Properly installed smoke detectors are often the first line of defense against a house fire, keeping the homeowner informed and ready to take action. However, it's important that the smoke detector ...

There are multiple reasons to convert your home to hard-wired smoke detectors. One of the most basic reasons people convert is that some battery-powered smoke detectors can be hard to reach. Moreover, ...

Juan has been a home inspector for 10 years and runs a successful home inspection company in Richmond, VA. He loves inspecting homes, but his real passion is educating home owners and newer inspectors ...

Editor's Note Dec. 31, 2025: We combed through this article to ensure all of our product recommendations are in stock. The Google Nest Protect seems to no longer be available, so we removed it from ...

Why are you reading about smoke detectors, may you ask? Well, for one, they can save your life — indicating the onset of a fire at home. According to the “Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires” report by the ...

The only way to know your smoke alarm is functioning and ready (except for letting your turkey burn in the oven) is to test it. And tests don't just confirm that smoke detectors have power -- they can ...

Ionization smoke alarms use a battery and two metal plates, called electrodes, to create an electrical circuit. Ions are tiny ...

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of ...