Lock, Clock and Two Smoke Detectors

Lock, Clock and Two Smoke Detectors

Have you ever wondered whether or not you locked the front door while being stuck in traffic on the way to work? I know I have and more than once. As it turns out, it is possible to alleviate stress associated with door locks by upgrading to a smart lock. Today’s smart locks are reliable and convenient additions to any home. Smart locks provide the ability to set up multiple access codes for different users (from the cleaning lady to your contractor), send notifications when the door is opened or closed, and remotely open and close the door from the mobile app.

Smart locks also come in different shapes, sizes and finishes to match the rest of the door hardware. There are even smart locks that are installed on the inside of your door, which is good news to all who live in condos. Typically the condo board mandates that your entry door’s outside looks are not to be altered by any installation of custom locks. For those of us who still want to use physical keys in addition to high tech ways of today there are models which are key operated as well.

Take a look at our recap of the latest smart locks on the market today.

When integrated with home automation systems, smart locks can be programmed into the whole smart home scenes and schedules that could trigger lock to close at night or open when a voice command is given. Just say ‘Hey Google, goodnight!” and the door is locked!

And while we are on the subject of voice activated scenarios and a “Goodnight” scene, I would like to talk about an alarm clock. You know, that old thing sitting on your bedside table? The last time I set up an alarm using an actual alarm clock was a very long time ago. I pretty much just use it to tell time. Very strange, right?

Having a smart speaker or a smartphone created a totally different alarm setting experience. By activating a night scene using either a voice assistant or a mobile app, the alarm is set automatically. Convenient, right? No more early weekday alarm buzzer on Saturday from an incorrectly set old-fashioned alarm clock. As we can see now, smart digital assistants are capable of making sure we don't  wake up too early on weekends unnecessarily.

Smart home systems add convenience to our everyday lives. Some types of smart devices, such as locks, also add to the safety of our homes. Another type of smart home device that is definitely a safety booster is a smart smoke alarm.

My home had already been equipped with hard-wired smoke alarms, as required by the building code, but no carbon monoxide detectors. A natural update was to install brand new smart smoke alarms that also doubled as carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Those can be installed right beside your existing hard-wired smoke alarms or other locations. No wires necessary - they all are battery powered. As a result, old and new smoke detectors started living together under one roof in perfect harmony.

Smart smoke detectors, in addition to CO detection capability, also are able to send message notifications when smoke or carbon monoxide gas are detected. There is also an option of linking them to an alarm monitoring service that would dispatch the fire department, if needed.

Any home can be a safer place now with a smart lock, smart clock, and, well... two smoke detectors.

Enjoy the comfort and the convenience of a smart home and stay safe!