By Pam Dillon
The doorbell rings. Who is it? A solicitor? The delivery guy with your latest purchase? Maybe it’s a neighbourhood kid selling chocolate bars or your in-laws dropping by to stay for a month.
Why wonder … or scurry to the door and peek trepidatiously from behind a curtain … when you can just check your smartphone? If you have a smart security camera or video doorbell installed, you can see who or what it is, instantly, whether you’re in the living room or at your office 50 kilometres away.
Offering 24/7 monitoring, motion detection and two-way audio, these weather-resistant devices improve your home’s security and also make your life easier, since you can talk to the visitor remotely.
There are a lot of handy smart devices that make life easier and safer at home. Check these out:
Smart locks are electronic, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled locks that allows you to lock and unlock your doors without a conventional key. There’s no pesky little metal doohickey to lose!
Instead, a smart lock can be controlled using a smartphone app, keypad, fingerprint scanner or even voice commands. You never again have to worry about fumbling for your keychain, hiding a key under the flowerpot or accidentally getting locked out of the house. Not only can you lock or unlock your door from anywhere, you can also assign a temporary passcode to allow a guest or visitor to gain entrance. You can also monitor who enters and exists and get notifications when someone comes or goes.
Smart plugs are Wi-Fi-enabled devices that plug into standard wall outlets and allow you to remotely control other connected items. They enable automation, scheduling and voice control so that you can turn devices on and off from wherever you are, set timers and schedules and also monitor household energy use. Everything from lamps to coffee makers can be controlled remotely.
Smart Motion Sensor Lights take the risk out of getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, let the dog out or get a glass of water. Since they’re motion-activated, you don’t have to stumble around looking for the light switch. They automatically light up dark hallways, staircases and bathrooms, greatly reducing your risk of falling. When programmed for outdoor use, they can illuminate your entrances, walkways and driveway, improving both visibility and safety.
By only turning on when required and shutting off automatically, motion sensor lights also help reduce electricity bills and conserve energy.
