Operating instructions

Chapter 1 Getting Started: Operating Hints

Part 1 General Operating Instructions

CHAPTER 1 Getting Started

DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES AND OPERATING HINTS

Robotronics’ new animated Smoke Alarm and House of Hazards are unique and exciting tools

for teaching fire prevention and life-safety education. In the hands of a skilled and trained

operator, the Smoke Alarm can be very effective in getting your safety messages across to

children and adults.

There are two versions of the House of Hazards. Both versions have the animated Smoke

Alarm character with moving eyes, eyelids, eyebrows, and arms. Both versions also have the

Automatic Music Control System. The deluxe model includes a control box that enables the

operator to manually initiate all of the functions of both the smoke alarm and the house. A

headset microphone with a two-way voice system allows you to communicate through the

smoke alarm. A voice modifier is also available which allows you to disguise the sound of your

voice. This manual covers both versions so that if you want to add the control box and/or the

house at some point you will have all of the information that you need.

In automatic mode, the Smoke Alarm has a personality of his own. In manual mode you can

add a personal touch to the character as you interact with your audience. Much of the

excitement of the Smoke Alarm is provided by the operator. The selection and training of the

operator should be done carefully, so as to provide a person with good judgment and an

outgoing personality. Nevertheless, with a little practice anyone can learn to operate it and

even those with a shy personality can be very effective using the Smoke Alarm and House.

When operating in crowds, always have a trained person posted near the House to help in

crowd control, and to protect it from vandalism. This person is also available to answer

questions and interact with the Smoke Alarm. With a little practice, the person and the Smoke

Alarm can come up with effective ways to interact during a program. For example the person

can present safety rules and the Smoke Alarm can be called on to test the children on what they

have learned. This will greatly re-enforce what they have learned.

The Smoke Alarm can be a highly successful tool for safety education and entertainment.

Appropriate jokes, stories and general conversation can be very effective. Children of all ages

will be strongly attracted to it. They will talk to it, and generally treat it as a good friend.

The most important ingredient to the use and effective operation of the Smoke Alarm system is

common sense. The following instructions will help you get set up and start using it in a very

short time.