Your Holiday Home Security To-Do List 2017, Part 2: Advanced Protection & Tips

In last month’s Part 1 of this series, we reviewed some of the more basic home security tips you should pay attention to this holiday season and now we’re going to step it up a notch with some more advanced items for you to consider checking off your list this year.

Test Your Security System

We can’t stress enough how important it is to test your security system, no matter what model you have or how old it is. It’s very easy to do and depending on what kind of system you have, the testing can be done in just 5-10 minutes. Contact your local security company to help walk you through testing if you need help.

Upgrade To Cellular Alarm Monitoring

If you already have a home security system with alarm monitoring, check to make sure that it uses cellular alarm monitoring vs broadband (internet).

Though broadband internet communication is becoming more prevalent in the security industry, should your internet connection go out and someone breaks into your home over the holidays, your system won’t be able to send the emergency signal to the authorities.

With cellular communication, your alarm will be able to send the signal just like your phone does when it makes a call. Should your internet — and even your power — go out, it will be still be able to contact the central monitoring station to alert you and the authorities of the break-in.

Replace Your Sensor Batteries

Should your security system be wireless — which means your sensors communicate to your alarm panel via wireless communication — be sure to keep the batteries that run the system in mind. Most modern systems will have lithium batteries that can last several years depending on the use of the particular sensor.

However, if you can’t remember the last time you replaced your batteries, here’s a step-by-step walk-through for replacing one of the most common wireless sensors used in the field.

Ask About Home Automation & Wireless Cameras

Have you ever left your home wondering if you left your door unlocked, or if you left your lights on or even left your HVAC system running? If you’re traveling for the holidays, this feeling can be compounded as you might not be back for an extended time period.

By combining smart home automation devices like to check your front door lock status, smart lighting to check your home’s lighting, and smart thermostats to adjust your home’s heating and air conditioning, you’ll be able to control nearly every system in your home, all from the palm of your hand.

Adding wireless security cameras to these home automation devices takes it a step further by allowing you to view — in real-time or recorded playback — your home’s interior and exterior.

By covering these simple steps, along with the basics we reviewed last week, you’ll be well on your way to having true Peace of Mind this holiday season in 2017.