As our kids get older and our technology gets smarter, smartphones and technology help everyday life run smoother – especially when it comes to keeping track of our kids.
It may seem obvious that having a residential alarm system will help keep track of children. However, there is more to today’s smart alarm systems than simply getting notified if a child sneaks out.
Here are some tips to keep track of teenagers with your residential alarm system.
Rely on Automated Arm and Disarm Features
Today’s home security alarm systems include services that allow you to control your security system entirely from your smartphone.Arm and disarm your system when entering or exiting your home, or skip that step altogether by setting an automated arm and disarm schedule.
Additionally, you can set up your home security alarm system to give send you “no-show alerts.” If teens need to be home by a certain time after school or on weekend nights, you’ll know right away if they don’t arrive. Give yourself some much-deserved peace of mind, especially when it comes to curfew, after-school activities and carpool drop-offs.
Does your teen often leave home and forget to lock the door or arm your security system? Geo-fencing capabilities will notify you with a reminder that you forgot to arm your smart alarm system. Alternatively, you can set your system to disarm when you get within a certain distance of your home or simply use your voice code to disarm your system when your hands are full.
Smart alarm systems no longer require the same, four-digit passcode for everyone. Monitoring companies allow you to create personalized codes for trusted ones (family members, babysitters, and older kids) so they can access your home even when you’re not there. Personalized pass codes can be easilyupdated or removed just as easily as creating them.
Keep an Eye on Your Home with a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell allows you to see, hear and speak to anyone that shows up at your door. It notifies you whenever someone is near or at your door or when a package is being delivered or when your teen is practicing sports in the yard. Take advantage of custom notifications, so you’re alerted only when you want to be or customize specific recording windows. It’s a great way to know whether or not a teen has been dropped off.
Modern home security companies that offer smart alarm systems are making it even easier to add devices like a video doorbell, to your customized system so that your system fits into your life and not the other way around.
Use Window and Door Open/Close Alerts
“Going out” no longer means returning home to a scribbled note on the counter from your teen. Smartphones and smart alarm systems make it much easier to keep tabs on kids for peace of mind and in case of an emergency.
Your security system can help track your teenagers’ activities by setting up notifications that let you know every time a window or door is opened. You can also sound a “chime” throughout the house whenever a door or window is adjusted. Plus, your video doorbell will notify you when there’s someone at the front door (i.e. your teen leaving) or even if a car pulls up to your home.
Use Smart Technology to Outsmart Teens
Your smart alarm system is your best ally for knowing when and how kids left the house or let others inside. A residential alarm system with video monitoring allows you to see what kids and friends are up to inside the home, in the backyard or in front of the house.
Most modern home security alarm systems are teen-proof, allowing you to keep a few steps ahead of your tech-savvy teenager. You can give access to your security system to anyone you want, whether that’s through the app or a personalized pass code.
Be sure to explore settings that give teens limited access to adjusting arm/disarm schedules, no-show alerts and window/door notifications.
Curious what your teenagers do after you turn off the lights or when you’re out of the house? The system’s Image Sensor takes color pictures with a night-vision LED flash. Stay on top of your home activity day and night using your smart alarm system.
Give Teens a Smart Alarm System Tutorial
Get your teenager involved in your residential alarm system set-up and installation process to show them that how a modern security system works (and it never hurts to get an extra set of hands to help with installation).
Use the opportunity to explain the system is not in place to get them in trouble, but to ultimately keep them safe. Inform them of the features you want them to be aware of and leave out the ones that should be reserved for parental use only.
They should know how to use your home security system in the case of an emergency. Don’t forget to write down the user code somewhere and keep it in a safe place that kids can quickly access. Learn how to quickly update your user code whenever you want.
Always Have Eyes on Your Backyard and Pool
It never hurts to easily be able to check on teenagers and friends, especially when they’re hanging out in the backyard or pool (seemingly out of your sight).
Get notified via your phone or set up a “chime” to sound whenever the backdoor or pool gate are opened. Video-monitored home security systems can utilize an outdoor camera to show what’s happening in the backyard, even when you’re not home. Motion-activated cameras and night-vision cameras allow you to monitor the exterior of your home at night time so that you’re never in the dark.
Installing a home security alarm system is worthwhile for many reasons, but parents of teenagers can understand how they’re extremely useful in the monitoring of their home and kids. Home security systems aren’t meant to intimidate teenagers but keep them safe when they’re home and when they leave home, with the inclusion of several other beneficial features for parents to keep tabs on them.
