Smoke alarms have fallen to the $15-$25** range and would probably be cheaper purchased in bulk, sans packaging*.
Why not offer lines of appliances with smoke alarms built-in like the ubiquitous digital clock? Loss-of-power scenarios could be accommodated with batteries (rechargeable or otherwise), or supplemented with traditional, battery-operated smoke alarms.
{*In fact, they'll probably never retail for less than about $12 even if they could because most people simply wouldn't buy/trust a $2 smoke alarm.) (**All costs made-up in U.S. dollars}-- phoenix, Jun 07 2003 $5.93 Smoke Alarm http://www.homedepo...smoke%20alarm&DRC=4But would [phoenix] trust it? [Cedar Park, Oct 04 2004] $5.93 Smoke Alarm http://www.homedepo...moke%20alarm&drc=4/But would [phoenix] trust it? [Cedar Park, Oct 21 2004] how did this neat little idea pass me by? they could be incorporated into pictures and ornaments and what passes for a half a dozen paperbacks on the bookcase.
I think the battery problem would be overcome by having separate battery compartments. the alarm battery needs to be more powerful that the clock one anyway.-- po, Jun 09 2003 I'm getting ear plugs, especially for when making toast!-- silverstormer, Jun 09 2003 Smoke alarm barbecue, smoke alarm toaster, smoke alarm ash tray...maybe not.-- DrCurry, Jun 09 2003 (neighbor sighs and grabs earplugs) "Sounds like [silverstormer]'s cooking again."-- Worldgineer, Jun 09 2003 [silverstormer] grabs neighbours wife, "Don't worry, he has his ear plugs in again"...-- silverstormer, Jun 09 2003 That's alot of Americium going around.-- sartep, Jun 09 2003 The voices in my head are saying "beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep"- what's happening to me?-- git, Jun 10 2003 random, halfbakery