Mr/Mrs Norman H.
KIDDE/FIREX Check the packaging carefully (misleading)
KIDDE/FIREX recently updated their combo smoke/CO detectors again (models & packaging). Quite surprising and all of the former devices are no longer available in stores, and the large retail stores only carry the newer devices. The one good change is that a major flaw from the former upgraded design (with the hardwired 10-year worry-free batteries) is the giant "bump" on the underside of the device intended to be recessed inside of 4x4 electric box. That was a poor design given the fact that most junction boxes are already jam-packed with wires & wire nuts, without the ability to shove part of the smoke detector inside that compartment; compared to the flush mounted ceiling detectors from previous models/versions. So at least that was resolved. However, I just wasted $130 after receiving 2 incorrect smoke/CO detectors because the packaging for models 30CUA10-V and 30CUA10 are nearly IDENTICAL! Massachusetts, like other states, has very strict fire codes and Fire Inspectors will not pass a smoke inspection without the "talking" voice alarms (for combo units), yet these 2 models (1 with Voice / 1 without Voice) have nearly identical packaging, and you have to VERY carefully read the one very minor difference on the front of the package to notice it, aside from $10 difference in price. So the contractors accidentally picked-up the wrong packages and installed the wrong devices - the boxes were tossed-out, so I can't return them for credit/refund. A simple mistake yet now I have to pay $130 for alarms that I'll NEVER be able to re-use at any other Massachusetts property. The irony is that those COMBO non-voice alarms are not code-compliant and shouldn't be sold in Massachusetts stores at all.