What do I look for when choosing a smoke detector?

1. A good smoke detector/alarm will display a symbol of approval from a nationally accredited lab such as ETL or UL. These symbols indicate that the product has passed specific testing requirements.

2. A good smoke detector/alarm will emit a warning signal (usually a chirp) that indicates when the batteries need replacing.

3. A good smoke detector/alarm will contain batteries that are readily available at any hardware or convenience store.

4. A good smoke detector/alarm will have an 85 decibel peak or louder. It should have the ability to wake up someone sleeping behind a closed door.

5. A good smoke detector/alarm will have testing buttons that will allow manual testing of the alarms and sensors to make sure they are operating correctly.

6. A good smoke detector/alarm will offer a removable cover for easy cleaning and dust removal. Dust can have a significant effect on performance. Make sure to clean with a vacuum regularly.

7. A good smoke detector/alarm will allow you to silence false alarms. This will help avoid the temptation to disable the alarm if it keeps going off.

8. A good smoke detector/alarm will last at least 10 years.