10 Beneficial Smart Home Features for Back-to-School Season

Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in September 2018 and has been revised to reflect industry updates.

Beneficial smart home features for back-to-school season include smart door locks, security cameras, geofencing capabilities, and energy management.

As summer days shift toward the cooler and shorter fall season, many families are returning to hectic school and work schedules. While home security is top priority, efficient household safety management can often be challenging.

This doesn’t have to be the case, however, when you add real-time smart home features that protect your loved ones and home!

Whether at work, home, or on an extended outing, smart technologies such as remote monitoring, motion detection, and more can help you stay on top of home security. These automated features also help manage other household safety features such as lighting, heating and cooling, and even vehicle tracking and diagnostics.

Smart devices can also track and monitor your family’s health and wellness goals.

When adding or upgrading back-to-school smart technologies within your home, it’s best to work with a reputable service provider, such as General Security.

Below we’ll outline 10 beneficial smart home features for back-to-school season, including smart door locks, security cameras, geofencing capabilities, energy management, and more.

1. How Do Smart Locks Help During Busy School Mornings?

Smart locks enable users to secure homes from most mobile apps. Remotely arm/disarm alarm systems and power down lights and other electrical sources, too!

Anyone with children knows how chaotic weekday mornings can be. From preparing lunches and checking backpacks to getting out on time, there’s a long list of to-dos. If you commute to work, you might have inadvertently forgotten to lock doors or turn down the lights. Fortunately, many smart security systems help you maintain home safety.

2. Keep a Watchful Eye With Smart Security Cameras

Parents can easily check on children arriving home safely from school and ensure they complete their homework.

Many smart security systems include indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras with remote video monitoring. Cameras equipped with two-way audio and video communication can deter unexpected visitors, accept deliveries, and help control frisky household pets.

Alarm.com Perimeter Guard is another protective option when used with compatible security cameras. Should a trespasser attempt to gain access, they’ll be met with flashing red lights, sirens, and alarms integrated with LEDs and speakers.

3. Can You Get Real-Time Alerts of Suspicious Behavior While You’re Away?

Smart home technology also delivers in-app alerts of solicitors or trespassers gaining access to your property — even if you’re away from home.

Should you fail to arm your home security system, video analytics and motion detection close this gap with customized settings and tripwires within pre-programmed designated areas. Also, built-in AI deterrence can call out trespassers with recorded information specific to that trespasser (wardrobe, etc.), creating the impression of live surveillance and stopping them from proceeding.

4. How Can GPS Tracking Help With School Drop-Off and Teen Drivers?

With Alarm.com Connected Car, you can track driver whereabouts and manage vehicle maintenance schedules regarding oil changes, fuel consumption, tire pressure, and more.

This smart technology also displays location information for emergency personnel and roadside assistance. Whether you’re a busy parent handling school drop-off and pick-up or you have a new teen driver, GPS tracking systems add another layer of convenience.

5. How Do Smart Outlets Help Enforce Homework and Quiet Hours?

Smart outlets remotely power down electronic devices, TVs, and gaming systems during quiet hours.

Another helpful use is programming LED bulbs for bedtime and lights out. Ensuring adherence to homework and study times is another challenge parents face throughout the school year.

6. Can Smart Thermostats Adjust the Temperature Before Kids Get Home?

Smart thermostats can set home heating and cooling for certain times throughout the day. They can also be synced with weather patterns to avoid uncomfortable or dangerous interior temperatures during extreme weather.

No one wants to enter a sweltering home in the summer or a chilly interior during a snowstorm.

7. What Is a Geofencing Scene and How Do You Set One Up

One of the most popular smart functions is programming and saving frequently used configurations in Alarm.com’s Scenes. Compatible with geofencing, setting a scene labeled “Kids Home From School” will automatically activate various smart technologies.

This includes remotely adjusting indoor lights, thermostats, and other pre-programmed, designated functions. Similar scenes can be set for morning and evening routines, and when you’re on vacation or out.

8. How Do Flood Sensors Protect Your Home From Water Damage?

Protect your home from leaks and water damage by adding flood sensors to avoid costly accidents.

The Alarm.com Smart Water Valve + Meter offers quick leak and moisture detection, automatic shutoff, and daily usage insights.

9. What Happens If the Alarm Goes Off While No One Is Home?

Should an activated home alarm system signify an emergency, 24/7 Central Station Monitoring will immediately alert local authorities — whether you’re home or not!

You can also view real-time mobile alerts with assurance that help is on the way. Acting as your home’s secret guardian, this technology can oftentimes be the difference between exacerbated injuries, illness, and damages.

10. How Often Should You Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

It’s also important to ensure these devices are in working order and have been recently inspected. A good rule of thumb is to do this during spring and fall daylight saving time changes.

Updated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are imperative, especially during cooler months. With gas fireplaces running and people spending more time indoors, the risk of dangers such as smoke inhalation, fires, gas leaks, and chimney problems increases.

How Do Smart Security Integrations Keep Your Family Safe & Sound?

By automating everything from security cameras to thermostats, alarm systems, and more, smart technologies provide added peace of mind that your family and home are safe and secure.

General Security provides smart technology solutions protecting your loved ones and home. Request a free quote from us today!