What is the SafeAwake?
The SafeAwake is a smoke alarm accessory which improves alerting effectiveness for those who may not be able to hear a standard smoke alarm signal well. The SafeAwake is essential safety equipment for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, but can also be lifesaving for individuals of all hearing abilities. It is a premier notification device that combines two technologies: the first being alarm recognition and the second being an intermittent bed shaking signal. When the SafeAwake is activated by a smoke alarm, a bed shaker vibrates the bed in an intermittent pattern to wake the sleeping individual. In addition to the bed shaker alert, the SafeAwake also utilizes a low-frequency sounder and a flashing indicator light. SafeAwake installation is simple: place the bed shaker under the mattress and plug the sound reception unit into a wall outlet. The SafeAwake also includes a battery backup that provides power in the event of a power failure. This device provides superior alerting capability for awakening people in fire emergencies.
Development of the Technology
The inventors of the SafeAwake developed the technology through a SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) award to develop fire safety products for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The hard-of-hearing and deaf populations are at a large disadvantage when it comes to waking to an emergency from standard audible smoke alarms. Conventional smoke alarms produce a tone at a frequency of about 3200 Hz. This frequency is often too high to be heard by many people with hearing loss when asleep. The SafeAwake was designed to provide a much more reliable method of awakening those who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or simply deep sleepers. The intermittent bed shaker was tested in sleep studies over three years at Johns Hopkins-affiliated sleep laboratories across the country.
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A major finding in this study was that the bed shaker was far superior for awakening deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals than a conventional audible alarm or a visual strobe alarm. It was also found that bed shakers are more effective in awakening hearing-able individuals than traditional smoke alarms as well. A bed shaker with an intermittent pattern was found to be more effective at awakening than a continuous vibration. To read a copy of the final report from this study, click here. The awakening results for hard-of-hearing individuals are summarized in the below graph.
Product Advantages
Features:
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Intermittent bed shaker
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Low Frequency sounder
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Flashing white light visual indicator
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Tested for effectiveness in a sleep laboratory
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Operational indicator lights
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Plug-in power supply with battery backup
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Large test button
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Fast sound reception for smoke alarms with T3 pattern
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UL 217 and UL 1971 approval
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Portability:
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The device can be used in any domestic or commercial sleeping room equipped with a standard, high-frequency, T3 smoke alarm within audible range with no need for any additional new fire detection equipment or hard-wiring. The product itself is a small 6" x 3" patented device that is placed on a bedside nightstand or hung on a wall adjacent to the bed.
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Universality:
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The SafeAwake responds to any domestic or commercial smoke alarm that produces a high-frequency, audible alarm in a standard, T3 pattern.
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Simplicity:
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The receiver plugs into any 110-volt electrical outlet and the bed shaker is placed under the mattress.
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Reliability:
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The SafeAwake includes three CR-123A lithium-ion batteries to provide backup battery power in the event of a power failure. A low battery light indicates when the battery needs to be replaced.