Can gadgets really make us safer?
You can take steps to improve the odds of not becoming a burglary statistic. It's as easy as installing some security gadgets. They'll not only make your home a less attractive target but can help police nab burglars too.
Alarms
The most obvious security gadget is an alarm, which appeals because they can scare off burglars. Many come with sirens that will deliver an ear-shredding 120 decibels. Few burglars will hang around once a siren starts.
MorePork features easy installation and a wireless design.
It works with Android and Apple smartphones so it's easy to keep an eye on your home while you're away.
For an extra fee, it can get monitored so security guards will pop over if the alarm goes off.
It's expandable too. As well as the sensors bundled with the starter kit, you can buy cameras, smart lights, video doorbells and locks.
By default, the starter pack comes with three door/window sensors, a camera and a passive infra-red image sensor. Getting set up was easy and I got it right the first time.
There are some well thought out features too. You can have several alarm codes which are useful for house sitters. The alarm will notify you if you leave a door or window open. It'll even tell you if you've left home without arming the alarm. You can arm or disarm it from almost anywhere with the mobile app.
Locks
I've lost count of the number of times I've locked myself out of my home. A smart lock was what I needed.
The Yale Assure has a touch screen for entering pin numbers and the smartphone app can unlock the door too.
Installation requires holes get drilled in the door to fit the lock. That said, Yale provide comprehensive instructions plus a template to help things along. Reading the manual is a must.
As keys are no longer needed, it's almost impossible to lock yourself out. Using the Yale app, digital keys can get sent to house sitters (they can get deactivated later-on). The Yale Assure also locks when the door closes so there's no forgetting to lock the door.
Video doorbells
Video doorbells can notify you if anyone is at your door. You can also chat with visitors before opening the door.
The Ring video doorbell uses batteries so wiring is minimal. This makes it a doddle to install. Keeping its batteries charged is easy thanks to an optional solar charger.
It has high-definition video and night vision, so you can get a clear picture of whoever is at the door, be it day or night. An optional Ring Chime also means you can hear it if your smartphone isn't to hand.
Motion tracking means the Ring records when it detects movement outside the door. Recorded footage can get stored online for an optional fee.
The Yale Look Door Viewer fits into an existing door peephole which means it's easy to install. Being a smart version of an old school peep hole, it'll notify you on your smartphone if someone is at the door. It'll also record video onto a SD card.
It also acts as an intercom. This means that you can chat with visitors before opening the door. Instead of peeking through a tiny peep hole, the Look comes with a colour display. Seeing who's on the other side was easy.
Cameras
Few burglaries get solved. This is because the police are often left with little evidence. Most burglars wear gloves so there are no fingerprints. This is where cameras come in. A camera image provides police with invaluable evidence to help catch burglars.
Arlo cameras are wireless, use rechargeable batteries and are simple to install. Add an optional solar charger and it becomes almost maintenance free.
The cameras are designed for outdoor use and record video in high definition. Video footage is also stored online for up to seven days at no charge. A 130-degree field of view means one camera covers a large area.
The night vision illuminates an 8-metre area and footage yields usable mugshots. It's not only cameras either. The Arlo base station can emit a piercing 100-decibel siren to drive burglars away.
The Netatmo Welcome is a stylish looking home security camera. It resembles a designer aluminium-clad pepper grinder.
It's also a capable indoor camera. The mobile app (Apple and Android) is easy to use and has face recognition. This means you can log who is entering and leaving.
Video gets recorded onto a bundled microSD card, but only photos get uploaded to a cloud service. Video quality is very good, and night vision also yielded useable images.
Would you consider technology like this?
Written by Pat Pilcher. Republished with permission of Stuff.co.nz.