Guess what? Last weekend we adjusted our clocks forward one hour. Did you or your family change the batteries in your smoke alarm? If you didn’t it’s not too late unless your house is burning down right. So go out and get a battery or batteries and change them in all alarms in your house. In some states there is a law that states you must have working smoke alarms especially in multi-family homes.

Another good suggestion is at the same time you are changing alarm batteries you should sit down as a family and discuss an evacuation plan in case of a fire or other emergency. A good evacuation plan lets family members know what to do when an alarm sounds off. This plan at a minimum should provide two ways out of every room and a place where all family members meet to be sure everyone makes it out.

There are a few different types of home fire alarms offering different levels of protection at different price ranges. Some home alarms are installed when a home is being constructed. These are usually hard-wired into the home’s wiring system. It is always recommended that these types be installed by a certified professional. The most common type of home fire alarms is a smoke detector that can be installed quickly as a DIY home security project. Smoke detectors are usually installed throughout the house on ceilings or high walls and can be attached with screws or adhesive backing. One thing to remember with smoke alarms is to change the batteries at least every six months. It is a good practice to change the batteries when daylight savings time starts and ends.

Below is a list of some of the most popular home fire alarms and smoke detectors. Just click on the link for more information.

Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable

First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm

Universal Security Instruments USI-3204-2P Photoelectric 120-Volt AC/DC Wired-In Smoke and Fire Alarm, 2-Pack

1. Outdoor home security is your first level of security and this is usually the presence of yard signs, window decals, and cameras that advertise your home’s protection. A recent study showed that homes without a home alarm system are about 3% more likely to be burglarized. So you should let the bad people know that your home is protected.

2. Detectors such as smoke detectors and fire detectors provide an inside layer of protection when included in a home security system package. These detector will notify an alarm company of the presence of fire, smoke, or poisonous gases.

3. All systems should include a back-up power supply to keep it working during power outages and extreme weather.

4. All professionally installed systems should be connected to monitoring and installation services. These companies work with you to keep your home, family, and valuables safe and secure and notify emergency services at the appropriate times.

5. Alarm components and hardware include such things as control panels, wireless systems, monitors, keypads, and remotes. These alarms systems parts help you arm and disarm the system, set security codes, and automatically secure your home during home invasion attempts.

Security is upmost on the minds of all especially home owners. The news is full of stories of home invasions and you can’t watch a TV program without one of the commercials for home security companies and many are very expensive. DIY home security has now become a popular topic everywhere because DIY home security can be rewarding and very simple. After all who knows what should be secure in your home better than you?

If you read the statistics on home invasion you will see that homes with burglar alarms are chosen less frequently by burglars because there is a greater chance that they will be discovered. So if you have a burglar alarm installed insurance companies consider your home less of a risk and may give you a discount on your homeowners insurance.

Most burglar alarms have three parts consisting of a control panel, a detector, and a signaling device each interconnecting with the other. Today’s top of the line alarms are wireless which eliminates much of the confusion surrounding cables and wire.

DIY burglar alarm kits can be found in many of the chain hardware stores and can differ greatly in price and quality. Remember when choosing a kit don’t always go for the least expensive but check the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff conducted a review of commercially available swimming pool alarm systems designed to detect water disturbance or displacement. There are no voluntary standards that define applicable performance requirements for disturbance or displacement type products.

The CPSC staff evaluated four water disturbance alarms and a wristband. Two of the disturbance systems used surface wave detection circuitry, while the other two detected sub-surface disturbances. The fifth device was a wristband (to be worn by a child) intended to alarm when exposed to water. All of the products incorporated remote alarms, some at an additional cost.

The results showed that the subsurface pool alarms performed better. They were more consistent in alarming and less likely to false alarm than the surface alarms. When a test object, intended to simulate the weight of a small child was pushed into the pool, the subsurface sensors detected it most reliably. The subsurface alarms can also be used in conjunction with solar pool covers, whereas the surface alarms cannot. The wristband alarmed when submerged in pool water or exposed to another water source, such as tap water.

What the preceding paragraphs are telling you is that it is very important for you and your children to have a pool alarm in your backyard pool. Besides the safety issue there is always the issue of someone sneaking into your pool during the night for a swim. Below are listed some swimming pool alarm systems. Remember subsurface systems are more reliable than surface systems but whatever you choose make sure it is the right one for you.

Pooleye Pool Alarm

Keep an eye on your above ground pool with this alarm *Pooleye eliminates false alarms *Alarm features adjustable levels of sensitivity and an extra loud siren *Uses subsurface wave detection technology, the most accurate pool intrusion detection available *In-home remote receiver

Pooleye Pool Alarm

Keep an eye on your in-ground pool with this alarm *Pooleye eliminates false alarms *Alarm features adjustable levels of sensitivity *Includes an in-home remote receiver and water/air temperature monitor *Mount onto your pool ladder or deck *Requires one 9-volt battery and one AA battery (not included)

Pooleye Pool Alarm

Keep an eye on your above ground pool with this alarm *Pooleye eliminates false alarms *Alarm features adjustable levels of sensitivity and an extra loud siren *Recommended for pools up to 24 feet round or 16 feet x 32 feet oval

Security Man AIR-ALARM Do-It-Yourself Wireless Home Alarm System Kit

Winner International 92058 Wireless Home Alarm System

Suitable for home or office. Simple to operate using a handy remote control. Cordless detectors enable very simple installation. Add any number of additional cordless detectors. Loud built-in siren (110 db). arm, disarm and alarm memory indictation. Partially arm feature (arms selected detectors only). Full tamper protection on the control panel and detectors. Site code protected against unauthorized operation. Detector battery status reporting, power failure back-up and expansion connection for wired external siren, siren/strobe unit and auto. Designed for indoor use only. 180 day limited warranty.

Security First Wireless Home Alarm Kit

Features High-quality radio transmission technology 2 zones with LED light indicator Press-to-learn code learning Anti-jamming detection Built-in, high-power piezo siren Alarm memory facility Selectable alarm auto stop time Expandable system Included: wireless control panel, IR motion sensor, magnetic door/window sensor, remote, power adapter, battery & fixing kits, instruction manual Console Power Supply: 13.5 VDC/800mA Backup Rechargeable Battery: 6V/1.2A X 2, 8-hours standby time Radio System: 433 Mhz RF Receiver Range: 210 ft Wireless Zone: 2 Internal Siren: 95 dB/1m

Security First Wireless Home Alrm Kit with Keypad

Features Multi-zones High-quality radio transmission technology Innovative LCD control panel for alarm status, setting, date, and time Compatible with wireless solar siren and home automation receiver modules Recipient can be informed by the latch key facility as to who disarms the system Answer phone messages may be retreived either from the control panel or from a phone Built-in voice/digital dialer Pre-recordable messages for main, alarm, fire, and panic Console Display: LCD 16X2, TN backlight + 4 LED Power Supply: 13.5 VDC/800mA Backup Rechargeable Battery: 6V/1.2A X 2, 8 hours standby time Radio System: 433 Mhz RF Receiver Range: 210 ft Wireless Zone: 6 Wired Zone: 4 Internal Siren: 95 dB/1m Event Log: 50 events Dialer Message: Main (12 sec), Intruder (4 sec), Fire (4 sec), Panic (4 sec) Included: wireless control panel w/ LCD, IR motion sensor, magnetic door/window sensor, remote key chain, power adapter, telephone cable, battery & fixing kits, instruction manual.

GE 51107 SmartHome Wireless Alarm System Kit
Macally Air-Alarm Securityman DIY Wireless Home Alarm System
Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System

First Alert Professional is one of the top companies providing home and business alarm systems. They have today’s finest system that will meet your needs and budget. Their security products and services are available only through First Alert Professional Authorized Dealers. Some of the products they offer are:

Keypads that allow you to turn on and off the systems by entering a code. Most systems have a keypad in a central location.

Motion Detectors that monitor open areas and detect body heat or movement. First Alert claims that they have motion detectors that can tell the difference between pets and intruders.

Door/Window Sensors sets off an alarm if a secured door or window is opened.

Sirens to let your know when security has been breached.

Smoke/Heat Detectors detects smoke or extremely high temperatures. These may be mandatory in certain areas as a security precaution.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors detects carbon monoxide, an odorless gas which can kill very quickly.

They carry many other products but to do them right you should visit the First Alert Professional Security Systems website for more information. Personally, I have witnessed this companie’s work  and was impressed by their professionalism.

Disclaimer I am not an employee of this company and have no business interest in this company or their affiliates. This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Fire alarm systems basically detect the presence of fire in your home in three ways.  Smoke Detectors determine the presence of smoke in an area of your house and alert you by sounding an alarm, usually a shrill whistle. Smoke detectors should be spread around your home on every level. The most popular places for smoke detectors are the kitchen, basements, and children’s bedrooms. The kitchen is always a potential hazard for fire with the chance of ovens or stove tops being left on or food burning while cooking. Since the basement is usually out of the way and not occupied, a fire could smolder for hours or days without being detected and children’s bedrooms are a place that parents want to know right away if there is smoke or fire present.

Thermostat detectors monitor the change in air temperature and are usually located in areas that have the potential for fire because of high heat. An example of one place detectors may be located is in a furnace room in an apartment or office building but these detectors have their place in some homes.

Carbon Monoxide detectors monitor the high presence of Carbon Monoxide (CO2), an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas that kills over 200 people per year in the U.S. CO2 is produced when fuel doen’t get enough oxygen to burn. Examples of places where CO2 could be present include around furnaces and boilers, gas or fuel-oil water heaters, gas kitchen stoves, and automobiles in attached garages. In some states, one of them being Colorado, carbon monoxide detectors will soon be mandatory in every home. These detectors should be located in any space that is close to the examples above.

 
First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm – SC01CN3
BRK Brands 9120B Hardwire Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup
Kidde PI9000 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm
Ademco Honeywell 5808W3 Photoelectric Wireless Smoke / Heat Detector