Burglaries around the holidays tend to be the costliest. On average, the value of the losses is about 5% more than burglaries that occur during other times of the year. Whether you’re traveling away from home or just out running errands, utilizing smart home technology can give you peace of mind that your property and belongings are safe. Home automation can give the impression that your home is occupied and secure while remote monitoring gives you the ability to check in from wherever you may be. Systems that do everything from maintain climate to confirming locks are in place ease anxiety and allow you to truly enjoy your time away without worrying about what’s happening back at home.
Smart Lighting: Creating the Illusion of Occupancy
One of the easiest ways to make your home appear occupied is with automated smart lighting, programming the lights inside and outside of your home to mimic your typical routines. Scheduling interior lights to turn on in the evening, just like they would when you’re home on a usual day, makes it look like someone’s home. Your usual morning, daytime, and nighttime patterns can be maintained, with randomization features preventing patterns that are too predictable and can be an automation giveaway. Room-by-room scheduling adds to the realistic occupancy appearance.
Thoughtful, strategic lighting placement will include living room and bedroom automation as priority areas, while kitchens can be on a more varied schedule. Outdoor lighting, while adding to curb appeal, can also be a deterrence.
The beauty of having remote control capabilities is being able to adjust the automation schedule while you’re traveling or doing a manual override when the unexpected calls for it. You can also check the lighting status anytime you need a little reassurance.
Advanced Security Monitoring While Away
Automated lighting serves as a great deterrent, but a comprehensive security system can transform how you protect your home during travel. Smart cameras deliver real-time motion alerts directly to your phone, featuring two-way audio for communicating with delivery personnel and AI-powered detection that distinguishes between people, vehicles, and animals. Night vision ensures 24/7 monitoring with cloud-accessible footage from anywhere.
Smart locks eliminate hidden key risks by providing keyless entry for house sitters through temporary codes that expire automatically. You’ll receive alerts whenever doors open or lock, with remote locking capability if you forget before departure. These integrate seamlessly with cameras to verify who’s entering your home.
Remotely arming your alarm system, receiving instant breach notifications, and checking window and door sensor status, and utilizing a professional monitoring service that coordinates with your smart systems ensures that you can enjoy your Thanksgiving and Christmas travels worry-free.
Climate Control for Efficiency and Protection
Your smart home integrations can go beyond keeping your home safe from intruders. Smart thermostats can maintain temperatures while you’re away, making sure temperatures are safe for pets or plants, while remote access means you can make adjustments for unexpected weather changes.
Programmable air circulation schedules maintain fresh air throughout your home, preventing that musty smell that develops in closed spaces. Advanced systems integrate with local weather forecasts, automatically adjusting ventilation as needed. This proactive approach protects your home’s air quality and prevents damage to wood furniture, artwork, and electronics while you’re away.
Pre-Travel Checklist: Setting Up Your Systems
Before leaving on a holiday getaway, it’s a good idea to test all of the automations. Take the time to test your lighting schedules to make sure they’re working as planned. Verify that your security cameras are recording and that those recordings are accessible to you. Confirm the notifications on your mobile devices, and share temporary access with anyone who’ll need it, such as house sitters or family members.
Investing in smart home technology pays off when you’re away from home, and professional installation ensures your system is reliable when you need it most. Contact Fircrest now to make sure your home is protected.