The consumer survey reveals gaps in how homeowners understand and maintain their fire safety devices, and points to opportunities to make everyday fire safety simpler.

“It's striking to see how many homes may be vulnerable to fire when some of the most effective prevention measures are also some of the easiest to take,” said Ryan Park, Senior Product Director of Safety and Security for First Alert solutions at Resideo. “Protection shouldn't depend on remembering a manufactured-by date from years ago. Our new First Alert smoke and carbon monoxide alarms offer thoughtful features and early replacement reminders that help homeowners stay protected and on top of alarm maintenance.”

While most homeowners report having essential fire safety products in their homes, the 2026 First Alert Safety Pulse identified gaps in routine maintenance, alarm knowledge and preparedness. These pain points, which are identified below, were addressed in the new, award-winning portfolio of First Alert smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) and combination alarms:

• Late-night, low-battery "chirp”: Nearly three-fourths (74%) of homeowners have been woken by a smoke or CO alarm’s low-battery chirp. The new alarms feature Softcue Replacement Reminders for gentle alerts three to five days before the alarm or battery needs attention.

• Confusing status lights: Nearly half (47%) of Americans have been unsure what a smoke or CO alarm was telling them when it sounded or flashed. The new alarms have easy-read LED indicators to clearly communicate power status, low battery, replacement needs and smoke or CO alerts.

• Inconvenient battery replacement: Forty-one percent of homeowners do not want to remove an alarm from the ceiling to change its batteries. Long-lasting or 10-year batteries (55%) and easy-to-replace batteries (54%) are the most valuable features homeowners want in a smoke and/or CO alarm. New First Alert alarms feature side-load battery drawers, allowing batteries to be replaced without removing the alarm from the ceiling.

• Overlooked alarm testing: Just 34% of homeowners regularly test their alarms. A larger Test/Silence button offers easy routine testing and temporary silencing in the next-generation alarms.

• Forgotten alarm cleaning and replacing: Less than a third of homeowners (29%) regularly clean or dust their smoke alarms, and only 7% know that smoke and/or CO alarms should be replaced every 10 years. New First Alert alarms are simple to install, are backwards compatible, and make future replacements easier.

Fire safety preparedness extends beyond the alarm itself. The First Alert Safety Pulse found that 65% of homeowners keep a fire extinguisher at home, while just 19% have a home fire escape plan – though 73% of those with a plan practice it at least once a year. Families should regularly clean and test alarms, keep an accessible fire extinguisher, and create and practice an escape plan at least twice a year. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidance recommends smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home, including the basement.