Home safety and wellness extends well beyond traditional smoke detector alarm devices. As technology advances, new sensors are emerging that offer enhanced protection and comfort for homeowners and their families.
Use this quick guide to explore seven sensors your home should have to add an extra layer of security and healthy enhancements to your property.
Table of Contents
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Water Leak Sensors
- Natural Gas Detectors
- Radon Detectors
- Motion Sensors for Security & Lighting
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Sensors
- Cooking Safety Sensors
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1. Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, and silent threat in many homes. CO detectors alert you of hazardous levels that could endanger your family.
If your home has any appliances that use gas, it becomes especially critical to monitor CO levels.
According to the EPA, the average level of carbon monoxide near poorly adjusted stoves can reach 30 ppm or higher.
Install detectors near sleeping areas and regularly check their functionality to ensure your family’s safety.
2. Water Leak Sensors
Water damage can lead to costly repairs and disrupt your home life.
D-Link Whole home Smart Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor Kit
Water leak sensors are a proactive measure to detect leaks early, preventing extensive damage. These sensors alert you when they detect moisture, helping you address leaks before they escalate.
Placement in areas prone to water leaks, such as basements, laundry rooms, and cabinets beneath sinks, can save money and protect your home’s structure.
Water leak sensors are among the key safety upgrades for older residential buildings, where plumbing issues may be more prevalent due to aged, worn piping.
3. Natural Gas Detectors
Natural gas is a convenient energy source, but leaks can be dangerous.
Macurco GD-2B Combustible Gas Detector
Natural gas detectors identify leaks, helping property owners prevent potential explosions or health hazards. These detectors are especially beneficial in homes with gas heating or appliances.
Using a Bluetooth portable gas monitor enhances the convenience of monitoring gas levels remotely, keeping you informed even when you’re away from home.
Draeger Safety X-am 2800 Multi-gas Monitor with Bluetooth Technology
Regularly inspecting these detectors ensures they function correctly to safeguard your household.
4. Radon Detectors
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes, posing long-term health risks, specifically lung cancer. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all types of soils.
Since radon is odorless and invisible, detectors are crucial for monitoring its levels indoors.
Install radon detectors in the lowest lived-in areas of your home and follow up with professional testing if high levels are detected.
Regular monitoring is essential, as radon levels can fluctuate seasonally, ensuring you maintain a safe living environment.
U.S. Average Radon Levels by State as of 2024
Image courtesy of World Population Review
Keep in mind that radon is primarily a significant hazard in certain geographic areas, so be sure to determine if your property is in a radon-prone region prior to purchasing such a sensor. Areas with high levels of uranium-rich soil are more prone to having higher amounts of radon gas. However, radon levels are very local and are dependent on several factors, such as: nearby uranium deposits; soil composition; atmospheric conditions; and quality & type of home construction. Radon tests are easy and inexpensive to conduct, prior to investing in a sensor.
The EPA recommends fixing your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, radon mitigation systems typically cost between $800 and $1,500.
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5. Motion Sensors for Security & Lighting
While not a traditional safety sensor, motion sensors play an integral role in home security.
These sensors detect movement within or around your home, alerting you to potential intrusions.
You can integrate these sensors with security systems that trigger alarms or notify homeowners via smartphones. Strategic placement of motion sensors in entryways and vulnerable areas — such as ground-level windows — is key to elevating your home’s security. Well-placed security motion sensors can provide peace of mind whether you’re at home or away.
Solar-powered motion sensor LED light attached to fence
Motion-activated outdoor lighting sensors can help deter the threat of burglary, while also making outdoor areas conveniently safe to traverse at night for residents.
6. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Sensors
Indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors are invaluable proactive tools for homeowners that can help reduce the risk of respiratory issues, allergies, sleep disturbances, and other health problems linked to poor air quality.
Airthings View Plus Duo Essential House Kit with Smart Air Purifier
IAQ sensors do so by continuously monitoring pollutants, humidity, temperature, and particulate matter in the air. These intelligent sensors can provide real-time insights into the quality of your home’s indoor air by detecting potential health hazards such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even mold spores.
Many IAQ sensors connect with smart thermostats which make automatic adjustments to HVAC settings possible for optimizing air circulation and filtration. Over time, these sensors can also reduce energy costs by ensuring that your heating and cooling only run when necessary, based on air quality needs.
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7. Cooking Safety Sensors
According to numerous sources, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, with unattended cooking being the top trigger of cooking fires. With a growing population of aging seniors living alone, plus increasing numbers of multigenerational households with older grandparents and young grandchildren, cooking has become a primary concern of home safety.
Ome’s new Next-Generation Smart Knob 2.0 in action
A wide-range of relatively new cooking-related sensors are offering advanced safety features that are well-suited for seniors, busy families, caregivers, and households with young children, such as:
- Stove and cooktop monitors with auto-shutoff capabilities
- Cooking-mode smoke detectors with heat-sensing technology to minimize false alarms
- Grease vapor sensors (commonly used in commercial kitchens)
- Heat-activated fire extinguisher systems placed above stoves
- Motion-based appliance sensors to detect “unattended” cooking situations
- Smart electrical plugs that auto-shutoff power to appliances, such as microwaves, at the hint of smoke, heat, or audio alarms
These cooking safety sensors are providing peace of mind, especially for aging-in-place seniors who may be experiencing memory issues and declining cognitive and physical capabilities.
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Closing Comments
Enhancing your home’s safety goes beyond relying solely on smoke detectors. By incorporating these seven additional types of safety sensors for your home, you can significantly boost protection against a wider-range of threats.
From carbon monoxide and natural gas detectors to water leak and radon sensors, each plays a crucial role in creating a safer living environment. Consider investing in these innovative safety solutions to ensure your home remains an effectively secure haven for you and your family.
Additional Home Safety & Home Wellness Articles
- 5 Benefits of Upgrading Your HVAC System
- HVAC Filters: The Key to Healthy Air Quality & Happy Homes
- Top 10 HVAC Trends Shaping the Home Market
- 6 Reasons Ductless Mini-Split ACs are a Game-Changer for Your Home
- How to Create an Allergy-Free Environment in Your Home
- Indoor Air Quality Resources
- Related Topics: Home Safety | Home Wellness | IAQ | HVAC | Fire
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