Home security is getting better and better with the evolution of smart homes. There are many aspects to consider when looking at options such as: effectiveness, longevity and reliability. There are options to protect the interior and exterior of homes from dangers.
There are a multitude of tips and tricks for home safety: some new and some old, but all of these could save families from devastating crime.
Exterior safety that could save homes from break-ins
An idea that could protect against robbery is security cameras. These cameras serve as evidence for the police and can help with many legal steps when someone has been robbed and has video footage. These also are great to check up on vacation homes that might be vacant for certain seasons. There are also motion detector cameras to be put in certain rooms that there shouldn’t be activity in. These alerts can be sent to smartphones and give the owner the ability to call the police before any damage is done.
Another option for safety is security shutters. These shutters protect from break-ins while blending in with the exterior of homes. These are an up and coming safety feature that is on the forefront of the smart home industry. These shutters are a great alternative to bars on windows in some areas. These shutters look great and protect from break-ins.
Barns and sheds are other areas of the home that might need tighter protection. There are padlocks that are great for this, according to Time. Some products have anti-shim technology and have the ability to send tamper alerts when someone messes with it. It is also weather resistant. It connects to a smartphone app and if a neighbor wants to borrow something, they can be added as a guest on the app so they can unlock it.
Interior safety precautions
The interior of the house is just as important to protect as the exterior. Carbon Monoxide detectors aren’t new and groundbreaking, but are one of the most important things someone can invest in for home safety. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer that harms or even kills many every year. Make sure Carbon Monoxide detectors are on and working. Making a routine check yearly is a simple way to keep peace of mind.
Having a smoke detector is also crucial in homes. There are smart home products which use Wi-Fi to provide real-time updates and remote monitoring on smartphones or other mobile devices.
There are other home products that allow smartphones to sync up with house systems. With the purchase of some inclusive smart home packages, there is door monitoring to ensure that doors are locked and the garage door is closed. Some of these devices even sync with lights so lights can be turned on and off while the home-owner is away. This can deter robbers and crime.
Computer safety and the threats that come with technology
Computer safety might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of home security. When automating a household, an innovative property management agency or home builder must keep in mind that a centralized automated system with only one overhead is also vulnerable to infiltration. Automation makes some things more simple, but still isn’t a cure-all to invasion of privacy. CBS News says that the most vulnerable link in any smart home is the mobile device that controls it.
A way to make sure passwords are secure from hackers is by keeping a password manager so that passwords are varied and kept on the computer. Password managers are a way to prevent identity theft and passwords from being stolen. With that being said, a password manager is best used when all passwords are unique.
It might seem concerning to be putting all passwords in one account. What if the password manager gets hacked? Luckily, these password managers are backed by multiple layers of protection. It is called a password “vault” for a reason.
There are also websites that have been formed that allow for a neighborhood watch but in a more casual environment. These websites allow for neighbors to report suspicious activity and discuss with each other about warning signs and safety. Belonging to these groups allows for precaution to be taken. These groups are more common in urban areas than suburban, but crime can happen anywhere and might even be easier to get away with in suburbia. Home-owners should look into if there is a website for their neighborhood when moving to minimize risks.
Smart home or regular home, safety is important to families, individuals and businesses. There are ways to minimize hacking and intruding, especially with the rise of technology and information. Being proactive is the first step to take when considering home safety.
