ABSTRACT This study compares the care, maintenance and performance of home smoke detectors in the same geographical area for two insurance companies. Prior to the study one of the insurance companies distributed free smoke detectors to all of its customers. It was predicted that a smoke detector that was purchased would be better maintained and in better working order than a smoke detector that was donated. Random samples with age groups and policy types (households, homes) as stratification variables were formed. Approximately 94% (n = 842) of the sample were reached in telephone interviews which were concluded with a request to press the test button of the smoke detector. The results did not support the predictions that free smoke detectors were taken less care of or less often in working order. It was also noted that around 15% of the smoke detectors that were reported by their owners to be in a working condition did not respond to the test button being pressed.