Home Automation 101: Integrating Home Security

Last week we looked at how the wireless light control, automated lock and thermostat work. This week, we’ll focus on integrating home automation with a home security system. Used together, these devices can help you increase the security of your home. Lighting Control: The Burglar Deterrent   The wireless light control is a great tool for deterring burglars. Remember, burglars do not want to be seen under any circumstance, which is why many of them rely on the cover of darkness. A wireless light control gives users the ability to light up their house at any time, even when they’re not home. Lights that are turned on imply that someone is home, making it a less attractive target for burglars. You can also use light control to turn on lights at set times or when certain events occur. For example, your lights turn on every night at dusk or before the kids get home from school. Another viable option is to automate the lights so they turn on if the alarm sounds. Should a burglar ever make it inside your home and trip an alarm, the lights turning on could be all you need to send them scurrying away. Locks: Simple Safety An automated lock provides significantly more security compared to a traditional lock and key. It protects against lock bumping, a lock picking trick used by burglars. An advantage of paring an automated lock with a home security system is notifications. For instance, you can set preferences that send you an email or text any time the door is opened. Since only authorized users with unique codes can use the lock, it’s a great way to make sure the cleaning service or cable guy are not overstaying their welcome. Your kids (if you have any) benefit greatly from the automated lock as well. They don’t have to worry about carrying a key around, and you don’t have to worry about leaving a “hidden” key that burglars could potentially find. Instead, your kids can just enter their code. If they forget it, you can remotely open the door for them. No more concerns about a key falling into the wrong hands! Best of all, you’ll never get that sinking feeling that you forgot to lock the door on your way out ever again. Rushed because you were late? Lock your door remotely; it’s that simple. Thermostats: Smart Home Control and Safety Thermostats in general are not thought of as a means of security. However, an automated thermostat paired with a home security system equipped with a smoke and heat sensor and a carbon monoxide sensor can potentially save your home -- and life -- from disaster. Imagine the smoke and heat sensor detects a rapid increase in heat, or the carbon monoxide detects a leak, what do you do next? Immediately, you can remotely turn off the heating through your thermostat and then contact the proper authorities. It may turn out that the heater was malfunctioning, but you managed to shut it down before it did any damage.  Some automated thermostats even have the technology to turn off by themselves when sensing this kind of danger. Easy Living with a Smart Home Security System Home automation isn’t just about making your life easier; many aspects of it can be used to keep you safer. Some of the equipment -- like the automated locks -- has obvious security uses, but others -- like wireless light control and the automated thermostat -- can be overlooked. When working together, home security and automation are a perfect match. What other ways can home security and home automation work together? Let us know what you think in the comments below!