Fires are a threat to any home. When they occur, they can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of loss. Even quickly contained or isolated, a fire creates smoke damage and leads to water damage. Having the right home insurance helps minimize these risks. However, fire detection systems can help you spot them early on. The sooner you can take action, the better. Here is how to add more fire protection to your home.
Smoke Alarms Are Still a Top Priority 
There is no better tool available to warn you of a fire than a smoke alarm. Many homes have them but may not have enough. You may have them in the wrong locations. Here are a few tips:
- Place one in every section of the home. Be sure there is one at the top of any stairs, in the bedroom area, at the highest point in the home, and in the basement. Place a smoke alarm in the kitchen and in every bedroom.
- Ensure the alarms are loud enough to give you the ability to hear them. If you have challenges with hearing, look for an alarm for the hearing impaired. Some, for example, will use bright, flashing lights to alert you to problems.
- Test them every month to ensure they are working. Usually, the smoke alarms will begin to beep erratically when a low battery occurs.
Consider a Fire Alarm
A basic smoke alarm sounds when it detects smoke. However, not all fires create smoke. Some of the best smoke alarms also detect heat. This can help to detect instances in which there is a fire occurring, but it may not have a lot of smoke. A fire and smoke alarm is ideal for most areas of the home.
Go with a Smart Detection System
You can further upgrade your fire detection by adding a home automation tool. For example, some smart alarms have built-in fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detection. The very best can distinguish between smoke and steam. They can also tell if you are cooking or if there is a fire. This can minimize some of the false alarms you have. They also communicate with each other, giving you more time to react. And, the very best even go further. They can connect to the local fire department to send help or send a message to your smartphone about an alarm.
The best part is these types of protections are very effective. They tend to be relatively inexpensive and easy to use. And, many will help reduce your home insurance premiums. Let your agent know what type of system you install. It could lower your home insurance costs significantly as it works to keep you safe.