When heading away from home for vacations, whether during summer or other times, the concern about someone entering your property in your absence is natural. Typically, people avoid completely lowering the blinds or ask a family member to check on their home occasionally. However, with a smart bulb, you have an ingenious solution at your fingertips: the ability to turn on lights remotely.
Having a smart bulb in your home is not only beneficial when you’re present but also proves advantageous when you’re away for a few days. You no longer require the assistance of a family member or friend to leave a light on or manage the blinds while you’re gone.
This smart little gadget for homes offers a cost-effective deterrent, significantly boosting the security of your residence. Especially during extended vacations like in summer, when you are away for a more extended period, the smart bulb becomes an invaluable tool for enhancing home security and providing peace of mind.
Schedule smart bulbs
If you’re planning to be away from home for a few days, using one or more smart bulbs can be a perfect way to simulate that you’re still at home. This measure can be quite useful in deterring potential thieves and preventing them from entering your property, thinking it’s occupied. However, it’s essential to implement this tactic reasonably and ensure that the appearance of someone being at home is maintained, giving the impression that the house is not empty.
The advantage of smart bulbs lies in their ability to be programmed to turn on and off through a WiFi connection. This functionality allows you to showcase activity in your home even when you’re away. Depending on the brand of your smart bulb, you’ll need to use the corresponding app, which enables you to control the bulbs effortlessly from your smartphone, regardless of your location, as long as you have an internet connection. You can even give voice commands through popular virtual assistants like Google Assistant, Google Home, or Alexa.
Here are the general steps to follow:
- Download the app recommended by the brand of your smart bulb.
- Navigate to the programming section within the app and check if you can add routines.
- If you have multiple smart bulbs, you can organize them based on their location (e.g., living room, bedroom).
- Within the programming section, select the on and off times for the smart bulbs.
- Choose the days you want the routine to be activated.
In addition to the steps above, many smart light bulb apps offer the option to notify you each time the light is turned on. This feature allows you to keep track of the activities even without accessing the app directly, adding an extra layer of convenience and security to your smart home setup.
The same principle applies if you have other devices connected to smart plugs. You can easily program these smart plugs to turn on devices like radios, lamps, or other connected appliances, creating the illusion of activity at home.
The convenience of having programmed lighting cannot be overstated, especially when you’re away from home for extended periods, such as during summer vacations. By simulating activity through strategically timed lightings, you add an extra layer of security to your home. This measure is not only effective but also cost-efficient, as the lights will only be on for a few hours and may involve only one or a few bulbs. Consequently, it serves as a perfect deterrent to potential intruders, making them think twice before attempting any unauthorized entry.