Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
In addition to the chirping noise that indicates the batteries need changing—a standard feature—some smoke detectors also offer:
* A remote-control mute button that can be linked to a television remote control to silence nuisance alarms.
* Safety lights to provide illumination during an alarm.
* Silence buttons that will quiet the alarm for a few minutes at a time. Detectors with this feature are commonly placed in kitchens.
* Transmission of a signal to a central monitoring station as part of a security alert system.
* Intercommunication of hardwired smoke detectors that guarantees if one alarm in the house goes off, they all go off. Even if the fire is detected in the basement, people upstairs will hear an alarm.
