A new sensor from D-Link can detect water leaks in the home and then alert the owner via smartphone if a dishwasher or washing machine or some other household appliance pops a hose. Rubber hoses that burst or wriggle free of their clamps are a common source of spills in buildings, so this sounds a great way to protect against the problem.
The DCH-S160 wi-fi water sensor costs 60 dollars and connects into the home's existing wi-fi network. It can be paired with a wi-fi siren to sound an alarm if water is detected and also sends an alert to a smartphone in case the owner is out.
The device comes with a 50-centimetre sensor cable which can be extended further using a standard phone cable.