When school’s in session, there’s a lot more traffic in and out of many homes, as kids go to and from classes, sports, music lessons, and other activities. There’s a certain risk in this constant activity, as doors might not always get locked properly, lights might not always be turned off, and activities in the home might not always go according to the parents’ wishes. (We wouldn’t suggest that these problems ever happen with your children though – we’re just saying we’ve seen it happen to others.)
Latchkey Kids without Keys
Remember the phrase “latchkey kid?” It was used to describe children who would wear their house key around their neck to let themselves in because their parents were at work when they got off from school. That scenario has become so common that it’s hardly worth mentioning, but while your child may be very responsible, accidents happen and keys can still get lost.
New home security systems offer the option of keyless entry, in which doors are unlocked by entering an access code on a keypad mounted outside the house, next to an entry door. This eliminates the need for your child to carry a key and also eliminates the risks that it might be lost or might fall into the wrong hands.
When the door is unlocked with the keypad, you can get alerts via email or text. You’ll know exactly when your children get home and won’t have to interrupt your work to make a phone call to check up on them.
Control Your Home
Surprising as it may be, many children are not highly conscious of the cost of energy. As a result, some leave lights on and forget to reset the thermostat when they leave the house. But home automation, which is built into many security systems, can provide the solution. Lighting and temperature can be set to a timer or controlled remotely and locked against being reset by unauthorized individuals with jam on their fingers, so that you maintain control over energy usage. You can also program lights to come on automatically, so that your children enter a welcoming, well-lit home on dark winter afternoons.
Monitoring What Goes On
Are the kids doing their homework? Did they invite friends (or someone who shouldn’t be their friend) in with them? Are they consuming unauthorized substances? Was the refrigerator left open or the stove left on?
Video monitoring enables you to access live or recorded images via your computer, smartphone or tablet. You don’t have to be glued to your chair around the time that your children are supposed to arrive home, because you can set the system to record whenever there is motion in the area or after a door is opened, and to send you video alerts via email or text. Modern video monitoring systems are tamper-proof, with the video stored outside the home. (Not that your precious ones would ever think to tamper with the video equipment.)
If installing a home security system should be on your own back-to-school list, contact Johns Brothers Security for service in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and all over the Outer Banks.