Home Fire Alarm Systems Work – Monitored System in NJ Saves House, and Dog

Every home should have working smoke detectors – it’s proven time and again that they save lives. But savvy homeowners take fire monitoring one step farther, and add monitored smoke and heat sensors to their alarm system, for additional protection and welcome peace of mind. Remember, if you’re not home (or are overcome by smoke), those “standalone” smoke detectors do nothing for you: a sensor that actually sends the fire signal to the fire department is the smart way to go. Here’s a recent fire alarm success story from New Jersey that proves the point.

Bill Durso left to drop his daughters off to school and then head to the office. Later in the day, though, he received a surprise he wished he didn't; a fire broke out at his house in Mendham Township. He had received his share of false alarms in the past, but this wasn't one of them.

This Time the Alarm was Real

So, he made the 17-mile trip back home. "I've never seen so many firefighters from so many different towns," he said when he arrived home. Fortunately, firefighters were able to save Durso's 1 year-old dachshund, Chelsea, from the house fire and contain the fire to a point that the house didn't sustain any structural damage. No injuries were reported, according to Chief Jay Alderton of the Brookside Fire Company.

Alarm System Caught the Fire Early

Here is one of the key elements of this report. Unless you have monitored fire protection, the first sign of trouble may be your neighbors seeing smoke and flames – and then it may be too late. You want a system that notifies the responding authorities as soon as possible.

Alderton said nothing was evident on the street when they arrived at the scene. However, they did see smoke inside the house through the front glass doors. Firefighters gained access to the large house through the garage and found smoke and flames in the kitchen. The fire was contained within 15 minutes.

It Could Have Been Worse

Durso acknowledged there was significant smoke damage, with much of the mahogany stripping in the home blackened by heavy smoke. Still, he's grateful the fire was brought under control relatively quickly. "You never know what can happen," he said. "It could always be worse."

The best alarm companies always recommend at least one monitored smoke and heat sensor with every home alarm system they sell. In addition, there should be no extra charge for fire monitoring – or, for that matter,when you add monitoring for carbon monoxide or other environmental conditions (water, low temperature, etc.). When you add in the additional discounts on homeowner’s insurance, fire monitoring is an easy decision for peace of mind regarding your home, family – and even your pets! As the leader in interactive, wireless home security, FrontPoint makes it easy to add fire monitoring with GE Security wireless smoke and heat sensors and safer, cellular monitoring. So, here’s the big question: does your home alarm system include fire monitoring?