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Smoke alarm
A smoke alarm detects smoke and alerts you early in a fire.
Why it matters
Early warning saves lives. Placement and interconnection matter so you hear the alarm wherever you are.
Where people get this wrong
Smoke alarms need replacement after a set number of years. One alarm in the hallway is not enough for many homes.
Real-world example
A small fire starts in the laundry area at night. The alarm in the bedroom hallway goes off early enough that everyone wakes up and gets out. That is the win.
Where this hits your build
This matters during rough-in and before drywall. Once walls close, adding or moving wiring becomes expensive. Plan ahead.
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