A water failure in the sewage system, a leaking heating or gas system, careless handling of an open fire - many emergencies cannot be predicted, especially when chemical reactions of various kinds are involved. All it takes is a moment of inattention and an improperly tightened gas tap on the stove, carbon monoxide escaping without the slightest trace or even technical problems for a house or apartment to turn into a place of struggle for life. However, it is possible to prevent many fires, flooding or poisoning by so-called "chad", and in a very simple way. Why and what elements should you equip your home with to protect yourself from tragedy?
Chad detector
One of the basic and highly publicized devices in recent years, thanks to which many human tragedies have been avoided, is the chad detector. Detectors that react to carbon monoxide are one of the basic elements of alarm systems in homes, industrial plants, boiler rooms and anywhere else where there is a risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide.
Chad is one of the most "insidious" poisonous gases - undetectable due to the lack of smell, taste and color, it is able to escape in the apartment and poison its inhabitants without raising any suspicion on the part of a conscious person. Its effect on the body, however, is extremely dangerous - carbon monoxide causes impeded dissemination of oxygen in the body, which eventually leads to irreversible brain damage and even death. What is worse, a person is exposed to it whenever there are various types of gas, fuel oil, coal or wood boilers, instantaneous water heaters, fireplaces and even a gas stove in the environment! All of the aforementioned devices generate carbon dioxide, but with insufficient air supply, they can generate carbon monoxide. A similar risk is posed by a leaking chimney system, which then fails to properly exhaust fumes and smoke, transporting them instead inside and poisoning the air around.
Chad detectors work even at low concentrations of carbon monoxide, constantly monitoring its concentration in the room and alerting household members when its acceptable level is exceeded by optical and acoustic signaling. Although even small concentrations of carbon monoxide (of the order of 100 - 200 ppm) can cause a slight headache, malaise or even vomiting, many people do not automatically connect them with carbon monoxide poisoning. Devices that alert you to its presence are therefore a direct way to spot the problem in time and remove yourself and bystanders from the danger.
Smoke detector
Another very important device for protecting the house and its occupants from possible dangers is a smoke detector. When a fire occurs, regardless of its cause and extent, the sensor detects smoke and alerts about it loud and clear, often warning people of a catastrophic tragedy.
Fire hazards noticed too late are one of the main causes of loss of property, often not only their own, but also that of people living in neighboring apartments in the block. Many times their cause is the aforementioned faulty chimney or gas installations - all it takes is a slightly escaping gas and a small spark to start a fire that is difficult to control. Often candles left unattended, unattended stoves while cooking or just released carbon monoxide are also "guilty". Many of the accidents that could have been prevented by properly placed smoke and chad detectors were precisely situations in which people lost consciousness due to carbon monoxide poisoning and thus could not exercise control over a burning fireplace or even a hand-held cigarette. The sensor, although small, definitely plays a very important role in such situations.
Flood sensor
Not every domestic tragedy has to be about the actual exposure of a person's health. Very often one of the most difficult to control elements on earth - water - is responsible for the loss of possessions and serious damage to property. Leaving a washing machine or dishwasher on unattended, a malfunction in the heating network, leaking pipes and drains - the situations in which water can unexpectedly damage a significant part of the apartment are really many, and they most often happen when a person has no way to react. And it is because of such moments that it is worth equipping yourself with the last sensor in today's article - a flood sensor. This inconspicuous and often ignored by humans device can not only warn of the presence of water in the premises, but also (in more sophisticated versions) cut off the valve and interrupt the flow of water causing flooding of the apartment. This solution works well both in protection against unexpected failures of the water network, but also in the event of flooding - a quick warning from the alarm can mean taking the most valuable things out of the water-prone area and saving them from total destruction.
Water, fire, undetectable with the human nose gas - although we protect our homes from burglary or assault on a daily basis, we still do not often think about installing devices to protect our health and lives in a clash with the elements. Smoke or gas detectors are a topic often discussed before the winter heating season - it's worth taking an interest in for your own sake. An inexpensive sensor can make a real difference, increasing the sense of security in your own home to the maximum. Why risk the health and life of yourself and loved ones, if there are devices available on the market to warn in time of danger?
