Cold smoke and manufactured homes

We recently read an article on ionization smoke detectors that brought to mind something that most people don't know about. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), have been looking into smoke detectors and their failure to alarm. According to one manufacturer, the smoke detectors failed due to "cold smoke" produced by a smoldering fire. These fires aren't hot enough to drive the smoke to the ceiling where it would set off the alarm.

There are independent companies testing and developing new methodologies but the danger is still there. This is not, we understand, a very common thing but very definitely well worth being aware of. It is our opinion that it would be worthwhile to have battery operated smoke detectors close to the floor in all rooms that might at any time be closed off. The extra cost is nothing compared to possibly saving the life of a member of your family.

Please understand that we are not trying to scare you, only to get you to take a little extra caution. And, while we are on the subject, every home should have a fire extinguisher that is rated for chemical and electrical fires. Everyone should know how to use the extinguisher and what to do in any emergency.

Keep your home and your family safe!