Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

[Scogin]

Just wanted to see if any experts had a recommendation for some good smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or combo alarms. We have some friends that lost their son a couple years ago because of carbon monoxide. Now that we are prepping for a baby this is one of the things on the list to take care of.
Thanks

[funkymonkey1111]

for the smoke alarms, be sure to get a combo smoke alarm that has photoelectric- and ionization-sensing capabilities. I haven't seen a combo with both of these and a CO alarm.

this one was rated pretty well by consumer reports.

http://www.homedepot.com/Kidde/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1vZua/R-100162348/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=fire+alarm&storeId=10051#.UMyzMrYxvSo

I have CO alarms that plug into wall outlets so they're lower to the ground in every bedroom and on every level of the house.

[Scogin]

Thanks Monkey. Did a little research and ended up with a bunch
2 - Kidde 9000 smoke alarms. Dual sensor like you said. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZPK63Y/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
2 - First Alert CO615 for CO detection low in the room. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q5VMKG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01
3 - First Alert CO410 for CO detection high in the room. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OCSAUQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

I think that should be enough to cover my paranoid ass.

[HoneyBadger]

Generally speaking, I don't know what I'm talking about so I deleted the incorrect information in this post.

Thanks for the corrections guys.

[Wulf202]

Co doesn't always sink

[MarkCO]

CO is LIGHTER than air. You want CO detectors on the ceilings in bedrooms. In the house in general, you want them at the top of a stairwell if you have a transition from sloped to flat. I have wired and wireless in my house.

For Smokes, yes, the dual sensor is what you want, also on ceilings. I also have wired and wireless in my house.

You should also have a combustible gas detector in your house. If you are on propane, as low as you can get it. If Natural gas, high is best.

Every house layout is different, so the best locations for just one or two detectors are really specific to that house. Also, a closed door stops firespread, but may also delay alarm depending on the circumstances. When we are asleep, all the upstairs doors are open. The basement, which has the furnace and water heater, has its own smoke, CO and gas detectors that are wired and wireless and we keep that door closed.

As a forensic engineer who has worked on every CO fatality (and numerous fires and explosions) in the state in the last several years including conducting the testing and analysis of the Lofgren deaths, don't take this lightly. EVERY room in which a person sleeps should have a smoke and CO detector.

[ChadAmberg]

One thing I learned years ago was make sure to get a mix of brands, or at least buy the same brand from a couple different stores. You'd hate to buy 6 at once all from the lot if they're found defective. Now apparently quality control is good, and this type of failure hasn't occurred in a long time, but it can't hurt.

[BushMasterBoy]

I am using these "Nighthawk" by Kidde

http://www.kidde.com/productcatalog/pages/carbonmonoxidealarms.aspx

I know they work because I left some burning coals in my ash bucket...the screaming noise will wake the dead and the meter read 260!

[Watermagnet]

The other great thing about Nighthawk's and other digital read out alarms is they provide you with a number for the peak level detected. This helps troubleshoot the difference between the low battery chirp and alarm activation...I know they have different sounds, patterns and sometimes volume but this is often overlooked by kids, elders or allegedly spouses when you're not home [Coffee] The digital read out also allows you or the FD to determine if the situation is getting better or worse with a quantifiable number...