Keep an eye on things while you're away.
There are many smart options for checking in on your home when you're on vacation. One of the most common is a security camera. These cameras can be placed throughout your home to give you an eye on what's happening and alerting you when there's motion in a specific area. Many of these cameras also have microphones built in, so you can hear what's happening and broadcast your voice into the space.
A smart thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home, even when you're away. Most smart thermostats will let you set up a heating or cooling schedule that saves on energy, and they'll also keep an eye on temperature extremes that can cause damage to pipes and appliances.
Smart sensors, fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can all help you detect an emergency in the making. These devices can alert you when they sense smoke, fire or even water in your home.
Skip the key under the mat.
Smart locks can be controlled using a smart app, allowing you to unlock and lock your home from anywhere. This can be exceptionally helpful when you need to let a neighbor or friend inside to water your plants or drop off your mail.
If guests are coming to your home while you're on vacation, you can unlock and lock the door for them, or (in most cases) grant access to your app so they can operate the lock on their own. You can even limit this access to specific days when they need to get in. Most locks also alert you when your door has been locked/unlocked, so you'll know when guests have visited your home.
Another popular way to keep an eye on who's stopping by is to use a smart doorbell. These devices alert you when someone rings the bell, and they typically have a built-in camera and microphone so you can see who is there and speak to them. Motion sensors in these devices can also alert you if movement is detected in a specific space. This can be helpful when a package is being delivered and you need to give instructions to your delivery person.
Geek Squad can set up your smart devices.
Make it look like you're home.
Many smart devices are controlled by apps, which means you can turn them on or off from anywhere you have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
With smart lighting, you can set up a schedule that turns your lights on at a specific time or as soon as it gets dark outside. This will help deter intruders who might enter a dark home, and you'll also be energy efficient by turning off lights when they're not needed. If you'd like these features in your outdoor lights, make sure the bulbs are designed to withstand the outdoor elements.
If your devices are not smart but you still want to turn them on and off remotely, consider using smart plugs. A smart plug allows you to control the power to the specific device it’s plugged into. So even if your lamp has a regular light bulb, you can turn the lamp on and off using the smart plug app.
Smart plugs can also help out with devices you tend to leave on by mistake. Consider using them on things like your TV or small appliances like hair straighteners, air purifiers and irons. If you're driving to the airport for vacation and aren't sure if you left something on, simply check your smart plug app and turn things off as needed.
