Okay, so it is old fashioned not modern. Still, I’m curious as to how effective it would be.

The sound of popcorn popping would be less piercing than the smoke detectors I have installed now. But the popcorn would have an odor as it popped, which would provide an alert for those who might have hearing difficulties.

Furthermore, I have to change the batteries in my smoke detector regularly. Popcorn, on the other hand, requires no batteries. And while it might become stale over time, I don’t think it would ever not pop.

I’m not suggesting you replace your smoke detectors with Jiffy Pop. While I found the photo amusing, it isn’t meant to be taken seriously.

It did remind me though of the way technology has changed over the years, sometimes for the good. Before we had smoke detectors you heard a fair amount about people dying in house fires. By the time a sleeping person would hear the flames and feel the heat it was too late. That piercing sound saves lives.

Which is why I don’t grouse about the number of smoke detectors the city mandates for residences. Yes, you could make an argument that personal safety is the individual’s responsibility and the state shouldn’t interfere. But given that the government provides fire services, maybe a case can be made for state intervention here.