The winter holidays are already busy enough, and the last thing you want to worry about is the possibility of… robberstrespassers or vandals. But don't let this thought give you a headache. Right home security And the latest tech tricks can stop thieves, porch pirates and other troubles, giving you peace of mind when you need it most.
I was looking through smart home products and spent many years talking to criminologists. Along the way I collected best devices and safety techniques to help keep your property safe. Here's where to start.
1. Install motion detection lights to stun
Floodlights can protect backyards, driveways, and similar areas.
Look for a security camera equipped with a spotlight or spotlight. You can set these lights to trigger when motion is detected, and thanks to recent advances, camera sensors are now smart enough to ignore cars and focus on people, among other useful tricks. The light will alert determined trespassers to the presence of a security system and even indicate that they are currently being recorded by a camera. This is a good reason to leave if the attackers have evil intentions!
Remember, apps from popular smart home brands like Arlo, Ring, Blink and many others allow you to set zones and control motion sensitivity to keep your security engaged. only turn on when a person approaches, instead of lighting dozens of times a night.
Read more: I thought I would hate AI in home security. I couldn't be more wrong
2. Hang a security sign in your yard.
Yard security signs deter many thieves.
You may have already suspected this, but research confirms that robbers — about 83% of respondents — are put off by signs of an alarm system, and one of the simplest is literal sign or window sticker.
We advise avoiding cheap fake signs, which are usually easy to spot for those already thinking about breaking in. Luckily, even basic DIY security systems, such as those offered by SimpliSafe, come with real signs. And if you're worried about a burglar using the sign to find out too much information about your home security system, these kinds of hacker stories hardly ever happen.
3. Install a video intercom to secure your front door.
The very affordable Kasa doorbell allows you to keep an eye on any events happening at your front door.
Hard to miss video doorbell when approaching the front door or porch. From Google Nest to Arlo, Ring and Aqara, these doorbell cameras let you know someone is watching. They feature two-way audio and a quick response feature that allows for short conversations, and if visitors recognize the video intercom, they likely know it has already sent the owner alerts about activity at the front door.
These qualities make doorbells an excellent method of deterring porch pirates and other troublemakers. We also recommend planning for video storage so you can save, load, or share video clips as needed.
4. Use alerts to trigger a sound.
Two-way audio features also allow you to alert intruders.
All the best home security cameras are now equipped with two-way audio capabilities, which are one of the most effective deterrents if you notice something is wrong. Nothing deters a trespasser more than an owner turning on the speaker and yelling, “HEY! What are you doing?!” Plus, if it's just a really lost mailman, you can always apologize later without getting the police involved. Or you can let the doorbell answer for you with quick answers that might put people off.
Two-way audio works well with timely camera alerts on your phone and object recognition so alerts indicate that a person has been detected, saving you the hassle of checking each individual alert.
5. Set up sirens on your home security devices
Setting the system to be armed with a siren is a great way to scare off intruders if they get too close.
They're not as common as two-way audio, but many cameras and most home security kits also include sirens. On modern smart devices, you have the option to turn on the sirens using an app or set the siren to turn off when certain types of motion are detected and the system is armed. This is a quick add-on that can be activated during setup for even the smallest cameras such as Blink Mini 2.
6. Place access sensors on windows and rear doors.
A complete security system can monitor multiple access points simultaneously.
Access sensors allow you to take advantage of many of the tips we've listed above should someone actually enter your home. They send alerts that allow you to immediately view live camera images, use two-way audio in shout mode, or sound a siren/turn on a floodlight. If you're worried about burglars violating points like these (especially if this has happened to you before), best home security system kits turn on sensors for these reasons.
7. Set your vacation routines with smart lighting and more.
Smart lighting and vacation modes make your home seem busy even when you're not around.
Smart security systems and home cameras have an additional feature that makes relaxation easier: they have vacation modes and customizable away modes. You can combine these modes with smart lighting and set an activity schedule that makes it look like people are still at home when you're not there.
Vacation modes like these turn lights on and off, simulating people returning home in the evening, waking up in the morning, and other everyday activities. They can deter thieves looking for empty homes that are easy targets, and they can give you extra peace of mind when on a long vacation. These modes also work very well with cameras that give you a glimpse of what's going on. as long as you have a reliable internet connection and access sensors that tell you when something has gone wrong.
8. Keep your garage closed and locked.
Smart garage doors come in many forms, including retrofitted ones, but they are a great way to keep your garage door closed and not attract thieves.
Many burglaries are crimes of opportunity, and one opportunity that can easily attract thieves (and raccoons) is a garage door left open. Consider equipping your garage door smart door system which can automatically close the door for you, protect it and remind you if the door is left open for any reason.
These smart garage doors are often backwards compatible with existing garages, especially newer models, but you should always check how they work before purchasing a new system.
9. Equip your door with a smart lock
Smart locks ensure you never forget to lock your front door.
Forgetting to lock the front door isn't as noticeable as leaving the garage open, but it can still attract thieves who won't hesitate to jiggle the door handles to see if they can easily enter. A smart lock is a simple and incredibly effective way to control your main entrance and make sure it's always locked at the right time.
Modern smart locks may automatically block after a period of inactivity or send you reminders that they are open so you can decide for yourself. They also have ways to give friends and family temporary passes to use the lock on their phones, as well as the ability to view your access history.
10. Use an active professional home monitoring service.
Professional home monitoring gives you an additional perspective on developing situations.
Consider adding professional home monitoring to your security system for the most complete protection. Professional monitoring allows agents to view their alerts and contact emergency services where necessary, so that you do not have to rely on your own notifications.
These monitoring plans don't have to be prohibitively expensive: Arlo's secure premium plan offers a full range of family monitoring services for $25 per month. Take a look at SimpliSafe Quick Protection Planwhich offers guides that watch live video and use audio to ask questions for about $30 a month. Monitoring plans can take your home security to the next level if you don't mind the extra expense.
11. Set up a delivery box on your porch.
Package boxes are a very old solution to a very modern problem.
A A packing box is a very simple and very effective addition. into your home, which completely blocks porch piracy. It's a lot like public parcel drop-off: there's one area where couriers can drop off a package, and a storage area that the owner can only access with a key or keypad. Thieves cannot get inside at all. Advanced models like Locks Box also gives you application control, remote access and delivery alerts. This could be an ideal deterrent if your area has problems with pirates and you receive packages frequently.
What about guard dogs as a safety bonus?
Many sources offer to get guard dog as a means of protection against theft in the home. We do No We recommend getting a dog specifically for safety reasons, even if they are effective. It's not much fun for a dog, and it's hard to train him to be wary of the wrong strangers (as opposed to, say, Cousin Jimmy who's never been to your house before). In addition, dog attacks regularly result in trespassers suing homeowners for their injuries, and some states have liability laws that may encourage such claims.
Since you're already thinking about security, you may want to check out our recommendations for the most important DIY home security systemsas well as ways to save money, e.g. Turning an old phone into a surveillance camera. And if you live with roommates, you'll want to browse our guide to the best technology to keep your room safe.
