The kids are back in school, which means you house is likely following a more regimented schedule. It also might mean that your offspring are arriving to an empty house after school. No worries. By adding a few pieces of technology to your home, you can ensure that your children, your house, and your belongings are safe, everyone gets out the door on time, and that after-school chores are handled promptly.
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Smart Door Locks. Companies including August Home, Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset make smart door locks that require that your kids carry no keys unlock the front door. Instead, they can either punch a code into the lock or use their smart phones to gain access. Mom and Dad can receive a notification on their smartphones whenever the door unlocks—peace of mind that the kids arrived home safely. Special temporary codes can be set up via a mobile app to allow your babysitter to enter the house.
2. Doorbell Camera. If you need extra assurance that all is well at home, complement the smart door lock with doorbell cam. August Home, Vivint, and others offer ones that can be added to the door let you see who’s knocking—even before your kids do.
3. IP Surveillance Cameras. The doorbell camera does a great job of seeing who’s at the door; for other spaces where your kids like to hang out, like the backyard and kitchen, install an IP surveillance camera. Some products, like the Piper from iControl Networks can even watch for water leaks, intrusion, and peculiar noises. A camera like the Nest Cam which features two-way audio, lets you listen in on what’s happening and talk with your children if necessary.
4. Motion Detectors. Are the areas of your house that are off limits to the kids? Your office, bedroom, liquor cabinet, etc.? Internet connected motion sensors, like those from D-Link and iSmart Alarm, can push a notification to your smartphone whenever they sense that someone has entered into their detection zone.
5. Smart Lighting. The same motion sensor that monitors the whereabouts of your children can also be used to control the lights. This isn’t really a safety feature, but if you’re concerned about the kids leaving on lights in vacant rooms, motion sensor-controlled lights can put your energy-conscious mind at ease. Simple lighting control systems like the Caseta from Lutron can even turn on and off lights on a predetermined schedule—you might even use this type of system to turn off the lights in certain areas to signal the kids that it’s time to do their homework.
6. Security System. Of course, nothing is better at protecting your family than a full-fledged security system. Gaining in popularity are those that provide the flexibility of being monitored by a professional service when you need it, like when your kids are home alone for long periods of time; other times, like when the kids are home for just a few hours, you can monitor the conditions at home yourself via your smartphone. This capability can help save some of the monthly monitoring fees normally associated with home security systems.
Nothing’s More Important Than Keeping Your Home Safe for Your Family
Security is one of the most popular electronic amenities for the smart home. Whether your system is programmed by a professional or you go it alone by using DIY home security products, a well-planned system can ensure peace of mind.
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