When you have a complete, professionally-installed wireless home security system, you’re not just keeping your house safe and secure, you’re getting the full benefits of home automation, making your home more convenient, livable, and energy efficient. But when the weather gets warmer, and you’re using more energy, leaving your home to go on vacation, and/or leaving the kids at home alone more, there are other things you need to consider when it comes to summer home security.
If you’re going to be away, there are simple things you can do like have your mail held and request a home security check from your local police department — and please resist the urge to publicize your trip on social media! If you’re just going to be out for the day, you can make sure your doors and windows are secure. And if you have children or elderly family members at home alone, there are ways you can monitor and remotely assist them.
But there’s so much more you can do to keep all your valuables and precious family members safe and sound. Here’s how you can benefit from home automation systems this summer (and all year long).
4 Ways to Enhance Your Summer Home Security
Home Automation Tools to Improve Energy Efficiency
Whether you’re in the house, out for the day, or away on vacation, there are many ways you can — and should — use home automation to improve the energy efficiency of your home. With smart thermostats, you can set up schedules so your air conditioner only turns on when you need it — like when you’re on your way home — or just when your house hits a certain temperature. Likewise, you can remotely control lights, electronics, and appliances. Turn things on and off anytime from anywhere, or set schedules and go on with your day. You can even tie it all together and program your home based on your daily patterns and your home’s usual activity. Room usage sensors can determine when rooms aren’t in use and adjust lights, climate, and more so you’re never wasting energy in a room that’s not in use. Finally, you can conserve water usage by putting your sprinklers on an automated watering schedule, which will monitor and control much water you’re using, and turn them off if there’s rain.
Home Safety While on Vacation
Want to get away? Focus on the trip and not the house you’re leaving behind. With home automation, you can keep everything secure and monitor it all no matter where you are in the world. Got a pet sitter coming over or having a neighbor check up on things? Give them the keys to your house without actually giving them keys. Access codes let only the people you want in and out, and with video doorbells, you’ll always have eyes on your home’s access points. You can get alerts when door codes are used or when door codes are entered incorrectly.
Make it look like you’re still at home by turning lights, TVs, and appliances on and off whenever you want or on a set schedule. Go beyond simple timers that turn on and off at the same time each day, and set up a random schedule that will always keep burglars guessing. You can also get notifications for water leaks, fire, carbon monoxide, and more. Finally, utilize home security cameras to get a live view of your home and receive alerts when alarms are set off or motion is detected.
Home Automation Safety Tips
The kids may be off for the summer, but you still have to work. Or perhaps you have an elderly family member living in your home. Whatever the case may be, home automation makes it easy to monitor what’s going on at home when you’re not there. Always know when people come and go, get alerts for opened doors and cabinets, and give babysitters and caregivers virtual keys for easy and secure access to your home. You can even turn TVs and video game systems on and off at certain intervals and times to limit use. Want to check in on your kids or other family members? Utilize that live video feed and see it all on a mobile app. Medical alerts and monitoring will ensure the proper safety personnel is alerted and on the scene should an emergency occur. With smart pet doors, your dogs and cats can get access to your home, but burglars or neighborhood animals can’t. If you’ve got a pool, you can use home automation and get alerts when your pool gate is opened or if a person or pet enters the pool area.
The Convenience and Control of Home Automation Security
Maybe you’re not going anywhere this summer. Perhaps you don’t have any kids, pets, or other family members to worry about. There are still so many ways you can benefit from home automation. Enhance your home’s privacy and comfort by controlling lights and motorized blinds remotely and/or on a schedule. Blinds can rise and shut with the sun, and lights, music, and electronics can be turned on before you get home, setting the mood for a relaxing evening. With video doorbells and home security cameras, you can monitor, talk to, and control the access of solicitors, neighbors, contractors, or anyone else coming to your home.
Outside, you can keep your lawn and property in order by remotely turn your hose on and off, or schedule sprinklers so you’re never leaving the water running all day or night. Keep your garage secure with motion detectors, lights, and cameras. You can even control your garage door, and set it to open or close when you arrive or leave.
At ProTech Security, we have a strong history of experience, innovation, and customer service. The ProTech Security Advantage is more than 35 years of service in Northeast Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities. To see what ProTech Security can do for you, contact us today.
