Sure, your home may be smart, equipped with the latest and greatest connective technology available on the market today. All accessible by voice command or the tap of a finger. But is your teched-out smart home safe?
Smart Home Safe
Although current statistics concerning burglaries across the country and trending downward, there are still over 800,000 homes broken into in the United States, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). And your safety at home extends far beyond would-be burglars. There’s a lot to consider. Here are a few ways that you can keep your home, and your family, safe.
Home Security
Keeping your home safe from intruders and strangers should be top of mind. Data from the FBI states that the majority of break-ins occur between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., daytime hours when most people are at work or away from the home. While you can’t always keep an eye on your house personally, technology can change the way that you keep tabs on what’s going on at home. Security monitoring systems such as Frontpoint have an added layer of protection, due to powerful encryption that is designed to outsmart experienced hackers. The system offers an endless amount of customization options, as well as fully-integrated home automation that is easy to control.
Personal Security Online
Having smart home technology implemented in your home can change the way you live. And while smart home living comes with a number of perks, there’s also a potential downside that many homeowners and consumers don’t consider. Smart home devices could possibly pose a security risk, whether it’s exploitation, cyber crime or identity theft. Criminals and hackers are brash and can seamlessly exploit security camera feeds. Criminals have even come up with ways to trick smart doorbells or smart locks. Keep yourself secure, at home and online, by learning about ways to prevent identity theft and other issues as well as the tools and methods used to combat crime online.
Other Security Measures
There are a number of outside threats that can threaten your safety at home. But there are also a few things you consider inside of your home to make it a safer place. Sometimes we can’t see potential danger. Take CO2 leaks or fires, for example. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes that were not equipped with working smoke alarms. Make sure that your home is armed against fire danger with a high-tech smoke alarm like Nest Protect. Not only does the Nest device have built-in fire detection technology, the smart alarm also has CO2 detection abilities. Nest reports that 1,000,000 homes across the country experience high levels of CO2 annually. Having the technology that can detect and alert you and your family of danger in your own home should be a no-brainer.
Danger in the digital age isn’t always easy to detect. But with the right technology, from smart home security monitoring systems with built-in encryption to devices like Nest Protect, and a little know-how you can make your home a safer place to spend time with your family.
