• 2 March 2012

    Being woken by a whiff of wasabi is unpleasant. The Ig Nobel prize-winning wasabi fire alarm shocks the senses and can't be ignored. It could protect people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

    Jessica

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  • Wasabi fire alarm in pictures

 
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60 second interview

  • Makoto thumb copy

    Makoto Imai is Professor of Psychiatry at Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan. He is part of the team that invented the wasabi alarm.


Points of View

  • We asked some experts for their views on the wasabi fire alarm.


384 comments on 'Is a wasabi fire alarm a wild idea?'

  1. antennagallery

    Caitlin

    April 11, 2012 at 10:46

    i would rather smell bacon rashers!

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    ROB S

    April 11, 2012 at 11:31

    ANYTHING TO DO WITH FOOD IS GREAT! :P

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  3. antennagallery

    Lucy

    April 11, 2012 at 11:59

    i love it but i dont like my nose stinging!!!!

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  4. antennagallery

    Jim Fredley

    April 11, 2012 at 12:00

    This is a terrible idea. My house is cold, so a fire would probably do it good. Also, i have a sensitive nose.

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  5. antennagallery

    RHIANNON

    April 11, 2012 at 12:54

    YES BECAUSE IT WOULDN’T WAKE UP YOUR NEIGHBOURS

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  6. antennagallery

    Baajh

    April 11, 2012 at 13:02

    i am5 years old. i think it is not very nice because it hurts.

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  7. antennagallery

    Daniel

    April 11, 2012 at 13:10

    I don’t know because I never smelt wasabi.

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  8. antennagallery

    Edward,9

    April 11, 2012 at 13:16

    i think they should make more

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  9. antennagallery

    Wendy

    April 11, 2012 at 13:18

    wasabi rules

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  10. antennagallery

    Roxy

    April 11, 2012 at 13:24

    I am grateful for every day I can see my little boy growing up

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  11. antennagallery

    Ellie

    April 11, 2012 at 13:33

    this is amazing!!!!!! :)

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  12. antennagallery

    Daddy Boakes :-)

    April 11, 2012 at 13:44

    I would rather not have a fire!!!!

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  13. antennagallery

    Bob

    April 11, 2012 at 13:53

    wasabi is really spcy and smellsreally badso i’d rather be woken up by bqcon

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  14. antennagallery

    Mensmer

    April 11, 2012 at 13:57

    what if you’re cooking a meal that has a stronger scent than wasabi? why wasabi? why not somethimg malodourous like cheese (very strong)?

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  15. antennagallery

    Tilly, Trins And Coco

    April 11, 2012 at 14:16

    We luuurve the wasabi idea, it is unique and would benefit a lot of people! The Science museum should carry on doing the awarness of products like this and the enviroment!!!!

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  16. antennagallery

    Niamh

    April 11, 2012 at 14:35

    It’s a really good idea for people who have hearing difficulties, and it could definately save lives.

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  17. antennagallery

    Big Andy

    April 11, 2012 at 14:37

    takes too long to pong!!

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  18. antennagallery

    Babez

    April 11, 2012 at 14:38

    takes to long, could die in 3 mins :( :( :( :(

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  19. antennagallery

    Katkate

    April 11, 2012 at 14:44

    wow thats a life saver very clever idea weldone

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  20. antennagallery

    Charlotte

    April 11, 2012 at 14:49

    i think it is a very clever. a good way to wake you up

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      Ryan

      May 7, 2012 at 12:38

      it is a g00d way to wake u up for no reson fin good

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  21. antennagallery

    Cloclo

    April 11, 2012 at 14:49

    l think it is a very clever idea.a good idea

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      Bethany

      May 5, 2012 at 10:55

      i think this is a very good idea

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  22. antennagallery

    Bob

    April 11, 2012 at 15:37

    Great product

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      Megan Courtney!!!!

      May 6, 2012 at 14:23

      a good ideaza

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  23. antennagallery

    Gee Gee

    April 11, 2012 at 16:15

    i love wasabi :)

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  24. antennagallery

    Jilly Wasabi

    April 12, 2012 at 10:38

    sushi mmmmmmmm!!

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  25. antennagallery

    Lewiso

    April 12, 2012 at 10:40

    i hate wasabi i wouldnt to be woken up by it! wasup

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  26. antennagallery

    Livvie And Harry

    April 12, 2012 at 11:43

    Perhaps a chocolate alarm would do a better job???

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  27. antennagallery

    Jack

    April 12, 2012 at 11:49

    i never knew of a wasabi alarm before AMAZING!

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  28. antennagallery

    HUGO

    April 12, 2012 at 12:01

    I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA IF IT SAVES LIVES.

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  29. antennagallery

    Caitlin

    April 12, 2012 at 12:08

    i wouldnt like to be woken up by the alarm but it would save my life. xx

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      K-MAN

      May 3, 2012 at 11:58

      I BELIVE IT WOULD BE EPIC. BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A WASBI SQUIRTING SMOKE ALARM? WHEN YOU BURN TOAST IT SOMETIMES SETS OF THE ALARM, SO WHY WOULD YOU JUST SEND WASBI TO WASTE

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  30. antennagallery

    Caitlin

    April 12, 2012 at 12:08

    its a greatidea esecially for the death and blind. x

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  31. antennagallery

    Francis

    April 12, 2012 at 12:46

    what if its just smoke from cooking?

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  32. antennagallery

    Chckem

    April 12, 2012 at 13:18

    i think its cool

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  33. antennagallery

    Peter

    April 12, 2012 at 13:29

    urmmmm urmmmm yes its a good idea but someone can be allergic and die

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  34. antennagallery

    Julia

    April 12, 2012 at 13:46

    Cool idea! :)

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  35. antennagallery

    Cait44

    April 12, 2012 at 14:34

    i love the wasabi fire alarm idea

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  36. antennagallery

    Ben13

    April 12, 2012 at 14:37

    i love wasabi fire alams they are awesome and they best idea ever!!! also i am a total nerd!!! :)

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      Ilan First

      April 22, 2012 at 11:49

      Its a great idea!

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  37. antennagallery

    Lilkait

    April 12, 2012 at 14:38

    i love the wasabi fire alarm idea its great! :) :) :)

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      Pernille

      April 23, 2012 at 14:44

      hello, i love the wasabi fire alarm..:).

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  38. antennagallery

    JasmineBieber

    April 12, 2012 at 14:45

    i tHINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA

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  39. antennagallery

    John

    April 12, 2012 at 14:47

    not only is it good on sushi, it saves lives! :)

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  40. antennagallery

    Devon

    April 12, 2012 at 14:50

    no not really because i dont sniff in my sleep :) ! lol

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  41. antennagallery

    BEN DOVER

    April 12, 2012 at 14:54

    IS WASABI UNIQUE WITH THESE PROPERTIES? WHAT ELSE COULD BE USED?

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  42. antennagallery

    SugerStar

    April 12, 2012 at 15:40

    I think it will be a really good idea because if there is a fire, it will let you know.

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      Aaron

      May 8, 2012 at 11:48

      they will save your live and keep you from dying

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  43. antennagallery

    Fatman

    April 12, 2012 at 15:47

    wasabi alarm great success high 5 !!!!

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  44. antennagallery

    MICHAEL AND CHRIS

    April 12, 2012 at 16:29

    WOULD BE GOOD IF WE COULD SMELL WHEN SLEEPING AS WE WOULD SMELL SMOKE AND WOULD NOT NEED ALARMS :-)

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      Ldrees

      May 8, 2012 at 11:50

      not a good idea

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  45. antennagallery

    Me

    April 12, 2012 at 16:32

    Yes if I was deaf :-)

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      Owen 5

      May 9, 2012 at 13:08

      no because then everyone at the fire station would smell spicy

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  46. antennagallery

    Bailey

    April 12, 2012 at 16:50

    i think that this is a good safe idea thank you xx

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  47. antennagallery

    Jane Lambert

    April 12, 2012 at 18:00

    Fantastic idea – where can I buy one?

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  48. antennagallery

    GEMMA GIBBS

    April 13, 2012 at 11:40

    I LOVE THIS IDEA! AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF ALERTING PEOPLE TO FIRE!!!! WELL DONE WITH THAT ONE…….

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  49. antennagallery

    John Smith

    April 13, 2012 at 11:55

    had some in a resturant and couldnt taste anything for the rest of the night. :’(

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  50. antennagallery

    Baconlover

    April 13, 2012 at 12:28

    it should of been about bacon!!

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