First Alert's story

They were the "beeps heard around the world"...

As a part of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) family, BRK Brands, Inc., the maker of First Alert® and BRK Electronics®-branded products, is a leading global consumer safety products company that designs, manufactures and markets a substantial portfolio of products designed to help keep your family safe from fire and carbon monoxide, as well as other environmental threats.

History/ Timeline

1958 The company was organized by Burke (B), Roberts �® and Kimberline (K)= BRK

1964 First commercial smoke detector produced by BRK�®

1969 First battery-powered smoke detector to receive UL listing

1970 In May, Pittway bought the company

1974 Sears began selling BRK SS74R Battery Smoke Alarm. Sales were so good that GE, �® Norelco, Water Pik, and Gillette entered the retail market

1976 BRK developed its own retail sales program

1982 Rechargeable flashlights were introduced

1984 System Sensor was formed-commercial

1985 Fire extinguisher business started, and flashlights were introduced

1986 Full line of lighting and timing products including PIR

1992 The company was sold to T.H. Lee & Associates

1993 First battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm was introduced

1995-1996 A line of childcare and eldercare products and a line of fire safes were introduced

1997 First combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm was introduced

1998 The company was sold to Sunbeam Corporation in March

2000 First hands free remote controlled test/silence CO Alarm was introduced

2001 Introduction of "Smart" Smoke Alarm which included a microprocessor and hands free remote controlled test and silence

2002 American Household, Inc. is formed from Sunbeam Corporation

2003 First combination Smoke/ CO Alarm with voice and location notification was introduced

2004 Completely upgraded smoke alarm line launched

2005 Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) purchases American Household, Inc.

2005 Onelink™ line of wireless smoke, CO and combination alarms were introduced; First to include voice with location for added safely

2006 BRK Brands/ First Alert becomes part of Jarden Branded Consumables

2006 Completely redesigned carbon monoxide alarm line launched, utilizing electrochemical sensing- the most accurate technology in the residential industry, compared to other sensing technologies

2006-2007 Tundra Fire Extinguisher Spray was launched, winning accolades around the country

Today, First Alert�® products continue to challenge the industry standards, and our engineers are continually evaluating designs to see how they might change to meet your families' ever-changing needs.

The First Alert�® brand of products has been recognized in the industry for its leadership efforts:

2007 International Housewares Show "Best of Show" for Tundra

2006 Golden Hammer Gold Level Award Winner 2005 Golden Hammer Gold Level Award Winner

2004 Golden Hammer Gold Level Award Winner

2003 Golden Hammer Gold Level Award Winner

2002 SPARC Award Winner

2001 Popular Mechanic's Editor's Choice Award for SA302

2001 Good Housekeeping's "Good Buy" Award for SA302

1999 CHAMPS Award for winning marketing strategy in the consumer category

1999 EFFIE Award for "Be Safe...Replace" campaign, most effective advertising campaign in the health aids category

1997 Pinnacle Award for the Standard for Excellence