Kidde's Silhouette Named Favorite by "Builder" Magazine 

Mebane, NC, February 1, 2009 – Kidde, a leading manufacturer of fire safety products, announced that its new Silhouette™ smoke alarm ranks #5 in the list of top 10 new products by readers of "Builder" magazine.  Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp (NYSE:UTX).

In December, "Builder" editors ranked the top new products from those the magazine featured throughout the year, basing the results on the number of requests for more product information.  The Silhouette alarm was originally featured in the Jun 08 “Top Shelf” section.  In December's ranking, Builder associate editor, Nigel Maynard writes, “You want your smoke detector to work when you need it, but disappear when you don’t. This sleek unit accomplishes both tasks.”

“We designed Silhouette based on responses from homebuilders and interior designers, who told us that homeowners want their smoke alarms to be virtually unnoticeable and maintenance-free,” said Chris Rovenstine, sales and marketing director for Kidde Residential & Commercial.  “The readers of Builder are our target audience; winning their approval is very gratifying.”

Launched in May 2008, the Silhouette alarm is the first Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed low-profile smoke alarm.  Unlike traditional models, the Silhouette protrudes about half an inch from the ceiling, blending in with its surroundings.  The AC- powered alarm contains a sealed lithium battery that will last the life of the unit, meaning homeowners never have to replace a battery.  

In November, Kidde expanded the Silhouette brand by introducing a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.  Like the smoke alarm, the UL-listed AC-powered model has a low-profile design that blends into the wall, and contains a sealed battery that will last the life of the alarm.  The Silhouette CO alarm also features a blue LED display that will show levels of CO, and update the reading every 15 seconds.  Like all Kidde CO alarms, the Silhouette offers the world’s most accurate CO sensing technology, based on claims by major manufacturers.

“The Silhouette CO alarm offers the premier features found in Kidde’s traditional CO alarms in a streamlined, and maintenance-free package,” said Rovenstine.    

Both Silhouette products are available through electrical distributors, and at The Home Depot. Consumers can also inquire through their builder and/or contractor.