Home Safety Tips for the School Year

Date Published: 08/06/2017 | Author: Best Buy

Between school, sports, activities and work, your schedule probably gets busier and more unpredictable in the fall. As a result, your home is empty more often. Or older kids are home alone more frequently. Smart home tech can help you keep an eye on your house and family when you can't be there. If you want to add one smart home device or get several that work together, there are plenty of options. See a few we like in this video.

If you're at work, but want to see what's going on at home, security cameras can give you a window into your house from anywhere. They're sleek, smart and shoot clear video that you can see anytime on your phone. You can even set up motion alerts, so you can see when your kids arrive home and talk to them in real time, using two-way audio. No texting needed. And some, like the Arlo Pro wire-free security camera, are weatherproof and, without wires, can be put up just about anywhere.

Older kids who get home before you might forget a house key, but they'll rarely be without their smartphone. A smart keyless door lock turns their phone into a key. These cool deadbolts are easy to install and open with an app. An August smart lock automatically opens when an approved phone approaches the door. It can send you alerts, saying who unlocked the door. There's a guest feature, too. Visitors, house cleaners, dog walkers and in-laws can open the door, but only during set times. And, if you have a child who isn't old enough for a phone yet, a regular key will still work.

Your family's schedules shift when school starts. The weather is cooling. A smart thermostat can help you manage the temperature at home when you can't be there, and apps let you control the heat and air conditioning from your phone. Some, like the Nest learning thermostat also adjust the heating and cooling schedule over time. So, your house will stay at a more energy-efficient temperature while the house is empty and a more comfortable temperature while people are home.

When you add smart home devices, it's also a great time to check on your Wi-Fi network. If your router is three or more years old, it might be time to upgrade. Newer networking devices, like routers and whole-home Wi-Fi systems, are made to handle the extra traffic from smart home devices along with the video streaming and web surfing your family already does. Want help? Geek Squad® Agents are smart home experts. They can check your network strength and recommend ways to speed it up. Plus, agents are able install many home devices, set them up and show you how to use them.