Someone Is Inside Your House: A Calm Safety Plan for Arizona Families
Nobody wants to picture it, but a plan you have talked through once is far easier to follow under stress. Here is a straightforward approach for Arizona households.
Read article
Almost every home has smoke alarms, and many have carbon monoxide alarms too. They are among the most important safety devices you can own. But a standard alarm has one big limitation: it can only warn the people who are close enough to hear it. If a fire starts or carbon monoxide builds up while you are at work, out to dinner or away for the weekend, the alarm may sound in an empty house.
Monitored detectors solve that problem by connecting your smoke and CO alarms to a monitoring center. Here is how they work and what every Arizona homeowner should know about smoke and carbon monoxide safety.
Why Unmonitored Alarms Only Go So Far
A standalone smoke or CO alarm is a noisemaker. That is exactly what you want when you are home and asleep, because the sound wakes you up so you can get out. When no one is there to hear it, though, nothing else happens.
- Pets cannot call for help. Dogs and cats left at home during the day have no way to respond to an alarm.
- Neighbors may not notice. With windows closed and air conditioning running for much of the year, an alarm inside the house can be hard to hear from outside.
- Time matters. The sooner the fire department is called, the better the chance of limiting damage.
How Monitored Detectors Work
Monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are connected to your security system. When one detects smoke, heat or carbon monoxide, it sounds an alarm in the home and sends a signal through your system to a professional monitoring center.
- The detector senses smoke or carbon monoxide and sounds its alarm.
- The security system sends a signal to the monitoring center.
- The monitoring center contacts you and, as needed, the authorities.
- You get an app notification so you know what is happening even if you are away.
Systems with a cellular connection can send that signal even if your home internet is down. You can learn more about our monitored fire and carbon monoxide detectors and how they fit into a complete home security system.
Key point: A standard alarm warns the people inside. A monitored alarm also reaches people outside the home who can send help.
Where Carbon Monoxide Comes From
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuel burns. You cannot see it or smell it, which is why a working CO alarm matters. Common sources in Arizona homes include:
- Gas furnaces and water heaters. Even in a warm climate, many homes rely on gas for heat on cool nights and for hot water year round.
- Gas ranges and ovens. Proper ventilation is important when cooking with gas.
- Fireplaces. Wood-burning and gas fireplaces both need a clear, working flue.
- Attached garages. A car left running in an attached garage can let carbon monoxide seep into the home, even with the garage door open.
- Generators during outages. Portable generators should never be run inside the home or garage, or near doors, windows and vents. This is especially worth remembering during monsoon season power outages.
Having fuel-burning appliances inspected and serviced regularly is one of the best ways to prevent a CO problem in the first place.
Placement Basics
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local code when installing smoke and CO alarms, since requirements can vary. Some commonly given guidance:
- Carbon monoxide alarms are commonly recommended outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
- Smoke alarms are commonly placed inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement if you have one.
- Avoid nuisance spots. Keep smoke alarms away from locations where cooking smoke or steam from a bathroom regularly sets them off, following the manufacturer's recommended distances.
Check the Date on the Back
Smoke and CO alarms do not last forever. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years. Carbon monoxide alarms have their own end-of-life date set by the manufacturer, and many will chirp or display a warning when they reach it.
- Take each alarm down and look for the manufacture date printed on the back.
- Replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older, or has no date at all.
- Check your CO alarm's label or manual for its end-of-life date.
- Test every alarm monthly using the test button.
- Replace batteries as recommended by the manufacturer, or right away if an alarm chirps.
Protect Your Home, Even When You Are Away
Monitored detectors are a simple upgrade that extends your protection beyond the walls of your home. They are also a good fit alongside a medical alert pendant for older family members who live alone. Adapt Home installs monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for homeowners across the state, including Glendale and the West Valley. Get a free quote or call (833) 902-5036 to schedule a free consultation.
Questions about your home?
Talk with a local Adapt Home specialist. The consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a monitored and an unmonitored smoke detector?
An unmonitored smoke detector only sounds an alarm inside the home. A monitored detector also sends a signal to a monitoring center, which contacts you and the authorities as needed, even when no one is home.
How often should smoke alarms be replaced?
The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing smoke alarms at least every 10 years. Check the manufacture date on the back of each alarm.
Where should carbon monoxide alarms go?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and local code. Commonly given guidance is to place CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
What are common sources of carbon monoxide in a home?
Gas furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, fireplaces, cars running in attached garages and portable generators used too close to the house are common sources.
Related services
