About the author:
Neal Bricker is a blogger and tech enthusiast writing on a number of blogs and online publications.
Who doesn't like a good gadget? Consumer electronics have
been making some major strides recently, and some of the coolest innovations
have come in the form of new home security measures. While “gadget” implies
more form than it does function, our personal favorites offer a blend of
practicality and out-and-out geek appeal.
Even if you don't pick one of these gorgeous gadgets up,
give them a look – many are relatively new, and may well get better and better
(and cheaper) as time goes on. In the meantime, feast your eyes on:
Nest's Dropcam
The secure
smart home has been a pipe dream for some time now, but it looks like it
might be finally coming true. Nest is one of the industry's real innovators,
and when they acquired Dropcam, we knew it was only a matter of time before we
began to see security cameras integrated into Nest's existing framework.
Dropcam is plenty impressive on its own. The easy setup
cameras come well-programmed, and are sharp enough to identify human faces and
parse a crowded visual scene for signs of a break-in, but the possibilities
that their integration with a smart home offers are even more exciting.
The ideal smart home is fully integrated, allowing input
from one appliance or system to work on others. In terms of home security, a
Dropcam detecting a break-in could alert police, much like a Local ADT system could, but also
activate additional in-house security measures.
Bark Alarms
If we get very, very liberal with the term, then the best
home security gadget of all is a large, alert dog. The presence of a
territorial pooch can give just about any burglar second thoughts, and it's
going to be a long time before we find a technological replacement for a loyal
pack member.
But not everyone can take this option. Dogs take time,
money, and a lot of love to keep happy, and it's not always easy to provide all
of those. For those who are short on any of the above, you may want to consider
a barking alarm.
Barking alarms are exactly what you think they are: home
security systems that respond to signs of a break in by playing recorded barks
at high volume. Like regular home alarms, they'll alert you, and anyone
listening that something's afoot. Unlike regular home alarms, they'll give
thieves some instant incentive to find another house.
TV Simulators
Much in the spirit of the bark alarm, TV simulators give
passer-by the attention that there's someone home and ready to respond to
break-in. Since unoccupied houses are vastly more appealing to burglars, the
late-night light of an active TV is often enough to dissuade potential
criminals.
Of course, you probably don't want to just leave your TV on
for the duration of a business trip or vacation – it's much too expensive, and
can easily damage your big screen.
Instead, consider picking up
a TV-imitating set of LEDs. These lights are electricity-sipping, and
can work for years before burning out. Once set up, they'll emit flickering
light meant to imitate an active television – and fool any burglars into
believing that you're still there watching it.
Conclusion
As awesome as these gadgets are, I'd like to wind up with a
quick word of warning: it's best not to put too much trust in them. Understand
that they're good additions to your overall security system, but they're no replacement
for basic best practices.
While I'd heavily recommend scooping up a barking alarm,
it's not really a replacement for a real dog. And as good as the Dropcams are,
it's much better to have a complete understanding of your neighborhood, and a
couple of friendly, watchful neighbors with your best interests at heart.
Stay safe out there!
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