You use your mobile device to check email and social media sites, order food or book a hair appointment, and even keep your kids entertained with a video. Why not use your smartphone or other web-enabled device to manage your home security system?
Chances are, you take your smartphone wherever you go. Which means once you’re set up with a home security system, you’ll be able to monitor and control your home’s systems from afar, whether you’re in line at the grocery store or at karate practice.
With just a few swipes and taps on your phone, you’ll have a wealth of information at your fingertips about what is happening in and around your house. Not only will you have peace of mind that your home is secure, you can do simple things like turn on the lights remotely, or unlock the door for the babysitter.
If you don’t yet have a home security system, don’t worry. Read this newbie’s guide to choosing a home security system. Then, once your system is installed, you’ll have everything you need to keep an eye on your home and loved ones, all with your mobile device.
Below are five perks for mobile control of your security system:
- Easy Access: If you’re like most people, you’ve got your smartphone or mobile device with you whenever you leave your house. You won’t need to carry another device or use a computer to access your home security system (unless you want to).
You’ll be able to do the following, anytime, anywhere:
- Remotely arm or disarm your system
- Check your security system history
- Never second guess whether you armed your system
- Capture motion on video: Gone are the days of being blind to what’s happening at your house when you’re not there. Tap into your home security system’s live video streams, allowing you to monitor both the interior and exterior of your home. Watch your home while you’re on vacation, or even just at the office.
You can even check on your pets (Fido really does sleep all day) and your kids when they come home alone after school. You’ll be able to see not only that the children are safe, but that they’re doing homework and not watching television.
Looking for more info on keeping your children safe? Teach them these five lifesaving safety skills every child should know.
- Control lights, locks, and thermostats from anywhere. The ability to turn the lights on when you’re coming home to a dark, empty home is priceless. With a touch of your phone, you can also unlock the door for the handyman, or a neighbor who’s stopping by to walk the dog or water the plants while you’re away.
If you’re on vacation and you get word of a deep freeze at home, you can use your phone to turn the thermostat up a few degrees to ensure the pipes don’t freeze. Before you leave, don’t forget to set different lights to go on and off throughout the house. Doing so could deter a would-be intruder who’d see a dark house as an easy target.
Want to make sure your home isn’t an easy target? Read these burglary facts and tips on how to deter burglars from striking your home.
- Get email or text alerts. Set your home security system to email or text you about potential security issues, such as motion detector warnings, or smoke alarms. That way, you’ll be the first to know when there’s a potential security breach or a brewing disaster at home.
Your friends text you, why shouldn’t your home security system?
- Get severe weather warnings and fire alarms. Going to be far from home? You’ll know if there’s a tornado warning back home, a heavy snowstorm expected, or flooding. Your system will provide alerts on national disaster warnings, or other calamities, right to your phone.
But what happens if such a storm knocks out power to your home while you’re gone? You’ll want to have a backup power source connected to your home security system so it’ll still be operational.
If you’ve got a smartphone, peace of mind that your home and loved ones are safe and sound can—and should—be at your fingertips.
