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Re-activateQ: I have several 10-year-old FireX hardwired smoke alarms in my home that I'd like to replace. The model has been discontinued and the adapter plug at the end of the wiring harness doesn't seem to match current models. Do I have to hire an electrician to replace them?
A: No. Although our buyers' guide notes that hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms require professional installation (a $250 expense), you can use low-cost adapters when replacing hardwired alarms with those from another manufacturer.
FireX was acquired three years ago by Kidde, which now carries low-cost adapters that let you plug your wiring harness into Kidde detectors as well as those from other brands like First Alert and BRK. They're available at home centers and online vendors.
You are doing the right thing by changing your smoke alarms every 10 years (we recommend carbon-monoxide detectors be replaced every five), and by using interconnected alarms. Although they cost more than standalone models, interconnected alarms all sound together when a fire is detected, so you can get better warning of a fire in the basement while sleeping in a bedroom.
When buying replacement smoke alarms, we recommend dual-sensor models—those that utilize both an ionization and photoelectric smoke sensor to detect both smoldering and fast-flaming fires. (Check our Ratings.)
—Gian Trotta
Standard time tune-up: Don't forget to check that the pressure indicator on your fire extinguisher shows "full" and, if you have standalone smoke detectors, check the batteries in them as well.
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