How Smart Security Alerts Help You Run Your Home Efficiently in September

Now that school’s back in, you have to adjust to a fall schedule. The lazy summer days are gone, and sometimes it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. A smart home security system can help manage the house with customized security alerts.

Alerts for User Codes

Many children return home from school before their parents leave work. Sometimes the kids forget to let you know that they got home safe. Your security system can remedy that. Assign each family member a different access code and create an alert that notifies you when the kids come home. Now you’ll know they made it home safe.

An additional benefit is that there’s no need to hide a spare key outside. The kids have a safer way to enter the house, and you never have to worry about anyone losing a house key.

The Security System Sends You Reminders

It’s easy to forget the simplest things when your routine changes. Rely on your security system to send you reminders for the important things you forget, such as locking a door or arming the alarm.

The system notifies you on your smartphone no matter where you are. There’s no need to go home to correct the problem. Set the alarm or shut the garage using the alert on your phone. Tap the button once and the security system secures the house for you.

Always Know What’s Happening at Home with Smart Video Clips

When the kids are home alone, are they letting unapproved visitors in the house? You can check yourself using intelligent video surveillance. Use the cameras in your house to send you video clips when a certain action such as your child’s user code triggers them. Setting a specific trigger prevents your from being inundated with clips you don’t want to monitor.

Open Door Alerts

Contact sensors work with your security system to alert you when a door or window is open too long. You’ll receive a notification that a door wasn’t shut securely, and you can text the kids to let them know to shut it properly. In the meantime, the alarm system tells your thermostat to set back to save on energy in cold weather. It resets to a comfortable temperature once someone shuts the door.

Your alarm system doesn’t just keep you safe; it plays a vital role in keeping the systems in your home efficient. You’ll ease back into the school routine with a smart security system to back you up.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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7 Tips To Leverage Home Security For Back To School

If you have kids you know the chaos of getting everyone out the door on time or managing daily routines so chores and schoolwork get done. As the kids get older, the schedule gets even more demanding as they add things like extracurricular activities and time with their friends to the already taxed weekly schedule. Making sure everything runs smoothly and optimally is a near impossible task and would take a team of people to get done. Fortunately, smart home technologies provide some great ways to tame a monster school schedule.

No More Snooze Alarm

If you have a reluctant student, getting them out of bed can be a long and unhappy process and one that can make them and everyone else in the house late. Get them out of bed and moving easily by using automation to turn on lights, open shades and turn on music for a wake-up they can’t ignore.

Did You Forget?

One of the most common and stress inducing parts of the morning rush is realizing that you forget to turn off the iron or coffee pot, or forgetting to lock the doors. Leaving it on or unlocked is not an option, but going back will definitely make you late—again. With smart home enabled devices, you can remotely turn off offending appliances or lock the doors from your smart phone or another internet connected device.

Make Areas Off Limits

If your kids get home before you do, they have time to get into things they shouldn’t. With access control, you can make certain places off limits and get a notification if anyone tries to gain access. This helps keep your kids, or their visiting friends out of harm’s way.

Unique Access Codes Let You know they are Home Safely

With unique access codes, you can know when each of your children gets home, and when. This prevents them from taking detours before getting homework done.

Know When or if They Leave

Are they leaving in enough time to make it to sports practice? Did they leave before their homework was done? Smart home technologies can help you manage the comings and goings by providing real time alerts if any enabled door or window is opened.

Do They have Friends Over?

If you are away at work or running errands, it is easy for your house to become the place everyone gathers to play Xbox instead of getting their homework done. You’ll know if your home is a gathering place with alerts that tell you that your doors are being opened an unusual number of times.

No Gaming Until Work is Done

Use smart technologies to help you remove the distraction of television or gaming systems by disabling them until work is done.

Video Systems Let You Keep an Eye on Things

With real-time video, you can check in anytime and see that everything is on track. Are chores getting done, is homework finished? Access to real-time video helps ensure that your student is keeping academics a priority.

If you are interested in learning more about how home automation and access control technologies can help you manage the complexities of back-to-school, give Security Instrument a call today.

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4 Outdoor Essentials To Make Your Home Smart For The Summer

Summertime means warm weather and fun vacations. It’s also the peak time for break-ins and burglaries. Nothing could be worse than coming home after a peaceful vacation only to find that someone broke into your house.

Installing outdoor security protects your property and family even when no one is home. Security systems give you peace of mind by guarding what’s important to you.

1.     Install a Doorbell Camera

Doorbell cameras are quite convenient, especially when you’re not home. Motion triggered alerts, two-way voice, and a video feed allow you to see if it’s the delivery man on your porch or an intruder. It’s an excellent crime deterrent because criminals don’t want to be caught on camera.

2.     Use Smart Cameras to Enhance the Security of Your Property

Today’s security cameras don’t just alert when there’s motion outside, they can differentiate between animals, vehicles, and people. Smart security cameras can also tell if someone is on your property. You can even customize the alerts so that you only monitor what you want to.

These cameras show intruders that you mean business. Would-be thieves will pass right on by.

3.     Contact Sensors

Install wireless contact sensors on your doors and windows to get alerts that notify you if there’s a break-in. These sensors also remind you to set your alarm and lock up for the evening. Monitoring your children when they’re in the yard is another asset of a wireless contact sensor.

Intelligent home security lets you control your home. Sensors also help you watch who opens the gate to the yard, pool, or tool shed. They also monitor other off-limit areas that you don’t want the kids exploring. Kids are naturally curious and they’ll test the limits, especially when they’re out of school for the summer.

4.     Smart Outside Lighting

Criminals like to hide in dark places. Illuminate your property so there is nowhere for them to hide. Smart security image sensors and security cameras trigger lighting to come on when they sense motion and deem it a possible threat. You can also create a custom schedule with smart lighting so that when you’re away on vacation, the lights still come on every night. It looks like someone’s home to possible thieves.

You can customize automated smart home security systems to meet your needs. Rest easy knowing that an excellent security system has your back.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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The Smart Man Cave: The Ultimate Upgrade for Your Home

Between Father’s Day, graduations and the summer gatherings that come after them, June is the perfect month to upgrade the man cave room of the home. There’s good news for men who want to do this: It can all be done with one simple upgrade to your home’s security system.

How can a security system upgrade benefit your man cave? Here are some great possibilities.

Improved Security for Your Valuables

What’s an upscale man cave without a few heirlooms? Maybe it’s that liquor bottle passed down through the generations, or a framed baseball card collection. Whatever it is, placing an extra sensor on them can give them the protection you want. When you have a smart home component to your security system, you’ll receive a text alert to your phone when someone gets too close.

Smart Locks for Easier Entertaining

When everyone comes over for the big grad party or Father’s Day gathering, how great would it be to let everyone in without having to go to do the door? That’s another convenience a smart home upgrade offers. Guests will still ring the bell, but hosts can see who it is using their phones, and speak to them through the doorbell’s camera speaker. With a tap of the app, the guests will be let in when you unlock the smart lock. You can do it all without having to leave your spot, whether it’s the BBQ station or the couch.

What’s an upscale man cave without a few heirlooms? Maybe it’s that liquor bottle passed down through the generations, or a framed baseball card collection. Whatever it is, placing an extra sensor on them can give them the protection you want.

Total Automation with Doorbell Camera Systems

Automation is the hottest home upgrade, and your man cave can benefit from it too. Imagine being able to set the scene for a party – turning down the lights, turning up the air conditioning, and disarming the security system for guests – all with one tap on your phone. That’s one more thing that makes smart home automation the ultimate upgrade for the man cave. Your guests will be seriously impressed when you show them how the “scene” function on your system works – and when it comes to throwing a party, isn’t impressing people one of the most important goals?

To learn more about this ultimate upgrade for man caves in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, contact Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options, including security systems for senior citizens. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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How Young Professionals Can Start Out the Safe Way

Early summer is the most popular time of year for weddings, and that means many young professionals will be making plans for their new lives together. Since this demographic is buying homes at a younger age than they have in decades, it makes sense that more young professionals starting out are looking at home security systems. They want to start life out the safe way, and they know that electronic security is the best way to do it.

Better still, young professionals are attracted to the idea of automating their homes with smart home technology. When they find out that home security equipment can do “double duty” by providing automation and protection, they’re hooked.

What Smart Home Security Offers Young Professionals

With smart home security, young professionals can:  

  • Be aware of home intrusion threats controlling their alarms and cameras from a smartphone app
  • Benefit from motion detection, glass break detection and responsive video monitoring – all of it interconnected
  • Pay lower utility bills and feel good about energy consumption because of smart thermostat connection
  • Entertain with class by giving invited guests a temporary security code they can come and go with, and deactivate it when the visit is over
  • Lock and unlock doors and windows from work, vacation or the road, just by pulling out their phones and tapping on the app

This isn’t their parents’ home security.

For couples who are ready to take another giant leap toward adulthood, a smart home security system just makes sense. To learn more, contact Security Instrument. We are happy to provide young professionals with a free home security evaluation.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options. We are a Delaware home security company that serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Saving on Utilities this Summer with your Security System

It’s no secret that the costs of homeownership can add up. But because some costs can be managed better than others, homeowners may be able to control how much they pay for some essential services. Take utilities, for example. Unlike your mortgage payment and property taxes, you can exercise some control over how much you pay for heating, cooling and lighting in the home. It all comes down to saving energy.

Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily. Using your home security system and your smartphone, you may be able to save enough energy every month to pay less for the services that heat and cool your home. Best of all, you can start saving on utilities in Delaware Valley this very summer.

Saving on Utilities Doesn’t Have to Be Hard 

What’s the technology?

It’s a smart home system that integrates with the home security system. Homeowners who upgrade their traditional alarm systems to smart home security technology can also have smart thermostats integrated; these intelligent thermostat devices help them reduce the energy they use, which can save them money in the very first month.

A smart thermostat uses contact sensors that instinctively respond to movement in the home. Because it learns your household patterns, it knows when to adjust to a comfortable temperature – and, when to keep the temperature as it is. It also features location-based automation that knows what to do based on where you are. If you’re on your way home, the air conditioning can come on minutes before your arrival so you arrive to a comfortable home. If you have just left, it knows it’s time to shut the air off so you keep your utility bills manageable. And if you want to change anything, it’s easy to do with a tap of your smartphone.

Other Ways to Save 

With a smart home security system, saving on utilities in Delaware Valley happens throughout the year. This summer, you can experiment with a programming option that turns the air conditioning on when temperatures hit 95 degrees or higher. Another easy way to save is to program the thermostat to stay inactive when the security system is armed. You also have the ability to produce a “scene” in the system that performs all money-saving functions at the same time: adjusting the thermostat, turning off the lights and even drawing down the window shades. If all these essential household functions are connected to your system, it’s easy to stay in control.

To learn more about saving on utilities this summer with your security system, Security Instrument invites you to request a free home security assessment.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is one of the Delaware Valley’s largest full-service independently-owned security companues, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Making House Guests and Home Security Go Hand-in-Hand

Still hosting a few overnight visitors after the holidays are over? You want to create a friendly, welcoming environment for them to enjoy, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on home security while they’re staying. The good news is, you can have the best of both; here’s how to make your house guests part of your home security routine.  

Show them how the cameras work.

Home security cameras are fully mainstreamed – and yet, some house guests remain uneasy about the idea of surveillance. If your visitors appear to be nervous about the presence of cameras around your home, consider showing them how it all works.

Start with the settings on your home security app. When your guests see how the Geo-Services technology works – namely, that you can use it to prevent the cameras from recording indoor activity when people are home – your guests will surely be put at ease.

Give them a cozier guest room.

A winter wonderland is a beautiful sight, but most of us prefer to be warm inside. That’s what makes the temperature sensor a great accessory to a smart home security system. If the guest bedroom tends to be cold, then the temperature sensor can raise the temperature by communicating with the smart thermostat. The two devices work together to make the temperature throughout the home consistently warm. It’s an ideal way to make your guest room comfier and give your guests a more enjoyable stay.

Provide them a keyless entry code.

If your system includes smart locks, consider allowing your guests to use the keyless entry just like the rest of the household. You can give them their own unique code; the only difference is that theirs can be deactivated when their stay is over. It’s a big convenience for you and for them. But if you aren’t comfortable with giving guests a code, there’s an alternative: Using your smartphone app, unlock the door remotely when you receive the video alert clip during their arrival. Both of these options allow you to continue making use of your home security when company is staying over.

If your home security system lacks any of these components, let us help. Contact Security Instrument to request a free home security consultation; we would be glad to show you what’s possible.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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5 Ways to Get The Most Out of Home Automation

If you are new to having a smart home, you definitely want to know how to to get the most out of home automation. Home automation is one of the most exciting advances in home technologies ever, and also the most useful. A well designed and integrated smart home system offers so much more than mere convenience; it also offers improved home security, increased energy savings, and allows you to manage safety as well as provides greater insights on daily activities at home. But, you need to know how.

1: Have a System Designed to Meet Your Needs

The first and most important step in getting the most out of home automation is to have the system professionally designed to meet your needs. A professionally installed system will cover all of your needs and concerns and gear them to the specifications of your home. This will ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, motion sensors, security cameras and locks are all exactly where they are most needed. It will also ensure that all your expectations are met, whether it is being able to access security footage remotely, or having 24/7 monitoring. Professionally installed systems also ensure compatibility among products in a constantly evolving industry.

2: Invest in the Right Products

There are a ton of home automation options on the market, and all of them are compelling. That doesn’t mean they will all serve your unique needs. Look for smart devices and services that truly benefit you. For example, smart thermostats and smart lighting are convenient and provide energy and money savings and that is a high priority. For another, being able to access as many systems as possible remotely may not be a convenience, but a matter of necessity. Opt in to what meets your needs.

3: Program it Properly

Ok, so early versions of smart home technologies were complex and difficult to program. But that is not true today. In fact, smart home technologies are so smart that you can easily program your preferences into the system and have the system itself learn your usage patterns and adjust accordingly.

4: Think of Each Element as a Tool

When you think of each individual element of home automation as a tool, you start to think of all of the ways it can be used. Smart lighting goes from just turning on lights in the morning and off at light to being used as a crime deterrent, and safety feature. Motion sensors go from detecting intruders to monitoring the movements of the sick or infirmed.

5: Choose the Right Company

To get the most out of home automation, you need a company with great service and support. The industry is always evolving and offering new options and a reputable company with experienced technicians will help you stay ahead of the trends.

Your life is individual, and your home automation and security system should be, too. Security Instrument Corp. Offers a full line of electronic security, life safety, and home automation products and services and unparalleled support.
With Headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Security Instrument owns and operates it’s own state of the art, UL listed, Factory Mutual Approved Central Station delivering personalized, comprehensive, monitoring, information, and support services 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

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Smart Home Cameras for Newbies: 3 Facts You Should Know

In previous eras, homeowners could only dream about knowing what was happening at home when they weren’t there. But today, knowing what’s going on at home is easy to do – that is, provided there are smart video cameras integrated in the home security system. When smart home cameras are installed, all homeowners need to do is take out the phone, open the home security app, and get an instant view of the activity being captured on camera.

Here are some other details for smart home camera newbies.

 

They come in all shapes and sizes.

Homeowners have a wide range of choices when it comes to smart home cameras. With guidance from the right security company, they can decide what model will work best for their home security needs based on home size, family size, and household budget. As a private company since 1960 that has serviced countless homeowners, Security Instrument can provide that guidance.

They come with high quality monitoring service.

The smartphone app is a homeowner’s portal to the numerous features in a smart home system. One of those is the notifications feature, which allow the homeowner to customize which events they want alerts for; when people come home and when someone is at the door are two prime examples.

But what if one of those events is a true emergency, and the homeowner misses the notification? Security monitoring service is there to fill in the gap. At the central station monitoring center, trained security operators are standing by ready to respond to alarm activations – and with smart home cameras, there is footage to verify the nature of the emergency. This is how smart home systems make alarms and video work together.

They aren’t just for security.

Smart home technology is excellent for security, but it does more than offer an extra layer of protection for the household. It can also help simplify the essential processes after a disaster. For instance: After a house fire, the video can be submitted to the insurance company as critical evidence documenting how the fire occurred. Real homeowners have benefited from this service, filing more successful insurance claims when a fire originates from circumstances out of their control.

To learn more about smart home cameras for home security newbies, contact Security Instrument. We will be happy to answer your questions.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous residential and commercial security options. We serve thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Should You Install Your Own Security System?

That’s a question some homeowners ask when they’re looking for home security on a tight budget. It’s admirable to explore a DIY option for many kinds of home improvement projects, of course – and for renters, or those with severe credit challenges, installing your own security system may be one of those projects. But for the average homeowner, it isn’t. Here’s why.

Reason 1: The Risk of User Error

When a home security system is installed by the homeowner rather than a professional installation expert, there is not only an increased risk of improper installation; there’s also an increased risk of the system malfunctioning because of those errors. Anyone who is thinking of installing their own home security system must consider whether those risks are worth the relatively small amount of money that was saved.

Reason 2: Monitoring Not Included  

Another reason installing your own security system is less desirable is there are very few options for having a self-installed system monitored. In most cases, the system is only designed to activate an internal siren to scare off an intruder. That’s better than no security system at all, of course – but it’s still not the same as having the system connected to a central station monitoring center that dispatches the authorities when it’s triggered.

When a home security system is installed by the homeowner rather than a professional installation expert, there is not only an increased risk of improper installation; there’s also an increased risk of the system malfunctioning because of those errors.

 

Reason 3: No Home Control

If remote access is important to you, then installing your own security system is not likely to be a good choice. Most self-installation kits are not designed to connect to your mobile phone, which means no:

  • Arming and disarming your system from your phone
  • Checking home security cameras while you’re away
  • Notifications when the alarm is triggered

If these are features you want in a home security system, then professional installation is highly recommended. And if you installed your own security system in the past? It may be time for an upgrade to a professionally installed and monitored system that offers you total control with remote smartphone access.

To discuss your own options for professional home security installation and monitoring, contact Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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