- An alarm clock can be programmed in advance to go off at any time. Many alarm clocks wake you up with a jangling bell, an unnerving buzz or an annoying beep. Radio alarm clocks turn on the radio at a set time, so you can set a radio station to awaken you with something a bit more pleasant. The effect of an alarm clock is to wake you up to start your day on time.
- Smoke alarms are equipped with sensitive sensors that can detect small amounts of smoke in the air of a household. When they do, they emit a piercing beep or tone designed to awaken anyone in the house and alert them to potential danger. Although most frequently it turns out to be burnt toast or a barbecue that's too close to the door, in an emergency situation involving a real fire smoke alarms can and do save lives.
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal if it accumulates to a high density in an enclosed space such as a home. Cars left running in a closed garage emit carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide detector emits a sound like a smoke alarm when it is set off but it response to levels of carbon monoxide rather than to smoke or heat. Like any alarm, its effect is to alert occupants of the home to a potential problem, allowing them to identify and correct it before anyone is harmed.
- The purpose of a burglar alarm is to make a loud noise when someone breaks into a house, bringing the attention of neighbors and police and scaring the intruder away. A professional thief who knows what he is after may rob the home even if the alarm goes off but will probably leave more quickly than if there were no alarm, thus reducing the loss to the homeowner.
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