Investing in a home automation system can be a significant strain on financial resources. For some families, the big concern is getting enough security value for the money. Yes, they want a smart thermostat and smart lighting.
But they also want features that keep the whole family safe. If this sounds like you, here’s the suggestion: start with the basic home automation and scale it as the kids grow.
What do I mean by scale? I mean adding to your system as family needs change. There are things that would be helpful in keeping an eye on teenagers, things that really have little value when you are still chasing toddlers around the house. So choose devices based on your current family needs. But also choose a system that scales easily.
A Good Entry-Level System
A good entry-level system for most families includes a combination of security and home automation devices. On the security side of things, think of entry sensors and video cameras. On the automation side of things, you’re probably going to want a thermostat and some smart lights.
Go with a company like Vivint and you get everything in one package. Vivint specializes in both automation and home security. Other providers are more likely to be one or the other. They either emphasize security and offer very little by way of home automation, or vice versa.
You could also build your own system by purchasing devices piecemeal. However, unless you’re pretty tech-savvy and you’re capable of working with an open-source home automation platform, building a piecemeal system will get old very quickly. You could eventually find yourself completely overwhelmed.
While the Kids Are Still Young
While your kids are still young, you’re looking at very specific automation and security needs. The following devices are a good fit for most families with small children:
- Door Sensors – Sensors installed on all first-floor doors will help you keep track of the kids in case any of them decide to go outside alone. An alert telling you the back door has been opened may indicate that one of your little ones wants to go out and play.
- Video Cameras – Speaking of going out to play, a video camera providing a clear view of the backyard can give you some peace of mind. You can keep an eye on the kids while you’re inside doing chores.
- Smart Lights – Smart lights can be very helpful when you have young kids. For example, an automated nightlight can be programmed to go on every night at bedtime. Then you don’t have to remember it. Motion-activated lighting can ensure the lights never go out on your kids while they are in their rooms. When they do leave, lights shut off automatically.
The key here is to spend some time thinking about your lifestyle and how home automation and security can impact your children. With a little bit of thought, you can design a system uniquely suited to how your family lives.
As the Kids Start to Grow Up
As the kids grow, so will your home automation needs. For kids in elementary and middle school, it’s less about keeping track of them out in the yard and more about knowing when they are coming and going. Video cameras are a great feature for kids of this age.
Video cameras let you check in on the kids in the late afternoon while you’re still working. Live video feeds let you know they’re still safe. And if your cameras have onboard audio capabilities, you can actually have conversations with your kids in real time.
Motion-sensitive lighting is definitely a good option for growing kids. They forget to turn the lights off when they leave a room, so why not let automation take care of the task for them?
Lighting scenes might also interest you. You can program specific scenes for watching movies, playing video games, etc. By automating lighting scenes, you don’t have to constantly fiddle with the lights after the kids have finished doing what they do. You just reset to the default scene, and you’re good to go.
Automation in Those Teen Years
By the time your kids hit their teen years, your whole life has changed. Two of the biggest enhancements to your home security and automation system would likely be geolocation and smart locks. Both are ideal for teens.
- Geolocation – Geolocation capabilities make it possible to tie your kids’ smartphones to your home automation system. Then you can track their movement whenever they are out of the house. You can even set up a geofence as a boundary, instructing your kids they aren’t allowed to go outside it.
- Smart Locks – The older your teens get, the more likely it is that they will want to stay out late. You could give them a set of house keys and sternly warn them not to lose them. You can also install smart locks that can be accessed with a PIN code or a bio scan. With a smart lock, there are no keys to lose.
The nice thing about both geolocation and smart lock technologies is your ability to track them. You will know if your teen son went someplace you instructed him not to go. You will know if your teen daughter got home after curfew. The smart lock log will show exactly what time she got home.
Doing What’s Best for Them
Scaling a home automation system as children grow is about doing what’s best for them. Your teens might think that geolocation is a way for you to spy on them, and perhaps it is to some extent. But the reason you want to know their whereabouts is genuine concern. You want to protect them from harm. There is nothing wrong with that.
If you’re just getting into home automation and you have young kids at home, consider the idea of scaling. Successful scaling could help you unlock the full potential of whatever system you choose to buy.
