Daylight Savings Time has started which is always a great reminder to change the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
You should also consider replacing old detectors with the new photoelectric smoke detectors for the kitchen and bathroom areas which are now required by law in new homes under the Massachusetts smoke detector regulations which went into effect last year. Photoelectric smoke detectors are not as prone to false alarms as older ionization based detectors especially in steam filled areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
The new smoke detector law specifically requires photoelectric detectors covering the area within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. The older ionization detectors are prohibited in these places due to their tendency to be set off by steam.
Home Depot sells a Kidde brand combination photoelectric/ionization smoke detector for $22.97.
Here’s a great Guide to the smoke detector law put out by the Department of Fire Services. Click here for my prior post about these changes.
