How Does a Home Camera System Provide Seniors Independence?

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As relatives age, finding the right balance between allowing for independence and providing sufficient care can be difficult. A home camera system is an awesome tool that helps find that balance. It allows you to provide support without having to be constantly present. Installing one of these systems provides many extra years of independence for the elderly.

Prevent Property Crime

Sadly, seniors are the most frequently targeted group for burglary. Thieves expect elderly home residents to have limited hearing, slow reaction times, and plenty of valuable items. Camera systems counteract these vulnerabilities.

When a burglar knows there is a camera system installed in a home, the chances of an attempted break-in decrease. If there is an attempt at theft, you can quickly respond, even if your relative was unaware of the situation.

Quickly React to Medical Emergencies

It’s important to check on your elderly relatives regularly. You don’t want them to feel like they can’t take care of themselves, though. A home camera system allows you to react quickly if there’s been a fall or another health issue, but otherwise, leave them in peace.

Although you’ll still be keeping a close eye on your relatives, the lack of a physical presence lets them maintain that independent feeling that they’ve had all their life.

Keep an Eye on Home Visitors

It’s common for seniors to have various people come into their homes throughout the day, whether it’s a housekeeper, technician, or a plumber. For the most part, these people are all very trustworthy, however, seniors are the most likely group to attract scammers pretending to provide services.

Your older relatives will likely want to choose their own providers for these services, but you may want to check the cameras to ensure your parents and grandparents don’t get taken advantage of.

It’s a smart idea to look into different security plans and camera packages to ensure the security of your senior relatives’ homes.

 

 

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Which Smart Devices Help Reduce Emissions?

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January is an excellent time to set New Year’s resolutions. This year many people are setting goals to live more sustainably. It’s an admirable goal, but it can be difficult to know where to begin. 20% of all U.S. emissions come from homes, making your home an excellent place to start your sustainability efforts. Upgrading your house with smart devices, such as a smart lighting system, goes a long way in helping decrease your carbon footprint.

Here are a few devices that will help you live more sustainably as a homeowner in 2020:

Nest Thermostat

The Nest Smart Thermostat is the device that could potentially help you reduce your emissions the most. It also has the added benefit of decreasing your utility bill each month, so it’s a financially solid investment.

This thermostat adjusts the temperature based on your schedule. You can raise and lower the temperature to be more energy efficient when you’re not home, while this thermostat gets it back to a comfortable level before you return home.

Nest thermostat owners are also able to control the temperature of their homes from afar. If you find yourself stuck at the office longer than usual, the app lets you adjust the temperature schedule so you won’t be wasting any resources while you’re gone.

One of the best features of this smart thermostat is the monthly energy reports and alerts you’re given when the temperature settings are energy efficient, allowing to know you’re on the right track when it comes to sustainability.

Smart Light Bulbs

A great way to be more energy efficient is replacing old, incandescent light bulbs with smart light bulbs. These bulbs produce the same amount of light as traditional light bulbs while using a fraction of the energy.

Smart light bulbs can also be controlled with your phone. No more worrying about whether or not you turned out the lights before your vacation. No more realizing you left the light on in the other room just as you’re falling asleep. You’ll be able to turn it off without getting out of bed. You deserve to drift off to sleep in peace!

You’ll also be able to set these lights to run on a schedule. If you struggle with getting out of bed when the alarm goes off, try setting your smart lighting system to slowly brighten as it gets closer to your wake-up time. It’ll feel just like waking up naturally with the sunrise, which helps your body adjust more quickly. Say goodbye to miserably drowsy mornings!

Smart Light Dimmer

If your current light bulbs are going strong and you don’t want to simply throw them out, a good alternative is a smart plug-in dimmer module. This device lets you plug in any lamp and switch it on or off using your phone. Similar to smart light bulbs, you can also set the dimmer module on a schedule to dim or brighten at certain times of day.

The plug-in module includes all the benefits of smart light bulbs, while allowing you to use your old light bulbs until they die. After all, a sustainable homeowner uses up a product until it’s no longer useable.

Installing smart lighting systems and dimmers are excellent steps toward decreasing your carbon footprint and becoming a more responsible homeowner. Let’s make 2020 the year of living more sustainably!

 

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Which Smart Home Devices Increase Property Value?

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If you’re a homeowner, you’re probably used to house projects. The question is which projects will lead to an increase in property value? Smart home devices like smart door locks, thermostats, and light bulbs in your next home update can boost your home’s resale value by up to 5%.

Smart Lights

Efficient lighting is increasingly important to homebuyers. Because of this, updating your home with smart lighting can attract potential buyers. It makes your home stand out as up-to-date and cutting edge.

Not only do smart lights make your home feel modern, but they also save homeowners money in the long run. This can be a huge advantage and it might be the thing to convince potential buyers of the value of your home.

Nest Thermostat

Buyers are increasingly interested in ec0-friendly homes. The Nest Thermostat helps decrease the carbon footprint of a home. This makes it a very attractive feature for many buyers.

A Nest Thermostat in a home often signals to buyers that this home has all the newest features. It tells people they won’t have to worry about fixing an old and barely functioning thermostat within a few years of moving in.

Smart Door Lock

A smart door lock is an easy device to install that will automatically increase your home’s value. The front door is the first thing potential homebuyers see, so it sets an excellent first impression.

Because smart door locks are simple and affordable to install, the return on investment is very high. If you’re worried about comprising the authenticity of your door by replacing an original doorknob, you can install a smart deadbolt lock and keep the current doorknob.

These locks not only increase convenience by allowing you to lock and unlock through your phone, but they also allow you to monitor who is entering and exiting your house. By installing one of these, you’re sure to get a top-market price when you sell your home.

 

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3 Things to Look For in Home Security Systems

A home is a place where you and your family should feel safe. Home security systems protect you and your belongings. They create an atmosphere of security in your home. When looking for the right security system, there are many options to choose from. Do your research and choose the system that best meets your needs. Here are the top three things to think about when choosing a home security system:

1. Installation Process

The installation process for a security system can vary. It’s possible for this process to cause minor damage to your home. Be sure to speak with a representative beforehand to understand what the process will include

The details installation process will depend on whether your system is hardwired or wireless. A wireless system can be easier to install with minimal damage. Wireless systems are also useful if you plan on relocating at any point. These systems can be easily transferred to a new home.

2. Positive Customer Experience

It’s important to have a good relationship with your home security system provider. Strong communication with your provider is likely to lead to positive customer experiences.

Check online reviews to know if you will have a good customer experience. Reviews can show the advantages and disadvantages of each provider. Be aware, though, that these reviews can be biased.

To counteract biased information in online reviews, get some first-hand experience with providers before you make your decision. Talk to representatives either on the phone or in person. Look for a company with polite and informative representatives.

3. High-Quality Technology

For the best protection, use a security system with the latest technology. Newer tech is more reliable and usually has a longer lifespan. Old technology is sometimes cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

Intruders pick up on tricks for disabling older home security systems. If you keep your system up-to-date, you are less likely to be a victim of property theft.

 

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Why a Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Essential in Winter

On average, over 50,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s a common and highly dangerous issue. Unfortunately, the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide increases during the winter months. The coldest months of the year are when it is most important to ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Winter is hard enough to get through with the added stress of possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Here are a few reasons why you should be taking steps to protect your family during this time of year is so dangerous:

Firing up the Fireplace

It’s fun to sit near the fireplace with a good book and some hot chocolate. But as relaxing as that seems, it can become a dangerous situation if your chimney gets blocked up. Many people use fireplaces so rarely that they don’t think about the steps involved in proper maintenance. This can lead to smoke escaping into your house instead of up the chimney.

A carbon monoxide detector allows you to roast chestnuts over the fire without fear of any deadly gases entering your house.

Overworking Your Water Heater

One of the best ways to warm up during the winter is with a nice, hot bath or shower. All your hot showers can overwork your water heater, though. Even if your shower habits don’t change when the temperature drops, your water heater is still under extra stress. Because the outside ground is extra cold, the water coming into your house must be heated more than during the warmer months.

Worn out water heaters are one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. The extra stress on your water heater can cause it to wear out faster. Your carbon monoxide detector will allow you to continue taking your hot showers, while also keeping your family protected.

Idling Cars in the Garage

It’s tough to leave for work in the morning when the temperatures outside are below freezing. Many people start their cars and let them heat up for a few minutes before hitting the road. If your car sits in the garage, this can lead to exhaust fumes getting trapped. These fumes can leak into your house, especially if you have an attached garage.

A carbon monoxide detector installed in or near your garage is the safest way to eliminate the danger from idling cars. You’ll get through the winter worry-free.

Extra Time Indoors

The people most at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning are children and elderly people. When temperatures outside are dangerously cold, these people tend to spend extra time inside. This can increase the likelihood of exposure to this poisonous gas.

It’s important to watch for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning among your vulnerable family members during the Winter, but the safest way to protect your family is to install carbon monoxide detectors that are well-maintained and up-to-date.

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3 Ways a Ring Video Doorbell Can Benefit Parents

Any parent knows keeping kids safe is a top priority. Most parents also know that ensuring the well-being of kids while balancing other responsibilities is more than a full-time job. For many parents, smart home devices can make managing these responsibilities a little easier. The Ring Video Doorbell is one of the most useful smart home devices for parents. This smart doorbell allows parents to monitor kids’ safety at any time or from any location.

1. Screening Visitors at the Door

Leaving a kid at home while running an errand can be a stressful experience. You never know if your child will be able to recognize when a stranger at the door is dangerous or not. To manage this stress, some parents have their kids avoid answering the door when a parent isn’t home.

While avoiding visitors may keep your kids safe, it also means you might miss important messages, packages, or friendly neighbor visits. The Ring Video Doorbell allows you to screen visitors from a distance and decide whether or not your kids should be speaking with them.

2. Monitoring Children’s Curfews

When your kids reach their teenage years, curfews become an added issue to deal with. Some parents choose to stay up until their children come home to ensure the curfew is being met. Smart doorbells offer a better (and more restful) way to handle curfews.  Rather than adjusting to a teenage sleep schedule, you can go to bed whenever you want, and check the time your child got home when you wake up in the morning.

If you prefer to speak with your child when they return home at night, you can set your doorbell to wake you up with a notification at their return. After a quick conversation, you can peacefully return to sleep.

3. Improving Neighborhood Safety

Kids deserve a safe place to grow up. When your neighborhood is safe, your children can get to know their community without any worry. Installing a ring video doorbell improves the security of your own home, but can also improve the safety of the whole neighborhood.

The video recording ability of the Ring Video Doorbell often allows multiple other homes to be protected by your device. When a thief or other potentially dangerous person sees your doorbell, they will likely choose a less protected neighborhood to target.

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Is the Ring Solar Panel Worth the Cost?

Some of the most popular items for a home security system are exterior cameras like the Ring Spotlight Cam. They provide you with a clear picture of who arrives and leaves your home while you’re away. A home alarm system on its own is great for catching someone in the act. But an exterior camera can give you a better idea of what led up to a tripped alarm. Wireless cameras give you the flexibility of putting your camera wherever you need with simple installation. The only downside to wireless cameras is that they require batteries. Luckily, the Ring Solar Panel is a great accessory for those who use Ring Spotlight Cams. The cost pays for itself over time and the Ring Solar Panel is worth it. Not only does it offer energy efficiency, it’s also very convenient. 

 

Easy to Use

The Ring Solar Panel is the perfect accessory to your exterior cameras. Whether you have one or several cameras, the Ring Solar Panel will make life easier. If you already have a Ring exterior camera, hooking up your solar panel is easy, and if you’re upgrading a home security system, your company will most likely install it for you too. 

The Ring Solar Panel only requires a few hours of light each day to keep your cameras charged and at the ready. You won’t experience any lag from a dying battery or have your camera die at just the time that you need it. A Ring Solar Panel helps to give you the peace of mind you need. And you’ll know that your home security system is working as it should. 

Where to Put Your Ring Solar Panel and Cam

If you want to add a Ring Solar Panel and Ring Spotlight Cam to your home security system, contact a WISE home security specialist. He or she can help you figure out the best areas to place them. Typically, the entrances to any part of your home are good places to put your cams. With a wide field of vision, the Ring Spotlight Cam can cover a large area and give your home full security coverage.

If you’re wondering if the Ring Solar Panel is worth it – it is.

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How Much Does Home Security Cost? Well, It Depends.

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Here’s a loaded question if we’ve ever seen one: how much does home security cost, exactly? The quick answer is “it depends”. It might seem like a cop-out, but there are so many facets to home security that not very many people consider when they’re shopping around. The equipment, the type of connection, and whether it’s professionally installed, for example. Here are the biggest differences between home security systems and your expected cost of home security. 

 

Wired, Wifi, or Cellular?

Security systems are not created equal. While all older systems were wired, most run wirelessly now. If you’re offered a wired system, it would be wise for you to shop around for a company offering current equipment. Most criminals know that simply cutting your power or system’s wires will disable it. This leaves those types of systems useless. 

 

As far as wireless systems go, even the quality of those connections varies. With most do-it-yourself and cheap home security systems, you’re most likely using WiFi connectivity. That means your home and family’s security is dependent on how well your Internet is working–if it’s even connected. Faulty wireless signals and power outages leave your home and family at risk for system failures.

 

The best type of wireless system connection is cellular. This is the same type of connectivity that your cell phone has. This means during a power outage, your system will remain armed. This is the most reliable home security connection you can expect from the best home security companies.

 

Equipment Quality 

Next, when you’re considering how much does home security cost, you’ll have to take a look at the equipment. Is the control panel included an outdated 10-key pad like your parents had? Or is it a touch-screen home security hub that can control all your home’s devices?

And about those devices: is the quality of the cheaper company’s cameras the same as you’d be getting with a more expensive system? Are they offering wireless, not hardwired? Consider your ability to monitor your home with a more basic system versus one with all the bells and whistles.

It’s easy when you’re comparing companies to look at pricing and simply pick the cheapest home security just to save on costs. But you’ll also want to make sure you know what you’re getting. Take the time to look around and not only compare home security costs, but service, equipment, and connectivity. When it comes down to it, you’re going to realize that premium home security is worth the cost. 

 

Final Considerations

So the answer to the question “how much does home security costs” is still “it depends”. You have to decide what home security is worth to you and your family. And depending on what you choose, you can expect to pay $40 to upwards of $100 or more for professional home security. Do-it-yourself systems are generally less, but this is one case of getting what you pay for.

A smart decision is to find a home security startup. These companies typically have less overhead and are trying to make a name for themselves. In addition, they’re willing to work with you on a price that will fit your budget, giving you the same service and system as a larger company, at a much lower cost. 

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Best Places to Put Home Security Cameras

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All home security devices serve a purpose. A home alarm system is the foundation of home security and necessary to make sure that your home is completely secured. But if you want to be able to fully monitor your home, adding exterior security cameras is a great idea. You’ll just want to make sure that you’re putting them in the right places. You will also want to make sure you have just enough to secure your home without overloading your WiFi and spending unnecessary money. Here are the best places to use exterior security cameras and the best types for each location.

 

Your Front Door

A Ring Video doorbell is a two-for-one device for home security systems. Not only do you get the benefit of smart home automation, but you also get security. These video doorbells monitor everything that happens in front of your main door and you will be notified immediately of any activity. Additionally, you can dismiss any unwanted visitors with the two-way talk feature. The two-way talk feature also gives the appearance that someone’s home, which is great for people who are often away. If you have children, there’s no need to worry about them having to answer the door for a stranger.

 

Side and Rear Doors

Ring’s exterior cameras are advanced enough to have almost all of the same features as the Ring Video Doorbell. Like the Ring Video Doorbell, they are even equipped with two-way talk. This makes it easy to scare off any suspicious person who activates the motion detector. These cameras are perfect for back and side doors.

Exterior cameras are also popular for detached sheds and garages. These locations usually store expensive equipment and need more security than basic door sensors.

 

Lastly, arming every angle of your home requires that your Internet speed is capable of handling multiple cameras. Before you set up several wireless cameras, check with your home security expert to make sure your internet has the ability to support the setup you’re wanting.

 

 

 

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How to Keep Your Presents and Packages Secure This Holiday Season

The holiday season is quickly approaching–and for some, it’s already arrived. But whether you’re a pre-Thanksgiving Christmas caroler or waiting until December to put up your decorations, there’s one thing we have in common. We all want to secure the presents we worked so hard to buy. Luckily, home security does a pretty good job of keeping our belongings safe inside our home. But what about the packages we get delivered? Leaving them on the porch until you’re able to bring them inside leaves them susceptible to theft. Setting your home up with exterior security cameras is a good place to start.

 

Ring Video Doorbell

Video doorbells are now considered the first line of defense in home security. The mere presence of a security system is enough to deter robbers, making these devices a popular choice for homeowners. Everyone who approaches your home captured in high-definition. This gives you better control in monitoring your own home and aware of any suspicious activity.

 

Exterior Cameras

If you’re monitoring your front door, it’s also wise to monitor your rear and side doors as well. These doors are also popular points of entry for burglars because of their limited street view. Arming these doors with exterior security cameras provides the same protection the video doorbell does, giving you extra peace of mind.

 

Home Security System

Hopefully, if you’ve armed your home with exterior security cameras, you haven’t forgotten your whole-home alarm system. There isn’t anything better to stop a burglar in his tracks. Even though exterior cameras are great for monitoring your home, a burglar can still enter your home and take your belongings without you knowing right away. An alarm system is the only way to guarantee that anyone who enters your home will alert the proper authorities.

 

Don’t take chances with your belongings this holiday season. Arm your home with exterior security cameras and a whole-home alarm system to keep your packages safe–indoors and out.

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