What does a smoke detector's "hush" feature do?

The "hush" feature of a smoke detector is designed to temporarily silence the alarm during non-emergency situations, such as when cooking produces smoke that could trigger the alarm. This feature allows users to address minor issues without causing unnecessary disruptions or panic. It is particularly useful for situations where smoke might be produced, such as burning food, allowing for a more user-friendly experience without having to deal with persistent alarms.

In contrast, maintaining an ongoing alert status regardless of conditions would defeat the purpose of having a hush feature, as it would not provide the necessary flexibility for users in safe situations. Increasing the sensitivity of smoke detection is not related to the hush feature; instead, it refers to the sensor’s ability to detect smoke particles more readily. Disabling the detector until manually reset is also not aligned with the purpose of the hush feature, as this would not allow the detector to function appropriately in a real emergency situation. Instead, the hush feature allows for temporary silence while still maintaining the detector's overall functionality and readiness for eventual alarms when actual smoke is present.