These smart yet easy-to-use tools will help you build a rock-solid foundation of fire safety at home

October isn’t just about ghouls, ghosts, and big bags of candy. 

Every year, the second week of the month marks National Fire Prevention Week, a time when organizations spread awareness about fire safety, and firefighters provide vital prevention and safety education to people of all ages.

In the spirit of this observance, we wanted to highlight four life-saving fire protection technologies you can use to reduce your risk of fires at home. 

These high-tech smart devices aren’t just easy to set up and use. They’ll also give you near-complete control over any potentially hazardous devices and appliances.

Control Your Outlets & Plugs From Anywhere

In the digital age, just about everything can be controlled by a smartphone app, and the same goes for your electronic devices at home. 

With smart outlets and plugs, as long as you have a working network connection, you can turn things on or off from your phone even when you’re out and about. 

Think you left the iron, coffee pot, or electric kettle on? Check your phone. If you did, a tap is all it takes to shut them off and avoid a potential fire.

App-Controlled Smoke Detectors

When it comes to fire protection technologies, smoke detectors are the first line of defense against home fires. 

But unfortunately, with standard models, there’s no way to prevent the infamous chirping that we’re all so fond of. You can test your detector all you want, but you won’t be able to tell that the batteries are running low until you hear its sweet melody.

But with smart smoke detectors, like the Google Nest Protect, chirping is a thing of the past. These next-gen devices are built to send you in-app notifications to let you know the batteries need to be replaced well before they start making any noise. 

You can also test them through the app whenever you like, and if they go off when you have the situation under control, you can silence them with a single tap.

There are several quality models from trusted brands to choose from, but one standout feature of the Google Nest Protect is that, if you have multiple installed in your home, the system will tell you which room the smoke is coming from.

That way, if you’re not around when the fire starts, you can save yourself the trouble of checking every room and go right to the source of the problem.

Never Worry About the Stove Again

Can’t remember if you left the stovetop on? No problem. These fire protection technologies will stamp out those worries for good.

First, stovetop motion detectors are designed to automatically turn off your stove when they don’t pick up any movement for a certain amount of time. So, if you get distracted or leave the kitchen, you’ll never have to worry about a stove fire breaking out. 

These smart devices are especially great for seniors who live alone, as they’re 2.6 times more likely to get injured or die in a kitchen fire. They do tend to be on the pricey side, but depending on your situation, they may be well worth the investment.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, there are smart plugs designed specifically to turn off stoves in the event of a fire, like the FireAvert Auto Stove Shut-Off device. These plugs work by actively listening for the sound of your home fire alarm. When they hear it, they’ll instantly cut the power to your stove, preventing the smoke from turning into a fire. 

Bringing it All Together: Smart Home Security Systems

If you have a smart home security system installed, you’re already ahead of the game.

Companies like Google (Nest), Ring, Vivint, and Amazon all offer smart home packages that are well-tested and trusted by homeowners across the country. These systems allow you to integrate all your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms, cameras, etc., into your central smart hub. 

That way, you’ll not only be able to monitor and control these devices from your phone no matter where you are, but you’ll also receive updates when there’s smoke or fire. 

Having your security and fire protection technologies bundled into one network doesn’t just give you and your loved ones better control over your home security. It also saves you precious time in an emergency, which can make all the difference.