Home sweet home; a place where cherished memories are made and families thrive. But every homeowner knows that with the joy of homeownership comes the responsibility of protecting their investment.
This is where home risk mitigation devices step in, offering a helping hand in safeguarding homes against various potential threats. Whether you're a homeowner looking to enhance your home's safety or an independent insurance agent seeking to advise your clients better, this guide is for you.
At a glance:
- Early detection through smart smoke detectors can minimize fire-related damages and injuries.
- A comprehensive home security system with devices like doorbell cameras and window alarms can deter burglaries and enhance overall security.
- Smart water leak detectors offer real-time monitoring and automated responses to prevent costly water damage.
Fire safety
Let’s start by talking about fire safety. Nearly 25% of homeowners insurance claims are attributed to fire damage or loss.1 These claims encompass various aspects, such as structural damage, personal belongings, and temporary accommodation expenses. The cost of damage resulting from fires can quickly escalate, emphasizing the need for effective fire prevention and mitigation strategies.
Smoke detectors play a critical role in early fire detection, alerting occupants to the presence of smoke or fire. This early warning allows people to evacuate the premises promptly and call for professional help, minimizing potential injuries and damage.
In recent years, technology has advanced significantly, leading to the development of smart smoke detectors. These innovative devices offer an added layer of protection by not only sounding alarms but also sending real-time alerts to smartphones or other connected devices. This means homeowners can receive instant notifications about a fire situation. The ability to respond swiftly, regardless of one's location, can make a significant difference in preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of occupants and pets. 
Burglar deterrence
On average, more than one million home burglaries happen yearly.2 These incidents not only result in financial losses but also cause emotional distress and a sense of violation among victims. To protect your home and loved ones from burglaries, it's crucial to invest in a comprehensive home security system.
A comprehensive home security system typically includes a range of devices designed to deter burglars, such as doorbell cameras, equipped with motion sensors and high-resolution video recording. When integrated into the security system, motion sensors can trigger alarms and alert you to any unusual activity. Placing motion sensors strategically in key areas, such as hallways and entry points, enhances the overall security coverage of your home.
Window alarms are another essential component of a comprehensive home security system. If a burglar attempts to gain entry by tampering with a window, the alarm will be triggered, deterring the intruder and notifying you of the breach.
Water damage prevention
Water damage can be a silent destroyer of homes, causing mold, structural issues, and costly repairs. Unlike other disasters, water damage can go unnoticed for a long time, causing extensive harm to the property and its inhabitants.
Smart water leak detectors are devices designed to detect leaks, burst pipes, or other plumbing issues. When a leak is detected, these devices can immediately send alerts and notifications to your smartphone or other connected devices, enabling you to take swift action and prevent significant water damage.
One of the primary advantages of smart water leak detectors is their ability to provide real-time monitoring and notifications. Additionally, some smart water leak detectors offer features such as automatic shut-off valves. When a leak is detected, these devices can automatically shut off the water supply to prevent further water flow, limiting the extent of the damage. This automated response can be especially valuable
when homeowners are away from home or during emergencies when immediate action is required.
Carbon monoxide safety
Carbon monoxide (CO2) is a deadly gas that poses a significant threat to households. CO2 poisoning can occur due to faulty heating systems, gas appliances, or even vehicles left running in enclosed spaces like garages.
Carbon monoxide detectors are specialized devices designed to monitor the levels of CO2 in the air. These detectors can sense even low concentrations of the gas and alert you when it reaches dangerous levels. Some detectors come with digital displays, allowing you to monitor CO2 levels in real time.
Proper placement of these detectors is essential; they should be installed in areas where CO2-producing appliances are present, such as near bedrooms and the kitchen. 
Weather-related protection
Nature's fury can strike unexpectedly, leading to significant damage to homes and properties; from hurricanes and tornadoes to severe storms and high winds, these natural disasters can wreak havoc on structures. To minimize the impact of such events and enhance the resilience of your home, it is essential to invest in specific structural reinforcements and protective measures.
One means of fortifying your home against weather-related disasters is by installing impact-resistant windows. Unlike standard windows, impact-resistant windows are designed to resist shattering upon impact, reducing the risk of glass fragments causing injury and maintaining the structural integrity of your home during a storm.3
Reinforced garage doors are another characteristic of a disaster-resistant home. Garage doors are often vulnerable points in a house, susceptible to strong winds and debris. Reinforced garage doors are built to withstand high wind pressures, ensuring they remain intact even in the face of powerful storms.
Storm shutters offer an additional layer of protection. These shutters are designed to cover windows during extreme weather events, shielding them from wind, debris, and flying objects.
Smart home integration
Smart home integration allows you to connect devices such as smart thermostats, lights, and locks to a central hub or platform. From this hub, you can monitor and control these devices remotely, providing you with unparalleled flexibility and control over your home environment.
- Smart thermostats enable you to regulate your home's temperature remotely. They can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust settings automatically to optimize energy usage.
- Smart lighting systems allow you to control your lights remotely and create schedules. This can give the impression that your home is occupied even when you're away, deterring potential intruders.
- Smart locks offer keyless entry and can be controlled remotely through an app and often come with features like digital keys and activity logs, providing an additional layer of security and control.
Investing in smart home integration not only adds convenience to your daily life but also provides enhanced security and peace of mind.
Professional monitoring services
For homeowners seeking an elevated level of security and peace of mind, professional monitoring services can be a valuable and indispensable addition to their home security setup. In the event of an alarm trigger, these experts can assess the situation promptly and take appropriate action, including dispatching emergency services if necessary.
The key components of professional monitoring services can include:
- Alarm monitoring
- 24 / 7 surveillance
- Immediate response
- Integration with smart devices
By opting for professional monitoring services, homeowners can significantly enhance the effectiveness of their home security systems. 
Secure your home and your future
As a homeowner, protecting your property and loved ones is paramount. Home risk mitigation devices offer a proactive approach to safeguarding your home against potential threats. From fire safety to weather-related protection, there are numerous devices available to meet your needs.
* We provide this information to help you understand insurance. Any coverage is subject to the terms of your policy. Please refer to your policy and declaration page for complete coverage details.
1 Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance.” III. Accessed 6 November 2023. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance
2 Deane Biermeier. “Surprising Home Burglary Facts And Stats.” Forbes. Published 23 January 2023. Accessed 8 November 2023. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/home-security/home-invasion-statistics/
3 Air Master Windows and Doors. “Impact-Resistant Glass Windows: How They Work And Why You Need Them.” Published 22 June 2021. Accessed 6 November 2023. https://airmasterwindows.com/impact-resistant-windows-how-they-work-and-why-you-need-them/
