YSK Your smoke detectors should be replaced every 7-10 years

https://slrpnk.net/post/34507518

I’m genuinely curious: why do you need smoke detectors? I’m asking as an european that has lived without them all their life in more than one country. They are not mandatory here and not even common. What’s the reason to install ther? (I know the reason is to detect smoke, I’m asking the underlying reason behind the need to detect smoke)
Here in France rentals must have them, I believe. But I’ve never known anybody whose home caught fire. Maybe it has to do with building materials and regulations? In my région buildings are stone. My house had 90cm-thick granite walls. Radon is a bigger concern than fire.

Also in Italy, it’s rare for houses to catch fire.

But even if you live in a house made of concrete (Le Corbusier would be proud), things inside of the apartment can still catch fire.