OREANDA-NEWS. June 23, 2016.  With its latest connected home introduction, First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety*, is shedding light on – and providing protection against – the threats of exposure to low-level carbon monoxide (CO). The new Onelink by First Alert® Environment Monitor features advanced sensing technologies to monitor for both high and low levels of CO, both of which can be hazardous to human health. This first-of-its-kind innovation uses Apple’s revolutionary HomeKit technology to quickly notify users of any environmental changes or dangers via their connected iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch).

“Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless – but toxic and potentially deadly – gas emitted by common household appliances,” said Tom Russo, president of First Alert. “Standard CO alarms are designed to sense high levels of CO but will not detect low-level CO, which has been proven to be harmful to infants, the elderly and others with weak or compromised immune systems, with effects ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and heart problems**. By monitoring for the presence of CO at all levels, the Onelink Environment Monitor provides protection for those most vulnerable and peace of mind for those who care for them.”

Part of the new Onelinkby First Alert collection of connected smart home devices, the intuitive and compact Onelink Environment Monitor is a free-standing carbon monoxide monitor and alarm equipped with a 10-year internal electrochemical CO sensor. Through the free Onelink Home App, the micro-designed device delivers convenient access to information related to indoor atmospheric conditions and notifies users in the event of emerging CO levels or emergency conditions.

The powerful monitor detects and notifies the app user whenever CO readings register at or above nine parts per million over time (compared with 30–70 parts per million for a standard CO alarm). This low-level sensing ability is particularly important in homes with newborns, pregnant women or senior citizens, who can be especially susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide**. When emergency levels of CO are detected, you are notified via the app’s push notification, the light flashes bright red and the device emits a loud, 85 decibel alarm, alerting that the area should be evacuated.

Temperature Status

The Onelink by First Alert Environment Monitor also features built-in temperature sensors. A multi-colored LED ring on the monitor informs users at a glance regarding the status of their home’s temperature. The ring changes colors as temperatures shift. A white light glows if the room is at the programmed temperature, blue indicates the room is too cool and amber signifies it is too warm. The ring is dimmable and the brightness can be adjusted based on preference, serving as a night light.

“Sudden shifts in temperature can trigger allergies and other health hazards***,” explained Russo. “Having the ability to monitor and control these environmental elements can make a tremendous difference in the comfort and confidence of families impacted by these issues.”

The Environment Monitor plugs into a standard electrical outlet and contains a back-up lithium battery to sound in the event of emergency CO levels in case of power outages and connects via Wi-Fi to alert users on their iOS devices. Using the Onelink Home App, users can monitor a room’s environment, as well as test and silence the monitor. In addition, Siri voice commands allow users to check on their home’s temperature and inquire as to whether any changes have been detected. The unique monitor is compatible with a growing number of HomeKit-enabled devices, making things easy for consumers. Since the monitor is Apple HomeKit-enabled, data is always encrypted and privacy is built-in, allowing users to feel secure while benefiting from the convenience of a connected home.

“As our homes continue to get smarter, we want to ensure that simplicity, convenience and security are part of the equation,” said Russo. “The Onelink Environment Monitor keeps users informed about what’s happening inside their homes and allows them to be in control of their family’s living environment with today’s most user-friendly and data-secure technologies.”

Coming soon to retailers nationwide, the Onelink Environment Monitor is part of a complete line of HomeKit-enabled connected home products from First Alert. Other Onelink products include a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Safe – all designed to work with the Onelink Home app and Apple HomeKit-enabled products, providing a simple, safe and efficient smart home solution. The Onelink Safe will be available soon.

For more information, visit www.firstalert.com/onelink.

* First Alert Brand Trust Survey, January 2016 – Results are based on the responses of 1,004 adults, ages 18 and older, living in the United States who completed a telephone survey, January 28-31,2016. Results are accurate to +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level and can be generalized to the entire adult population in the United States within those statistical parameters. For more information or a copy of the complete survey and results, contact Tim Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or tyoung@lcwa.com

** “Effects on health of prolonged exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide,” CL Townsend, RL Maynard; Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 10 April 2002

*** “Indoor Air Pollution Issues,” Jerrold B. Leikin, MD, Director of Medical Toxicology, NorthShore University HealthSystem-OMEGA

About BRK Brands, Inc.

BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Newell Brands. For 50 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted and recognized safety brand in America. BRK® Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including Tundra™ Fire Extinguishing Spray, ONELINK® wireless alarms and a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to protect what matters most. Such products are also marketed under the BRK Electronics® brand, The Professional Standard for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.firstalert.com, http://www.brkelectronics.com or http://www.newellbrands.com.

About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. Driven by a sharp focus on the consumer, leading investment in innovation and brands, and a performance-driven culture, Newell Brands helps consumers achieve more where they live, learn, work and play.

This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the company’s website, http://www.newellbrands.com.

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