A device is provided for the prevention of damage due to the continued supply of a utility to an appliance, the device comprising: 1) a detector which detects circumstances of present or impending emergency and responds by sending a detector signal to 2) a receiver which receives a signal from the detector and in response emits a receiver signal; 3) a transmitter which receives the receiver signal and in response signals a 4) restrictor to attenuate or quench a utility supply to an appliance.