The Situation (Industry Issues):
The number of fire-related deaths in U.S. homes has plateaued over the last decade. During this period, there has been no significant change to smoke alarm code or technology.
According to the National Fire Protection Association 40 percent of home fire deaths result from home fires without smoke alarms, 17 percent in homes where smoke alarms were not working.
- Most smoke alarms that do not work have dead or missing batteries or are more than 10 years old.
- After 10 years, smoke alarms’ efficiency may be compromised with accumulated dust, insects, airborne contaminants and aging electrical circuitry.
- Smoke alarms need to be placed on each floor, in living areas and inside and outside of sleeping areas.
- In a recent survey, 43% of consumers said they don’t know how often to replace alarms.
The Situation (Customer Annoyances/Feedback):
A recent study finds that homeowners are concerned about the risk of fire in their homes –particularly in dangerous locations like the kitchen –but don’t know a lot of the basics about keeping their household safe. Homeowners also think there’s nothing more annoying than hearing that low-battery chirp in the middle of the night.
- 53% of consumers reported that a low-chirp battery is the most annoying thing about their smoke alarm.
- 45% of consumers reported that they have been awakened by a late-night battery chirp.
- 74% of consumers cannot correctly describe where smoke alarms should be placed in their home.
- 78% believe that a fire would be most likely in their kitchens than anywhere else in the home.
The Solution: Sealed 10-year alarms:
When replacing the alarm, consider purchasing a 10-year smoke alarm with a sealed lithium battery.
- It offers maintenance-free protection for the life of the alarm without the hassle of remembering to change a battery.
- Sealing the batteries into the unit’s housing and circuitry makes these alarms tamper resistant.
- After 10 years, the alarm will sound an end-of-life warning, letting the owner know it’s time to replace the alarm.
- The 10-year replacement recommendation applies to all smoke alarms regardless of power source (battery or wired-in) or technology (ionization or photoelectric).
Supporters