smoke alarms. Hardwired smoke alarms tend to be interconnected so that if one sounds, all will sound. This can provide earlier warning throughout the home regardless of the location of the fire and the location of the occupants. Only 7 percent of the failures found in the 2000-2004 study were due to hardwired power-source problems.

It’s the Law
Senate Bill 183 in California requires Carbon Monoxide Alarms for dwelling units intended for human occupancy with a fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.

Effective Date
Effective date of this law is January 1, 2011 for new construction, July 1, 2011 for existing single family dwellings and January 1, 2013 for all other.

Dwellings Affected
“Dwelling unit intended for human occupancy” means a single-family dwelling, factory-built home as defined in Section 19971, duplex, lodging house, dormitory, hotel, motel, condominium, stock cooperative, time-share project, or dwelling unit in a multiple-unit dwelling building.

Installation Requirements
The code states “With respect to the number and placement of carbon monoxide devices, the devices shall be installed in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy.” It is expected one alarm is required outside each sleeping room, on each story and in the basement.

Approved Alarms
Alarms are required to be approved by an nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) such as UL or ETL to the ANSI/UL 2034 standard and be approved and listed by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM). Alarms may be hardwired with battery backup, plug-in with battery backup or battery operated. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are also acceptable as long as they meet ANSI/UL 2034 and 217 standards.

Exemptions
Exemptions are included for buildings containing neither attached garage nor fossil fuel burning appliances.

Battery Operated

CO250B: 9V battery powered, electrochemical CO sensor, Silence

CO250LB: CO250B with 9V lithium battery

CO400B: Two AA battery powered, electrochemical CO sensor

CO410B: Two AA battery powered, digital
display, electrochemical CO sensor

Plug-In with Battery Backup

CO604B: 120VAC plug-in with 9V battery backup, electrochemical CO sensor

CO614B: Same as CO604B with digital display

Hardwired with Battery Backup

CO5120BN: 120VAC, 9V battery backup

CO5120PDBN: Same as CO5120BN with digital display

Combination Smoke/CO Alarms

SCO2B: 9V battery powered, Ionization smoke/electrochemical CO

SCO2LB: SCO2B with 9V lithium battery

SC9120B: 120VAC, 9V battery backup,Ionization smoke/electrochemical CO

SCO5B: Two AA battery powered, Photoelectric smoke/electrochemical CO

SC7010B: 120VAC, AA battery backup, Photoelectric smoke/electrochemical CO

On Sale For $25.99

The Kidde Nighthawk Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm (KN-COB-B-LS) provides you and your family with a loud warning signal against the dangers of elevated carbon monoxide levels in your home. This battery operated CO alarm provides continuous monitoring of CO levels, even during power outages when AC-only units are not providing protection. The Nighthawk CO alarm has a 7- year life, and provides 40% longer protection than other CO alarms. The Nighthawk DC Basic alarm has a small, sleek design that is suitable for all living areas, and Written information and instruction are included with this unit which makes operation easy for anyone to understand. The battery operated CO alarm includes multiple mounting options allowing installation on a wall or tabletop.

Features:
• Battery Operated (3 AAA batteries included)

• Test/Reset Button: Tests the unit for proper operation

• 7-year End of Life Warning: Alerts user to replace alarm after 7 years of operation.

• UL Listed

Features:
• Part Number: 900-0235

• Model: KN-COB-B-LS

• Power Source: 3 AAA Batteries

• Sensor: Electrochemical

• Audio Alarm: 85dB at 10ft

• Temperature Range: 40° (4°C) to 100°F (38°C)

• Humidity Range: 10%- 95% relative humidity (RH)

• Size: 3.0″ x 5.0″ x 1.5″

• Weight: .44lbs with battery

• Interconnectable: No

• Warranty: 7 year limited

On Sale Now For $25.99

In the next few months carbon monoxide (CO) laws will take affect in California, Washington and Oregon. Learn about activity in your state, and how to protect your family from The Silent Killer. Purchase your CO and Smoke Combination Alarms today!

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

• If your smoke alarms are hard wired, that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician do the initial installation or install replacements. For battery powered smoke alarms, all you will need for installation is a screw driver. Some brands are self adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or ceiling where they are placed. For all smoke alarm installations, be sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because there are differences between the various brands. Call your local fire department (on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning

• Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.

• Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.

• Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.

• Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.

• When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

If alarms are required, the alarms must be located outside of each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom. Where a tenancy exists, the tenant must maintain the CO alarm as specified by the manufacturer, including replacement of the batteries. Single station carbon monoxide alarms must be listed as complying with UL 2034, and installed in accordance with the code and the manufacturer’s instructio

FACT: More than one-third (36 percent) of Americans who own a traditional home extinguisher indicated that they would not feel “very confident” operating it should a cooking fire ignite, according to a First Alert survey. Be prepared and ready to fight fires with the easy-to-use, compact, Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray.

Getty Images

Here’s an eye-opening fact. According to a recent nationwide survey by First Alert, 66 percent of American households do not contain the number of smoke alarms mandated by the National Fire Protection Association. And that number spikes to 90 percent for homes that don’t have adequate detection for carbon monoxide; 40 percent of homes in the survey had zero working carbon monoxide detectors. That said, nine out of 10 respondents thought they did, indeed, have adequate fire protection.

“What’s troubling is that many people don’t realize that their families are at risk,” says Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for First Alert. We asked Deborah what we really need to do to equip our homes with the best fire protection.

BUYING SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

There are actually two different types of electricity: photoelectric and ionization. Both technologies are recommended and both types of alarms are made.

– Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting slow, smoldering fires (like a cigarette in the couch).
– Ionization alarms are good for flash fires (which are more common.)

It’s recommended to have both types of alarms, or dual sensors, throughout the house. With some new advanced alarms, there is smart-sensing technology, so the alarm knows to ignore a nuisance (like burning popcorn in the microwave.) First Alert has combo smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that can talk to you and tell you where the fire is. There are smoke alarms that light a path with an escape light. Newer alarms now have mute buttons, so you can easily silence if it’s a nuisance – since you don’t want to take the batteries out (and forget to replace.) Look for an alarm that has that test and mute capability.

How many alarms do you need?
You should install an alarm on every level of your home and inside every sleeping area (or bedroom). “When you’re asleep, your sense of smell actually goes to sleep,” says Deborah. That means that the idea that the smell of bacon or coffee wakes you up in the morning is wrong; your body was already aroused to wake up.

For this reason, it’s critical to have a smoke alarm where you sleep. It’s also so important to have carbon monoxide detectors in the bedrooms. “If something does happen in the middle of the night, carbon monoxide puts you in a sleepier state,” says Hanson. If you’re living in a spacious 3500+ square foot house, you should consider adding an extra alarm, so you’re well-covered.

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Where should you install smoke alarms?
Deborah recommends installing smoke alarms on the ceiling, because smoke travels upward. Smoke alarms are either hard-wired, battery-powered, or wireless. Hard-wired alarms require a visit from an electrician. The new wireless alarms work in a wireless network just like hard-wired alarms, alerting you to a fire in another room; no electrician necessary. First Alert battery-operated smoke alarms come with mounting brackets, screws, and the batteries so you can easily install them yourself. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are either hard-wired or battery-powered (never plug-in.)

Where do you install carbon monoxide detectors?
You can put carbon monoxide detectors almost anywhere; carbon monoxide is lighter than air, so you don’t have to place them on the ceiling. You can install them out of the way, behind a nightstand, or plug in a unit by the baseboard. You just don’t want to install a carbon monoxide alarm within 10-15 feet of a stove or furnace, both of which emit trace levels of carbon monoxide.

TESTING A SMOKE ALARM

- Smoke detectors don’t last forever. Your alarm is working every minute, 365 days a year. You should replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Carbon monoxide alarms have a lifespan of 5 years.
- Test that the alarm is working. Technically, you’re supposed to test your alarms once a week, but hardly anyone does that. At the very least, says Deborah, you should check your alarms twice a year (use daylight savings as a reminder to change the batteries.) With some tech-savvy alarms, you can actually test your alarm by simply pushing a button on your TV’s remote control. It’s that easy.
- Don’t ignore your alarm. “I caution people not to ignore your carbon monoxide warning,” says Hanson, who reminds us that carbon monoxide is odorless. If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, First Alert advises to shut off all appliances and open windows and doors to let clean air circulate. If the problem continues, you may be dealing with a leaky appliance. To avoid false-alert confusion, alarms use a different sound to give a low-battery warning; you’ll hear an intermittent chirp every few minutes.

TAKING PRECAUTIONS

Fire Drills
You need to talk to your family about some type of plan in case of emergency. Plot it out on paper and see where your exits are. Discuss with young kids what they should do if they hear an alarm. Practice a fire drill. If kids are taught about what to listen for and practice, they’ll register that they’re supposed to get up and out of the house. Talk about how you’re supposed to go low if there’s smoke – and never return back into a house on fire. The U.S. Fire Administration offers these tips on planning an escape route in the event of a fire.

Common Sense Fire Protection Reminders

– Carbon monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion. You can avoid carbon monoxide poisonings by never running a car in an attached garage. Be cognizant of where your car is running, if you have an automatic ignition or you’re pulling into the garage at night and get distracted before pulling your keys out.

– Never light a fire indoors using a charcoal or hibachi grill.

– Make sure you have your chimney sweeped - you want your chimney checked for any obstructions, like a bird’s nest. “These days everyone lives in such airtight homes. don’t forget to crack open a window,” says Hanson. “Make sure your home is breathing properly.”

- The kitchen fire is still the most popular kind of fire. Be aware of kitchen safety.