How to Protect Your Home with a Smarter Security System
Smart Home Technology Puts You in Control to Keep You Safer
Does your home have an alarm system? Most do, and many houses are prewired with low voltage cable to install basic systems. The typical setup includes window and door sensors to detect opening when the alarm is set, a keypad for entering codes, a siren, and indoor motion sensors. You may have such a system or are familiar with them.
The problem with these systems is that they are not very informative or easy to use. When an alarm is tripped, do you see a code? It might represent the window or door opened, but you might be confused as to which one it is. Likewise, changing codes or adding temporary ones for guests might involve a degree in programming.
There’s a smarter approach to a home security system. Today’s smart technology solutions offer a far more intuitive experience and put you in the know about what's happening in your Chicago, IL home. Explore how below.
Smart Sensors and Surveillance
As we mentioned, window, door, and motion sensors have been around for years. But now you can monitor your home's environment too. Water and humidity sensors can tell you about a leak long before it becomes an expensive problem. Temperature sensors can go beyond your smart thermostat, informing you of an issue with your wine room or a potential problem in your kitchen with something overheating. Intelligent carbon monoxide sensors can notify you of a potentially deadly situation before it becomes a danger.
What about those window, door, and motion sensors? Use them with smart cameras that can trigger recording on motion, and you can know precisely what is happening. If you've ever been anxious by a door alarm that went off in the middle of the night only to discover that the wind moved the door just enough to trigger it, with a smart camera, you could know that your house was safe – or if swift action is needed.
Smart Locks
Smart locks can provide a slew of benefits. It’s like access control for your home. If you need to let someone in temporarily, you can give someone a temporary code or access via a smartphone app. Want to lock your doors automatically at night? Just add smart locking to a bedtime routine that locks all equipped doors and sets the alarm on your command or on a schedule. Add smart capability to your garage doors too. You can program your garage door to close automatically after a time period with no motion, check to see if it’s open anytime through your smartphone, and open and close it remotely for a package delivery. For peace of mind with your family, smart locks can also tell you if your kids got home from school when you’re not there by identifying who unlocked the door.
Integrated Protection
The best part of smart security devices is how they can all work together with home automation to protect you better than the “sum of the parts.” For example, if an intruder breaks in, the sensor can start the camera recordings, your lights can automatically come on to startle them, the alarm can go off, and the system can even deliver a message over a speaker that the authorities are on the way. Similarly, if you have a smoke alarm go off in the middle of the night, the system could shut down your HVAC system to limit the spread of smoke, turn on lights with the path to the nearest exit door and unlock them, and even flash outside lights so that the fire department can quickly identify your home on a dark street.
Get a smarter level of security that gives you the peace of mind that your family and home are safe. Call us at (630) 898-2850 or contact us here to get started. We look forward to working with you!
