According to the National Fire Protection Association, homeowners should install multiple smoke detectors on every level of the home. They recommend placing detectors in the following areas:

• Inside every bedroom
• Outside every sleeping area
• Living rooms or family rooms
• Near stairways
• Long hallways
• Kitchen

You can, of course, install more than the minimum for added security and peace of mind. If you’re installing smoke detectors as a part of a Vivint home security system, our professionals can help you determine the right number of smoke detectors and proper placement for your home.

A typical smoke detector works by detecting smoke in the air—because where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke detector then sounds a loud alarm to alert people in the home or building. 

A smart smoke detector, like those Vivint offers, expands fire protection by alerting you and first responders even before you smell the smoke, whether you’re home or away. Take a look at what sets smart Vivint smoke detectors apart from traditional fire alarms.

Photoelectric sensors for faster detection
Vivint smoke detectors are equipped with photoelectric sensors, which are designed to respond early to fires. When increased heat or smoke is detected, the alarm sounds so you’ll know about fire danger sometimes even before physical, visual evidence of smoke or fire presents. Because alarms equipped with photoelectric sensors can sense fires faster, you have more time to get you and your family to safety.

Wireless for continued use during a power outage
Wired smoke detectors are susceptible to power outages, which can render them useless if a fire starts during an outage and backup batteries are not in place. Vivint Smoke Detectors are wireless and battery-operated, so they continue working even if the power in your home is down.

Mobile notifications
With Vivint smoke detectors integrated into a smart home system, you'll receive notifications on your smartphone if your smoke detector goes off—no matter where you are. The smoke detectors will also send an alert to your Vivint Smart Hub and Vivint's central monitoring center.

Smart home integration
When Vivint smoke detectors are part of a complete smart home, your smart home devices work together to help get your family out of the house as quickly as possible.
The smoke alarm triggers your smart thermostat, to cut off airflow to slow the spread of fire. From there, your smart locks will unlock, providing an easy out so you can focus on the most important thing—getting your family to safety.

A good rule of thumb is to place CO detectors in the same areas you’d place your smoke detectors. More specifically, according to the National Fire Protection Association, you should install your carbon monoxide alarms in the following places:

• Outside every sleeping area
• On every level of your home
• Areas required by your local laws

By placing carbon monoxide detectors outside bedroom doors, if alarms are triggered everyone sleeping should be alerted.

These are the recommended minimums. But for greater protection, experts recommend placing CO alarms in other areas of your home as well:

• Near sources of CO. Place CO detectors 5-20 feet from common sources of carbon monoxide in the home, such as your water heater, furnace, or space heaters. Make sure you don’t place detectors too close to the sources, which could result in false alarms.
• Near your attached garage. Running vehicles produce carbon monoxide through their exhaust systems, which causes pollution. In enclosed spaces like a garage, however, the concentration of CO can quickly reach deadly levels and seep into your home.

When deciding where to place your carbon monoxide detectors, make sure you don’t place them near windows or sources of blowing air, which can prevent your alarm from accurately detecting CO levels. 

The CDC recommends installing battery-powered or battery-backup CO detectors in homes. Keeping fresh batteries in your CO detector can ensure it’s working.

CO detectors as part of a smart home automation and security system from Vivint are even better. They are battery-powered, as recommended, so they can be easily positioned and moved throughout your home as needed. And because they're wireless, they will still work even if there is a power outage.

As part of a connected system, your carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if CO levels become a threat while automatically triggering life-saving actions like the following:

• The front door unlocks
• Window sensors disarm
• The furnace fan cranks up to ventilate your home

If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you’ll be notified on the Vivint Smart Hub in your home and on your smartphone through the Vivint app. Our professional monitoring team can even send first responders if needed. This means your home and everyone in it is protected no matter where you are.

Flood or water sensors are small devices placed near areas in your home that are prone to flooding or leaks. If water is detected, it will sound an alarm so you can act quickly before serious damage occurs.

Vivint Water Sensors expand protection from water damage with the following:

• Moisture monitoring. They alert you of excess moisture before even water is detected. You can take action before a minor leak becomes a major issue.

• Temperature monitoring. Freezing temps can quickly lead to burst pipes and costly damage. Vivint Water Sensors detect drops in temperature, notifying you before costly damage occurs.

• Alerts and notifications. An alarm doesn't help when you're not around to hear it. If a Vivint Water Sensor goes off, you'll immediately be alerted on your smartphone. We’ll also connect you with emergency water mitigation services*.

*Available in TX, GA, LA, FL, NY, NJ, PA, AL, NC, SC, and TN. (Additional states coming soon.)

Having a Vivint system in place gives many older adults the ability to continue to live at home and age in place. It’s why a Vivint system matters when it comes to safety, security, and independence. And that includes a medic pendant, or what we at Vivint refer to as an Emergency Pendant.
 
An Emergency Pendant is available as part of a comprehensive Vivint home security system that combines the latest home security technology with 24/7 professional monitoring to keep seniors and their homes safe and watched over, day and night. With an Emergency Pendant, seniors can easily connect with help in case of an emergency.
 
For example, did you know that one in four Americans aged 65+ will experience a fall this year? It's also important to note that every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the ER for a fall-related injury. Simply put, an Emergency Pendant is one of the most important home safety products for older adults.
 
Our Emergency Pendant is a small device you can wear on your wrist, around your neck, or keep close by so if there's ever an emergency or you need assistance, a press of the button will connect you to a member of our 24-hour monitoring team, which can respond and request assistance from medical first responders.
 
Learn more about the benefits of Vivint’s Emergency Pendant.