How Smart Alarms Can Keep Track of Your Kids’ Comings-and-Goings

Modern family life is complicated. Busy schedules and mounting responsibilities make it an increasingly challenging task for parents to keep a close eye on their children. Technology contributes to our more complex lifestyles, but it can also offer a solution. You can gain peace of mind by turning to a smart wireless alarm system to help keep tabs on your kids.

The hectic pace of life forces us to leave our kids on their own, or with child-care professionals, for large chunks of time. Don’t feel bad about making that decision, though. Statistics show it’s a common fact of contemporary parenting. Data reported by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shows that about 40% of kids spend some time unsupervised.

Meanwhile, the lives of children have become more complex as well, creating a generation that’s harder to keep track of. Usually, we think of modern dangers coming from the Internet (like the 69% of teens who have been contacted by a stranger online and don’t tell their parents about it).

However, leaving kids alone brings up concerns about old-fashioned physical danger as well. Just like looking into your child’s Internet use, you have to make sure that they are safe and secure in the home, especially when you aren’t there to watch over them personally.

Smart alarms offer a solution. They allow you to monitor your house remotely, check in on your kids as needed, and feel secure that everything is going well – even when you are busy outside the home.

Here are some of the specific benefits you can get from a smart alarm system:

#1: Smartphone Access

You want to stay plugged into your kids’ activities, even when you have to be away. Luckily, we live in an age when remote access has become a regular feature of life.

Smart alarms connect directly with your smartphone. The feature allows you easy, convenient access to the system. In effect, the security system provides you with a constant connection to your kids through your phone.

#2: Access to Personalized Codes

In the old days, each alarm system had a single code. Every member of the family would enter the same password to arm and disarm the program, making it difficult to know who was doing what.

Modern smart alarms are much more finely-tuned. Each family member now gets a personalized code. You can track who logs in and when. It lets you know when your latch-key kid (or latch-code kid, as it more often is these days) has arrived home from school. The technology allows you to track, quickly and easily, if everyone is on schedule.

#3: Constant Video Monitoring

As kids grow, you want to give them increasing levels of responsibility, allowing them to develop a sense of independence. However, they’re still kids. You want to keep an eye on them as well. Video monitoring allows you to check in on your kids, without having to hover over them or intervene in every situation. You can make sure they are safe and secure, while still letting them nurture a feeling of self-reliance.

#4: Mobile Alerts

Even though you have a smart security system in place, you don’t plan to sit around, constantly watching a live video stream of your kids playing Fortnight. You’re out of the house for a reason. You just want to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Smart alarms offer mobile alerts, eliminating the need for constant monitoring. You can set these up to alert you of any change or security activity you select. You’ll know instantly if anything out of the ordinary takes place.

#5: Two-Way Audio/Video

All kids, no matter how old, want a cell phone. However, granting your kids access to a phone of their own isn’t always advisable. Meanwhile, it’s sometimes difficult to get them to answer, even when they have one.

Whatever the situation, you need a reliable way to communicate with your kids when you aren’t home, especially in an emergency. Smart alarm systems come equipped with two-way communication, allowing you to use the system for communication, in situations where your kids don’t have access to a phone.

#6: Video Doorbell

Safety isn’t just about what goes on inside the house. You have to keep track of the area around your home as well. Meanwhile, it’s imperative to know who’s coming to the door, and to protect your kids against unwanted visitors.

A video doorbell lets you know everyone who comes to your door while you are out. It also offers two-way communication with any visitor, letting you interact with any strangers (through your smartphone). That way, they won’t be able to speak directly with your kids inside.

#7: Home Automation

Smart house alarms systems also let you plug into other household features. Turn lights on and off remotely, change the temperature settings, or lock or unlock the doors.

It gives you some control over your kids’ environment. It also prevents them from accidently causing trouble by making unwanted changes to these aspects of your home.

#8: Increased Security Features

Of course, a smart alarm system doesn’t just keep tabs on your kids. It also protects them while they are in your house.

Children alone in a house can act as an invitation to thieves and other intruders. A smart alarm’s first role is as a security system. It can keep your kids safe from potential outside threats while you’re away.

#9: Easy to Alert Authorities

Imagine your kids find themselves in a dangerous situation while you were out of the house. All the monitoring in the world wouldn’t help. You’d know about the problem, but would be left powerless to intervene.

Smart alarms solve this problem as well. Not only can you keep track of what your kids are doing, you can intervene quickly to keep them safe. The technology allows for instant alerting of authorities if a dangerous situation develops. Police, ambulance, and fire officials can be dispatched within moments.

Author Bio: Heather Cowart is the Brand Manager for Brinks Home Security systems, where she specializes in a deep understanding of smart-home products and thoughtful design. She is passionate about developing personal customer experiences and educating about home security.

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