The winter holidays are already busy enough and the last thing anyone wants to worry about is the possibility of burglars, trespassers or vandals. But don’t let the thought give you a headache. The right home security and latest tech tricks can stop thieves, porch pirates and other ills, giving peace of mind when you need it most.
I’ve been reviewing smart home products and talking to crime experts for years. Along the way, I’ve rounded up the best devices and safety tricks to keep your property safe. Here’s where to start.
1. Set motion detection lights to stun
Remember, apps from popular smart home brands like Arlo, Ring, Blink and many others allow you to set zones and control motion sensitivity so your security lights only turn on when a person gets close, instead of lighting up a dozen times a night.
Read more: I Thought I’d Hate AI in Home Security. I Couldn’t Have Been More Wrong
2. Put up a security system yard sign
Kasa’s very affordable doorbell can keep an eye on all kinds of front door events.
It’s hard to miss a video doorbell when approaching a front door or porch. From Google Nest to Arlo, Ring and Aqara, these doorbell cameras make it obvious that someone’s watching. They come equipped with two-way audio and quick replies that can hold brief conversations, and if visitors recognize a video doorbell, they probably know it’s already sent alerts to the owner about front door activity.
Those qualities make doorbells an excellent method to deter porch pirates and other troublemakers. We also recommend planning for video storage so you have a way to save and download or share video clips when necessary.
4. Use alerts to call an audible
Arming a system with a siren is a great way to scare off trespassers if they get too close.
They aren’t quite as ubiquitous as two-way audio, but many cameras and most home security kits also include sirens. On today’s smart devices you have the option to turn on sirens with the app, or set the siren to sound off when certain kinds of motion are detected and the system is armed. It’s a quick addition you can activate during setup, even for the smallest cams like the Blink Mini 2.
6. Position access sensors on windows and backdoors
Smart lights and vacation modes make your house seem occupied even when you’re not around.
Smart security systems and home cams have an additional feature to help make vacations easier: They have vacation modes and customizable away modes. You can pair these modes with smart lights and set an activity schedule that makes it look like people are still home when you’re away.
Vacation modes like these will turn lights on and off to mimic people getting home in the evening, waking up in the morning and other everyday activities. They can discourage thieves looking for empty homes that make easy targets, and give you extra peace of mind on long vacations. These modes also pair very well with cams that let you take a peek as long as you have a reliable internet connection and access sensors that tell you when something went wrong.
8. Keep your garage closed and locked
Smart locks ensure you never forget to lock the front door.
Forgetting to lock the front door isn’t quite as noticeable as leaving the garage open, but it can still attract thieves, who won’t be shy about rattling doorknobs to see if entry is easy. A smart lock is a simple, incredibly effective way to monitor your main entry and make sure it’s always locked at the right times.
Today’s smart locks can auto-lock after a period of inactivity, or send you reminders that they’re open, so you can make a judgment call yourself. They also come with ways to give friends and family temporary passes to use the lock with their own phones, and options to review your access history.
10. Use an active professional home-monitoring service
Package lock boxes are a very old solution to a very modern problem.
A package lock box is a very simple, very effective addition to your home that shuts down porch piracy entirely. It works a lot like public package drop-offs, with one area where delivery people can drop in a package, and a holding area only accessible to the owner via key or keypad. Thieves can’t get inside at all. Advanced models like Loxx Boxx also give you app control, remote access and alerts about when you get a delivery. This could be the perfect deterrent if you have porch-pirate problems in your neighborhood and get packages frequently.
What about guard dogs as a security bonus?
Many sources suggest getting a guard dog as a home theft deterrent. We do not recommend getting a dog specifically for security purposes, even if they’re effective. It’s not very fun for the dog, and it’s difficult to train one to be wary of the wrong kind of strangers (and not, say, cousin Jimmy who’s never been to your home before). Also, dog attacks regularly lead to trespassers suing homeowners for their injuries, and some states have liability laws that can encourage such lawsuits.
Since staying safe is already on your mind, you can check out our recommendations for the top DIY home security systems, as well as ways to save money like turning an old phone into a security cam. And if you live with roommates, you’ll want to peruse our guide on the best tech to keep your own room safe.
