Simple Home Automation Tips for Living Alone Safely

Solitude has its advantages – there’s the freedom, the peace, and the joy of doing things your way. But it also comes with challenges, particularly concerning safety and security. When living alone, you have to take care of your own safety and your home. Fortunately, this can be managed, thanks to modern home automation technology. You don’t need advanced tech knowledge to implement these systems. With a few simple tips and know-how, you can utilize these new-age contraptions to safeguard your home.

Determine the Spots that Need Monitoring

An essential component of home automation is the use of smart home devices that can monitor different areas of your home. The first step in utilizing these devices effectively is to identify the areas that need monitoring and in what way you can get that done. For instance, for the outdoors, you’ll have to install security cameras that connect to your phone so that you can check live footage anytime, even when you’re not home. Along with that, it’s better to invest in outdoor motion-activated lights that can deter intruders by illuminating areas whenever motion is detected. Also, ensure that the outdoor devices are weatherproof so they remain functional even during heavy rains and snow.

For indoor monitoring, start by identifying locations for smoke detectors and motion sensors. Key areas, include hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms, as these are most often used and easy to monitor. Placing detectors in kitchens and near electrical outlets can also provide early warnings against fire risks. Motion detectors, on the other hand, are useful for flagging unexpected movement inside the house when no one is supposed to be home.

Invest in Video Doorbells

Security cameras are great for monitoring the outdoors, but they do not allow for two-way communication. To enable this feature, you can invest in a video doorbell. These devices allow you to see who’s at the door and communicate with them directly through your phone. More importantly, they let you decide whether you want to open the door for the person standing outside. Many video doorbell models also record footage, providing you with a record of all your visitors.

Get Smart Door Locks

If you want to tighten the security of your home, consider replacing your traditional door lock with a smart one. Smart door locks really live up to their name. They’re devices that do not exactly require a physical key to open or lock. Some require passcodes, while some unlock with your fingerprints. You can even connect these devices to your Wi-Fi and operate them remotely via a smartphone app. This enables you to lock and unlock the door without having to actually be at the door.

Use Smart Lighting with Turn-on Schedules

When you’re living alone and need to step out, it’s natural for you to be worried about leaving your house unattended. But fortunately, there is a solution to this issue. You can invest in smart lighting that can be scheduled to turn on and off while you are away. For some of these lights, this can be done via their own smartphone apps. But for the bulbs that do not have a timer option, you can do this via your main smart home hub (Google Home, Alexa, etc). Timing the lights to turn on and off will basically make it seem like someone’s home and awake. It’s a smart living alone solution that adds a big layer of security and peace of mind.

Change the Codes and Passwords Regularly

Smart devices can only keep you safe if their own security is strong and intact. That’s why it’s important to keep updating your codes and passwords to those devices from time to time.

Start with the basics – change the codes on smart door locks every few weeks. Likewise, keep updating the password to your Wi-Fi as well, with which you’ve connected all your smart home devices. It’s unarguably the most important home automation safety tip that you need to follow. Along with the Wi-Fi, also make sure to change the password to the account that these devices are connected to on a regular basis. More importantly, always set a unique and strong password to avoid unforeseen situations.

Set Up Voice Assistants for Emergencies

One of the most challenging aspects of living alone is dealing with medical or health emergencies. In the event of an unfortunate incident, such as a fall, if your phone is not with you, it can be nearly impossible to call for help. Thankfully, home automation tech can prove to be a lifesaver in such cases. Smart speakers with voice assistants, such as Google Nest and Alexa, can be programmed to call emergency services when needed. Although this requires a separate subscription—Nest Aware for Google and Emergency Assist for Alexa—it’s a worthwhile investment. These technological features can make them the perfect choice for independent living.