It is not just the Apple Watch that is alerting owners to warnings. On this occasion, an Apple HomePod can be credited with saving a family from a life-threatening fire that started in the kitchen when a pet dog’s curiosity got the better of it. The smart speaker transmitted alerts to the family’s devices, making them aware of the situation and saving their lives in the process.
Alerts sent to family’s devices by the HomePod allegedly read ‘high heat,’ which was caused by the kitchen fire
The Colorado Springs Fire Department posted a video to Facebook showing the inside of a room and how the fire started. The family dog was investigating the boxes placed on top of the stove when it accidentally switched on one of the heating elements, unaware of the imminent danger awaiting the family. The camera feed shows that the stove top was on fire, with the flames quickly reaching the ceiling.
Thankfully, reports claim that there were no severe casualties, but one family member had to be taken to a local hospital for inhaling the smoke. As for how the family was alerted, the fire likely caused the HomePod to heat up, and it allegedly started warning the people living in the house through their devices about ‘high heat.’ Typically, smart speakers do not overheat, but Apple’s engineers had the foresight to implement this feature.
However, bear in mind that the alerts are only sent to iPhones or iPads, so if any other device was in the family’s possession, it would have been their unlucky day. AppleInsider reports that the second-generation HomePod and HomePod mini feature onboard microphones to listen for smoke and CO2 detections, likely triggering the alerts.
The family’s fortune struck gold this time, but the Colorado Springs Fire Department advises homeowners to add smoke alarms inside and outside every sleeping area. It is not every day that a device will warn you of impending threats, and knowing technology products, they can fail at any time, even when made by trillion-dollar companies like Apple.
News Source: Colorado Springs Fire Department
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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