When we talk about home security we automatically think about burglar alarms, window locks and driveway monitors but there is much more to home security than just protecting you and your possessions against theft. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors and fire blankets are just as important at protecting your family home.

Majority of houses in the UK have been fitted with smoke detectors, but how many of those smoke detectors actually have batteries in them? A good number of deaths caused by house fires could have been prevented if only the batteries within the smoke detectors had not been removed or ran out.

Nowadays, many of the good smoke alarms have been fitted with a 10 year lithium battery, so no need to change, just check it once a week by ‘pushing the button’ and some simple maintenance such as cleaning (*hint : use a vacuum for this) the sensor.

Another fire precaution is the fire blanket – no kitchen should be without this vital piece of fire protection. While many of us still prefer to cook chips in an old fashioned ‘chip pan’, all it takes is a few distracted seconds for the hot oil to overheat and burst into flames. In these scenarios, the fire blanket is ideal to simply throw over that flaming chip pan or frying pan.

Another major problem is carbon monoxide the “silent killer”, it is tasteless, and odourless and is responsible for almost 50 deaths a year in England and Wales (according to the HSE). Carbon monoxide monitors now come with a 5 year warranty. A recent report now recommends holiday makers to take audible carbon monoxide monitors on holiday with them as hotels, caravans and holiday homes could be potentially unsafe. These units are relatively cheap and do not take up much room in your case and could possibly save you and your families life.