AMERICANS BECOMING FASHION-CONSCIOUS
ABOUT THEIR SMOKE ALARMS, SURVEY SHOWS
Safety with Style in Demand for Fire Prevention Week
While maximum protection and safety remain foremost in
importance, many Americans now have become “fashionistas” when
it comes to their smoke alarms, a new nationwide survey* reveals.
Conducted
by First Alert as part of a consumer education program tied to national
Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-12), the survey of 1,000 Americans showed
that a majority (54
percent) would be more likely to buy new smoke alarms that offer the
latest in technology in a smaller, more attractive design. And, nearly
40 percent would like to have a choice of buying alarms that better
blend with their home décor.
“These
statistics reflect the same trends that are emerging in other home
products categories from appliances to electronics,” said Deborah
Hanson, director of external affairs
for First Alert, a leader in residential fire and carbon monoxide (CO)
detection devices. “Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking more
sophisticated, streamlined designs that complement and enhance the look
and feel of their home.”
Based
on the survey feedback, home security products are no exception. When
asked to describe the overall appearance of a typical smoke alarm,
“People used words like blah,
bland, boring, clunky, dull, plain and unattractive,” Hanson said.
Throughout October, First Alert is hosting a Facebook smoke alarm
giveaway here.
To enter, fans will have to take a quiz to determine their safety
style, which will match either the P900 or P1000 alarm. Throughout
October, ten winners per day will receive the alarm that matches their
décor style!
Protection Still Paramount
Despite
the desire for style, safety continues to be the #1 factor when
choosing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, according to the survey.
When
asked to name the most important features in alarms, nine in 10
respondents said performance or dependability (91 percent), low-battery
reminders (90 percent) and end-of-life
features (89 percent). Also ranked highly were multi-purpose alarms
suitable for all types of rooms, cited by 74 percent.
“We
found the high percentage of consumers who want safety features like
low-battery reminders and end-of-life signals very reassuring,” added
Hanson. “What surprised us was
the data that showed how few people are aware of the useful lifespan of
smoke alarms.”
According
to the survey, more than half (53 percent) of Americans believe alarms
need to be replaced every five years. In fact, smoke alarms have a much
longer recommended
useful life of 10 years.
New Alarms Deliver Design and Performance
Consumers’
quest for a blend of high tech and high design is why First Alert
recently introduced two new series of alarms that offer both visual
appeal and the latest in technology.
Vast departures from their bulkier counterparts, First Alert’s new
Atom and Maximum Protection Alarms are a fraction of the size of
traditional alarms and
feature breakthrough technology to help reduce the occurrence of nuisance alarms.
Packing all the power of an advanced photoelectric smoke alarm into a miniature design, the new
First Alert Atom™ alarm weighs less than two ounces and is
available in a number of decorative finishes – including wood grain,
stainless steel and bronze. It also features revolutionary micro
technology with an advanced smoke entry system for fewer
false alarms, and a loud, penetrating siren to reach the whole home.
Measuring less than one inch thick, the
First Alert Maximum Protection Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
offer a sleek alternative to traditional alarms by providing a less
obtrusive option for style-centric consumers. These alarms feature a
patented smoke entry
system that allows smoke to have a more direct path to the
nuisance-resistant photoelectric smoke sensor. This innovative system
helps to prevent possible dangerous, but frequent, alarm deactivation
due to battery removal.
“Fire
Prevention Week is an ideal time to ensure your home is best prepared
against the potential dangers of fire and carbon monoxide, whether you
install a traditional alarm
or a new, high-design unit,” said Hanson. “These are potentially
life-saving devices that can help make a difference.”
To
ensure the highest level of protection from smoke and CO, the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing smoke alarms at
the top of each staircase
and one in every bedroom or sleeping area. For CO alarms, homes should
have at least one CO alarm on each level, including the basement, and
one in or near every bedroom or sleeping area. To put this into
perspective, the average-sized U.S. home - a two-story,
three bedroom house – would need a minimum of four smoke alarms and
five CO alarms to comply with NFPA guidelines.
First
Alert products range from combination smoke and CO units to smoke
alarms with escape lights, along with basic battery-powered products.
First Alert® smoke
and CO alarms are available at national retailers and online. For more information and a complete home safety checklist, visit
http://www.firstalert.com/
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NICE KEEP THE INFO COMING
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