Easy Solutions to Monitor Your Child’s Safety at Home

The holidays are over and parents everywhere are heading back to work, while reluctantly — or joyously — sending their kids back to school too. Whether you’re Team Child-Free or not, you probably can’t help but worry about your kids when you’re away.

If you stress about your child’s safety — or what she is actually doing — after school, there are helpful solutions.

Keep an eye on the comings and goings

Do you have a teen who says he’ll be one place but tends to end up somewhere else? With a Ring Video Doorbell, you can keep watch over who is arriving or departing, and when. No more having to take his word for it; all activity will be available for your immediate viewing.

Secure private areas

Have a room that’s off-limits? Whether you’re storing important documents or something more serious like firearms, there is probably an area of your home that is restricted. Securing a locked door with a Door + Window Sensor will alert you to any breaches by curious children.

Plus, these devices are not only for doors and windows; they can be used for any objects that open and close, like drawers and safes.

Go Keyless

Saying children are forgetful is like saying rain is wet, so chances are they’re going to misplace their house keys. Using a Smart Door Lock completely eliminates the need for keys, giving your children easy entry when they arrive home, and giving you peace of mind.

Protect your most precious assets

As much as we don’t want to consider the possibility — accidents do happen. Big ones.

By protecting your home with smart home devices like carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, you will be alerted if your family is in danger so you can take immediate action.

When you equip your home with a modern security system bundled with smart devices, you can be certain that your kids are safe and secure. So go ahead allow yourself to fully focus on your duties outside the home, knowing that you have the upper hand in monitoring your child’s safety while you’re away.

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Resolution to Spend Less in the New Year? These Changes Can Save You Money

Are you wondering how you can finally keep that resolution to reduce your spending? You’re not alone. In fact, saving money was tied as the No. 1 resolution in 2018. Whether we need to pay down debt, save for a vacation, or put more towards retirement, the need for extra cash is real among Americans.

But no fear — you won’t have to skip your favorite Choco-Mocha latte every morning; simple upgrades to your home security can save you some money in 2019 and every year after.

So drink up, and read on to see how you can make your home work for you.

 

Lower your energy consumption

The majority of a utility bill goes to heating and cooling a home, so it’s no wonder some would rather bundle up than turn up the heat.

By equipping your home with a smart thermostat such as the Nest Learning Thermostat, you don’t have to worry about accidentally heating and cooling your home when no one is around, saving energy for the times you are home. This simple upgrade has shown to save homeowners an average of $180 a year.

 

Prevent a small problem from becoming a disaster

Nothing’s worse than stepping foot on your carpet to find that it’s soaking wet. Whether it’s a septic tank issue or faulty plumbing, a backup in your sewer system can cause serious damage to a home. And if your home insurance doesn’t automatically provide coverage for sewer backups, you could be liable for thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Placing a flood sensor in trouble areas can keep you ahead of the game, potentially saving a lot of headache and money.

 

Discounts and rebates

You don’t have to wait to start saving — companies are starting to recognize the importance of equipping a home with smart devices, and many will reward you for it.

Nest Labs has partnered with energy providers across the nation to offer rebates for replacing your old thermostat. In some areas, the rebate will cover the majority of the cost of the Nest Learning Thermostat. Combined with the energy savings, this upgrade is truly a no-brainer.

Insurance companies have hopped on board too. They don’t only reward those with home security systems; you may also be eligible for discounts by bundling your home security system with updated carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Homes equipped with these devices have fewer claims filed, which means not only are you saving on your premium and deductible, you’re better protecting your household. 

That’s enough to help anyone sleep more soundly.

 

So go ahead and feel confident in making a resolution to save money this year. Your home security will have you covered and saving money in no time.

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Surprising Benefits of Upgrading Your Home Security System

Are you wondering if your home security system is doing enough to protect your home? Do you wish it could do more?

Technology continues to evolve and as a result, your old setup might not be giving you all the advantages of a new security system. A modern system will provide you with multiple uses aside from keeping your home safe. Read on to see how you would benefit from an upgrade.

Smart phone accessibility

You can access almost anything from your smart phone. So why not your home security system, too?

You’ll never have to wonder what’s happening in your home while you’re away with an upgraded security system, giving you full peace of mind. When a sensor is triggered, you’ll receive an alert and be able to monitor your system from your smart phone.

Go wireless

Criminals cutting wires to disarm a security system isn’t just something that happens in movies — it’s actually possible. As a result, your home will be completely unprotected. When you upgrade to cellular technology, your home security system will be completely wireless and tamper-proof.

It’s just one more way to ensure that you are protected.

Everything is integrated

Using a smart home that’s set up on several hubs can be confusing and frustrating, even for the tech-savvy.

With an integrated home security system, you’ll have control over your entire home from one easy-to-use control panel. So you can monitor not only your security system, but also your lights, thermostat and more, all in one place.

 

With all the uses for a home security system, it’s no wonder why more and more people are choosing to keep their homes up-to-date with a modern system. When you replace your old system, you’ll benefit from ease-of-use, increased security, and remote use.

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Are You Protected? 5 Considerations When Building a Home Security System

So you’re looking to ramp up your home’s security with a monitored system but you’re not exactly sure where to start. With all the offerings available, you’re not alone. There are a lot of options to monitor your home effectively. You can choose anything from cameras to video doorbells, door sensors to motion sensors. There are even flood sensors for the toilet that has a penchant for backing up. Being aware of which products address potential issues can arm you with the knowledge to make the best choice when building a comprehensive home security system. Here are 5 considerations to guide you in your decision-making process.

1. A secure home begins with a smart front door

“Break in like nobody’s watching” might actually be in the criminal code of conduct, with most breaches happening right through the front door. Using a product such as the Ring Video Doorbell as a first line of defense can actually deter burglars, preventing a break-in completely. Take comfort in knowing that criminals will most likely pass you by, having assumed that you’ve taken the steps to properly safeguard your home.

2. Smart devices provide more than convenience

When you leave your home for an extended period of time, having an automated home is a necessity — not only for energy savings, but also for making it less obvious that you’re relaxing at the beach rather than at home to protect your assets. Using smart light bulbs that you can set on a schedule will give your home the appearance of being occupied. This gives you one extra layer of defense.

3. There will be shattered glass

Statistics show that 95% of break-ins are forceful, meaning criminals resort to shattering windows to enter your home. Take solace in knowing that a criminal won’t get far after breaking in, as the sensor will immediately alert the proper authorities.

4. Don’t forget the garage

It doesn’t take accidentally leaving your garage door open for someone to gain easy access to your home. For example, garages can be broken into in as little as six seconds. As a result, not only are your motorized possessions vulnerable to theft, but also the rest of your home. Enter Smart Garage — a product you can count on to alert you anytime your garage is opened.

5. It doesn’t have to be rocket science

Let’s get real — life is busy enough without having to figure out how to run your security system effectively. A professionally installed system gives you the ability to fully control your home from one easy-to-use control panel.

Now that you’re aware of some possibilities for — and possible shortcomings of — your home’s security, you’re ready to start building a home security system to protect the things you value most.

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