No one is going to learn anything NEW here, but we may put a little security bug in your ear that needs to be there. We put together a list of alarms that are important for you to have and keep track of the most. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors make the top of the list, but here are few others (along side them) that should:
SMOKE ALARMS
Many homes in Texas are natural gas, so this does in-fact increase the risk of residential fires. Every floor in your home needs it’s own smoke detector, in each room, and in every hallway.
Here are the rules: 4 inches from the wall when mounting on the ceiling and ones mounted on the wall should be 4-12 inches from the ceiling. Do NOT install them by the windows or vents to avoid the sensor being affected by anything. Make sure you are testing them monthly and replacing batteries right away when you discover they are dead. It is recommended you change out the fire alarms in your home every 10 years.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
CO is scary- it is odorless and colorless and can only be detected WITH a CO Detector. Gas heaters, stoves, and fireplaces are all the culprits of emitting CO. Winter storms can really increase the risk of a CO poisoning – mainly because portable generators. Always have a CO detector when you are using one.
DOOR AND WINDOW ALARMS
This is pretty self explanatory, but some newer systems are connected to your phone so you can see if something is crawling in the house in the middle of the day or night.
WATER LEAK ALARMS
This is helpful for older homes that have older plumbing; stopping the leak or shutting off the water before it does irrevocable damage.
