We all want to protect our homes and the precious things and people in them. One of the best ways to protect all of these things is with a monitored security system. While the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “home security system” is probably protection from potential burglaries and home invasions. But with a fully integrated and monitored system, like the ones we install, you get more than just protection in the event of a break-in; you get protection from a variety of environmental factors as well.
Having protection from environmental factors can provide peace of mind, help prevent costly home repairs, and even save money on homeowners insurance. What exactly do we mean by environmental factors? Let’s break it down.
Water Damage
As a homeowner in West Michigan, you are probably quite familiar with the issue of water damage, either caused by weather events, such as rain or snowmelt, or other issues, such as pipes bursting or leaking. After all, water damage makes up the largest percentage of home insurance claims each year. About one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.
Dealing with water damage can be quite expensive. As a result, many insurance companies and agents will provide resources and discounts for homeowners looking to mitigate the threat of water damage. One way of doing that is by installing water detectors, low-temperature monitoring, and water shut-off devices can be use as stand-alone devices or integrated with a monitored home security system. It’s worth contacting your insurance provider to learn more about discounts and programs that may be available.
Carbon Monoxide
In homes, the most common sources of carbon monoxide are fumes produced by furnaces, portable generators, stoves, gas ranges, and fireplaces. Pretty much anything in your home that runs by burning some type of fuel, gives off carbon monoxide, which can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned (and even die) from breathing in large quantities of carbon monoxide over an extended period of time.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 400 people die each year in the United States from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning. One way to protect yourself and your loved ones by placing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, especially near the items mentioned above. Another is to have a monitored alarm system, complete with carbon monoxide detectors, installed in your home.
EPS fire alarm systems use photoelectric smoke detectors with all-in-one options to combine with carbon monoxide detection.
Fire
A fire in your home can be started by any number of things – kitchen accidents, candles being left burning, appliances being left on, a furnace malfunction, etc. The numbers don’t lie, fires are among the greatest potential dangers that can occur within your home. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA):
- 78% of fire injuries come from residential fires
- 43% of all home fires happen in the kitchen
- Heating equipment is involved in 1 of every 6 reported home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths.
- During [a] five-year period fires caused an estimated average of 2,570 civilian deaths, 13,210 civilian injuries, and $7.2 billion in direct property damage per year.
Don’t let your home add to these statistics! Protect it with a fire alarm system that is integrated into a monitored home security system. While you might be questioning the price tag on a system like that, a monitored system can actually help reduce your home insurance premiums.
So, how do these integrated systems work? Unlike battery operated and AC powered smoke detectors, monitored detectors are directly connected to your home’s security panel. Once smoke is sensed by the detector, a message is relayed to your control panel. The control panel then sounds local alarms and our informs our 24/7 EPS Monitoring Center to dispatch the appropriate authorities.
Our monitoring center is one of the best in the business. Recently, it was awarded the Security Industry Alarm Coalition’s (SIAC) prestigious Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) award. The PDQ award is given to the company that promotes best practices working with law enforcement to reduce the number of unnecessary dispatches to alarm customers.
So, with a monitored home security system from EPS, you will have peace of mind that the people and places you care about the most are protected, no matter the situation. Want to learn more about our systems? Fill out the form below to contact us and get the conversation started!