--- title: "Home Safety Devices" canonical: "https://www.simplyinsurance.com/home-safety-devices/" description: "Every home needs at minimum working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, at least one security camera, door and window sensors, and a fire extinguisher." silo: "homeowners" published: "2026-07-24" author: "sa-el" source: "Simply Insurance" --- **Every home needs at minimum working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, at least one security camera, door and window sensors, and a fire extinguisher.** Tie those together with a solid security system — and here's the good news — you don't need a monthly monitoring contract to do it. Subscription-free options have gotten genuinely good, and they work. --- ## What Are the Safety Devices Used in Homes? Home safety devices fall into two broad buckets: devices that protect you from environmental hazards (fire, gas leaks, flooding), and devices that protect you from intrusions. Most [homeowners](/homeowners-insurance/) focus too hard on one and ignore the other. You need both. ### The Core Categories Every Home Needs - **Smoke detectors** — required by law in most states, and for good reason - **Carbon monoxide detectors** — CO is invisible and odorless; a detector is your only warning - **Fire extinguishers** — one per floor, minimum - **Security cameras** — indoor and outdoor coverage - **Door and window sensors** — entry points are where most break-ins happen - **Motion sensors** — catch movement in hallways, garages, and yards - **Smart locks** — control who gets in, remotely if needed - **Video doorbells** — screen visitors before you open the door - **Flood/water sensors** — especially in basements and near water heaters - **Glass break detectors** — catch forced entry that bypasses door sensors ### List of 10 Essential Safety Devices at Home Here's a quick-reference breakdown of what each device actually does for you: | Device | Primary threat it addresses | |---|---| | Smoke detector | House fire | | CO detector | Carbon monoxide poisoning | | Fire extinguisher | Early-stage fires | | Security camera | Burglary, porch theft, liability | | Door/window sensor | Unauthorized entry | | Motion sensor | Interior or perimeter intrusion | | Smart lock | Controlled access | | Video doorbell | Visitor screening, package theft | | Water/flood sensor | Leaks, flooding, burst pipes | | Glass break detector | Forced window entry | ### What Do Police Recommend for Home Security? Most law enforcement agencies — and the general guidance from organizations like the National Sheriffs' Association — consistently point to a few fundamentals: visible deterrents first. That means cameras and alarm system signs posted where people can see them. They also recommend solid deadbolts on every exterior door, reinforced strike plates, motion-activated exterior lighting, and never leaving ladders or tools outside that give someone a boost to a second-story window. The core message from police isn't "buy the most expensive system." It's "make your house look like more work than the next one." --- ## Best Home Safety Devices You Can Buy Right Now ### Top Picks for Indoor Protection For indoor protection, you want devices that cover both safety hazards and security threats. The **Nest Protect** (smoke and CO, combined) remains a top pick because it distinguishes between fast-burning fires and slow smoldering ones, and sends alerts to your phone before the alarm even sounds audibly. For security cameras, the **Wyze Cam v3** punches way above its price — color night vision, weatherproofing, and free local storage via SD card. **Ring Alarm contact sensors** are affordable, easy to peel-and-stick on any door or window, and integrate with a broader Ring ecosystem if you want to expand later. For motion detection indoors, the **Arlo Pro 4** or a **Eufy Indoor Cam 2K** both offer clear footage without mandatory subscriptions. ### Best Outdoor Home Safety Devices Outside, your priorities shift to deterrence and documentation. The **Arlo Pro 4** handles outdoor duty well — it's wireless, weather-resistant, and has a built-in siren. The **Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro** is a strong wired option if you want something more permanent with two-way talk and integrated lighting. Motion-activated lights are often underrated. A simple **Mr. Beams or BAXIA solar motion light** costs under $30 and makes a surprising difference. Pair those with a video doorbell — the **Eufy Video Doorbell Dual** doesn't require a subscription and stores footage locally. ### Best Personal Safety Device for the Home The best personal safety device for home use is one you'll actually reach for quickly. A **personal alarm keychain** (like the **She's Birdie** or **SABRE personal alarm**) is a passive option — pull the pin and it screams at 120+ decibels. For something more proactive, [many homeowners](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/compare-homeowners-insurance-quotes-online/) keep a **Byrna HD launcher** or similar non-lethal option. For older adults or people living alone, a **medical alert button** like those from **Bay Alarm Medical** gives one-touch access to emergency services. --- ## Best Home Security System Without a Subscription ### Why Go Subscription-Free? Monitoring contracts can run $15–$60 per month, which adds up to $180–$720 per year for as long as you own the system. If you're disciplined about checking your own alerts or you simply want local-only protection, you can skip the monthly bill entirely and still have a genuinely effective system. ### Best Wired Home Security System Without Subscription For wired setups, the **Annke 8-channel NVR system** is consistently recommended for homeowners who want reliability without recurring costs. Everything stores locally on a hard drive, footage stays on your property, and there's no cloud subscription required. Wired systems are harder to install but nearly impossible to jam — a real advantage over wireless-only setups. **Reolink's RLK8-800B4** is another strong contender — 4K cameras, PoE (power over Ethernet) wiring, and an NVR with built-in storage. Install it once and it runs indefinitely without a monthly fee. ### Best Wireless Home Security System Without Subscription **SimpliSafe** is the name that comes up most often, and it earns it. You can use SimpliSafe entirely without a monitoring plan — the system works locally, sensors trigger the alarm, and you get push notifications to your phone. If you want to shop their no-subscription plans and see how the self-monitored setup works, SimpliSafe makes it easy to configure without committing to a contract. **Ring Alarm** also operates without a subscription, though some features (like video storage and 24/7 monitoring) are paywalled. **Abode** is worth a look too — its gateway works locally and supports Z-Wave and Zigbee devices, making it more flexible than most. ### What Reddit Users Actually Recommend Browse r/homesecurity and r/DIYsecurity long enough and a few names dominate: SimpliSafe for ease of use, Reolink and Dahua for cameras, and Abode for smart home integration. The consensus on Reddit is clear — avoid long-term contracts, prioritize local storage, and don't pay for cloud features you won't use. Ring gets mixed reviews primarily because its best features sit behind the Ring Protect subscription. --- ## Best Self-Monitored Home Security System With Cameras ### How Self-Monitoring Works Self-monitoring means you're the one who responds to alerts — not a dispatch center. Your phone gets a push notification when a sensor trips, you check the camera feed, and you call 911 yourself if needed. It sounds more hands-on than it is. Most systems send alerts within seconds, and if you're a light sleeper or work from home, it's entirely manageable. The trade-off: if your phone is dead or you're in a dead zone, no one's watching. That's why local alarm sirens still matter even in a self-monitored setup — they deter and alert neighbors even when you're unavailable. ### Best Self-Monitored Systems With No Monthly Fees | System | Best for | Cameras included | Storage | |---|---|---|---| | SimpliSafe (self-monitored) | Ease of use, renters and owners | Optional add-on | Local + optional cloud | | Abode | Smart home integration | Optional | Local (SD card) | | Ring Alarm | Amazon ecosystem users | Optional | Ring Protect needed for video | | Eufy Security | Camera-first users | Yes | Local (HomeBase) | | Reolink Alarm | Budget DIYers | Yes | Local NVR/SD | **Eufy Security** deserves a special mention here — it offers a complete camera-plus-sensor system with a local HomeBase hub, no subscription, and genuinely solid 2K or 4K footage. If cameras are your priority, Eufy is one of the cleanest no-subscription options available. ### Best Home Security Camera System Without Subscription If you want cameras only — no sensors, no professional monitoring — **Reolink**, **Eufy**, and **Amcrest** all offer systems with local NVR or SD card storage and zero monthly fees. For outdoor coverage without wiring, **Arlo Essential** cameras record to a microSD card without an Arlo subscription. --- ## Best DIY Home Security System Without Subscription ### Top DIY Picks for Budget-Conscious Homeowners DIY systems have matured a lot. You're no longer choosing between "easy but expensive" and "cheap but clunky." Here are the best DIY picks that skip the subscription: - **SimpliSafe** — peel-and-stick sensors, no tools, genuinely simple setup, no contract required - **Ring Alarm** — widely available at Costco and Amazon, large ecosystem, solid app - **Abode iota** — all-in-one hub with a built-in camera, supports many third-party devices - **Eufy Security System** — HomeBase hub, indoor/outdoor cameras, door sensors, local storage - **Fortress Security Store** — old-school but reliable, fully self-contained, no app or subscription needed ### Free Home Security System With Free Installation — Is It Real? Sort of. Some alarm companies offer "free" equipment in exchange for a 3–5 year monitoring contract. The math rarely works out in your favor — you're essentially paying for the equipment through the monitoring fees. True free systems don't exist, but affordable DIY kits from SimpliSafe, Ring, or Eufy start under $200 and include the core sensors you need without any service agreement. ### The Truth About Home Security Systems (No Sugar-Coating) No security system — subscription or not — stops a determined burglar. What they do is raise the effort required, alert you faster, and create documentation that helps police. The data consistently shows that visible deterrents (cameras, signage, lights) do the most work. An alarm that screams when a door opens is more useful than 24/7 monitoring in most residential burglaries, which are typically opportunistic and quick. The best system is the one you'll actually install and maintain. A $150 DIY kit you set up this weekend beats a $1,000 professionally monitored system you've been procrastinating on for six months. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ## What are the safety devices used in homes? The core safety devices used in homes include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, security cameras, door and window sensors, motion detectors, smart locks, video doorbells, water/flood sensors, and glass break detectors. Most homes should have all of these — split between environmental safety devices and security devices. ## What is the best personal safety device? For in-home personal safety, the best option depends on your situation. A loud personal alarm (120+ decibels) is the most passive and accessible option. For older adults or people living alone, a medical alert button gives direct access to emergency services. For active deterrence, a non-lethal device like a Byrna launcher or pepper spray kept in a accessible drawer is a popular choice. ## What are the must haves for home safety? At minimum, every home needs working smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector, at least one fire extinguisher, and door locks with reinforced strike plates. Beyond that, add a security camera covering your front door, door/window sensors, and motion-activated exterior lighting. These basics cover the most common threats without requiring a monitoring contract. ## What is the best home safety system? There's no single "best" answer — it depends on your budget and how hands-on you want to be. SimpliSafe is the most consistently recommended for ease of use with no subscription required. Eufy Security leads for camera-focused setups with local storage. For wired reliability, a Reolink NVR system is hard to beat. All three work without monthly fees. ## What are the 8 safety devices? The eight most commonly cited home safety devices are: smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, security camera, door/window sensor, motion sensor, video doorbell, and a water/flood sensor. Some lists swap in smart locks or glass break detectors depending on the source, but these eight cover the broadest range of household threats. ## What do police recommend for home security? Police consistently recommend visible deterrents first — cameras, alarm signage, and motion-activated lights. They also advise solid deadbolts with reinforced strike plates on all exterior doors, locking windows (including upper floors), eliminating hiding spots near entryways, and getting to know your neighbors so unusual activity gets noticed. The goal is making your home look like more effort than the house next door. ## What security system do burglars hate? Burglars most dislike systems that are visible, loud, and fast. That means outdoor cameras they can see (especially with indicator lights), a siren-equipped alarm that triggers immediately when a door opens, and motion-activated lighting. According to a study cited in criminology research, most burglars case a property first and avoid homes with obvious security measures. SimpliSafe's yard signs and camera placements are a good starting point for that visible deterrent layer.