In the year ending December 2015, government figures show there were over 713,000 domestic burglaries in England and Wales. Averaged out, that is one burglary ever 45-seconds. This figure can be further split down to 499,000 burglaries in a dwelling and the remaining 214,000 in a non-dwelling. (Non-dwellings include the likes of sheds and other out buildings.)
While this is a drop of almost 10% on the previous year, steps can be taken, to reduce your risk of being part of these statistics.
The recent advancement on Smart Home security technology has taken residential security to a whole new level.
From basic motion sensors and sensors that detect open windows and doors, through to remote monitoring CCTV solutions, through again to the latest in smart, motion detection CCTV solutions.
It is now possible to set up a CCTV system that has specific zones for motion its detection. Then only if movement is detected, in the specified zone, will the alarm be raised. This allows users to set up the system so nearby tree movements etc. can be ‘zoned-out’ so to reduce the number of false alarms.
However, in the modern Smart Home, you do not have to stop there. Think about it. A CCTV motion sensor could trigger a chain of other events. A bedroom light could come on. Followed by a landing light. Then an audible alarm could be sounded if further sensors are triggered and messages sent to anyone on a predefined contacts list. All-in-all, making the home owner a less attractive target.
But what if I am away?
This is where the latest range of Smart Home equipment come into their own.
At one time consumers were limited to an alarm and a set of simple timers to switch lights on and off and pre-set times. Now, smart homes can be set up to ‘learn’ the habits of its occupants. What is learned can be stored and used as a pre-defined program to run when the home owner is away. This program can also be randomised to some level to give the prospective burglar more to think about.
So, lights can be set to come, dim, brighten and go off. TV and audio equipment may be programmed to play in different rooms. Blinds may be opened and closed, and even the vacuum cleaner can be set to do the rounds. All the time, the Smart Home owner can monitor their home from any internet connected location anywhere in the world.
At the end of the day it will seem to the casual onlooker that the home is occupied and busy. Again making it less likely to be just another statistic.
Is your home a Smart home?
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CTO @ VGS Media
Will Hogarth is a long time geek, writer, and long distance triathlete, with extensive experience in most areas of the IT World. Will is a former games developer, DBA and project manager, but unlike most geeks he has a passion for the outdoors and a life of adventure.
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