Smart home tech advice to ‘beat the burglar’given to Essex holidaymakers

Essex holidaymakers with smart home security systems installed to beat the burglar this summer are being offered key advice on how best to use the emerging technology to keep their property safe by Essex-based rural broadband provider County Broadband and crime support service Essex Victim Support.

Smart home tech devices and apps, including alarm systems and locks, motion sensors and security cameras, are becoming increasingly popular among residents as intensifying competition brings down prices and consumer trust improves.

Recent research found UK ownership of smart devices has doubled since 2017, with consumers expected to spend £10.8bn this year.

Many smart home security systems can be accessed on smartphones and tablets and used anywhere in the world to monitor or be notified of suspicious activity at home. The advice from local industry experts on reaping the full benefits of the smart home tech includes:

Do your research

There are many different products available so it’s important to purchase smart home tech which is most suited to your needs. Don’t just go for the first option you see and be wary of products which are significantly cheaper as they may be less reliable.

Check compatibility

Before purchasing any product, check it is compatible with your existing setup and any other smart devices you already have. If you plan to use your smartphone or tablet to control the device, make sure it works with iPhone or Android.

Regularly test

Smart home tech should be regularly tested to ensure it is working correctly, just like smoke alarms and other devices. For more advanced systems such as smart CCTV cameras, you may need to employ a trained professional for servicing.

Keep up to date

One of the main benefits of smart home devices is that the technology driving them is regularly updated. Whilst most products update their software automatically, it’s important to manually check on a regular basis for any new security patches.

Lloyd Felton, chief executive of County Broadband, which is rolling out full fibre broadband in Essex, said: “We’ve probably all experienced that familiar feeling of dread whilst lying on the beach and suddenly not remembering if we’ve locked the back door. But in today’s connected world, we can now enjoy peace of mind with home security whilst abroad at the touch of a button, from detecting would-be intruders to letting in a neighbour.

“Smart home gadgets are now very common, and with the school summer holidays coming up, we’re today urging residents in Essex to take head of our advice to reap the full benefits of the devices to ensure you are fully protected.”

David Padgett, Contract Manager for Essex at Victim Support, said: “Burglary not only robs victims of their physical possessions – it can also rob people of their sense of security at home, a place where everyone should feel most safe.

“It’s important that victims know there is support available to them. Victim Support provides practical help and emotional support to victims of all crimes, including burglary, whether or not they choose to report to the police.”

Seven homes are broken into every minute in the UK, according to recent research by security firm ADT.

For more information visit the County Broadband website.