EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published in November 2014.
There are calls for new legislation regarding the type of smoke alarms that would be installed in new homes and structures across Ohio following an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation.
State Senator Bill Seitz says he will introduce legislation early next year that "will mandate the use of photoelectric technology in all new construction and mandate that within a five year period all existing rental housing be equipped with photoelectric alarms."
An exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation revealed that photoelectric type alarms respond more quickly to smoke when compared with ionization alarms currently found in 90 percent of U.S. homes.
Our report also found that government tests that concluded "ionization alarms may not alarm even when a room is filled with smoke."
In addition, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association reacted swiftly to our report.
"Stories such as yours broaden the base for us and gets the word out to many more people," said association vice-president William Shaw.
