Kidde Helps Make Fire Safety Worry-Free as Americans "Fall Back"

MEBANE, N.C., Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The seasonal time change on Nov. 3 serves as a reminder to homeowners to replace the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. This year, Kidde, the leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products, encourages consumers to say goodbye to long-standing home safety frustrations by replacing older smoke alarms with a Worry-Free alarm. Each Worry-Free alarm contains a sealed-in lithium battery proven to provide 10 years of hassle-free protection. Kidde is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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A 2012 survey conducted by Kelton on behalf of Kidde revealed that a smoke alarm's low-battery chirp was the No. 1 home fire safety complaint among American homeowners; almost half of those who have heard a low-battery chirp said that it sounded in the middle of the night. Additionally, one-quarter of homeowners reported nuisance alarms sounding at least once a month when cooking in their homes. Kidde's Worry-Free alarms address these annoyances while providing continuous protection. Benefits include:

• Ten-year sealed-in lithium battery = no low-battery chirps or battery replacement
• Unique technology reduces nuisance alarms = less chance of the alarm sounding because of burnt toast and other non-emergency occurrences
• Always on = 24/7 protection even during power outages
• Location-based attributes (e.g., talking voice alert in a bedroom alarm or an LED light in a hallway alarm) = easy to choose the right alarm for the right location
• First Underwriters Laboratories-listed (UL-listed) CO alarm proven to last 10 years = nearly twice as long as other models
• Long-term value = approximately $40 in battery cost savings over the life of each alarm

"We know homeowners are frustrated with low-battery chirps and nuisance alarms," said Chris Rovenstine, vice president, sales and marketing, Kidde. "At Kidde, we are committed to offering affordable products that are listed to independent quality standards, provide peace of mind and include technological advancements that address homeowners' frustrations and can help save lives."

Fire experts recommend replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. After 10 years, the Kidde Worry-Free alarms will sound a warning to indicate it is time for replacement. Kidde Worry-Free smoke alarms are available nationwide at a variety of retail locations as well as online. For more information, visit www.worryfreealarm.com or follow the company on Twitter: @KiddeSafety.

About Kidde

As the world's largest manufacturer of fire safety products, Kidde's mission is to provide solutions that protect people and property from the effects of fire and its related hazards. For more than 90 years, industry leaders, the military, airlines and firefighters have relied on Kidde to deliver superior fire detection and suppression. Consumers will find that same advanced fire safety technology in Kidde's residential and commercial smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other life safety products. Based in Mebane, N.C., Kidde is part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kidde.com or follow the company on Twitter: @KiddeSafety.

SOURCE Kidde