When it comes to home safety and security, it can easily become overly complicated. Multiple devices, numerous apps, and different logins for each system can make any homeowner lose their mind. While securing your home remains a top priority, it doesn’t require you to get unnecessarily frustrated.
Within the hundreds of different security options and protocols, there are ways to simplify your smart home setup through low-stress and sometimes inexpensive approaches. Here are a few tips to minimize complexity and maximize safety.
Focus on High-Impact, Functional Security Devices
It’s tempting to go for all the fancy bells and whistles. A new home security app launches, creating buzz among your friends and neighborhood group. You compulsively download it, buying the hardware setup to go along with it. This happens again and again until you look at your smartphone and realize that you have more security apps than you know what to do with!
More apps aren’t the solution when it comes to home security. Instead, focus on high-impact, functional security options to manage multiple devices. Single, cohesive hubs such as the Amazon Echo Hub or the Google Home can serve as a centralized control system. They can support numerous devices across all your home security options. With this, you can control everything — locks, cameras, and sensor lights — with a single tap in one smartphone app.
Here are the different types of security enhancements that can be activated and controlled via a simple home security setup.
Smart Locks
Smart locks offer enhanced security by eliminating the need for physical keys. You can share temporary access codes with visitors, such as dog walkers, landscapers, or contractors. You can monitor the entryway, locking and unlocking doors from anywhere.
Cameras
Outside cameras act as powerful visual deterrents, offering 24/7 monitoring of residential perimeters. Owners can check on their property from anywhere. This offers peace of mind, especially during travel or vacation periods. Cameras also help deter porch pirates from swiping packages off the front porch.
Sensor Lights
Motion-activated sensor lights are another way to deter intruders. Sudden bright lights make it less likely for burglars to try to target your property. They can illuminate dark, vulnerable areas around entry points such as detached garages and back patios. The lights will automatically turn off when no movement is detected, eliminating any wasted electricity. You can turn the lights on and off from a centralized smart home security app.
Create Routines to Automate Daily Tasks
Once everything is controlled via a centralized home security system, you can start creating automated routines for you and your family that will further protect your home. These routines can be triggered by time, location, or specific events. For example, if your dog walker comes every day at noon while you’re away, the hub won’t send you a notification alert. Some cameras even have a built-in AI facial recognition feature, allowing them to learn when someone is a family friend versus a stranger. This can avoid any unnecessary alerts that you may ignore, only sending prominent notices when they matter most.
At the end of the day, your security system can lock all doors, close the garage, turn off the lights, and lower the thermostat with a single command. The security system will be armed, protecting you and your family while you’re all sleeping soundly. Another great feature to activate is an away routine when you’ve left home for an extended period of time. This gives your home extra protection and provides peace of mind while you’re on a family trip.
When you’re home, security systems can be engaged, but won’t send notifications every time one of your children approaches the front door. When they’re playing, they’ll likely be going in and out of the house, opening the garage door to grab different equipment, and welcoming their friends in for a snack. In this setting, the security systems will be alert but won’t be annoyingly buzzing and pinging your phone.
Declutter Safety Devices for a Minimized Home
A home appears cleaner and more efficient when everything is in order. While you may not be able to control how often your kids pick up their toys and clothes from their bedroom floors, you can control how your home security system appears.
Consolidating necessary items and merging different features into a comprehensive, centralized smart hub is a good first step. Having several wired components instantly leads to clutter, especially if they each need to be plugged in. Some of your prior equipment may be duplicative of the smart home technology you have now. Audit your current setup and remove or replace redundant items that you no longer need.
Whenever possible, opt for wireless options. Battery-powered or wireless smart sensors avoid the need for numerous cables. Smart sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring can also be placed on walls throughout a home to maintain a minimalist, automated home environment.
Final Takeaways: A Smart Home is a Minimal Home
With the right home security system, you can fall asleep every night knowing that your property is as protected as possible. Modern-day home security systems offer cohesive, centralized activation hubs, taking the digital and physical clutter out of the equation.