Making Safety Smarter: Automating Your Home's Security
If you're looking to beef up your home security, smart home products can automate the process in a worry-free way you can often check on away from home. Whether you've fully embraced Wi-Fi products that automate your life or you're just dipping a toe into the smart home automation waters, security systems and home safety products have come a long way from the basic alarm systems and motion lights of old.
Smart Locks
Installing a smart lock is a great way to boost your security and give you peace of mind when you're away from home. Some of these locks will lock your door automatically when you leave or allow you to remotely lock your door from anywhere through an app on your smartphone. Many smart locks also have Bluetooth functionality so you can unlock your door with your phone when you get into range or tap your phone against the lock instead of fumbling around for your keys. Most smart locks function as deadbolts, so they're quite strong and secure.
Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells will alert you through your phone when someone is at your door. Many of them use a motion sensor to activate a camera, so you'll get the alert even if the person doesn't knock or ring the bell. Many doorbell systems allow you to view the outside of the door or even take a photo from your phone. They're an excellent way to deter would-be intruders and help you decide whether you should answer your door when someone knocks without even having to get up and look through a peephole.
Smart Garage Door Openers
If you park your car in a garage and also store valuables or expensive yard equipment inside, a smart garage door opener can help you rest assured your vehicles and possessions are safe without having to remember to press a remote as you're leaving. Most smart garage door openers allow you to close the door remotely from your phone, and some will even detect when you pull out of your garage and close the door for you, making the entire process automated.
Smart Light Bulbs
While many automated security solutions focus on the exterior of your home, smart light bulbs are an inexpensive way to begin integrating smart devices to improve your security and make your life easier. Smart bulbs work on your Wi-Fi network and allow you to program and control your lighting from your phone or with your voice through common smart home hubs or devices, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Some bulbs allow you to dim or brighten your lighting as needed or even shine in different colors to create different moods. Simply turning your lights on when you're not home is an excellent way to deter intruders, and unlike lights put on a timer, you can turn them on and off at will from your phone so they don't appear to be obviously automated to anyone who might be looking in or monitoring your home for signs of activity.
If you're not sure what security solutions are right for you or you're not comfortable installing new devices yourself, consult with a trusted home security company near you. Many companies will send an expert to look over your home and identify any possible safety issues to help you decide what devices to use.