By Editor Design.nl / 10-05-2007

Student Louise van der Veld has developed a smoke detector in the form of a bird that sings and whistles when it detects smoke. The smoke detector won first prize at ‘Mooi uit de brand’ a design competition for fire prevention devices.

The Chick-a-Dee, as Van der Veld’s design is called, can be placed anywhere in the house using a small clip. If it detects smoke, it alarms the inhabitants by emitting a loud ‘chick-a-dee’ sound. ‘Innovative, easy to install, a charming design with a smile,’ said jury chairman Ed Annink (Design Work), summarizing the jury’s report.

The jury said that the Chick-a-Dee was very innovative, and very touching, with a high level of cuddliness. It said that the Chick-a-Dee would have a low barrier of acceptance with the Dutch public because of its ease of installation. The little bird would appeal to a lot of people, the jury felt. It could have a lot of potential in helping to change behaviour on a massive scale by encouraging many more people to purchase and install a smoke detector in their homes. The design is to be developed and will be made available in shops in the Netherlands.

Van der Velde was awarded the Klavertje Vuur trophy and an amount of six thousand euros by Leo de Boer, director of the Dutch Alliance of Insurers. The jury also issued two honourable mentions and a public award. Kirstin Voortman’s starter’s kit with fire-resistant blankets (Gerrit Rietveld Academy) and Sanne Pelgrom and Maarten Heijltjes’s design fire extinguisher (Technical University of Delft) were both awarded an honourable mention.

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