Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are some of the most valuable home monitoring devices for ensuring you’re aware of any fires or hazardous gases in your space.

While smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have been used to call attention to danger in homes for decades, their capabilities have improved. Now you can find smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with smart connectivity, so you can immediately receive alerts on your smartphone or tablet as soon as an issue is detected. With these features, you can connect your CO and smoke alarm to your larger smart home system for streamlined access. You can even find models that combine smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in one compact device.

Whether you’re replacing existing detectors or installing one for the first time, you have options. For smoke detection, there are two technologies available: photoelectric and ionization, and each of these performs best at detecting distinctly different kinds of fires. So, it is good to have both kinds represented in your home.

When installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, you’ll first need to consider where you want to place them in your home. Kitchens, basements, and garages are great locations to place smoke and CO sensors, but it’s a wise idea to install them throughout your home so you can monitor the entire area.

If you’re hoping to add your new CO and smoke detector to your smart home security or other smart home products, Best Buy provides smart home installation services for a variety of smart devices. Professional Geek Squad Agents can help you install sensors or customize your smart system to meet your unique needs.

And if you bought a battery-powered CO and smoke detector, remember that you’ll need to change the batteries on a regular basis, so it can be helpful to have backups on hand. Even if you choose a hardwired or corded alarm, backup batteries can act as a failsafe in case of a power outage. The best carbon monoxide detectors and best smoke detectors for your home will be the ones that fit within your budget while offering the widest and most consistent coverage throughout your home.