MEBANE, N.C., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As families prepare for the winter months ahead, Kidde wants to remind them of the importance of equipping their homes with working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Winter is the peak season for CO poisonings, but with Kidde's new Worry-Free Plug-In Carbon Monoxide alarms, safety can be made simple for homeowners. Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths, and claims more than 400 lives each year. In addition, more than 20,000 people visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to accidental CO poisoning annually. CO is produced anytime a fuel is burned and two-thirds of Americans use gas, wood, kerosene, or another fuel source to heat their homes – while only 50 percent have working CO alarms in their homes. The only way to detect CO is to have working alarms on every level of a home and in every bedroom.
"With winter quickly approaching, we want to make sure that families are protecting themselves from the dangers of carbon monoxide," said Jon Hughes, director of product management, Kidde. "CO alarms provide a critical alert for homeowners when CO is present. Kidde is committed to raising awareness about the importance of working alarms that could mean the difference between life and death."
Kidde's Worry-Free Plug-In Carbon Monoxide alarms simply plug into any outlet and contain a CO sensor proven to last 10 years – the longest life available. All of Kidde's Worry-Free models are UL-Listed and have a sealed-in lithium battery built into the unit that provides continuous backup power for a decade, eliminating the need for battery replacement and low-battery chirps. In addition, to help families simplify choosing the right alarms for their home, there are three models that are location-based for the living area, bedroom and hallway.
All Worry-Free CO alarm models include key features like a peak level button, and some include a LED digital display screen to show current carbon monoxide levels, even in the dark. The screen will automatically adjust depending on the overall light in the room – offering a brighter display during the day, and dimming at night. The bedroom model also contains a voice warning in addition to the traditional beeping sound. This warning will sound once CO levels exceed 100 parts per million, and also when it is in alarm condition. The hallway model contains a combination nightlight and escape light. The nightlight will automatically activate during low light condition; while the higher intensity escape light can help people exit rooms during alarm situations.
Kidde's Worry-Free Plug-In Carbon Monoxide alarms cost $53, and are available at www.homedepot.com and select The Home Depot store locations as well as various online retailers. For more information, visit www.worryfreealarm.com or follow @KiddeSafety on Twitter.
About Kidde
Kidde is a leading manufacturer of residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and fire extinguishers, and has been delivering advanced fire-safety technology since it produced the first integrated smoke detection and carbon dioxide extinguishing system nearly 100 years ago. Kidde is a 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 @KiddeSafety on Twitter.
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SOURCE Kidde