There’s been an increase in people moving out of bigger cities thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. As folks reconsider their living situations, home security is becoming more important. Apartment dwellers likely didn’t give much thought to home security, thanks to controlled lobbies featuring concierge and security guards on site. But as more people opt to buy homes in smaller cities and towns, they’re now finding out keeping things secure will fall to them as a homeowner.
Whether you want to keep your home, garage or vehicles secure, monitor Amazon packages, or provide video evidence of a break in, smart home security gadgets are key.
Smart home security: Video Doorbells
When a package gets left at your door, it’s good to know it’s there. Amazon package thefts are increasing, and they do every year around the holidays, so knowing something is there so you can retrieve it is very handy and removes temptation. That’s where video doorbells come in. With most video doorbells, like Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell 3 or Toucan Video Doorbell (click links to read full reviews) you can not only see who’s ringing the bell, but you can see who’s outside even if the person doesn’t activate the doorbell. Motion sensors are built in and this will begin video recording, so you have peace of mind and can always see who’s there.
Security must haves: Wireless outdoor cameras
A video doorbell can only reach so far. That’s where wireless outdoor cameras can help. Wireless devices like Ring Spotlight Cam can be placed anywhere; along the side or back of your home, inside the garage or over the driveway. They turn on when motion is picked up so you’ll always have a recording of what’s happening, and you can view events live too. Plus, Ring for example also offers solar panels for endless power so you never need to worry about batteries or outages.
How to deter break ins: Smart lighting
Cameras can only do so much. While many security cameras today have HD resolution and tech like night vision, good lighting makes your home less of a target.
Smart wireless lighting like Ring Smart Lighting can not only sense motion and spark powerful lights up, it will also mesh with the rest of your system, turning on nearby Ring cameras. These lights are battery powered so they can be placed anywhere—with no wires.
Smart locks are flexible
Anyone who’s ever forgotten their keys knows how bad it sucks being locked out. A smart door lock can prevent this, but these have lots of other plusses.
Smart door locks allow you to see who’s coming or going, since you can denote specific entry codes for family members, visitors or even trades. With most smart door locks you can also set the times they can be used so even if someone has a code, they can only use it during the time frame you set. Brands to consider here include Weiser Premis and August.
Sensors: motion, water, temperature
Many smart home security kits have door and window sensors or motion detectors, but did you know you can also get other kinds of sensors and detectors to keep tabs on many other household issues?
A water detector can help you react to leaks before major water damage is done. You can get a built-in option that is installed by a plumber into your main water line (Flo by Moen or Phyn are two examples), and there’s also moisture sensors that can be placed on the floor of a basement and will ping you if water is detected.
Temperature sensors (like Google Nest or Eve Room are two examples) can alert you before it gets too cold in your house and save your pipes from freezing if, for example, your furnace shuts down while you’re on vacation.
Of course, it’s also now possible to also get a whole home security alarm system (Ring has just updated its Ring Alarm kit) that’s wire-free and easy for any homeowner to install too.
Depending on how security conscious you are, these options can help you secure your home for the long run.
