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Intruders aren't the only potential hazard for homeowners. You can install many other types of home safety devices: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, high water alarms, low temperature alarms, and propane or natural gas detectors.
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms are a must in every residence and are required by building codes in new construction. As a starting point, building codes require at least one 120 volt interconnected smoke detector with battery backup in each of the following locations:
- On every floor, including the basement.
- In every bedroom hallway, within 6 feet of bedroom doors (unless local codes require an alternative placement); the hallway detector counts for that floor.
Code also now requires smoke detection alarms to be interconnected. The interconnection causes every alarm to sound when only one of them detects smoke. The interconnect wiring is three-conductor cable; one power, one neutral, and one interconnection conductor.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that bedroom power circuits be arc-fault protected, so smoke alarms are often supplied with power on the bedroom lighting circuit. Frequently, local building codes require additional smoke alarms, both in terms of numbers and locations. Modern smoke alarms are typically wired with 120-volt power during the electrical rough in.
 | Keep spare batteries on hand, just in case at 2 a.m. the battery monitor lets you know about an impending battery change. Like most batteries, if you keep spares in the freezer they stay fresh. As soon as they are room temperature, they can deliver power. |
Heat detectors
Heat detectors are a good choice for supplementing the smoke alarms in your home. Put them in mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, attics, storage rooms, basements, and in the kitchen. Heat detectors are either
- Triggered at a specific temperature
- Triggered by a rise in temperature
Often, smoke detectors trip false alarms in kitchens or vented attic areas, so including a heat detector provides added protection. Like smoke detectors, heat detectors can be wired into your home's master alarm-control unit.
Carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is referred to as the "silent killer" because the gas is odorless and tasteless. Your home should have CO monitors if it:
- Has enclosed parking, such as an attached garage.
- Uses any fossil fuel heating or refrigeration source.
- Has a fossil fuel electrical generator within close proximity.
Although not required in every state, CO detectors can help prevent death or serious injury if any of the fossil fuel-burning appliances, furnaces, refrigerators, or combustion engines cause a harmful buildup of CO.
Just like smoke alarms, CO detectors can be hardwired in and interconnected, and you can link them to the central alarm control unit. CO detectors use the same three-wire cable smoke detectors use.
 | CO detectors should be installed in all habitable and enclosed areas of your home. Like smoke alarms, this means one |
- On every floor, including the basement
Radon detectors
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas that emits metallic particles, as well as cancer-causing alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Radon is odorless and invisible. According to the United States' Surgeon General, radon is second only to smoking in causing lung cancer deaths. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes comparative maps of areas prone to moderate or high levels of radon in the soil, water, and rock. The maps are at www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html.
Radon levels can be tested using a one-time test kit, or with a constant air monitor. Radon is measured in pCi/L (pico-Curies per liter) of air. In the U.S., the EPA says that any level over 4 requires corrective action. Consumer Rn detectors typically only have a local alarm and LED. Select an evaluated Rn detector accepted by the U.S. EPA.
Flood or high water alarms
A flood or high-water alarm usually detects elevated moisture levels or small water leaks. Others may include float switches that detect the presence of high water. The devices can sound alarms, or they can be set up to turn off the water supply to a specific appliance such as a clothes washer, water heater, refrigerator, water/ice dispenser, or even the whole home. Some systems detect a very thin layer of water, call a programmed phone number, and describe the flooding based on which sensors are tripped. Sensors may also monitor sump pumps to make sure they're working correctly.
Freezing or overheating alarms
Heating and cooling system alarms can detect falling or rising temperatures. When a potentially hazardous fluctuation is detected, they can trigger an alarm and notify you, a neighbor, or an alarm-monitoring company before any major damage occurs. Freeze alarms are an important consideration in northern climates, because water heating systems and pipes can freeze and burst, causing flooding that can destroy a home.
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