We live in a highly connected world, with increasingly connected homes. Innovative technology means we’re able to tailor our home systems to provide maximum value and efficiency – the Internet of Things can be configured to connect our lighting systems and music to our phones. Our pets can be fed with automatic systems and our coffees and dinners prepared for our arrival. We are learning to trust in the power of technology to improve our home lives. And yet, as we head into a new year, so many of us don’t have any form of home security system in place. Here are our top four reasons why you should be thinking about a home security system.

1.Protect your possessions
Obvious, yes, but important. Installing a home security system helps to identify perpetrators of crime and, more importantly, serves to prevent it. Your home is your castle and your possessions create a home. Whether it’s family jewellery or all of the technology that makes your house a connected one, chances are you have treasured possessions you wouldn’t like to lose. The FBI has stated that one in three homes without a security system will suffer a break-in. Install a home security system and your risk is reduced to 1 in 250.

Image via Sebastian Scholz (Nuki) on Unsplash

2.Protect your family from danger
As well as reducing the risk of an intruder entering your home, home security systems can alert you to other dangers that could put your family at risk. For example, there are systems which monitor carbon monoxide levels or include fire alarms. Combined with video technology, this can be a powerful damage limitation tool – you’re able to identify the threat to your home and take action quickly. That may mean alerting the emergency services (through your home security system or otherwise) or replacing faulty devices.

3.Manage electricity and lower costs
Ever forget whether you’ve turned an appliance or device off before leaving the house? If you’ve ever had to rush home to check, you’re not alone. Accessing your home remotely gives you peace of mind in these moments of forgetfulness. At the simplest level, video monitoring means you can check whether you’ve left lights or appliances on. More sophisticated systems will allow you to turn devices on and off remotely. Worried about hair straighteners? That kind of functionality means you can avoid fires like this. And when it comes to paying the bill at the end of the month, you’re bound to notice a reduction in wasted energy.

Image via Shari Sirotnak on Unsplash

4.Gives you peace of mind
When you’re away from home you’re bound to worry about security if you don’t have protection in place. Installing a home security system gives you peace of mind not only in reducing the risk of crime for your home but also in providing access. With remote surveillance systems in place, it’s as simple as logging onto an app and seeing what’s going on at home, no matter how far away you are.

Article by Mary Mosley, guest contributor