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Kit

Smart smoke and CO alarm kit for a 3-bedroom home

Updated

Six interconnected alarms, three of them smoke and CO combinations, plus a fire extinguisher and an escape plan: a shopping list that covers every bedroom, hallway and level.

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Estimated budget$250–$660
Core items3 items
DifficultyEasy
Time1–2 hours

Before you buy

This kit is sized for a two-story, three-bedroom home with a basement. Adjust the number of alarms to your own layout. The U.S. Fire Administration says to put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area and on every level, including the basement, and the CPSC says to put CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. The USFA also says you may have less than 2 minutes to get everyone outside once the smoke alarm sounds.

Where each device goes

SpotDevice
Inside each bedroom (3)Smoke alarm
Hallway outside the bedroomsSmoke and CO combination alarm
Main living level, away from the kitchenSmoke and CO combination alarm
Basement or lowest levelSmoke and CO combination alarm
Kitchen, near the exitFire extinguisher

Before you buy

Extinguisher: leave first

USFA says an extinguisher is for small, contained fires where you can fight the fire with your back to an exit and your escape path clear. In any other situation, alert others, leave the building and call 911 from outside. USFA describes the PASS method: pull the pin, aim low at the base of the fire, squeeze the lever slowly and sweep from side to side. Your fire department may offer training.

Core items

Smoke alarms for the bedrooms × 3

$30–$80

One inside each bedroom, since the U.S. Fire Administration says to put alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Interconnected, they sound together.

What to look for: wireless interconnect in the same family as the combination alarms, photoelectric or dual sensor, hush button, 10-year sealed battery, UL 217 listing

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Combination smoke and CO alarms × 3

$45–$120

One in the hallway outside the bedrooms, one on the main living level and one on the basement or lowest level. This covers “every level and outside sleeping areas” for CO as well as smoke.

What to look for: UL 217 and UL 2034 listings, battery backup, voice location alert, interconnect, smart notifications that do not replace the siren

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Multipurpose fire extinguisher (A-B-C)

$25–$60

A small fire in a pan or a trash can is the case an extinguisher is for. Keep it in the kitchen near an exit, never between you and the door.

What to look for: UL Listed, labeled A-B-C or B-C, a size you can lift and use comfortably, a pressure gauge, a wall bracket

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Nice to have

Smoke alarm listener for older alarms

$25–$60

Adds a phone alert to an alarm you already own and do not want to replace yet. Not a substitute for working alarms.

What to look for: lists your alarm brand or tone pattern, battery or plug-in, clear microphone range

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Strobe and vibrating alarm accessory

$50–$160

For anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing or a very deep sleeper. USFA notes that some alarms have strobe lights and vibration.

What to look for: links to your alarms, bed shaker or pillow vibrator, bright strobe, backup battery

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Fire escape ladder for upper bedrooms

$30–$90

A second way out of an upstairs bedroom. USFA says to find two ways out of every room.

What to look for: rated weight, length for your window height, a window that opens fully, easy deployment

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Step by step

  1. Walk the house and mark every spot on a floor plan: each bedroom, the hallway, each level.
  2. Check the manufacture dates of any alarms already installed. Replace any that are 10 years old or older.
  3. Mount the alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall following the maker’s instructions, away from the kitchen stove and bathroom doors.
  4. Link them with the maker’s procedure, for example pressing a pair button on each alarm, then test: pressing one test button should sound them all.
  5. Add the alarms to the app and name each by room. Turn on notifications for every adult in the house, and secure the account with a unique password and two-factor authentication.
  6. Install the extinguisher in the kitchen near an exit. Check its pressure gauge monthly.
  7. Draw an escape plan with two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place. Practice it with everyone in the home, starting from the test button.
  8. Set a monthly reminder to test every alarm, and a calendar entry for the replacement date.

Cheaper or upgraded versions

Smaller home, about $100–$260: one smoke alarm in each bedroom and one smoke and CO combination in the hallway outside, all from one family, plus an extinguisher. Suitable for a one- or two-bedroom apartment where the landlord owns the other alarms.

Larger home or extra protection, about $450–$1,200: combination alarms in every bedroom and on every level, a listener or two for older alarms, strobe and vibration accessories for family members who need them and an escape ladder for each upstairs bedroom. If you have hardwired alarms and want to extend them, ask a licensed electrician.

Frequently asked questions

How many smoke and CO alarms does a 3-bedroom house need?

The U.S. Fire Administration says smoke alarms go inside and outside each bedroom and on every level. The CPSC says CO alarms go on every level and outside sleeping areas. For a two-story home with a basement that is about six devices, with combination units covering both hazards.

Do smart smoke alarms need Wi-Fi to work?

No. The alarm and the link between alarms work without Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi sends notifications to your phone.

Do I need a fire extinguisher if I have smoke alarms?

Alarms warn you; an extinguisher is for a small, contained fire when you can leave safely. The USFA says that in any doubt you should leave and call 911.

How long do these alarms last?

The USFA says to replace smoke alarms 10 years after the manufacture date. CO alarms have their own replacement date printed on them or in the manual.

Sources

  1. U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Smoke alarms
  2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Carbon Monoxide Information Center
  3. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Carbon monoxide questions and answers
  4. U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Fire extinguishers
  5. U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Home fire escape plans
  6. UL Solutions — Fire, smoke and gas device certification (UL 217 smoke alarms, UL 2034 CO alarms)

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