Smoke Detectors 101 | Consumer Reports

Your life depends on a smoke detector actually detecting smoke. Consumer Reports’ expert explains what you need to know when purchasing these life-saving devices.

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[Rhio]

Yes, this may indeed be a smoke detector but it has many purposes example: in our house hold, it tells us when dinner is ready!

[gregschwartz]

When will they make a hard-wired smokie that charges the battery so you don't have to replace it as often?

[freddapelter]

Thank you!! So many people do not know there is a difference.

[mangisda]

A man whose job is to prevent a house from burning is named Bernie.

[noobdisaster]

Two detectors: dual sensor and carbon monoxide. Gotcha!

[nrakma]

All Smoke Detectors should have a PATH light. Lights saves lives.

[dreadpirateroberts]

Would have been great to see CR cover pros and cons of battery-powered vs hard-wired. Reason being, if you walk into a typical Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc. in the US to purchase a smoke detector, you'll find one overriding purchase decision: hard-wired or battery-only. Amazingly enough, this platform is full of Australian videos stating what renters or landlords need to know about the legal requirements for battery vs hard-wired detectors, but not about the physical/design/performance differences...pros and cons...between the models.

[kylehill]

In the end regardless of local laws it doesn't really matter how you setup your alarm|(s) as long as they are functional during a fire that's what counts and you at least have 1 that sounds they'll be happy when you sell or need fire insurance.

[CassetteMaster]

In truth, there are two types of photoelectric, one, that uses smoke blocking light shining at a sensor, and the other, which reflects light onto a sensor. Then the ionization uses radioactive material to ionize a chamber of air, allowing a tiny electric current to pass. Once smoke enters it, it disrupts the current flow, thus triggering the alarm.

[zakarycavenaugh]

Smoke detectors have over a 35% chance of failure. Store bought CO goes off at 400 ppm, and the lethal amount starts at 150 ppm

[Steve_in_NJ]

I used to have CO/Smoke Detector units in my house -- one of the many false CO detections brought my local Fire Dept to my house and they said combo units are the WORST so we have separate units now. Oh, and don't forget that Ionization fire detectors MUST BE REPLACED every 10 years (the radioactive isotope has a shelf life)!

[notdisclosed]

I wish they made more detectors that used AA batteries. I also wish they had some with adjustable volume. Not all of us are deaf or need our hearing damaged from false alarms.

[zachg]

“What if a fire happens right in front of your eyes” it’s not real until the smoke detector says so

[Team.Louish]

He reminds me of Keegan-Michael Key, even sometimes acts like him.

[producerk]

Not a good test when the source is right below the detectors. Try again.

[steveseattle]

"It's a dangerous test" - I can't take seriously any advice from people that think lighting 10 sheets of paper is 'get out of the room' dangerous. Home owners buy smoke detectors, not 8 year olds.

[Dailymailnewz]

What about the main power unit where there is a stop and start red button at the very base somewhere?

[joannestealey]

Also it helps to keep bugs away from it

[GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG]

I love how jack pretends he will hear the chirps

[JesusHHernandez]

This reminds me of the SmartPipe infomercial