Do I Really Need Smart Home Automation?

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With all the new smart devices available, you may feel a little lost on what you do or don’t need. And you may be wondering why you would need smart home automation at all. The main selling point of smart home products is their ability to make life easier and maybe even a little fun, but that’s not all they’re good for. While smart home products can make convenient, they can also provide safety and security. Read on to see how different products can make a significant difference in the way your household is run.

 

Security

There’s a wide range of smart products you can add to your monitored security system. Video doorbells are a great front-line solution to keeping your home safe and secured. You can also integrate security cameras inside and out to monitor your family and assets. Thanks to the wide range of smart products available, home security is better than ever.

Safety

Integrating safety devices with your monitored home security also gives you a better chance of keeping your family safe. Adding smart carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms gives you an opportunity to be notified of a serious situation at your home, even when you’re not at home. This gives homeowners peace of mind when they’re on vacation or at work. This is also a great solution for families with working parents.

 

Energy Savings

While the most enjoyable part of having a smart thermostat is the ability to change the temperature in your home without having to get out of bed, there’s more to this smart device. The Nest Learning Thermostat has the ability to sense when you’re home and when you’re away. That way, you’re not spending money heating or cooling an empty home. It’s also a great solution for those who might forget to set their devices while they’re on vacation. If a cold front happens to come in while you’re away, you can change your device from anywhere to keep your pipes from freezing. With an average savings of $180 per year, this device pays for itself in no time.

 

Home security is not what it used to be, especially when you bundle in some of the amazing devices available on the market today. Home security and smart home automation make the perfect team to give you peace of mind.

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Surprising Crime Rates in Utah

Unfortunately, many people are under the wrong impression regarding how safe their city truly is. Many times, we are comfortable in our neighborhoods and may not be aware of the crimes occurring, especially when they’re less violent crimes like property theft. This is also true of people who haven’t yet been the victim of crimes. Too often we see homeowners looking for home security after they’ve experienced a theft, which is much too late. In our home state of Utah, we have some cities with a surprising amount of crime. As our population increases, so will crime rates in Utah, naturally. Read on to see the stats and what you can do to protect your home and family.

 

Salt Lake City Leads in Crime

Salt Lake City, our bustling metropolis and center of business and religion, has one of the worst crime rates in the nation. While it mostly stems from non-violent crimes, you’re at a huge risk for personal losses if you live in the city. With a crime rating of 0, where 100 is the safest, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your home and assets.

 

Small Towns

Even some of the smallest towns in Utah have high crime rates. Small towns usually have a reputation for being family-friendly and safe. And while the former may be true, safety is not always a guarantee in a small town. An example of this is the small town of Roosevelt, Utah. Even with a population of only 6,800 people, it has a crime rating of 5. This means a large percentage of its citizens are experiencing property crimes.

 

What You Can Do

So now that you’re aware of the crime rates in Utah you’re probably wondering what you can do to prevent losses. The first step is making sure your basics are covered: always lock your doors and windows, and leave valuables out of sight. Whether they’re visible from windows or along your property’s fence, visible valuables are tempting to criminals. Next, you’ll want to invest in a reliable security system. Hiring a professional company to monitor your home is the best way to ensure that your family is being properly protected. When you invest in a comprehensive home security system, you give your family the best opportunity to combat crime rates in Utah.

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Crime in Retirement Communities: What You Should Know

Every year, a list of the best places to retire is released. They base the ratings off of reported happiness, affordability of housing, and several other factors. Unfortunately, crime rates are not considered in these reports. But a bit of research will show that the crime rates in retirement communities are fairly high. So what can you do to protect yourself and still enjoy your retirement in these places that have so many other benefits? Read on to see some solutions, including a proper home security system.

 

The statistics

First are the statistics of crime in retirement communities. Below are the top 10 retirement communities and their crime ratings, with a score of 100 being the safest:

City and Crime Rate (100 is Safest)

  1. Lancaster, PA – 8
  2. Fort Meyers, FL – 11
  3. Sarasota, FL – 9
  4. Austin, TX – 11
  5. Pittsburgh, PA – 10
  6. Grand Rapids, MI – 19
  7. Nashville, TN – 5
  8. San Antonio, TX – 4
  9. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX – 9
  10. Lakeland, FL – 9

The statistics show that up to 5% of these cities’ residents experience property crimes on a yearly basis.

 

The Solution

First and foremost, you should take the normal precautions of locking your doors and windows, and keeping valuables out of sight. Besides those actions, the best way to protect yourself and your home is to invest in a comprehensive home security system. Simple additions like a an exterior camera and video doorbell will let criminals know that your home is being monitored. Criminals admit that they’re less likely to commit a robbery if they know there is a home security system present.

In addition, Home security offers many more solutions to make your life convenient. If you’re worried about your health or taking a spill when there’s no one around, you can add a health monitor to your security system that will send an ambulance right to your home if it’s triggered. You can even set up smart lightbulbs and programmable thermostats to get the most out of your security system.

 

If you’re looking to move to one of the top retirement communities this year, make sure you take the steps needed to secure your home and belongings. A comprehensive home security system will make sure you’re one step closer to having peace of mind, anywhere you live.

 

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Securing the Most Vulnerable Areas of Your Home

Many of us want to secure our homes, families, and assets, but finding the right home security system can seem like a daunting task. What do we protect first? Where are the usual points of entry for a suspect? Is there anything we can do to deter a criminal in the first place? All of these questions are valid and ones you should ask yourself before investing in home security. Here are the most vulnerable areas in your home and how to secure them:

 

The Front Door

A little known fact is that almost 80% of break-ins happen right through the front door, with many being forcible break-ins. That’s why your front door needs to be the most monitored part of your home. Utilizing a device such as a Ring Video Doorbell is a great option – and not only for its recording abilities. Burglars are statically deterred by the presence of any kind of home security device.

 

The Garage

Garages are also an easy point of entry, with access gained in as few as six seconds. Many homeowners admit to leaving the door that connects their garage and home unlocked. You might be leaving your home wide open for anyone who might gain access to your garage. Not to mention any valuable tools and possessions that may be stored in the garage.

 

Your Windows

Unless your windows have been left unlocked, they are most likely to be shattered during a break-in. This leaves window sensors useless in most scenarios. A better, more cost-efficient option is to invest in a glass break sensor. One sensor can do the work of multiple window sensors and give you better peace of mind that an intruder is more likely to be caught.

 

Other Areas

While the focus has mainly been areas where criminals would enter a home, securing your home doesn’t only cover break-ins. From knowing when your family arrives and leaves through a Ring Video Doorbell to securing a gun safe, there are so many devices that can help completely protect your family and your home. Take the first step in building a comprehensive system by consulting with a home security specialist.  A specialist can make sure you have everything you need to secure the most vulnerable areas of your home.

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Our 3 Favorite, Lesser-Known Smart Home Devices

If you’re shopping around for a home security system, you may notice that many companies offer the same basic packages. You’ll usually receive a control panel and a few door and window sensors. But those are not the only parts available to make a comprehensive home security system. There are plenty of lesser-known devices to choose from to make your home security system completely tailored to your needs. Here are 3 lesser-known smart home devices you should add to your home security system.

 

Tilt Sensor

The tilt sensor is a perfect solution for homeowners with any kind of tilting door. If you’re holding any kind of valuables in a cellar or garage with a tilt door, this small device can prove to be invaluable. Protect your assets and have peace of mind with a Tilt Sensor.

 

Smart Garage

Smart Garage takes garage security one step further. By tying into your garage door opener, Smart Garage can check on your door’s status at any time. Afraid you left the garage door open again? Check easily from your app and close your garage within that same minute from anywhere. Smart Garage is the smart home device most homeowners never knew they needed.

 

Recessed door window sensors

How about those unsightly door and window sensors? If you’re worried about your sensors sticking out like a sore thumb, you can choose recessed sensors instead. Ultra-conspicuous and available for a quick install by your professional home security tech, this is a great option for people who would like a discreet option for door and window sensors.

 

When you’re looking around for the best additions to your home security system, make sure you know about all your options, including the lesser-known devices. These smart home devices can transform your basic home security system to one that is completely customizable to your home, needs, and taste.

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