It also features a loud, attention-grabbing 110dB SOS siren which will signal your need for help, for up to 60 hours after being activated. Smoke detectors can work effectively for up to 10 years, but you still need to test them every month to make sure they function as they should. If you have a battery-powered unit, you'll want to replace the batteries every six months. That said, if your smoke detector has an integrated carbon monoxide detector, you'll need to replace the unit every five to seven years, according to the manufacturer's directions. Some smoke alarms use ionisation technology, meaning they contain a small amount of non-harmful radioactive material. The NFPA recommends installing alarms inside and outside every bedroom and on every level of your home, including the basement. Andler also says you should place smoke alarms on your ceiling, not the wall, since smoke rises and begins gathering at the ceiling first. He also stressed the importance of having additional smoke detectors throughout your home. In the event of a house fire, hallway smoke detectors may sound their alarms much earlier than units in the bedroom. Installing your smoke alarm near the kitchen instead of in the kitchen also reduces the chances of false alarms, according to Andler. The Arizona Burn Foundation recommends keeping your detector at least 10 feet away from the stove.

For this guide, I tested dozens of smoke detectors after consulting with fire and building experts and doing online research. I relied on my extensive experience as a residential carpenter, which frequently required the relocation of hardwired units. I've also installed plenty of hardwired and battery-powered smoke detectors in my own apartments and my parents' home. First-hand testingThis battery-operated detector by X-Sense will set off a loud, repeated beep when the room begins to fill with high levels of gas or smoke. With a built-in lithium battery; provides continuous monitoring of smoke and CO levels, even if there’s a power failure; an end-of-life signal will let you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety. The unit has an easy to read LCD display that tells you the level of CO in the air. One reader who swears by this product says simply, “I travel with this one.” There are tons of portable smoke alarm detectors for travel. Out of many, we selected the few items that caught our attention. If you want the most accurate sensor, go for the First Alert Photoelectric Smoke Detector.

The question of where to place your carbon monoxide detector in your car when you’re on the road has confused some people lately. Some systems include carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Smoke alarm systems wirelessly link the smoke and heat detectors to the sensory alerting devices. Some are part of a multi-alerting system that notifies you of the doorbell, telephone and other alerts, so shop around to find one that best meets your needs.

The Personal Attack Alarm

This battery-operated detector by X-Sense will set off a loud, repeated beep when the room begins to fill with high levels of gas or smoke. The X-Sense SC01 responded well in my testing and activated its alarm within two sprays of the aerosol. It had a loud alarm that was clearly heard from across the 2,700-square-foot house I tested it in, and its red LED flashed continuously while the alarm was sounding. The alarm and light shut off simultaneously when the sensor no longer detected any aerosol. Although I wasn't able to test the X-Sense XSO3-WX, I have hands-on experience with several X-Sense models, including the discontinued X-Sense SD01, our previous winner in this category. I have had great experiences with both functionality and overall build quality of the units. The XSO3-WX offers the same simple installation process as its siblings — use a pair of screws to mount in place or adhesive tape if you'd prefer something less invasive. To make sure you're choosing the best smoke detector for your home, it's important to understand their different features. This information applies to smoke alarm systems designed for use in private housing. Different guidance applies to smoke alarm systems in public areas.