"Smart" smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors

[ruffledfeathers]

Since I may be replacing my downstairs thermostat and am thinking of a smart one, I got the idea to replace at least one of my smoke/co detectors with a smart detector. I often think 'what if something happens when I am at work and I am not there to get the pets out?' I live in a little town where everyone watches out for everyone, yes, but that would kind of require a blazing fire before they would be aware, not a small amount of smoke or elevated CO levels.


Curious if any of you use a smart smoke detector and what your opinion is. I have the Nest in my shopping cart but I'm on the fence. (Is it kind of overpriced/overkill or is it worth it for peace of mind, getting a text alert if there is CO elevated so I can get help there right away?)

 

[Dopey]

I don't but I can find out. I work in the Fire and Rescue so let me ask. But it's Friday so a lot of the guys aren't in the office.

 

[Mariar]

I often thought about what I would do if I weren't home and there was a gas leak or something like that .let me know about the smart testers..I'm interested as well, with a house full of animals I'd hate the heartbreak.

 

[Dopey]

Here's my take on it.
Kind of pricey. The early alert to you so that you could call 911 and let them know about the fire and where you have animals located is the plus.
I don't have a smart phone so it would do me no good.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Thanks. If I end up getting one, i'll update this with my opinion on it after using it.

 

[veimar]

I have one, and I absolutely HATE it! When we bought the house the city required us to install it - so we did (I mean, not we, but the remodeling company). It went off after a couple of months, and then again and again. We called local fire dept to come and check just in case - so they came, screwed the thing off, and it was full of water!!
We let it dry and put back, then it started screaming again just a few months later - we took it off and the same thing, water! Our house is completely dry, so no idea where this water is coming from. Needless to say, it freaks out my birds. So now this thing is just chilling on the top of the counter somewhere (don't tell the city! LOL)

 

[veimar]

The city isn't require to install that particular one - we just decided on it.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I have heard of false alarms with some of them, like it can be hit and miss. Some units worked perfectly and some are always quirky. (I wonder if you could call the company and try to get a refund/replacement?)