Ask Jon Eakes

Last Updated: Thursday, December 25th, 2003, Created: Thursday, December 25th, 2003

Sensors that listen for flowing water, broken glass and a laser to guide your car.

I just love gadgets and here are a couple that work.

Worried about a plumbing burst that floods your house while you are gone? Here is a device that listens for flowing water, and if it is flowing for too long a continuous run, it turns off a main water valve. Distributed by Field Controls from Kinston, N.C., it is programmable for listening periods when you are in the house, and even shorter water flow periods when you are away or on vacation. It does require some plumbing in that you install their quality gate valve in the main water line. The listening is done with a little microphone strapped to the pipe.

An especially useful alarm both for floods and for filling tubs and pools without overflow.

Another listening device has finally replaced all that unsightly tape traditionally put around the edge of windows to detect broken glass. Now most household alarm systems can provide you with a listening device that specifically identifies the sound of broken glass. This protects glass in all the windows and doors in the area with one device. No messy windows and fewer wires. It is far better than the human ear because most people sleep through a window being broken.

Some people hang a tennis ball from the ceiling of the garage in such a location that it will just touch the windshield when the car is in far enough to clear the garage door, just like airplanes use to know when to stop at the airport gate. Now you can get a little laser device that turns on when you open the garage door and it shines straight down from the ceiling so you will see it on your dashboard to tell you when to stop.

Keywords: Alarms, Flood, Glass, Laser, Plumbing, Safety, Security, Sound

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