How to use smart home products to create a home security system
It’s essential to feel safe at home. An easy way to do so is byinstalling a security system, which is known to drive intruders away. These are expensive, but other options can achieve home security without the hefty price tag of traditional systems.
Sign up forfree
Forgot your password?
Create an account
*Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number
By continuing, you agree to thePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Use.You also agree to receive our newsletters, you could opt-out any time.
By integrating these accessible gadgets, you’ll keep your home safe in a few easy steps, giving you peace of mind without straining your budget. Read on to find out how to secure your abode without spending a fortune and installing a complex alarm.
Start by checking your devices' compatibility
Although you may be tempted to buy new products or purchase all your smart objects from the same brand, you don’t need to. However, your devices must be able to communicate with each other, and there are various ways to achieve this.
The easiest way is to check if the devices you own or plan to buy are compatible with IFTTT. The platform allows you to make several services communicate with each other. The free version is limited, which may be an issue for some.Alexalets you create some custom scenes, but the triggers may be less customizable, depending on the smart device. Google Assistant lets you create routines, but it doesn’t offer enough customization to work as a reliable DIY theft deterrent system.
it’s possible to get products that work with apps in the Google Play Store, such as SmartThings or Smart Life, which let you create scenes with conditions and triggers. If you’re buying a new device, ensure it’s compatible withMatter, as the new protocol makes it easier for smart devices to communicate with each other.
Pick the right smart devices for maximum protection
Now that you’ve picked a platform, or several, to make your devices from different brands communicate with each other, it’s time to select which smart devices will lead people away from your home. It’s best to avoid intruders trying to break in, and the best way to prevent that is by making them think you’re home.
There are various ways to do so. For example, randomly turn on some devices (such assmart lights, speakers, and TVs) and open and close your shutters. The above platforms help you simulate that presence, depending on the devices you have at home.
On top of that, you’ll want to make intruders leave if they break in.Good security camerasare a reliable way to monitor your home and yard. However, they often send false notifications and can’t be relied upon to sound the alarm. A simple contact or motion sensor is a cheap option, as they’re less sensitive and more accurate when letting you know about trespassers. Using them as triggers, you can automatically blast a siren sound effect on your smart speakers, turn on the sprinklers, or text or call relatives to let them know something’s up.
Make sure no one will look in your living room but you
How to configure your routines to shoo intruders away
After you’ve thought of the kind of automation you want to achieve and the rules to define, it’s time to configure them. The process isn’t complex, but it requires time and focus. Here are some guidelines on how to do it, depending on the platform or app you use.
You’ll create an applet to configure your automation throughIFTTT. This applet can be triggered by a condition. This is easy to achieve. The free membership only lets you perform one action for each trigger. Consider a paid membership to get the most out of it.
Here’s how to define your rules:
Amazon Alexa
Depending on your device’s Skills, Amazon’s AI assistant Alexa can do wonders when it comes to automation. Setting a routine isn’t intuitive, but when it’s defined, it works perfectly.
Here’s how to set up a routine on Alexa:
Smart Life
If you bought affordable products on Amazon, they most likely work with Smart Life. What’s great about the app is that it’s possible to use it to pair and control your devices, as well as create routines and automation.
The process of pairing and controlling your devices is straightforward:
SmartThings
SmartThings may be less popular, but it supports a variety of products and makes it easy to create a routine.
Here’s how to create a routine with SmartThings:
Make your home smarter with automation
Transforming your home into a smarter, more secure place doesn’t require an extravagant investment in traditional security systems. With the clever use of various smart devices and integration platforms, it’s easy to create effective automations to make them interact seamlessly across brands. These give the impression of an occupied home and act as deterrents against potential intruders by triggering lights, alarm sound effects on speakers, and sprinkler systems.
Google Assistant may not be ideal for a DIY security setup, but it’s useful forautomating daily tasksand enhancing home intelligence. It’s worth considering for other aspects of your smart home automation.
Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions
The note-taking app I should have used all along
New colors inbound
One UI is expanding to Samsung’s home appliances
Generative AI, now poolside
A hefty discount makes this a no-brainer
