Via Oregon - September/October 2021 - 12

SMART LIFE
breaks, the device will send you a
real-time alert and the monitoring
center will contact authorities based
on your response.
Window and door
entry sensors
Burglars typically aren't creative:
Most enter homes through the front
or back doors or windows on the first
floor, according to the home security
firm ADT. With these discreet security
devices in place, you'll know
when doors and windows open,
whether you're home or miles away,
says Robinson.
Water detectors and
temperature sensors
Water is a home's nemesis. It leaves
mold and mildew in its wake and can
destroy furnishings and the building's
structure. Cleanup is costly, running
between $1,000 and $5,000 for the
average home, according to
HomeAdvisor.
Smart home devices can help:
Flood sensors, for instance, send an
alert to your phone when they detect
water. " If your water heater is leaking
or your dishwasher has an issue, you
can know about it right away before
water damage gets worse, " Robinson
says. Consider installing a sensor in
your basement or crawl space, under
the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and
near your washing machine, dishwasher,
and water heater.
If you live in a climate with freezing
winter temperatures, pipes can
freeze, causing them to burst. A temperature
sensor can notify you when
degrees dip, so you can take action
to prevent this.
12 VIA | SEPTEMBER+OCTOBER 2021
Garage tilt sensor
If you've ever driven a block away from
home only to wonder if you closed the
garage door, you'll appreciate this
smart device, says Robinson. Its sensors
let your system know whether the
garage door is open or closed-and
you can set up the device to let you
know when you've left the garage
door open. That's important, because
your garage may have valuables inside
and can also be an easy access point
into your home.
With the garage tilt sensor, you
can use assistants on your phone,
such as Siri, to open or close the
garage door as needed. You can also
set up location-based automation, so
your garage door opens once your
car is close by.
Smart locks
" This is a different technology than
some of us are used to, " Robinson
says. But once you adjust, the benefits
are clear: You'll never need to
hide a key or feel frantic about forgetting
your keys again. Plus, with a
smart lock, you can set up individual
access codes to allow specific people
entry into your home at set
times-for example, you can create a
code for your dog walker to use during
mid-day walks and another one
for your neighbor to bring in your
mail while you're away.
Outdoor cameras
Video doorbells and outdoor
cameras are hugely popular. These
cameras have the ability to let you
know if there's a person, vehicle,
package, or animal in your yard. With
them, you'll get " a lot of peace of
mind knowing what's going on
around your house, " says Robinson.
Security systems
With a smart home security system,
different devices-such as the
cameras, sensors, and locks-can all
work together on a secure platform
that analyzes data, Robinson says.
For instance, these systems will know
if a window opens at an unusual time,
and can alert you accordingly.
" The beauty of smart devices is that
they can help you deter theft simply
by being there, " Robinson says. Once
a thief spots a camera, they may be
less likely to attempt a break-in.
If your burglar alarm system is
centrally monitored, you may also be
eligible for an insurance discount.
-madeleine burry
TOP: LORDN / SHUTTERSTOCK; BOTTOM: COURTESY AAA SMART HOME
Via Oregon - September/October 2021

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