The safety and security products every home should have

There are certain products every home should have, not just for peace of mind, but to protect you when it really matters. From everyday risks to unexpected emergencies, having the right kit in place can make a big difference.

Some essentials, like first aid kits and generators, are there to help when something goes wrong. Others, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and security cameras, can alert you early or even help prevent problems altogether.

Below, we've rounded up the safety and security products that can help protect your home. If you're a Which? member, you'll also get access to our high-scoring recommendations, so you can choose with confidence.

First aid kits

If you haven't got a first aid kit tucked away in a cupboard at home, it's worth investing in one for extra peace of mind, so you're prepared to deal with minor injuries and everyday mishaps quickly and effectively.

You shouldn't worry too much about spending big, either – most first aid kits available online cost around £15-20. They typically come with essentials such as plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tape and scissors.

Online retailers that stock first aid kits include Amazon, and Boots.

Our expert says:

'Pre-made first aid kits should contain essentials such as assorted waterproof plasters, absorbent dressings and antiseptic wipes, but you might also want to boost them with extras. For example, hydrocortisone cream (mild steroid cream), antihistamines, tweezers (for getting out splinters) and pain relief medication.

'It might also be worth considering downloading a first aid app to your smartphone. First aid by British Red Cross (available on iOS and Android) offers practical, easy-to-follow instructions to assist if someone you’re with experiences a medical emergency until help arrives.'

Martha Roberts, Senior health writer at Which?

Free smartphone apps that could save your life in an emergency It only takes couple of minutes to set up life-saving features already built into your iPhone or Android phone

Smoke alarms

Every home needs a reliable smoke alarm – they should be installed on every floor of your home and tested regularly. Unfortunately, our expert testing shows some models simply can’t be trusted to keep your home safe. The worst we’ve seen are slow to detect smoke from wood fires, slow to react to cotton fires, or both.

Before a smoke alarm can earn Which? Best Buy status, it has to perform brilliantly in our lab tests. We assess models using cotton, wood, plastic and solvent fires to make sure they sound every time. Our experts also measure how loud each alarm is when it first detects danger, as well as after it has been sounding for a few minutes.

Of the smoke alarms we've tested, these are the best overall:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and see our guide to the best smoke alarms.

Carbon monoxide detectors

Low amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) can be dangerous, while higher concentrations can be deadly. That’s why it’s essential to have a working CO alarm to protect you. In our lab, we test how quickly detectors sound at CO concentrations ranging from 50 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm.

To assess reliability, our experts expose each detector to an extremely high concentration of CO and then check it still responds accurately. All the models we test are also re-evaluated after 90 days to check whether they continue to perform as well as they should.

How loud a CO alarm is also crucial, which is why we require each one to reach at least 85dB at a distance of one metre to pass our tests.

Of the CO alarms we've tested, these are among the best overall:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and see our guide to the best carbon monoxide detectors.

Wireless security cameras

Whether you're looking for peace of mind when you're away or simply a strong deterrent to burglars, setting up security cameras at home can give you an extra layer of protection.

Our experts have tested a range of indoor and outdoor security cameras. The high-scoring models are easy to set up and you can monitor the live view through your smartphone – even when you're out of range of your home wi-fi connection.

An indoor camera can help you check in on pets, children or older relatives. Most models are equipped with motion detection, so you'll receive a notification on your phone or tablet when movement is detected.

Meanwhile, you might be considering an outdoor camera to guard your driveway, front door or other entrances to your home. Safety aside, they can also be useful for keeping an eye on packages left at the door.

Of the wireless security cameras we've tested, these are among the best overall:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and see our guides to the best indoor security cameras and best outdoor security cameras.

Smart video doorbells

Connect a video doorbell to your home wi-fi and you can see who's at your door without needing to answer it – handy if you're away from home or just don’t want to answer to cold callers. Plus, like an outdoor security camera, a video doorbell can also serve as a visual deterrent to doorstep scammers or potential intruders. 

Depending on the model you choose, footage will be backed up to an internal storage card or a cloud service. Note that, if your videos are stored in the cloud, you’ll probably need to pay a subscription fee to keep them accessible.

When shopping for a video doorbell, pay attention to the video quality on offer. For example, a 4K feed should offer more detail compared to 1080p or 720p models.

Of the video doorbells we've tested, these are the best overall:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and see our guide to the best video doorbells.

Burglar alarms and smart security systems

Unlike a traditional burglar alarm, a smart home security system gives you the ability to monitor, control and interact with your alarm from an app on your smartphone.

To uncover the best for your budget, we have a ‘burglar’ approach the sensors from various angles, moving fast and slow during the day and night, to find the alarms that will trigger when they should. Our experts also check how loud every alarm is, testing the sound level both inside and outside the home.

Of the burglar alarms and smart security systems we've tested, these are the best overall:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above see our guide to the best burglar alarms and smart security systems.

Generators

Investing in a generator means you’ll have off-grid power for events or in case of a power cut, ensuring essential appliances can continue running. These machines are relatively heavy, whether they're weighted down by the parts of an internal engine or a large battery.

Prepare your home for bad weather or storm damage with our page on how to protect your home from a thunderstorm.

If you're shopping for a generator, the first choice you'll face is what kind of power it runs on.

• Petrol or diesel generators – these are filled with liquid fuels, which are then used to generate power. The engine in a petrol or diesel generator turns an onboard alternator, which converts mechanical power into electrical power.
• LPG generators – these connect to a propane tank, which you'll need to replace once it's empty.
• Battery generators – these use battery packs to store electricity. They are smaller and more portable than generators that use a fuel tank, but are only really useful if you have low power demand. They can sometimes be charged with solar panels.

For more shopping advice, consult our guide on how to buy the best generator.

Home insurance

Home insurance typically covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property (buildings insurance) and contents within the home (contents insurance).

This could include protection against events such as fire, theft, and damage. Liability coverage, alternative accommodation, and optional add-ons for personal possessions and legal expenses may also be included in comprehensive policies.

To highlight the top home insurance providers and policies, we asked 2,804 home insurance customers who made a claim within the past two years to score their insurer. We rated 134 elements of each policy, covering buildings, contents and admin points such as fees.

Explore our full guide to the best home insurance.

Also worth considering:

• Power banks and portable chargers – in the event of a power cut, these affordable backups will give you some much-needed battery life for your phone or other essentials. See the best power banks and portable chargers.
• A high-powered torch – always handy to have in your cupboard. When shopping for a torch, pay attention to its brightness, measured in lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the beam.
• Long-lasting batteries – Stock up a drawer with some Which? Best Buy batteries. Explore our top picks in our guide to the best AA and AAA batteries.
• A lockbox or key safe – you can use this to give trusted visitors or carers access to your home, but make sure it’s well hidden.