Coming home to a broken-in back door used to be every homeowner’s nightmare. But with smart home devices, your worries stay behind when you walk out the door.
With the correct setup, your home monitors for trouble and keeps everything running as it should, even when you’re miles away.
In this article, we’ll break down the most effective smart devices and automations to help keep your home safe while you’re gone.
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These smart home devices don’t need to be installed
Simulate occupancy with smart lights to deter intruders
Source: Philips Hue
Smart lights can protect your home while you’re away by simulating occupancy.
Set them to turn on and off at random times, such as lighting the living room in the evening and switching off the bedroom lights late at night, to mimic your usual routine.
I set mine to follow the same pattern when I travel, and neighbors often mention they did not realize I was gone. Motion-triggered lights work well in outdoor spaces and hallways.
You can also set up simple automation, such as turning on the front floodlight for five minutes if motion is detected on the driveway between 10 PM and 6 AM to scare off intruders.
Smart thermostats keep your home energy-efficient while you’re gone
With a smart thermostat, your home stays comfortable and energy-efficient even when you’re gone.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a smart thermostat can lead to an annual savings of up to 10% on heating and cooling. Your bank account and the planet will both be pleasantly surprised.
Geo-away mode detects when you leave home using your phone’s location. When you exit, it automatically switches to an energy-saving setting and restores your preferred temperature when you return.
Some thermostats use built‑in presence sensors to detect occupancy. If sensors detect no motion for a set interval, the system shifts to eco-mode even if the phone remains at home.
You can also control them through a mobile app or a web dashboard. Set a daily 9–5 schedule, adjust settings for a vacation, or make changes on the go whenever needed.
Related
Smart cameras that know when to watch and when to wait
Source: Blink
Smart security cameras are designed for protection and privacy by adapting to whether anyone is home.
These systems include a home/away mode that activates recording and alerts only when the house is empty.
When everyone authorized leaves the geofencing area, the cameras enter away mode. They stream videos, record footage to the cloud (if you have a subscription), and send motion notifications.
When the first person returns, they switch to home mode to avoid tracking your family’s day-to-day movements. You can even create more targeted rules, like recording when motion is detected in the backyard after sunset.
I’ve found this especially useful on weekends away. Once, I got a motion and checked the live feed. It turned out to be a delivery I’d forgotten about. It wasn’t an emergency, but knowing what was happening was reassuring.
- Battery Life
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Wired
- Resolution
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1080
- Night Vision?
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Yes
- Brand
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Simplisafe
- Field of view
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120-degree
SimpliSafe’s SimpliCam is a 1080p wired home security camera for indoor settings. It has night vision, a motion sensor, and a privacy shutter. Compatible with the SimpliSafe’s 3rd generation home security system.
Never second-guess whether you locked up the door
Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock doors remotely through an app, but the benefits go beyond basic control.
You can set them to lock automatically after a while, or when you leave the area around your home.
I’ve lost count of how often I used to circle back or second-guess whether I locked up.
Smart locks also give you full remote access. You can lock or unlock your door from anywhere and share temporary or scheduled digital keys with guests.
Integrate them with other smart home platforms for everyday routines. For example, saying “Goodnight” to your voice assistant can lock all doors simultaneously.
Stop leaks and fires before they become disasters with safety sensors
Leak detectors and safety sensors protect your home from hidden dangers when you are away.
These devices monitor water leaks, smoke, and carbon monoxide. They send instant alerts to your phone so you can respond quickly wherever you are.
Place leak detectors near appliances or plumbing fixtures. The moment they detect water, they notify you to prevent serious damage.
Some systems go further and track your home’s water usage.
If they spot unusual flow patterns that could signal a burst pipe, they shut off your main water supply to stop potential floods.
Automations work best when built around your habits
A solid setup combines a smart lock, video doorbell, indoor or outdoor cameras, a smart thermostat, and some detectors. If you’re only concerned with security, skip the thermostat.
You control everything through a single app or voice assistant.
If you stick with reputable options, the brand matters less than the setup, so design your system around routines, not names.
With the right coverage and automation, you’ll have a home that looks after itself, so you don’t have to.
