Time to update home security
Remembering to set the alarm before you left the house used to be about as complex as home security got. But now it’s increasingly common to have a fully integrated system that links in with several other gadgets around the house, controlled via an app on your phone.
David Gilbert, managing director of home technology company Smart Systems, estimates 70-80 per cent of his new security installs now have an element of smartphone control. ‘‘You still get the odd person who just wants to set and forget their alarm but the integrated systems are really user-friendly and very practical.’’
He says some of the most useful features are being able to remotely alarm and disarm the alarm, and allow other people like guests or tradespeople access to the property when they’re not there.
Those with older children also like to receive alerts when the alarm is disarmed, signalling that the kids have arrived home safely.
Last year, 51,922 residential burglaries were reported to the Police, and three-quarters of all burglaries were at residential addresses.
Gilbert says a secure home gives people peace of mind, especially those who live alone.
‘‘You can set your system to do things like turn your lights on before you get home at night or link it to your electronic gate or garage door so you can drive in, shut the door behind you and then disarm the alarm,’’ he says.
‘‘That kind of thing is really helpful for people who are safetyconscious.’’
Smoke alarms can also be connected to your security system, meaning you don’t have to worry about replacing the battery. They can also be set up so that the lights come on if the smoke alarm sounds so you can see your way out during a fire.
Security cameras are another growth area. Gilbert says their quality has improved and their cost has gone down. Cameras allow you to monitor your home remotely, so if your alarm is triggered you can see why and, with fewer than 10 per cent of residential burglaries solved, they’re also helpful for supplying footage to the police.
‘‘Cameras are also good if you go on holiday and want to make sure your kids aren’t having any wild parties,’’ he adds. Pet owners can use them to check up on their furry friends while they’re at work.
Together with the rise of these integrated systems, in the last few years many self-install security systems have hit the market. Brands like Morepork, Cleverloop and the Google-owned Nest offer basic camera starter kits which can be upgraded with extra sensors, smoke alarms and cloud data backup as required.
The price of professionally installed and self-installed systems vary depending on the number of features the system has, the level of monitoring and the size of your home. Nest cameras start at $359 and Morepork’s plan starts at $39.95 a month for 12 months. Gilbert’s company installs systems at ordinary homes, ‘‘right up to those worth ten million.’’
And even if you’re not in the market for an integrated system at first, he advises investing in a quality alarm that can have features added in the future.