Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm
Customer Review: A Great Alarm
Summary: 4 Stars
This alarm is the easiest to install, and operate. You get way more for your money. I highly recommend it.Customer Review: A Sort-of Smoke Detector
Summary: 1 Stars
We have had this smoke detector for several years. Battery life -- using the recommended Duracell batteries -- seems fine.
But does this thing really detect smoke? I think not. Last night an unwatched Christmas candle burned down to the point that it set three small pine cones on fire. They burned up completely. We live in a small (1400 square foot) house with two floors. This alarm is positioned at the top of the stairs and is the only one in the house. The candle was on a desk at the bottom of the stairs. When the fire occurred, my wife and I were in another room watching TV. The alarm went off and beeped about a dozen times. We thought it was an alarm from the kitchen stove (which happens to make a very similar sound). My wife checked the stove. Nothing wrong, so we went on watching TV.
Now here's the problem: the other room was FILLED with smoke. The upstairs hall was FILLED with smoke. After about a dozen beeps, THE ALARM QUIT AND NEVER MADE ANOTHER PEEP! I discovered the results of the fire (by which time it had completely burned out) in the other room about 15 minutes later.
The specs for this alarm on the web say it is sensitive to 0.97% per foot -- whatever that means. It also uses ionization (only) to detect smoke.
From my experience this thing DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!
Read a few of the other negative reviews on Amazon and you will hear the same story.
There must be a more reliable smoke alarm in this world.
I intend to find it.
I won't be looking at junk made by Kidde.
Customer Review: A terrific product
Summary: 5 Stars
This product provides the protection that I wanted all in one package (amoke/fire and carbon-monoxide). Installs in a snap and works well. Although I have to say my wife finds the voice to annoying, hopefully we never have to hear it!Customer Review: Amazon sent me a one year old unit.
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this detector on 10/17/10 from Amazon. The unit I received had a manufacturing date of 9/17/09 written on it. Amazon sent me a detector which was over one year old. These detectors have a life span of 5-7 years, so my "new" unit is already 20% used up. I hope that it won't have problems after sitting around in the warehouse for 13 months.
Other than the manufacture date, this is a decent detector. It replaced an old KN-COSM-B whose batteries corroded and damaged the battery compartment. It's odd that they corroded, but the detector was 6 years old, so I gladly replaced it.
Buy your detector from the local hardware store, who may have units which aren't a year old like Amazon.
Customer Review: An Excellent Combination Life-Safety Alarm that is a Good Choice As A Stand Alone or As Part of A Total Home Safety Alert Plan
Summary: 5 Stars
I've installed installed two of these Kidde brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in my elder parents home. I have one in my own home as well and have found them all to be reliable and trouble free.
What attracted me to this model were its many features:
First, it has a low profile, attractive and unobtrusive design.
Second and perhaps most important, it has a voice speaking function that, in addition to the 85db alert horn, will speak out clear warnings: "FIRE, FIRE" or "DANGER: CARBON MONOXIDE". I think that this feature is a terrific addition toward modern life-safety technology. Indeed, you will likely see more voice warning devices in the near future.
We rely on these detectors to warn us, especially at night when we are sleeping. Awakening to this detector from a deep sleep helps orient you quickly by telling you the specific danger -- clearly and unmistakably. Notably, recent studies have shown that children can sleep through traditional smoke detector alarms, but will respond to voice warnings -- which this unit provides. Thus, placed in or near bedrooms this device can be a true lifesaver.
Another favorite feature is ease of installation. It was a breeze and truly could not be simpler. A screwriver is all you need. A small power drill/driver would speed the process, but is not necessary. Two screws into the ceiling or wall and you are done with the mounting bracket. The detector then just clicks in to place with a clockwise flick of the wrist. This is a do-it-yourselfer's dream. It doesn't get any easier!
Battery maintenance is easy too as all you need do is turn the detector counter-clock wise a few clicks, and down it comes. You slide open the battery cover, take out the old batteries and pop in the new. Replace the detector back in the attached ceiling bracket, give it a slight turn and in it goes with a firm click. Done! Easier than screwing in a light bulb.
Finally, the price is right! Under $40 for a unique life-safety device that is quickly installed and easily maintained.
I have elected to use Energizer lithium batteries and replace them every 12 months -- with no problems. You may wish to change the batteries every 6 or 9 months. Duracells would also be a good choice. I personally would not use the cheaper, so called "heavy duty" batteries in a life-safety device.
I should add that I would also suggest that if you have a home with multiple levels or an apartment with several rooms, having a separate stand-alone carbon monoxide detector elsewhere in the house as part of a total home plan would be a wise investment. Kidde also makes a fine combination model that protects against Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas. That unit, which has a digital display, runs on electricity and has a battery back-up system. It plugs in any electric outlet and can stay in the wall socket, or it can be placed flat on a table or dresser.
I would also recommend Kidde's dedicated dual sensor photoelectric/ionization smoke detectors. These dual sensor devices provide maximum warning under fast or slow moving fire conditions. As one never knows what kind of fire could occur, these are the most versatile.
Be sure to test your alarm regularly. REMEMBER that most carbon monoxide detectors NEED TO BE REPLACED about every five to seven years (see manufacturer's guidelines). Similarly, smoke detectors have a useable life span as well. It's usually a little longer than carbon monoxide detectors -- check your manufacturer's guidelines.