This is the time of year when big box stores are placing DIY home security systems prominently on shelves, and the ones being sold online are likely to be discounted. Many of these systems boast a “plug and play” experience in which users with little-to-no technical expertise can install them. It’s easy to be lured in by the lower price tag and promise of an easy setup – but unfortunately, these systems are missing some key features that make a big difference. Those features include the following:

For habitual lawbreakers, packages sitting on your front porch are “low hanging fruit” – in other words, very easy to steal. Even if someone is home, a criminal can still grab your package, hop back in the car and be on their way in 30 seconds or less. And if you aren’t home, it’s even easier for them to pull off. 

It’s been almost a decade since Siri started making our lives easier by becoming part of our Apple products. Now, there’s another technology that can be integrated with Siri; it’s called Siri Shortcuts, a new voice control integration that lets you activate the Scenes feature on your smart home security system just by talking to Siri. In the same way you could already integrate your system with Google Home or Amazon Echo, you can now integrate it with the Siri function on your Apple products using Siri Shortcuts.

If you haven’t yet invested in a doorbell camera, you’re missing out on a powerful home security tool. There are so many smart ways to use a doorbell camera; here are some of the smartest. 

Remember the old days, when we thought the future meant most of us would have flying cars and live in homes emblematic of the atomic age? As it turned out, that’s not what the future held for us – but it did have some pretty amazing technological advancements to offer instead. 

For many families, the summer is the high point of the year: great weather, more free time, carefree vacations…but what about summer safety? There are hazards unique to the summer season — but by following some simple steps, your family can make 2020 the safest summer yet. 

Every summer, homeowners take some time to improve things around the house and make adjustments to plans that get neglected the rest of the year. Hopefully, you’ll include home security in that effort. Here are some ways you can adjust your home security this summer so that the rest of the year goes as smoothly as possible.

Some homeowners believe they’re capable of handling an emergency on their own: making split-second decisions, getting everyone to safety and calling for help if its needed. For some people, maybe that’s true – but why would you take a chance with something as critical as the well-being of your home and loved ones?