Practical applications of NOT, OR, and AND gates include automated systems like supermarket doors, where NOT gates prevent one door from opening if the other is already open. OR gates can activate lights and music when either door is open, enhancing customer experience. In a basement scenario, OR gates can trigger an alarm if either of two float switches detects water, indicating a problem. AND gates are useful for security, sounding an alarm only when both doors are open, preventing a pet from escaping. These examples illustrate how logic gates can optimize safety and efficiency in various systems.