Every house should have a smoke alarm. Most detectors on the market alert occupants with a shrill or beep. But recently, a new kind of product has emerged — the Chick-a-Dee. Created by artist Louise van der Veld, the Chick-a-Dee sings its alarm. In 2006, the Union of Dutch Insurance Companies in the Netherlands sponsored a contest to inspire designers to recreate the standard smoke alarm. The Chick-a-Dee took first place for its functionality and beauty of design.
When triggered by smoke, the Chick-a-Dee tweets like the real bird would. As increasing smoke is detected, the volume goes up and the chirping quickens. For the price of $79, households get the detector with a one-and-a-half year battery life, plus a three-year product warranty.
Whether you choose the $79 or the $7 version, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommends that families living in multi-story homes install at least one detector per floor. Avoid placing smoke alarms in the kitchen or garage, where cooking and auto fumes can trigger them. For more information on detectors, how they work, and other information, refer to FEMA’s website.