Residential floods and fires are disasters that plague homeowners across the United States every year. But the good news is, today's technology has made protecting your home easier than ever. . “Smart” devices, or devices which connect to home or cellular data networks via Bluetooth or other wireless network technology, have many uses in today’s home. The best smart home devices can minimize your risk of costly The best smart home devices can minimize your risk of costly water and fire disasters, allowing you to monitor your home for dangerous conditions whether you're across the room, across town or across the country. Discover how turning your home into a smart home can protect your property and your family.
Water Leak Monitoring
When it comes to home floods, the faster you can stop leaking water, the better. Water leak detectors can make a huge difference. These small, battery-operated detectors, which look similar to smoke detectors, can be placed near toilets, sinks, water heaters and anywhere else water damage tends to occur. If a leak is detected, these smart sensors will alert your phone and can even sound an alarm in your home.
To further protect your property, you can invest in a complete flood-monitoring system. Some with multiple detectors, automatic shutoff valves and a central hub, these systems give you added control and valuable peace of mind. Look for smart flood sensors available at a variety of price points to customize your monitoring system and better protect your home from water damage.
Fire Detection and Prevention Devices
Household fires are one of the most significant disaster risks that homeowners face. The National Fire Protection Association reported a whopping 365,500 home fires in 2015 alone, resulting in property damage totaling $7 billion. Luckily, today's smart home features and technology take your fire protection a step beyond your classic smoke detector.
Smart smoke detectors can notify you of smoke and a potential fire even if you're away from home, thanks to updates sent directly to your mobile device. These detectors can even minimize the spread of fire by shutting down other home devices, such as your HVAC, when smoke is detected to. If you aren't ready to replace every smoke detector in your home, try using a smart battery in your existing smoke detectors to receive these real-time smartphone updates.
Other smart home devices rely on temperature readings to alert you of a potential fire. Some models set off an alarm and send you an alert when your home reaches a certain temperature, while others activate when a rapid rise in temperature is detected.
Finally, you can reduce the risk of electrical fires by using smart plugs. If you're afraid you left the clothes iron or coffeemaker on, these plugs can come to your rescue. Simply use your smartphone to cut off electricity to any devices plugged into the smart plugs, and you're all set.
Equipping your living space with smart home features is a simple and effective way to get real-time updates on dangerous conditions in your home, which can help you avert disasters such as fires and floods. What's more, making an investment in this smart technology can save you money in the long run by preventing costly damage. Be sure to keep your eye on the ServiceMaster Restore blog for more tips on how to prevent flood damage and how to prevent fires in your home.