Richard's picks: the gear we'd put in our own homes
The safety gear Richard recommends for every home. We don't sell these: each link goes to Amazon, where you buy directly. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. In Vancouver or the Lower Mainland? Richard brings, installs and tests smoke and CO alarms and extinguishers for you.
For smoke and CO alarms and extinguishers, we pick brands Richard installs himself, in the model made for your country: the Canadian “-CA” version where one exists. Before you install, check the box for the ULC or CSA mark (UL in the US). For everything else we look for a reputable brand, a rating of 4.3 stars or better where possible, and stock when we checked. Last checked November 2026. We never show Amazon prices, because they change daily.
Smoke & CO alarms
Lower Mainland? Richard installs these. Links are for buyers outside the Lower Mainland.
- 10-year sealed smoke alarm. No wiring and no battery changes for 10 years. Photoelectric, so fewer cooking false alarms. View on Amazon.ca
- 10-year sealed smoke + CO combo. One alarm for both, sealed battery. Good for every floor in homes with gas or an attached garage. View on Amazon.ca
- Plug-in CO alarm. Plugs into an outlet near the bedrooms, with battery backup. No tools needed. View on Amazon.ca
- CO alarm with digital display. Shows the CO level, so you can see a slow leak before it alarms. View on Amazon.ca
- Heat alarm. For garages, attics and kitchens where smoke alarms false-alarm. Sounds on rapid heat, not smoke. View on Amazon.ca
- Kidde hardwired smoke alarm. Replaces older Kidde hardwired alarms. Sealed 10-year backup. View on Amazon.ca
- Kidde hardwired smoke + CO combo. Hardwired combo with voice alerts and a sealed 10-year backup. View on Amazon.ca
- First Alert / BRK hardwired smoke alarm. First Alert SM2-W10A: photoelectric, with a 10-year backup battery. Replaces older BRK / First Alert hardwired alarms. View on Amazon.ca
- First Alert / BRK hardwired smoke + CO combo. First Alert SC2-W10A: photoelectric smoke + CO, with a 10-year backup battery. View on Amazon.ca
Batteries
Lower Mainland? Richard installs these. Links are for buyers outside the Lower Mainland.
Use good-quality batteries only, of the exact type printed on the alarm. Cheap or old batteries can run down in weeks, leak, or set off the low-battery chirp again. Some manufacturers list approved brands in the manual.
- 9V batteries for smoke alarms. The 9V alkaline batteries Richard uses, for older alarms with a 9V battery door. View on Amazon.ca
- AA batteries. For alarms that take AA. Use a good-quality brand and replace them together. View on Amazon.ca
Fire extinguishers
Lower Mainland? Richard installs these. Links are for buyers outside the Lower Mainland.
- 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher. Multi-purpose. Mount it near the kitchen exit, not beside the stove. View on Amazon.ca
- Car fire extinguisher. A compact 2.5 lb ABC extinguisher with a mount for the car or boat. View on Amazon.ca
Kitchen fires
- Fire blanket. Smothers a small pan fire in seconds. Hang it where you can reach it without passing the stove. View on Amazon.ca
- Stovetop fire suppression canisters. Mount under the range hood. They drop powder on a stovetop fire automatically. View on Amazon.ca
Getting out
- 2-storey escape ladder. Makes an upstairs bedroom window a real second way out. Keep it in the room. View on Amazon.ca
- 3-storey escape ladder. For third-floor bedrooms. View on Amazon.ca
- Headlamps and flashlights. One by every bed, for power outages and getting out at night. View on Amazon.ca
E-bike & lithium batteries
- Fire-resistant battery charging bag. Charge e-bike, scooter and tool batteries inside it, away from exits. View on Amazon.ca
- Fire-resistant battery storage box. For storing spare lithium batteries. View on Amazon.ca
Heating & dryers
- Dryer vent cleaning kit. Lint build-up in the dryer vent is a leading cause of dryer fires. Clean it yearly. View on Amazon.ca
- Space heater with tip-over shut-off. Look for tip-over and overheat protection, and keep it 1 m from anything that burns. View on Amazon.ca
Water & leaks
- Water leak detectors. Put one by the water heater, washer and under sinks. They chirp at the first drop. View on Amazon.ca
- Automatic water shut-off valve. Shuts the main off when a leak is detected. Usually installed by a plumber. View on Amazon.ca
Emergency prep
- 72-hour emergency kit. Water, food, light and first aid for a family for three days. View on Amazon.ca
- Hand-crank radio and flashlight. Works with no power and no batteries. Many charge a phone too. View on Amazon.ca
- First aid kit. One in the home, one in the car. View on Amazon.ca
- Fire-resistant document bag. For passports, insurance papers and a backup of your home manual. View on Amazon.ca
In the US? Richard's Picks in the app link to Amazon.com.