Smart home security includes a wide range of smart devices, like digital locks, sensors, and cameras, all of which you can monitor and control through your smart home security system. Whether you rent or own your home, you can easily set up your own smart home security system to ensure the safety and security of both your home and your loved ones.
The smart home security market has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, making it easy for anybody to set up a complete smart home security system in just a few hours. But, as easy as it is to set up a fully-functional home security system, there are various options to consider and some key features you should know about before investing in a smart home security system. Below, we highlight everything you need to know about smart home security.
What is Smart Home Security?
Specific gadgets under the larger segment of smart home technology ensure the security and safety of your house, as well as those inside. Some common smart home security gadgets include:
- Smart Door locks
- Hub devices
- Indoor and outdoor smart lights
- Security cameras
- Video doorbells
- Door and window sensors
Smart home security can also include gadgets designed to safeguard your home from physical damage. These can include freeze sensors, smart water leak sensors and smart smoke detectors. In this post, we will focus on smart home security products that protect your home against threats related to criminal activities, like home invasions, vandalism, burglaries and robberies.
What to consider before purchasing smart home security products:
1. Size of Your Home or Apartment
Before buying any smart home security products, it’s important to consider the size of your residence. The size of your home or apartment is crucial in determining how many gadgets you’ll need to completely cover your home. For instance, if you live in a small studio apartment, you probably won’t need that many door and window sensors. In this case, one or two cameras should be sufficient.
2. Number of Entry and Exit Points (including windows)
Apart from the front door, there are other points of entry that intruders can use to gain entry into your home including, pet doors, garage doors, side doors, back doors and windows. You should consider all these openings as potential entry points that pose a security risk.
3. Available Internet Speed/Bandwidth
Many smart home security products require significant amounts of data and bandwidth to function properly. For example, a single HD video camera may require around 2 Mbps of internet bandwidth to provide a real-time and accurate video feed. It’s therefore important to take your internet speed and bandwidth into account before buying any smart home security products.
4. Compatibility with Your Mobile Devices
Before buying a smart home security gadget, check whether the supporting apps are compatible with your mobile device and its accompanying operating system (Android or iOS). Most smart home security products support both Apple and Android devices. However, there may be certain limitations if you are using outdated mobile devices.
5. Whether You Want a Self-Monitored or Professionally-Managed System
Before investing in a smart home security system, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer to have a self-monitored or professionally-managed home security system.
A self-monitored home security system is one that you set up and manage yourself. You are personally responsible for managing the various devices, including reviewing recorded events and troubleshooting the devices when something goes wrong. Most self-monitored smart home security systems will send you alerts when activity occurs.
If you’re not in a position to manage your home security system, you may choose to outsource the management to a third party like a home security company or a trusted local locksmith such as Casey Locksmiths.
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