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Being a responsible homeowner means expecting the unexpected. While it might be a downer to ruminate on all the things that might go wrong in your home, preparing ahead of time is key. There are many tools that can help you keep your home safe in case of emergencies. One category that every homeowner needs to consider is detection devices. This is a set of technology that can warn you of impending danger.
We’ve listed some of the most important detection devices you should install in your home.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND NATURAL GAS DETECTORS
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced any time you burn fuel. It can come from vehicles, small engines, fireplaces, gas ranges, furnaces, and more. Carbon monoxide should not be present in your home. As soon as two hours after a leak people exposed to this gas can start to feel flu-like symptoms. Here are some other symptoms those exposed to carbon monoxide may experience:
Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Chest pain
Confusion
If you’re exposed to carbon monoxide in high amounts, it can be deadly.
With so much at risk, it’s important to know sooner rather than later if your furnace or oven is leaking. That’s where carbon monoxide detectors come in. This device will warn you when carbon monoxide levels reach a certain level within a given time period. It will sound an alarm before levels reach 100 parts per million over 90 minutes, 200 parts per million over 35 minutes, or 400 parts per million over 15 minutes. In many regions, you must have a carbon monoxide detector by law.
Natural gas, while not as deadly on its own, can also be a hazard you want to monitor. Most utility companies will add a scent similar to rotten eggs to your natural gas supply for easy detection. But this isn’t always the case. If left unattended, a natural gas leak can cause fires and explosions if even a small spark is lit nearby. Natural gas detectors can help you track down a leak before any emergency strikes.
FIRE AND SMOKE DETECTORS
Another catastrophe no homeowner wants to face is a fire. They can not only damage your property but also pose a threat to the health and safety of the people in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there was an average of 353,100 home structure fires per year in the US between 2014-2018. They cite five prominent causes for most structure fires: cooking, heating, electrical, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.
Smoke detectors became mandatory for all new houses in 1989. Since then, they have become a standard, well-known detection device. Installed on the ceilings of every room and outside of every sleeping area, they sound off at the first sign of smoke. This can be the difference between your home going up in flames and catching the blaze early. Sure, they can get annoying when you cook dinner for a bit longer than anticipated, but they’re well worth the installation.
PLUMBING
Water damage can be yet another dreadful disaster that many homeowners will deal with sooner or later. There are a host of consequences to leaks and floods. Water can destroy property, threaten the structural integrity of your home, and lead to mold. The sooner you locate and isolate the source of water the better off you’ll be.
Keeping up with roof maintenance and installing a sump pump are two ways to prevent leaks and flooding. But burst pipes have historically been difficult to track down in a timely manner. One way to get ahead of pipe leaks is to install a water leak sensor that can alert you when there are abnormalities in the flow of water within your pipes. Some smart water detectors can even shut the water valve off for you if it notices a problem. This can save you thousands in water damage repairs.
If you do detect an issue with your pipes, call To the T Plumbing right away! We’ll patch up any leaks and get your system running in tip-top shape ASAP! We’ll also help with the installation of your new water leak sensor.
RADON DETECTOR
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from soils and rocks as radioactive elements break down. It can enter your home through cracks in floors or walls – new homes and old. Radon is commonly found in basements and crawl spaces. Although you won’t feel the adverse effects of this gas right away, over time it can cause lung cancer.
If you live in a high-risk area for radon –such as Colorado– you should consider installing a radon detection device. This will clue you in when this colorless, odorless gas enters your home. Once you identify the issue, you can take steps to reduce radon levels in your home. Some things you can do are install a gas-permeable aggregate beneath your flooring system, seal cracks in your foundation, or put an active radon control system in place.
SECURITY SYSTEM
The people and contents of your home are precious. The last category of detection devices we’ll get into is security systems. A burglary happens every 30 seconds on average in the United States. They can occur any time of day and tend to be more frequent in the summer months. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available today.
Security devices can run the gamut from fully integrated detection systems with laser tripwires to simple doorbell cameras. Many of these devices can easily sync up to your smartphone so you can monitor your home from work or while traveling.
Every home should be kept safe with preventative measures such as these devices. We hope you learned a little something about detection devices and how you can update your home to be the ultimate alert system for your health and safety!