We live in exciting times. New technology seems to arrive on an almost daily basis, improving almost every aspect of our lives. Technologies we take for granted today were completely unheard of a few short years ago.
Many of the most exciting advances in technology have come in the home security industry. Not only have advances in home security technology improved our ability to protect our homes from those who would rob us, but they’ve also become integrated with a number of other safety features. This improves our ability to access emergency services when we need them.
If you haven’t been keeping up with the advances in home security technology, you may be surprised at just how far the home security system has come. Today’s smart security technology isn’t your father’s hard wired burglar alarm. Take a look at these recent advances which have revolutionized home security technology:
1. Wireless Security Options – Wireless systems are easier and cheaper to install than hard wired system. They also make is much easier to divide your home into regions. Wireless technology makes it possible to pinpoint the location and nature of a problem in your home. It also cuts down significantly on false alarms, which police estimate account for nearly 98% of alarms set off on hard wired home security systems.
2. Integration with Entertainment Systems – Recent advances in home security technology allow you to monitor and operate your security systems from any Internet capable device. Using closed circuit cameras, you can monitor your entire home from your home computer or other Internet capable devices, including home entertainment systems.
3. Leak/Furnace Failure Detection – Burglars and fires aren’t the only problems that can damage your home and cost you money while you’re away. Many of today’s home security systems are designed to detect leaks, furnace failures, and other common household problems. These new systems alert you immediately so you can take appropriate measures to ensure that your home doesn’t suffer extensive water damage, frozen pipes, or other costly issues.
4. Integration with Fire, Medical and other Emergency Response – With the increasing ability to control home security systems from small remote devices comes the ability to incorporate more functions. One of the most useful, especially for elderly people, is the ability to summon medical, fire, or other emergency services from your home security operating device.
5. Integrated Vibration and Audio Sensors – Vibration sensors are notorious for false alarms. That’s because it doesn’t take much to set them off. A falling branch or a bird flying into the window can easily trigger a false alarm. Today’s home security systems add and integrate audio sensors which can tell the difference between common noises and shattering glass, making them better able to distinguish whether an actual break-in or other emergency has taken place.
6. Smart Phone Apps - Most of us really don’t need another device to carry around, even if it is small. Because of recent advances, we don’t need to carry a separate device for monitoring or controlling our home security systems. All of the major smart phones have apps available which allow you to remotely monitor and control everything from your alarm to your lighting and the heat in your home.
7. Smart Homes – Today, you can turn your home into a smart home. This allows you to control virtually all of your electronics from any room in your home, or from anywhere in the world using a mobile device. In smart homes, the entertainment systems, alarm systems, heating, AC, and other appliances are able to communicate with one another using embedded computers. This allows you to set them on a time schedule or to control them manually from your phone or computer. These functions can be built into a new home or (more commonly) retrofitted into an existing home.
Even if you don’t live in a high crime area, it makes sense to give yourself the peace of mind knowing that your home is being watched over while you’re away. Today’s security systems do so much more than alerting the police if someone is breaking into your home. By integrating systems, there are so many more things you can do from one device.
If you haven’t taken the time to see what one of today’s home security systems can do for your family, you owe it to yourself to look into it. Home security systems have always given people peace of mind while they’re away. These days, they offer much more, without the many hassles often associated with older home security systems.
About the Author:
Nick Simpson is Social Media Coordinator at Kontron, a leading designer of the industrial computer and panel PC, including the industrial PC.
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