I was doing a bit of research into home security trends when I ran across an article published on MSN. The article discussed integrating home security with urban living. I am not quite sure what the point of the piece was, except to say that urban dwellers can benefit from installing home security and smart home systems. I was left with the feeling that the author was making a point about urban dwellings that actually applies no matter where one lives.
From my perspective, smart home security works whether you live in an urban area, suburbia, or a small town. It should anyway. If a home security system works better in suburbia than in the middle of a big city, something is wrong with the equipment.
Home Security Reduces Risk
The article’s author mentioned the unique needs of urban living more than once. Yet he did not explain what those unique needs are. Here is how I see it: the point of installing a home security system is to reduce risk. The desire to reduce risk is common among most homeowners and apartment dwellers, regardless of where they live.
A home security system cannot actually prevent most emergencies. So in terms of mitigating risk, consider the following:
Burglary and Home Invasion
According to Vivint Smart Home, a home security system equipped with video surveillance cameras can deter some burglars and home invaders. Burglaries and home invasions occur in communities of every size. Therefore, home security systems are appropriate to every community.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Regardless of where you might live, both smoke and carbon monoxide are extremely dangerous. They are often called silent killers because they have the ability to take a life without a victim ever knowing what’s happening. But equipping a house with a home security system that includes both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could save that life.
Health Emergencies
Home security can mitigate the risks of certain types of health emergencies. Imagine a senior homeowner with a chronic health condition. Adding a medical alert system to her home security could give her access to emergency care with just the touch of a button. Her risks go down significantly because help is always within reach.
Flood Response
Home security systems can be equipped with water sensors to alert a homeowner in the event of a flood. In many flood scenarios, early response is the key to minimizing damage. Flood sensors will not stop the water from coming in, but they will warn a homeowner of a pending disaster.
Making a System Smart
One of the points the article did make is something I can agree with wholeheartedly: smart technology has made home security systems better. In order for a device to be considered smart, it has to feature connectivity, remote access, and at least some level of automation.
Today’s smart home systems offer all of that and more. Consider a typical security camera. It can be accessed remotely with a mobile app. A homeowner can see live video feeds from anywhere in the world as long as he has a phone and internet access. Meanwhile, most cameras are outfitted with sensors that automatically send alerts when motion is detected.
I generally agree with the principle that smart home security is now a necessity rather than a luxury. But I cannot go as far as to say that it is more of a necessity in urban America. Emergencies occur in all sorts of environments, not just big cities. Whether it is urban, suburban, or small-town America, the benefits of installing a home security system are universal.
