Is your security equipment weather proof?

Spring is famous for temperamental weather. One day it’s bright and sunny outside, the next it’s snowing. If you’re looking for home security Utah, you know this better than anyone. So, can your outdoor security equipment stand up against wild weather? We’ve picked our top three favorite weather proof products that will protect your home, and you don’t have to worry about weather damage.

Here are our top three weather proof picks:

Arlo Security Camera

This small, inconspicuous camera protects your home while withstanding almost any type of weather. The wireless Arlo security camera can be used indoors or outdoors, making them versatile and convenient. This camera can hold up in a variety of conditions including, sun, rain, wind, and snow. It functions in temperatures from -4°F to 113°F, making it an all-season security camera. If you live in a fluctuating climate, Arlo can handle any weather thrown your way.

Ring Video Doorbell

The Ring Doorbell makes life easier than ever by seeing who is at the door from anywhere. Luckily, this little camera is also weather resistant. Ring is designed to hold up in temperatures anywhere from -5°F to 120°F. No matter what is happening with the weather, your doorbell will be just fine.

Smart Door Lock

These locks make locking and unlocking the door a breeze. But, are they weather proof? The answer is yes. Smart door locks can withstand conditions similar to those Ring and Arlo can hold up in. As with most weather resistant technology, the locks may experience a decrease in battery life if they are completely soaked. However, rain and snow are not a problem, making these locks convenient in any climate.

No matter what kind of climate you live in, there are a wide variety of security products to make your home a little safer.

How to throw the best outdoor party

Spring is here, and that means it’s almost barbecue season! That means spending time with friends and family, relaxing, and cooking up some delicious grub. If you plan on hosting the best party, we have some tips and tricks on how your home security can make that happen.

Never miss a guest

Every great BBQ includes an even better playlist of the best summer jams. While you’re relaxing to your favorite songs, you probably won’t be able to hear when a new guest rings the doorbell. Instead of leaving your friend on the porch, see who’s at the door as soon as the doorbell rings. With the doorbell camera, you’ll be able to see who has showed up without having to answer the door.

Be inside AND outside at the same time

The best part of any BBQ is spending time outside in the fresh air. If you’re in the backyard, who’s watching the inside of your home? With your indoor cameras and the WISE Home Solutions app, you can check out what’s going on inside without having to interrupt the fun.

In case of fire

If you’re out on the grill and forget about your dessert baking in the oven, you don’t have to risk burning the house down. Through your home security system, you can connect your smoke alarms with one simple device. The FireFighter connects all existing smoke alarms, so you are notified whenever they are activated. So, if you’re outside and forget about the oven, you’ll know as soon as the alarm goes off.

Worry about cleaning up later

When the night winds down and you’re just too tired to clean anything up, don’t worry about it. The outdoor camera will keep an eye on the backyard for you, and will make sure nothing goes missing until the morning. With the app, you can review previously recorded footage, as well as live-stream, so you never miss a moment.

Go to bed with peace of mind

When you’ve had people in and out of your house all day, wouldn’t it be nice to know your home was properly shut down? Before you go to sleep, check the status of doors, windows, and lights without having to run all over the house. The easy-to-use app does it all, and never leaves you wondering about the status of your home.

While you’re focused on the food, let someone else worry about your home security. You’ll never feel like you left a hole in your security while you’re having fun. With a few simple tips and devices, you can host the best barbecue yet.

Why aren’t homeowners adopting smart technologies?

As technology evolves, so does the demand for gadgets that make our life easier. Think about how many devices you use on a daily basis. These devices allow us to browse the Internet, make phone calls, and entertain ourselves. From smartphones to tablets, just about everyone has some sort of smart technology at their fingertips practically all the time.

Maybe you thought it couldn’t get any better. However, smart home technology takes automation and convenience to a whole new level.

What is smart home tech?

Smart home technology lets homeowners seamlessly control different home systems remotely or through automation. The technology is adaptable to each family’s unique lifestyle. The goal is to make their lives simpler and save them money.

This technology is fairly new, but research shows that consumers are embracing these solutions with open arms. According to a 2015 study from Coldwell Banker Real Estate, about 28% of U.S. Internet users also used smart home solutions. It probably comes as no surprise that 47% of smart home technology users were millennials. While the other 42% of users have children under the age of 18 living in the home.

In 2016, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide, a 64% increase from 2015, according to IHS Markit. That includes Nest thermostats and smoke detectors, August smart locks, and Ring video doorbells. A large amount of it was personal home assistants like Google Home, Bosch’s Mykie, and Amazon’s Alexa. Analysts say despite the growth over the past two years, 2018 will be the year of the smart home because the companies behind the technology will be smarter about educating their consumers.

 

“I think it’s definitely an opportunity for the electronics companies to educate them more that this could be a savings, not just simplicity and making your life easier and being able to use your phone to do everything,” says real estate agent Theresa Taylor, “I think if they knew the benefits about how it could save them money, it would be a more attractive feature and instead of being at the bottom of the list of what people want, it would probably move up to the middle.”

Here are some potential benefits to keep in mind when looking into smart home technology.

Home Safety

Smart security can alert homeowners to activity around doors and windows. It can include motion detectors, cameras, and even the ability to call out to a potential intruder via an app so that it sounds like someone is at home. This alone may be enough to deter some burglary attempts.

Energy Savings

Homeowners likely want to save money on energy. You likely already know about items such as smart thermostats, but there is also smart technology that can automatically turn the lights on and off, smart appliances, and advanced windows with smart insulation and controls.

Better building materials

Advanced technology has led to advances in building materials as well. For example, roofs are now coated with materials that contain pigments meant to reflect the sunlight rather than absorbing it the way a standard roof does. Over time, as this technology improves, homes will get more and more energy efficient.

Peace of mind

Some homeowners are particularly nervous and frazzled, and smart home technology trends that can help the homeowner have peace of mind. For example, people often worry about whether they’ve left the garage door up when on vacation. With smart garage door openers, the consumer simply pulls up an app on their smartphone, checks to see if the garage is open or closed, and can shut the door should it be left open. Other garage door units will automatically close the door after it has been left up for a certain amount of time.

Lifestyle convenience

Arguably the most important aspect of smart technology that homeowners appreciate is convenience. For example, some homeowners work long hours, but need to let in a plumber to make a repair while they’re at work. With smart locks, the plumber can key in a one-time code (usually via his cell phone) that will allow access to the home, and once the repairman leaves, the one-time code will not work again.

Smart home technology is growing, and here to stay. How will you integrate these new devices into your everyday life?

Upgrade your security this spring

Winter is finally over, and the weather is heating up. Spring is right around the corner, and that means you and your family will be spending more time outdoors. So, who is watching the house while you’re out? Enjoy one less thing to worry about by upgrading your home security. If you have an existing system or don’t have one at all, we have everything you need.

Here are top five ways home security will make your spring easier than ever:

Save money for the fun things

With smart products like smart light bulbs and thermostats, you can take control of your utility bill and regulate your home remotely. As you enjoy the energy savings, you can also enjoy an average 10-20% discount on homeowners insurance just for having home security.

Your home is covered for more than burglary

Did you know your home security could be for more than catching criminals? Through your system, carbon monoxide sensors and smoke detectors can be monitored, too. The most important sensors in your home will be monitored just like the rest of your home to keep your family safe.

Keep an eye on the house from anywhere

Even while you’re away on spring break, you can check in on your house. With the convenient app, you can live-stream your security cameras and check on the other equipment in your home. Enjoy your vacation without worrying about how things are going at home.

Let your home take care of itself

Your home can now automate itself through the control panel. You can set the front door to lock automatically, time your lights, and get a notification if anything odd happens. You won’t have to lift a finger to control your home.

Peace of mind has never come easier

As you’re enjoying the nice weather, you won’t have to worry about what’s going on at home. You will have control of your home from anywhere with home automation and security.

Enjoy the spring, and start protecting your home this season.

Sleep better than ever in your smart home

Homes don’t start off smart. They are full of smart products working together to make your life as simple as possible. From the thermostat to home security, your home is smarter than ever before.

As technology continually moves forward, there are smart products for every part of your home. From voice automation to automatic dog feeders, your life is easier than ever with a smart home. Your sleep is now a part of that.

An up-and-coming product are smart beds. These are designed to give you the best night’s rest possible. When you have a busy life, the comfort level of your bed is very important. With this smart product, your bed is practically made just for you.

Pick your comfort level

With customizable settings, this bed is truly designed for anyone and everyone. Adjust the comfort, firmness, and support, to stay as comfortable throughout the night. If you’re sharing the bed, you and your partner can also have entirely different settings to ensure you both get the best sleep possible. 

Easily adjust the temperature

Falling asleep can be tricky until you get to the right temperature. Not enough blankets and you’re left shivering, but too many and you’re overheating. Smart beds can now cool down or heat up your bed to get the perfect temperature every night. Your home may always be the perfect temperature, and now your bed is, too.

Monitor your sleep

Just like controlling your other smart home products, a smart bed will send data to track your slumber. You will receive stats on how you sleep every morning, and learn how to adjust it for a better night’s sleep. The smart bed will track sleeping patterns such as heart rate, restlessness, and amount of sleep. Now, there’s a mathematical way to get the best sleep possible.

Smart homes are smarter than ever. With new and improved devices, like smart beds, your life is more convenient and easier than ever.

How safe is Utah really?

security systems utah home security utah

WISE Home Solutions calls Utah home, but how safe is it really? Being surrounded by mountains gives the Beehive State extra protection from certain natural disasters, but what about crime? Home security Utah is important to us. WISE Home Solutions wants to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

So, how safe is Utah really?

Salt Lake City has the highest crime rate

It’s not that surprising our state’s capital has the most crime. Security systems Salt Lake City is here to protect against the 5% increase of property crime over the past year. This puts Salt Lake City at 18,687 property crimes year over year, and makes the big city safer than 0% of all Utah cities.

A lot of money has been lost to burglary

In 2015 alone, $21,546,228 was lost due to burglary. That includes $7,389,409 of jewelry and precious metals, of which only $293,892 was recovered. Not to mention $2,954,554 of televisions, radios, and stereos were also stolen and only $159,078 was returned to the owner. With statistics like that, Utah seems to be more dangerous than it appears.

Utah is #25 out of 50 when it comes to the safest states

While we’re not the most crime-ridden, we’re certainly not the safest either. When there are approximately 4,997 burglaries a day, this ranking isn’t very surprising. Of the burglaries that occur, 42% were forcible entry and 53% were non-forcible. However, a large percentage of burglaries are deterred with just he presence of a security system or camera. With a security system, your home is no longer a giant target for crime.

While these stats are jarring, the good news is that WISE Home Solutions is here to help. With a variety of plans and equipment, we have everything you need to keep your home safe.  If you call Utah home, WISE Home is here to help you stay safe.

Why should you care about home security?

Unless you live on the safest street in America or own zero valuables, home security should be a concern. Unfortunately, crime is not a thing of the past. Statistics show it is here to stay. So, why should you care about home security?

Here are the top three reasons why home security matters:

Home invasions happen every 18 seconds

Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, your home could still be prone to a break in. Not surprisingly, homes without a security system are the most vulnerable. Burglars usually only live within two miles of the home they rob. With the burglars nearby, it’s easy to learn the family’s schedule and break in when nobody is home. This makes the most common burglary time between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Does your neighborhood seem very safe still?

The average break-in costs $2,316

$3.6 billion was lost to home invasions in the U.S. in 2015. This is a much higher price to pay than a monthly fee for security monitoring. Cash, electronics, and jewelry are the most common items stolen during a home invasion. That means along with the loss of a TV or computer, precious family heirlooms are also at risk. The cost of a home security system seems small when it comes to protecting priceless possessions, and enjoying peace of mind.

Crime isn’t going anywhere

1,579,527 burglaries occurred in 2015 with 71.6 percent of those being residential properties, according to the FBI. Only 17 percent of all homes in the U.S. have a security system. An average of  about 4,800 homes are being burglarized daily. This means experiencing a break-in becomes more likely. Burglaries are extremely difficult to solve without security. With equipment such as security cameras, home invasions can be stopped quickly and effectively.

So, if you don’t live on the safest block or own zero valuables, security is important. As home invasions are still happening often, there is no better time to protect your home and loved ones.

How to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide

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A security system protects loved ones from the outside world. What about the internal threats? Carbon monoxide is one of the most serious threats that faces your family.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous, odorless, and colorless gas that can kill. More than 25,000 Americans are affected by CO exposure every year. Out of these, over 500 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

With cold weather, carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a greater risk. The winter months – December, January, and February, respectively – account for 36% of CO poisonings. How do you keep your family safe?

Start with a sensor

Carbon monoxide detectors do just what the name says – detects carbon monoxide. If there is any CO detected in the house, this sensor lets sends an alert immediately. This monitored device is integrated into the existing security system. If there is any alarm, tamper, or battery condition message, you’re notified immediately so you won’t miss a thing.

Service CO systems

Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is easy by having heating systems, water heaters, and any other gas appliances serviced by a qualified technician each year. Checking the systems when the seasons start to change is especially important, since the heating system or gas fireplace hasn’t been used for a while.

Properly vent 

No matter what type of home you have, every house has a few gas appliances. Make sure all equipment is properly vented by making sure the pipes are in the proper place. Such as, make sure horizontal pipes as they go outdoors, like on a water heater. This prevents a carbon monoxide leaks if the joints or pipes are fitted properly.

Watch for the symptoms 

CO poisoning presents itself with “flu-like” symptoms. So, it is important to be aware of what the symptoms look like and how they differ. Carbon monoxide comes across as a headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Knowing what to look for is crucial, and if you believe you have CO poisoning, you need to seek medical attention right away.

During the cold months, it’s important to start protecting your family from more than burglary. Carbon monoxide detectors are the first step in preventing harm. Add a CO detector to a home security plan today, and enjoy peace of mind.