Long gone are the days when homeowners simply purchase a “burglar alarm”. With current technology, home security systems are now the product of choice as they offer a full range of protection against much more than just home break-ins.
Fire and Smoke– From cooking mishaps to unattended candles, there are many potential fire sources in your home. Between 2006 and 2010 alone, The National Fire Protection Agency reported that one in every 310 homes experienced a fire. While standard smoke alarms offer some protection, you never know when a battery can die and leave you unprotected. When looking for a home security system, look for one that offers fire and smoke detection which can make your home much safer against the threat of fire and smoke damage.
Carbon Monoxide– Often referred to as the “silent killer”, carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause severe health problems and death when humans are exposed to it in high quantities. It is often emitted by home furnaces and other appliances. Many modern home security systems contain carbon monoxide detectors that can alert homeowners immediately if the gas is found present in the air.
Water Damage– The National Flood Insurance Program’s website tells that even just 3 inches of flood water in a 2,000 square foot home can cause close to $39,000 in damage. A comprehensive home security system may include water sensors that detect when water (from a flood or burst pipe) has entered the home. As any flood victim knows from experience, the longer flood water is in a home the greater the threat of dangerous mold to grow. Tending to the issue immediately can often save homeowners thousands of dollars in additional damage.
Medical Emergencies– Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common household injuries to be sustained, but they are certainly not the only ones. If you are a senior citizen or if you have a senior citizen living in your home, it is often a good idea to have a security alarm that includes a medical emergency response system. Typically this equates to the homeowners just having to push one button on their security system panel to alert the police and an ambulance that a response is needed at your address.
Power Outages– When you are home you are likely to know about a power outage right away. However, if you are away from home (especially for an extended period of time) you may not realize that the power to your home has been lost. Since the power in your home is needed to operate your refrigerator and freezer, as well as security lighting, it is important to never lose power even while you are not at home. Many newer home security systems can run on battery back-up in the event of a power loss and notify the homeowner immediately upon loss of power.
This article was contributed by C. Wiley of the SecurityChoice.com Blog.
Other types of home security include having flashlights handy in case of blackouts, as well as first aid kits, in case of minor accidents. pb