This recall involves Kidde TruSense Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms. The model numbers are 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070, located on the back of the alarm. Only alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front of the alarm are included in this recall. They were sold for between $10 and $70 and about 226,000 units are involved.
No incidents or injuries have been reported. Customers should immediately contact Kidde for a replacement alarm. In the meantime, continue using the current alarm until the replacement can be installed.
—Sarah Shebek
Image courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
As a parent, safety is your number one priority, especially when it comes to your little ones. While you want to let your children feel independent and free to explore and learn on their own, it’s hard to avoid worrying over the possibility of an emergency situation.
To help you and your family prepare for an emergency (from fires to flooding and everything in between), ApartmentGuide compiled a list of the most important emergency phone numbers you should have on hand. There’s also a printable template you can download for free—fill it out with your area’s information and hang it up somewhere visible in your home. You’ll rest easy knowing your family knows who to call and what to do in the event of an emergency.
Below are more than 20 of the most important emergency phone numbers you should have close by. Read through the list below, then research your local number for that category.
General Emergencies: 911
This first number is one most people should know. 911 is the best phone number for general emergencies, but should not be used for minor incidents or non-emergency situations (in fact, it’s illegal to call 911 for non-emergency situations). As a general rule, calling 911 should be reserved for scenarios where a person’s life, health, safety, or property is in immediate danger.
911 is for North America only—if you live outside the United States or Canada, there may be another number for the same type of emergency service.
When to call 911:
Crime in progress
Life-threatening situations
Domestic violence
Fires
Traffic accidents
Hazardous chemical spills or waste
Fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide alarms that go off
Explosives
Elevator rescues
Fuel spills
Smoke within a building
Air emergencies
Beach or water-related emergencies
If you or a child dials 911 by accident and an emergency is not taking place, do not hang up. Wait for a responder to answer the call, then explain that the number was dialed by mistake. Hanging up the phone before a responder answers could result in emergency services at your door.
Local Police Department
Calling the police department is not the same as calling 911. Phoning your local police directly can be done for the following reasons:
Non-threatening crimes—no injuries and suspects are no longer on the scene
These include theft, stolen cars, vandalism, harassment, trespassing, threats, or cases of assault involving non-serious injuries.
Minor traffic accidents—no injuries and no threats to surrounding traffic
Hazardous road conditions—disabled vehicles, debris in the roadway, damaged or malfunctioning traffic signs and signals
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
If you or a family member has ingested a toxic substance, your first call should be to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. A responder can answer questions regarding the toxicity of various substances and liquids and will recommend a course of action depending on the circumstances.
Your Very Own Printable Emergency Contact List
Download the printable template here, fill out the information and phone numbers, then hang the printable in a highly-visible place in your home (refrigerator doors, hallways, and entryways are some of the best places).
Be sure to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness with your family. For those with young children, it can be helpful to teach them to memorize their full name, address, and a parent’s phone number in case they find themselves without an adult’s help.
If you’re hiring a babysitter for a night out, be sure to point out the printable contact sheet before leaving. These numbers are especially helpful for sitters or other guests who may need help in an emergency situation.
Amazon just revealed over a dozen new devices, from speakers to glasses and even a smart oven, aimed at making your home smarter and your life easier.
The new products include several Alexa enabled devices, like the all-new Echo, Echo Dot with Clock, Echo Glow, Echo Show 8 and Echo Studio. Amazon also announced the new Echo Buds, wireless earbuds, Echo Frames, smart glasses and Echo Loop, a smart ring. All three devices allow you to connect with Alexa on the go.
In addition to theses new devices, Amazon also announced some other new ways to make your home smarter, including the new Amazon Smart Oven, which is a combination convection oven, microwave, air fryer and food warmer that can be controlled by Alexa when paired with an Echo. Users can ask Alexa to preheat the oven, start or stop cooking, and be notified when the oven is preheated. The device is priced at $249.99 and includes an Echo Dot.
Amazon also revealed new features for Alexa like the new Smart Guard Alert, which will give you Smart Alerts if an Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms or glass breaking in your home. Alexa will also soon be able to make managing WiFi access easier. You’ll be able to pause WiFi service until the homework is done or the beds are made simply by asking Alexa. The smart assisstant will also soon be able to help you with your shopping list by reminding you when its time to re-order supplies, like ink and air filters.
“Customers want their smart home technology to make everyday tasks easier, but not at the expense of spending their whole weekend, or hiring an expert, just to get everything setup,” said Daniel Rausch, Amazon Vice President, Smart Home. “We think customers will be delighted with what we have coming this fall—more ways to find smart home devices they can set up in minutes, new Alexa features that take the stress out of being away from home, and new products that help families enjoy great meals together or just have a little fun.”
Alexa is listening—and that’s a very good thing. Amazon’s new Alexa Guard for Echo devices can keep your home safe, detecting break-ins, fires and other alarming issues.
The free feature, which is already available on newer Alexa-enabled devices, will roll out across all Echo products starting this week. All you need to do is say, “Alexa, I’m leaving” as you stroll out the door and your Echo does the rest.
photo: Courtesy of Amazon
How does Alexa Guard work? After it’s turned on the feature monitors your home for specific sounds, such as breaking glass or a smoke alarm. If it ‘hears’ these sounds, the device sends you an alert and an audio recording. Along with the audio of the break-in, fire or other incident, Echo devices with cameras can also send a live video feed to your phone. Homeowners who also have an ADT or Ring alarm system get an added perk. Alexa Guard can also automatically set off the alarm too.
To set up Alexa Guard open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap the menu button and choose “Settings.” From the “Settings” menu, choose “Guard” and tap “Set up Guard.” Next, tap “Add” to add smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors. Tap “Add” again to to detect the sound of breaking glass. You can also opt to activate smart lighting from the “Add” selector. Finish the set up by choosing “Confirm” and that’s it.
Home safety is the most important thing in the world. What could matter more than keeping your beloved family members safe? If you want to guarantee a household that’s secure, comfortable and smooth sailing in general, these helpful home safety features can go a long way for you.
Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are two things that are 100 percent essential for proper residential safety setups. It’s important to make sure these things are correctly installed. Smoke detectors are necessary for the majority of United States homes. Carbon monoxide detectors are necessary for many of them, too. If your home is equipped with a fireplace or a connected garage, you need an efficient and dependable carbon monoxide detector on the premises.
Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems are home safety features that can potentially save your life. If you ever experience a massive fire on your property, a good sprinkler system can help get it under control. This can be priceless.
Fire Extinguisher
Fires can be serious dangers to residential properties of all types. A sprinkler system may not be enough to take charge of a fire, either. If you want additional security, it can help immensely to have a couple fire extinguishers in your home. An extinguisher can stop fires and stop them from escalating and intensifying as well. That can in some situations mean the difference between life and death.
First-Aid Kit
First-aid kits may seem obvious, but they’re not. There are actually many American households that lack first-aid kits, surprisingly enough. If you ever experience any kind of medical emergency, you need to have a comprehensive first-aid kit on hand, zero exceptions. A good first-aid kit should consist of bandages, tweezers, gauze, antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes. Emergencies can occur at literally any time. Your child can trip on a big toy and severely injure himself. You can accidentally cut your finger while chopping vegetables for dinner as well.
Corded Landline Telephone
Most people aren’t exactly keen on corded telephone use these days. They often forget about these kinds of phones in general. Landlines, however, can be excellent for people who are interested in a little extra security, comfort and peace of mind. Urgent matters can pop up at any time. Emergency situations often lead to power outages and occupied cell phone towers as well. If you want to have a phone available in the event of an emergency scenario, a trusty landline can be a significant help.
Home Warranty
Home warranties can give homeowners peace of mind. That’s because they’re contracts that pay for appliance and system replacement and repair services of all varieties. If you don’t want to have to worry about the possibility of electrical system headaches, a good home warranty and a good insurance plan can help you in a big way. Remember, electrical issues can often pose serious hazards to people. A solid warranty can help you eliminate electrical troubles and therefore keep your household safe and secure all year long. In addition, be sure to search for home insurance quotes that meet the needs of your home.
Ladders
Ladders can be extremely helpful in the event of pressing and time-sensitive emergency scenarios at home. If you’re unable to get to your home’s primary floor for whatever reason, the presence of a reliable emergency ladder can be highly useful to all. An emergency ladder can often keep severe injuries at bay as well.
Other Must-Have Security Features in Homes
There are so many critical home security features available to people in this day and age. If you want to feel safe and happy while at home, you need to make sure you invest in as many of them as possible. Other vital house security features include lightning rods, upgraded heating systems, security systems and deadbolt locks.
You should never take a chance on your home safety. You should never scrimp on it, either. A good residential security setup is worth all of the money in the world.
I am a mom of three children and I love to write in my free time. I have loved to write about my trials and success of being a mom as well as the different tips, tricks and hacks I've learned for raising kids.
