Home security is a vital component of luxury living, whether protecting people or valuable property, no matter where you live. While burglar alarms and surveillance cameras help prevent burglary, vandalism, and manage access control at your doors, the threat of fire requires more specialized systems.

When flames consume buildings, the destruction is devastating, leaving you to pick up the pieces over the course of weeks or months. An advanced fire alarm system saves lives by alerting you to trouble and giving you time to react before it is too late.

Are you ready for more comprehensive protection against fires in your St. Augustine, FL, home? Continue reading below to learn more.

You probably remember the fire-related tragedies that occurred last year in St. Augustine, FL. Just weeks before Christmas, a fire erupted on the north side of Eddie Vickers Park. Though the fire department responded in six minutes, much of the home was destroyed in the two hours it took to extinguish the blaze. Similarly, in February neighbors reported smoke coming from a home near St. Augustine Beach and though firefighters responded in minutes, it was too late to save a man and his dog. 

While heartbreaking, these events are stark reminders of the importance of protecting our property and loved ones in moments when the unthinkable happens. Smoke inhalation is the number one cause of death due to fire. Fire alarm systems can wake up homeowners before carbon monoxide and other toxic by-products cause asphyxiation. In addition to protecting assets and property, an early warning can limit the dangers firefighters face when a spark becomes an inferno. Every 20 seconds, somewhere in the U.S., a firefighter responds to a fire and a call for help.

If you only get one smart home device, consider making it a smart fire alarm system. Here’s why.