research on smoke detectors not waking children

Does anyone have any experience or observations on these alarms that could be fed back to Me?

Vocal Smoke Detector

We have recently come across this new product for the UK.  It is aimed primarily at alerting sleeping children to a fire, and aims to address the issues surrounding individuals sleep thresholds and the disorientation and panic which ensue being awoken by the sound of an alarm.

The product is a battery operated Photo-electric detector which, in alarm status, alternates between an 85dbs alarm beep, and an audible message, recordable by the familiar voice of a parent or carer. The purpose of the spoken message is three fold. Awaken the child, Calm the child, and instruct the child. The speaker unit is directional, and so can be aimed directly at the sleeping Child.

Research has been done in the US and Australia, relating to auditory arousal thresholds during sleep and the effects of reaction times among children awakened from slow wave sleep. Whilst we are still investigating the actual research, the following statements seem relevant.

·    2 out of 3 children have a propensity to sleep through the sound of a normal smoke alarm.
·    Children who do awake to the sound of an alarm are normally frightened and disorientated.
·    A familiar voice keeps children calm and prevents panic.

It is clear from the information we have seen so far, that this product allows for customised instructions which can and should be linked into a domestic emergency plan.

Feedback from our fire officers who read this would be welcome and shared.

Research supporting this.
Busby K Pivik RT. Auditory arousal thresholds during sleep in hyperkinetic children. Sleep, 1984; 8(4), 332-41
*2 Bruck, D. The effectiveness of different alarms in waking sleeping children. Fire safety journal, 2004.
*3 Splaingard, M. Smith, G., Xiang, H., Hayes, J., McNair, A. The effect on reaction time among children awakened from slow wave sleep. Columbus Children’s Hospital, 2005. 
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia05/os/alarm1.pdf ]