Are Smoke Detectors Effective?
Only one-fifth of the home fire deaths from 1989-1998 were caused by fires in which a smoke alarm was present and operated. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends consumers place a smoke alarm that meets the requirements of a professional testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), on each level of multi-story homes outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. CPSC has worked to strengthen smoke alarm performance and installation requirements and is now studying audibility to see if there are ways to make the alarms more effective in waking children and alerting older people. The US Fire Administration has the following to say about smoke alarms In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal — so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety features you can
