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. 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 andin 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.
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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 alarm uses ionization sensing technology for the smoke alarm. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles (associated with flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible particles (associated with smoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms. Kidde strongly recommends that both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fire that can occur within the home.
- Employs both smoke and carbon monoxide sensors.
- Stand-alone battery operated alarm is easy to install throughout the home, as no wiring is needed.
- Features a hush button to silence the alarm for non-emergency situations like a smoky dinner.
- Voice alarm eliminates confusion and clearly warns of smoke/CO danger or low battery.
Protects from two different hazards, smoke and carbon monoxide and has a different voice warning for each hazard. View larger.
Fire voice warning: View Movie
Carbon monoxide voice warning: View Movie
The battery operated KN-COSM-B offers easy installation. View larger.Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The Kidde Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm includes a voice warning system that eliminates confusion and clearly warns you and your family of a smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) danger, or if your battery is in need of replacement or your alarm is in hush mode.
Alarm Warnings
Fire: The red LED will flash and be accompanied by three long alarm beeps followed by a verbal warning message "Fire! Fire!" The alarm will repeat the pattern until smoke is eliminated. View movie showing voice warning
Carbon Monoxide: Four short alarm beeps followed by a verbal warning "Warning! Carbon Monoxide!" This continues until the unit is reset or the CO is eliminated. View movie showing voice warning
Low Battery: One chirp followed by warning "Low Battery." The red LED light will flash. This pattern will continue every minute for the first hour. After the first hour, the red LED light will flash once every minute and will be accompanied by the chirp sound. The "Low Battery" warning will only sound once every fifteen minutes.
Voice Hush Indication: "Hush Activated" and "Hush Canceled" voice announcement.
Peak Level Memory: If the alarm had detected a CO level of 100ppm or higher when the Test/Reset button is pressed, the unit will announce "Carbon Monoxide Previously Detected" to warn of the CO incident.
Trademarked Hush Feature for Convenience
By pressing the Hush button, you can easily and safely silence nuisance alarms caused by non-emergency situations, such as overcooked dinners.
This feature desensitizes the alarm for approximately 10 minutes. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately, the unit will verbally announce "Hush Mode Activated", and the green LED will flash every 2 seconds for approximately 10 minutes.
Reliable Battery Power, Indicator LED, Test Feature and Low-Battery Warning
The battery powered alarm provides continuous protection, even during power outages. Because this alarm only helps protect you if it's working, this unit features a red LED that flashes every 30 to 40 seconds to indicate that it is operating correctly. For additional peace of mind, the alarm also contains a test/reset button that enables you to periodically test its circuitry and horn.
If any form of battery failure is detected the red LED light will flash and the unit will "chirp" one time, followed by the warning message "Low Battery." This cycle will occur once every minute, and will continue for at least seven days.
Seven (7) years after initial power up, this unit will "chirp" every 30 seconds. This is an "operational end of life" feature which will indicate that it is time to replace the alarm. UL 2034, the independent standard applicable to CO alarms, requires CO alarms to have an end of life warning. This requirement went into effect in March 2007, meaning any CO alarm manufactured after April 2007 with a UL listing must have this feature. Most states that require CO alarms in residential dwellings mandate that the alarm meet the UL 2034 standard.
The unit measures just 5.75 inches in diameter and 1.7 inches deep, and it features a neutral, white finish. It includes tamper resist features to deter vandalism or theft. This combination smoke/CO alarm is UL listed, so you can be confident of its quality, and it is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.
About Kidde: A UTC Fire & Security Brand
Renowned for global leadership in fire detection and suppression, Kidde provides solutions ranging from portable fire extinguishers to advanced industrial controls such as flame detection and explosion suppression systems. Kidde is a UTC Fire & Security brand, with a history that's rich with innovations, from the patent of the Chubb Detector Lock in 1818 to the development of the world's first wireless networked smoke detectors in 2004.
What's in the Box
Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with mounting bracket and mounting hardware, three AA batteries, a 5-year limited warranty and a bilingual (English/Spanish) user's manual.
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