Safety and security are essential whether you live in an apartment, condo or mansion. Both homeowners and renters alike want their home to be a safe haven.
However, renters are often in a unique circumstance when it comes to securing their spaces and may not want to sign a lengthy contract or invest in a fully monitored security system. And many property owners place restrictions on what renters can and can’t do. A wired security system is likely not an option, but smart home automation is a great alternative.
Smart home products, like Amazon’s Echo with Alexa, allow users to connect devices to Wi-Fi and control them through their smartphones or by using voice commands. So, how do you gain peace of mind and keep your apartment secure as a renter? Let’s ask Alexa.
Because the Amazon Echo can integrate with thousands of devices and brands, it’s easy to secure your apartment using Alexa. Here are five ways to do it.
1. Use Alexa to lock the doors
Locking your doors to keep your apartment secure is a no-brainer, right? But what if you forget to lock up in a rush to get out the door? Or, you get to work and can’t remember if you locked the front door.
Alexa is compatible with a variety of smart lock companies, so when you install smart locks, you can simply ask, “Alexa, did I lock the front door?” and it’ll respond with a yes or a no. You can also ask her, “Alexa, will you lock the door?” and she’ll comply.
2. Answer the doorbell
Forget the blurry peephole that you once used to see who was at the front door. Instead, install a smart doorbell and let Alexa do the work for you.
Many of today’s doorbells integrate video technology, allowing you to see who’s at the door before answering or unlocking it. Some also have two-way talk features that let you converse back and forth with the person at the door.
By connecting Alexa to your smart doorbell, you can easily see who’s there before you decide to open the door, increasing your safety when at home or away.
3. Adjust the lights
Burglars tend to avoid well-lit homes and apartments, as well as those that appear occupied, and smart lighting helps you achieve both. Apartment dwellers can integrate smart lightbulb starter kits like Philips Hue or GE in their space and then use Alexa to adjust the lighting.
You can ward off burglars simply by having Alexa turn on the lights at night and dim them in the morning. And, if you’re getting home late and don’t want to fumble into a dark apartment, turn the lights on ahead of time using the Amazon Echo app on your phone.
4. Monitor cameras
Renters can monitor who’s coming and going from their building by installing a few security cameras and then monitoring them using their digital assistant.
Placing cameras inside and outside your apartment and patio could help deter burglars, and if you regularly receive packages, an outdoor camera can help ensure packages arrive and stay at your house until you collect them.
Use Alexa or the camera’s app feature to get real-time views of the camera feed, all the while keeping your apartment secured.
5. Arm and disarm the security system
If you have a basic home security system, you can ask Alexa to check the status or arm or disarm the system. While some security systems are better suited for homeowners, there are some home security systems for renters that are highly compatible with Alexa and other home automation devices.
Once a thing only seen in futuristic sci-fi movies, smart homes and digital assistants are now common features in homes and apartments everywhere. All of these smart home devices are portable, so you can DIY your home security wherever you are. Alexa and other digital assistants can help improve home security and safety as a renter.
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Source: apartmentguide.com