You may be creating your very own haunted house complete with smiling jack-o-lanterns this Halloween season, but at Hippo, we know home security is no laughing matter. As a homeowner, keeping your family and belongings safe and secure is a top priority.
Fortunately, thanks to advancements in technology there are countless versatile smart home devices designed to protect your home and give you peace of mind. Ready for a scare-free lifestyle all year long? Keep reading to learn more about the most popular home security essentials.
1. Automated lighting
As the nights get longer and darker during the autumn and winter months, burglaries tend to increase by an average of 38%—but the right lighting can help you avoid becoming a target.
You can easily install smart lighting inside and outside the home. Whether it’s smart bulbs or an entirely new lighting system, finding an automated lighting solution that increases home security, comfort and convenience is key.
Installing smart home lighting can help save you money by decreasing your energy bills and increasing the value of your home.
2. A doorbell camera
A doorbell camera is a great visual deterrent for potential thieves or vandals, and it can bring you great peace of mind as a homeowner. With a doorbell camera, you can quickly and easily view visitors coming and going, monitor package deliveries and check in on your home when you’re out of town or running errands. Doorbell cameras can also provide valuable footage in case you need to file an insurance claim or alert the police about suspicious activity. The best part? Doorbell cameras are unobtrusive and easy to install.
3. Security cameras
Installing security cameras is one of the best ways to deter theft and crime on your property. Even better, the advancements in camera technology have made it easier than ever to install security cameras yourself.
In order to monitor all activity in and around your home—and make it difficult for someone to move around undetected—it’s a good idea to place cameras throughout the main areas of your home as well as your external property. Just make sure to avoid placing them in a spot where they could invade someone’s privacy, like your neighbors. Some of the most important areas include:
- Front door
- Back and side doors
- Garage and/or driveway
- Yard
- Common areas inside the home
- Main hallway or stairs
4. Window and door sensors
Window and door sensors are small additions that make a big impact on your home’s security. Not only do these devices help keep intruders out by sounding an alarm or notifying your home security company if the alarm is triggered, they can also work to keep loved ones inside safe. If there are children, elderly people or individuals with disabilities in your home, you can set your window and door sensors to notify you if anyone is wandering into an area that might be unsafe for them.
5. Smart locks
Smart locks have been around for a while, but they’ve just recently become popular. Besides the security they offer, there are plenty of advantages to installing a smart lock:
- You don’t have to worry about being locked out of the house.
- You don’t have to keep track of how many keys there are and who has them, nor do you have to make copies of keys.
- You can give (and revoke) special codes for visitors. The lock also logs visitors as they come and go.
- You can check that your door is locked no matter how far away you are from home.
6. Security systems
For some homeowners, adding just a few features to their home security may be enough, but for others, the only way to achieve complete peace of mind is to get professional monitoring.
Whether you decide to self-monitor or upgrade to professional monitoring, you can use many of the current smart home security systems with a smartphone app. The result is that no matter where you are, you’ll be alerted to potential concerns. Think: a flood sensor is activated, an intruder enters your property or your elderly mother-in-law leaves for an unexpected early morning walk.
Once you get a complete home security system installed, it’s important to teach everyone in your household how to use it, so you can benefit from the investment.
Pro tip: Any time you “trick or treat” yourself and invest in a smart home security device, make sure you let your home insurance company know. Many home insurance providers will reward proactive measures with a discount.
Keep your Halloween scare-free
Good quality locks are a great start to protecting your home, but smart home security devices can further protect your most valuable asset: your family.
Talk to your provider to see what discounts you may be eligible for when you upgrade to a smarter home. Don’t have a provider that takes smart home security seriously enough? Hippo can provide you with an online quote in under 60 seconds.
