Why Millions of Smoke Alarms Can’t Catch Modern Fires🔥

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Most American smoke alarms have two serious flaws: They go off while you're cooking and they're too slow at detecting a new and deadly type of fire.  Good news, the new generation of smoke alarms has finally fixed these problems. 

Updates:
Oct 20: Kidde 9th gen now available in Canada in Home Depot
June 6. Kidde just launched 9th gen alarms, I've added my notes on why they aren't my top recommendations below.

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🔥 MY GUIDE TO PICKING THE BEST SMOKE ALARM 🔥
This in-depth guide will help you choose the best smoke alarms for your specific needs.
►► https://andrewlam.net/the-best-smoke-...

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MY TOP SMOKE ALARM RECOMMENDATIONS: USA
Photoelectric alarms are still best. I talk about why in my guide above. Before buying, be aware of your legal requirements: search "your city" + "smoke alarm laws". I've purchased or at least through friends got hands on and extensively researched each model.

1️⃣ First Alert SMCO100V-AC  ||  Top Pick for Hardwired Homes
Covers all the bases for modern homes and building codes requiring hardwired and interconnected smoke alarms. Check by removing your alarm, see three wire attached? It's hardwired.

This model has a photoelectric sensor + CO detector which also covers all building codes in the US. Has voice alerts telling you where the fire is.
►► https://amzn.to/4063jLQ
Cheaper, No Carbon Monoxide Model: https://amzn.to/3Yl72To

2️⃣ First Alert SMCO500V || Wireless Protection
If your home doesn't have hardwired smoke alarms, this alarm uses wireless signals to interconnect your alarms together. All done on the smoke alarm, no phone or app is used.

If your smoke alarms are solo flyers, interconnecting them is a HUGE improvement in safety as it allows distant fires to sound the closest alarm to you. The version with carbon monoxide is cheaper (as of June 8th) than the same version without one 🤷

►► https://amzn.to/3NzDBIe
Cheaper, No CO Model: https://amzn.to/4eNceX9

Note some states require 10-YEAR Sealed Battery in new alarms and this alarm DOES NOT QUALIFY: AZ, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, OR, PA, TX (Houston), VT, WI. Some states exempt wireless alarms from this rule: CA, FL, IL, IN.

3️⃣FIRST ALERT || Top 10-YR Battery Pick
CO + Voice alerts + Photoelectric + 10YR Battery which keeps your alarm running, no more annoying battery changes which also saves you money long term. Note, Amazon states it's frequently returned, that's for the older models this unit is sold with.
►► https://amzn.to/3KCUlNb
⁍ No CO: https://amzn.to/3Vg7AYZ

4️⃣ Nest Protect 2nd Edition  ||  Smart Home Connectivity
If you're interested in smart home functionality like remote notifications for fires this is the model for you. Plus it self tests so you no longer have to push a button. Keep in mind 10-YR rules for the battery version.

Uses an advanced dual spectrum infrared photoelectric sensor and humidity detection for better false vs real alarm differentiation. 
►► Hardwired: https://geni.us/NestProtectWired
►► AA Battery: https://geni.us/NestProtectBattery

⭐ KIDDE ALARMS ⭐
Kidde launched their latest 9th gen alarms end of May. These are the superior alarm for smoke detection as it has a more stringent PU foam and cooking nuisance test. My concern is their track record for reliability as they've had several recalls over the last 10 years, including their 8th gen Trusense smoke alarm lineup. Read my guide for more details.

If my friends ask for a recommendation, I point them to First Alert. I believe in the engineering and reliability of the brand.


1️⃣ KIDDE ‎30CUA10-V || For Hardwired Homes
Hardwired, CO Detector, 10-year battery, and voice alerts. You can save some money with the AA battery model but the peace of mind is worth it.
►► https://amzn.to/3VykumD
⁍ Same Model, No CO Detection ►►https://amzn.to/3RjB0UO

2️⃣ KIDDE 20SD10 ||  Just the Basics
A photoelectric smoke alarm + 10 year battery
►►https://amzn.to/4bRTtA4

**Above are affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission if you find value in the product and complete a purchase

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BEHIND THE SCENES & NEWSLETTER
https://lamandrew.substack.com/p/new-...

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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 The Shocking Problem with American Smoke Alarms
2:18 Ionization Alarms: How The Tech Fails You
3:38 Why Ionization Alarms Go Off While Cooking
4:23 The Dangerous Smoke Many Alarms Aren't Detecting
5:38 The Slow Burning Danger in Your Home
6:35 AD: Novium Pens | Paying My Research Bills
8:23 The Solution: Photoelectric Alarms
9:25 How Photoelectric Alarms Work & How They're Saving Lives
10:43 Ionization vs Photoelectric - Which One is Better?
12:25 How the 8th Generation of Smoke Alarms Fixes These Problems
14:12 How Ionization Alarms were Fixed
15:23 Time to Upgrade Your Smoke Alarms?