How to safeguard your home for the holidays with Lowe’s

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

I’ve partnered with Lowe’s to show you how to keep your home safe during the holidays!

Oh, travel bloggers… don’t you love us? Through words, pictures, and video, we give essential tips and tricks about travel– the act of transporting yourself to a different location, be it near or far. Among other things, we advise you where to go, how to get there quickly and safely, and how to live your best life once you arrive at your destination.

And, of course, as travel professionals, we make sure that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to detail– we tend to go IN. We cover allllll aspects of the trip via coverage on our blogs and social media; from how to plan your itinerary to how to manage your budget (so you can have enough money to travel again at a later date, obvi)!

However, you know the one thing we never seem to talk about? What happens to our homes while we’re away! Personally, I think this is a major oversight, because what goes on with your dwelling while you’re gone is equally as important as the epic experiences you’re having on your sojourn.

For as much as we don’t like to talk about it, home security IS a concern when we travel. While we’re having the time of our lives on vacation, our property is left vulnerable to theft and tampering.

Safeguard your home for the holiday with Lowe’s

Home security is thus something I think about often, especially around the holidays when so many of us are out and about exploring. After all, none of us should have to worry about potentially losing the treasured possessions we’ve worked so hard for!  

This is why I’m happy to partner with Lowe’s to show you a few affordable, easy-to-install products to keep your home– and everything in it– safe and sound when you’re away during the holidays and beyond. Because, as I’ve learned, incorporating smart home technology can make where we reside more secure! So let’s dive right in, shall we?

What is Smart Home Technology, anyway? And why do we need it when we travel?

Allow me to explain. By definition, a smart home is one that is fully or partially automated.  Appliances, utilities, and devices like lighting, TVs, heating, entertainment systems, and camera systems can be controlled remotely from your smart phone or tablet. As long as we have an internet connection, we can automate tasks and appliances in our home, switching them on and off at will, and even putting them on a custom schedule.

A smart home setup can also be a security measure designed to keep your property safe when you travel! Home automation tools can also work in tandem with anti-theft systems that incorporate cameras, door sensors, and smart locks, allowing homeowners to monitor their residences while when they’re on vacay!

Here are three Smart Home products sold at Lowe’s that will give you peace of mind that your house is being looked after, whether you’re exploring the world or visiting family during the holidays!

Samsung SmartThings ADT Home Automation Security Starter Kit

I was absolutely SHOCKED to discover that homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. I shudder to think how much more common these burglaries might be over the holidays when people are travelling for longer stretches of time! I was thus keen to install the Samsung SmartThings security system– it allows me to keep tabs on my apartment no matter where my travels take me! The best thing is that this security system is basically a one stop shop: not only can I connect it to other SmartThings compatible devices like lights and cameras, I can also choose to opt into ADT professional monitoring services.


Ring Wireless Video Doorbell

I live in a massive apartment block in New York City that gets A LOT of pedestrian traffic: Between the mailmen, maintenance workers, and dog-walkers, it can be hard to keep up with just who’s in the building. This number has increased exponentially now that it’s the holidays– with so many people buying gifts, packages are constantly being delivered, especially on my floor. However, with the Ring video doorbell, I’m able to see who’s passing by my front door!  Crystal-clear video is sent directly to my smartphone or tablet, allowing me to watch over my home from my bedroom or even from another country! Not only can Ring’s built-in motion sensors detect movement from up to 30 feet away, installation is a breeze– it can be powered through my existing doorbell wires. I can also hear and speak to visitors from anywhere. It’s truly like caller ID for my door!

Lutron Caseta Smart Kit

This is actually my favorite device of the three! One of the things I worry about when I’m travelling is the fact that my switched off lights might indicate to potential burglars that I’m not around. Enter the Lutron Caseta Smart Kit: it allows me to control the lighting in any room in my apartment with my smart phone. Super easy to install, I LOVE that I can put my lights on a schedule to make it seem like I’m home… even when I’m many time zones away! The “smart away” feature is particularly effective because it turns my lights off and on at random intervals– perfect for throwing off crafty burglars.

5 more ways to protect your home while you’re away for the holidays

Besides using smart home devices, I also suggest the following for keeping your home safe while you travel:

 

  • Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your property

 

You know the saying two heads are better than one? Well, four pairs of eyes are better than none! Supplement your smart home tools by getting someone you trust to keep an eye on your home while you’re gone.

 

  • Postpone deliveries or have someone collect your packages

 

You don’t want to leave clues or signs that you’re away travelling! Suspend your mail/paper deliveries for the duration of your holiday or simply ask someone to collect them on your behalf.

 

  • Keep “mum” about your travels on social media… Or adjust your privacy settings

 

Eagle-eyed burglars will keep a close watch on your social media to confirm you’re away. Don’t give them the privilege of keeping tabs on your movements: either refrain from posting about your vacay until you’re back, or change your profile settings to private.

 

  • Check your property for vulnerable spots

 

Don’t give burglars an easy way in. Check your property for vulnerabilities: any potential easy entry points, like broken windows or overgrown bushes where a burglar could hide, need to be resolved. The Nest outdoor security camera is an excellent device to use in these vulnerable areas. Not only does it plug right into a power outlet so it can provide live video surveillance 24/7, it also has night vision and can send alerts right to your smart phone if any activity is detected!

 

  • Remove your spare key

 

You may think you’ve hidden it well enough under the doorstep or a flowerpot, but chances are an experienced criminal can find it without much trouble. Save yourself the heartache and put your key away in a safe place inside the house while you’re away.

How do you protect your home when you travel? And what is your experience with Smart Home technology, if any?

This post is a paid collaboration with Lowe’s Home Improvement. All opinions are my own.

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