5 Smart Home Automation Safety Tips

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Text, Travelers. Protecting Your Home with Smart Technology

In animation, when a car drives away from a house, padlocks pop onto the windows, front door and garage.

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Smart technology devices can help provide protection and security for homeowners in a variety of ways.

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A cross-section of the house. An exclamation point on a device. Text, Leak Detected. Call Professional

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Some common smart tech devices include smart leak detectors, which can monitor the flow of water in your pipes to help you identify a leak.

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Red concentric circles around a smoke detector. An exclamation point on a device. Text, Smoke Detected. Laundry Room

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Smart smoke detectors, which work like traditional smoke detectors but can also send an alert directly to your phone so you're notified of an emergency even if away from home.

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Smart devices for three areas of a house.

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home security devices, which may include smart door locks, cameras, or doorbells, all of which can help you to monitor different areas of your home when you're not there.

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It's important for all smart technology devices to be installed properly. So if you're unsure, always consult a professional. Talk to your insurance broker today for more suggestions on how to protect your home.

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Text, travelers canada.ca. Travelers Canada, 165 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3B9. This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of any insurance policy issued by Travelers Canada. It is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy provisions and any applicable law. Copyright 2021 Travelers Canada. All rights reserved. Travelers and The Travelers umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in Canada, the US and other countries. Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, the Dominion of Canada General Insurance company and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (Canada Branch) are the Canadian licensed insurers known as Travelers Canada.

Smart home automation technology can offer homeowners peace of mind, convenience and efficiency, making it possible to automate systems and equipment ranging from home security to thermostats. With a smartphone acting as a control centre, homeowners can remotely monitor video cameras, lock or unlock doors, turn on lights or automatically shut off the water to their home if a leak is detected.

As this technology gets integrated into more homes, the potential exists for a variety of home security vulnerabilities and concerns. With so many possibilities, there are a number of decisions to make. Following are some important home automation safety considerations.

1. Which Features Matter Most?

Many consumers seek out specific solutions (e.g., remotely turning on lights), which can lead to a number of gadgets that do not communicate. Choosing them on an individual basis could leave a homeowner with a dozen different apps and ways to control their home.

There are two general types of home automation options: service provider solutions, which may come with monthly fees, and individual smart products, such as smart TVs and thermostats. Individual devices can be connected by a smart home automation hub, but it is important to select a hub that supports all of the devices that you wish to control.

2. Smart Sensors Protect the Home

Smart home devices can help homeowners manage their risk by enabling remote monitoring, alerts and control of a home’s systems that, if they were to fail and go unnoticed, could result in costly consequences.

  • Smart thermostats can provide alerts if a home loses power or if the temperature in the home falls below or rises above a set threshold.
  • Water sensors can detect unwanted water in the home, alerting the owner to potential leaks near washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and other areas.
  • Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors that can interface with a central hub or mobile apps are available. This provides remote monitoring and control capabilities beyond the classic alarm system.

3. Smart Security Systems

  • Smart locks remotely control and monitor home entry.
  • Smart light bulbs remotely control or program lights when you are away, in order to make a home appear occupied.
  • Smart motion lights and exterior lighting allow for remote programming and monitoring.
  • Connected security cameras monitor a home, while connected motion sensors can provide alerts.
  • Smart doorbell alerts monitor activity at the front door and allows homeowners to remotely view and/or photograph visitors.
  • Smart garage door delivers alerts when the door is left open and allows a homeowner to close it remotely.

4. Understand Privacy Policies

With the Internet of Things monitoring, sharing and potentially selling consumer data, some smart coffee makers, dishwashers and thermostats now come with privacy policies. It is up to the consumer to read agreements for each individual device. It is important to be comfortable with how data from smart home devices are used and shared.

5. Secure Your Network

It is also important to secure devices to help protect against hackers and other intrusions.

  • Safety and security features can vary widely by manufacturer and by individual product. Before buying, evaluate each smart device for potential safety and security issues.
  • Devices that are hard-wired to the Internet rather than those that rely on a Wi-Fi connection tend to be more secure. If a device is linked through a wireless network, activate all security features to protect against interception of signals and make sure the device issues an alert if it loses the connection.
  • Remember that passwords are the first line of defense and be sure to create a strong password for each smart device. Be aware that many devices ship with the same default passwords, or none at all.