Specialised smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include all the necessary components to give a person a visual and vibrating alert when a smoke alarm activates.
The packages usually consist of three parts:
- A flashing strobe light placed beside the bed. It is connected to a power outlet and has a built in rechargeable battery backup
- A pillow shaker (connected to the strobe light)
- A smoke alarm.
When the smoke alarm is activated it sends a radio signal, activating the flashing strobe and the pillow shaker.
Note - the smoke alarm still makes loud audible beeps to alert people without a hearing impairment.
Remember You may be eligible for a subsidy.
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Pillow shaker
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Flashing strobe light
Access to specialised smoke alarms may be made through Expression Australia. Read our fact sheet for more information or visit - expression.com.au/services/smoke-alarm-subsidy
Placing smoke alarms
Smoke alarms required by law (minimum legal requirements)
Additional smoke alarms recommended by Tasmania Fire Service
Carbon monoxide alarms recommended by Tasmania Fire Service
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Click to enlarge: A guide for smoke alarm placement in a multi-storey home
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Click to enlarge: A guide for smoke alarm placement in a single storey home
Hot tips
- For older people or people with a disability smoke alarms should be connected to a personal alarm system.
- Interconnect smoke alarms so when one goes off they all go off alerting you and your family as quickly as possible if there is a fire.