While all smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke, certain sensing technologies react differently to certain types of fires.

In order to provide your family the maximum in fire-safety protection, you need to be sure your smoke alarms use both Ionization and Photoelectric Sensing Technologies. Because not all fires are created equal.

Sometimes a fire can smolder for hours before erupting into flames. Photoelectric Sensing Technology is generally more sensitive than Ionization Sensing Technology at detecting smoldering fires. Sources of smoldering fires may include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding. Other fires can erupt far more quickly. Ionization Sensing Technology is generally more sensitive than Photoelectric Sensing Technology at detecting flaming fires. Sources of flaming fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket or a grease fire in the kitchen. It’s important to note that all smoke alarms are designed to detect particles of smoke–regardless of their type.

But–for the earliest possible warning–regardless of the type of fire, you should be sure your smoke alarms use both Ionization and Photoelectric Sensing Technologies.