Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 4, 1994 TAG: 9410220040
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Unfortunately, most people only think of home protection in terms of fire and burglary. The fact is, property losses from water and other environmental hazards far exceed fire and burglary losses. Furthermore, most casualty losses are not the result of widespread disasters such as last year's flood, but rather are isolated incidents in neighborhoods throughout the country.
If your summer home already has a professionally installed alarm system, you can easily add environmental sensors to monitor the following conditions: unusual indoor or outdoor temperature, heating system failure, water leak or flood, electrical failure, and explosion or other loud sounds. In order for a monitoring service to properly respond to an alert, each sensor must be wired as a separate zone.
If your alarm system isn't monitored, you can add a voice dialer so that you'll be notified in case a problem occurs. Inexpensive dialers are available that will call four or more telephone numbers in sequence until someone is reached. However, the generic pre-recorded message will not be sufficient to identify what caused the alarm.
Alternatively, you could install a home monitoring system. One model has a built-in temperature sensor, power failure detector and microphone. Up to four auxiliary sensors may be connected (e.g., outside temperature, water leakage, etc.). It even monitors its own backup battery. If any condition falls outside the parameters you set, the system will call the preprogrammed telephone numbers. However, unlike a simple dialer, it will identify the errant condition.
A home monitor makes a good adjunct to a professionally installed alarm system, allowing you to call home to check conditions in your house. Furthermore, it will call out in response to another alarm going off. This means that you'll be notified immediately if a smoke detector or your primary alarm is triggered. This feature is especially valuable if your alarm system isn't monitored.
Home monitors are not just for vacation homes. If you travel frequently or you have a chronic problem with basement flooding, you'll take comfort in knowing that you or someone you designate will be notified if the unexpected occurs. If you have a sump pump, you know what can happen if the power goes off during a storm. In this situation, a home monitor provides two layers of protection: It will alert you if the power goes off, and it will alert you if your sump overflows.
Self-contained environmental sensors provide an inexpensive alternative for homes that are usually occupied. Several companies make setpoint temperature alarms, a great way to protect outdoor plants against an unexpected cold snap. Water alarms, available for under $10, are ideal for protecting a clothes washer, dishwasher, central air conditioner, aquarium or water heater. You'll be warned the instant an overflow or leak occurs, thus minimizing water damage.
To receive a list of companies that manufacture home monitoring systems and environmental sensors, please send $1.50 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-409, c/o Times & World-News, P.O. Box 38039, Charlotte, N.C. 28273. You'll also receive information on a battery-powered backup sump pump with a built-in alarm.
Q: Every time it rains hard, the ground-fault circuit that powers my garage door opener trips. What could be causing this?
A: First determine which outlets and fixtures are on this circuit. Check outside receptacle covers to make sure none are loose or broken. Also check for damaged or improperly installed exterior light fixtures. Insect debris sometimes can clog drain holes, creating a puddle inside the fixture.
by CNB