Coit Tower, S.F., CA

One of my favorite home inspectors (frequently booked up in advance) has a life mission of saving lives by spreading the word that photoelectric not ionization smoke alarms are much more effective at saving lives.  Take a moment this weekend to check which type of alarms you have in your home & replace any ionization smoke detectors with photoelectric.  Photoelectric alarms can be found at Costco & at Amazon for ~$14.00.

Link to video:  http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7987862

CBS 5 ConsumerWatch:  Certain Smoke Detectors May Not Warn of Deadly Fires

Per CBS:  The International Association of Firefighters say ionization smoke detectors, which are in many homes, do not respond quickly to deadly smoldering fires. The group recommends homeowners install photoelectric detectors.  CBS 5 ConsumerWatch Reporter Julie Watts interviews Retired Albany Fire Chief Marc McGinn regarding the poor performance of ionization smoke alarms in the smoldering fires that are most likely to kill you in a fire.  The segment includes an “aquarium test” contrasting the performance of Photoelectric Smoke Alarms and Ionization Alarms.  The test was run by Home Inspector Skip Walker, CREIA Master Inspector (MCI) and ASHI Certified Inspector.

Skip Walker, home inspector contact information: http://www.propertyevaluation.net