Home security is of course a top priority for any homeowner or a person looking to rent out a place. You would know because if you have ever personally gone house hunting or watched your friends and parents go through that process on its own, finding a safe neighborhood or vicinity is key.
Getting an alarm system installed by your local security company is one of the top ways to go, because with that homeowners have instant security once the alarm system is on – and should anything trigger that, regardless of whether you’re home or not, a security team or a nearby police patrol car is at your door within minutes.
But of course that is a process of its own. It requires installing motion sensors around entry points into a home, setting up panic buttons – you get the picture. There are easy ways to go however, ways in which you can set up a DIY home security system if you will.
Here’s how you can step up your home security with certain easy to install and affordable devices.
Install the August Smart Keypad.
$59.99
The August Smart Keypad is probably one of the best smart door locks in the market. It features a keypad on the device itself as well as a mobile application compatible with iOS and Android devices, so you can either unlock your door using a personalized code or lock your door on the way out by just one touch. The mobile app also provides access to several of the lock features as well.
It basically entails a tamperproof method and a keyless entry into your home. This smart lock also allows homeowners to generate temporary passcodes using its mobile app, which can be disabled at any time might we add. It makes it easier to let your friends and family in while you’re busy yourself.
Replace your surveillance cameras with the Google Nest Cam.
$179.99 (Battery variant)
Installing a smart camera around the premises, whether it is indoors or outdoors is much better than a having a regular surveillance camera. And the Google Nest Cam is the best example to explain why.
The Nest Cam is available in 2 variants – wired and battery operated, and their prices vary of course because the battery variants allow for another level of convenience when it comes to security. Instead of mounting them high up onto a wall, the battery Nest Cam can literally be placed anywhere, so you wouldn’t even need multiple cameras. Leave it on the kitchen counter, your dresser or hide it between books in the living room shelf – the camera can be put anywhere.
But that’s not even the greatest part. These cameras feature two-way audio for easy communication, and from what source you ask? The Google Home app on your smartphone! That’s right, the Nest Cam video feed, which provides a 130 degree angle view in HD quality and includes night vision, is accessible around the clock straight from your smartphones.
The camera also sends in alerts anytime any movement is detected while you’re away, accompanied by a snapshot of what you may have missed out on. You can specify ‘Activity Zones’ to minimize the notifications too. There is also the additional subscription to Google Nest Aware, by which you can even unlock Google’s facial recognition feature to get alerts accordingly.
Swap out your regular doorbell for the Google Nest Doorbell instead.
$229.00 (wired version)
Much like the Google Nest Cam, the Nest Doorbell is also quite similar when it comes to a lot of features, except that it is actually a doorbell for your home. And it also comes in both battery operated and wired variants.
You would never miss a package or a visitor again because the Nest Doorbell is accessible from your smartphones. You read that right, you can now answer your door straight from your smartphone, and that could mean whether you are home, at work or standing in an aisle in Walmart. With clear, loud voice and HD video sporting night vision too, you can get a wide angle view of whoever is at the door, and even if they don’t ring the bell, the Nest Doorbell sends in an alert to get your attention. How’s that for a smart doorbell?
Often times you would find that smart devices are usually lauded for their home automation and energy efficiency features. What people tend to overlook is the fact that they provide as an alternate means of home security as opposed to the usual methods that people resort to. The above mentioned are just 3 of the plenty of smart devices in the market that provide an easy and faster way of setting up a home security system. Head on over to www.firstenergyhome.com and browse through their Smart Home catalogue, you’ll find something worth the investment into your home.