Home Safety and Security Solutions

The ideal home safety and security solutions offer a range of features to protect your house. Plus, these systems integrate with smart-home devices for added convenience and energy savings.

You have three main choices for monitoring systems: self-monitoring, professionally monitored and hybrid. Understanding the distinctions can make selecting a system that’s right for you much simpler.

Security Alarms

Security alarms are an excellent way to keep your home secure. They can also notify you of fires, carbon monoxide and water leaks so that you’ll know what action to take if something goes awry.

A typical alarm system consists of several sensors placed both inside and outside the home. When one detects a breach in its zone or circuit, it sends an alert to a central monitoring station.

Some systems rely on cellular signals to contact emergency operators, while others rely on landlines or broadband internet connections. The type of connection used determines the level of security a system provides.

Fire Detectors

Smoke and fire detectors are essential elements of any home safety and security system. These devices monitor for smoke in real-time, allowing residents to escape safely.

NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home–including basements. Interconnected alarms that trigger each other are also recommended, particularly for large homes.

Smoke detectors come in four basic varieties: ionization, photoelectric, heat and multi-sensor units.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas produced by any fuel-burning device. Fireplaces, gas stoves, kerosene heaters, vehicle exhaust and portable generators all produce carbon monoxide.

When using these devices indoors, keep them away from children and pets. Furthermore, avoid placing them near sunny spots, open windows, or high humidity areas.

Your CO detector can alert you if it detects carbon monoxide in your home. When it goes off, turn off any potential sources of CO, open doors and windows to let in fresh air, press the reset button (if your detector has one), and contact a professional for further assistance.

Ideally, there should be at least one detector on each floor of your home and one near or over an attached garage. This way, if there is a problem, everyone in the house will hear the alarm.

Water Leak Detectors

Water leaks can do extensive damage to a home if left undetected, which is why smart water leak detectors are such an effective way to safeguard your residence.

These devices work by detecting changes in temperature or moisture and alerting you before an issue arises. Furthermore, these sensors offer automatic shutoff valves which can stop a leak or reduce water flow if there’s been flooding.

Our tests of the top water leak detectors revealed a range of features, such as push and text message alerts. Some even included visual and audible alarms to warn you if you’re away from home or can’t hear your phone.

Flood Detectors

Flood detectors are an essential element of any home security system. They’re designed to detect water leaks and floods quickly, saving you thousands of dollars in repair expenses.

They also give you peace of mind knowing your family, pets and valuables are safe at all times. Even if your house isn’t affected by flooding, these small devices can save money by catching and fixing minor plumbing damage before it causes more serious harm.

Flood sensors can be installed in basements or any area prone to flooding, such as near a sump pump or washing machine. Some of these devices even alert you to frozen pipes – another common cause of water damage.