Faulty Smoke Detector Lawsuits in New York

A little-known fact is that, according to NFPA, approximately 37% of home structure fire deaths occurred in homes with an operating smoke detector. Why is this occurring, and what can you do to better protect yourself and your family?

A simple solution is to purchase and install a combination photoelectric and ionization smoke detector. The public has not been properly educated to the fact that there are two types of smoke detectors: photoelectric and ionization. While both of these devices are being marketed to consumers as “smoke detectors” or “smoke alarms,” they have very different effectiveness.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), ionization detectors respond quickly to flaming fires with smaller combustion particles, and photoelectric detectors respond more quickly to smoldering fires. However, the ionization detector only improves warning time by seconds, while the photoelectric detector can warn of the fire 30 minutes before an ionization detector. For this reason, in part, three states have already banned ionization smoke detectors.

An earlier warning can prove to be the difference between life and death, especially considering the following statistics that demonstrate how dangerous a smoldering fire can be:

• According to the NFPA, 12% of home fires start in the living room, family room, den or bedroom, but these fires account for 49% of the deaths from home fires.
• According to the CDC, 80% of smoke-related fire fatalities result from fires originating in upholstered furniture, mattresses or bedding, or clothing.
• According to the CDC, most fire victims die from the smoke or toxic gases and not from burns.

Protect yourself and your family, install a smoke detector and make it a combination photoelectric and ionization for maximum effectiveness. Even the smoke detector manufacturers recommend that consumers use both types of smoke detectors. However, these very same manufacturers are still selling the less expensive ionization detectors to the public without providing proper warning about their drawbacks.

There are numerous lawsuits across the country pending against the manufacturers of ionization detectors. If you, or someone you know, has any questions or has been injured or died in a home fire, please call Simonson Goodman Platzer PC at (800) 817-5029, to see if the smoke detector manufacturer bears responsibility.