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Solution of the Week
Keep Your Home Safe During Your Vacation
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The holidays are the perfect time to visit your family. But while you're away, you don't want to be worrying about the security of your home. So get prepared! In addition to stopping the newspaper and having a neighbor pick up your mail, there are dozens of other ways to prevent your home from being targeted by crooks.
| | | Tip 1: Lights | |
One of the easiest ways to make your home look occupied is to automate your lights. Fortunately, you have many more options than those cheap rotary timers that offer almost no flexibility. With an affordable X10 Mini Timer and a few LampLinc Plug-In Dimmers, you can automate up to four lights (or four groups of lights), each with its own individual on/off times. And unlike those static rotary timers, the X10 Mini Timer even has an optional security feature that randomly changes the on/off times by a few minutes, giving the timing a more natural feel.
To set it up, simply plug the X10 Mini Timer into any outlet and set the clock. Using a small screwdriver or an X10 Code Clicker, set the Mini Timer's "house code" (represented by the letters A-P). It doesn't matter which house code you choose, although you should avoid house code "A." That's the default setting and the one most likely to have phantom signals if a neighbor were to get a similar system.
Next, plug every lamp you want to control into a LampLinc Plug-In Dimmer. Then plug each LampLinc into any wall outlet. Following the instructions in the LampLinc Instruction Manual, set the complete X10 address for each LampLinc (or group of LampLincs). The X10 address consists of the "house code" that you chose for the X10 Mini Timer and a "unit code" (represented by the numbers 1-16).
Once the LampLincs are set up, program the X10 Mini Timer according to the X10 Mini Timer Instruction Manual. Now the LampLinc Plug-In Dimmers will respond by turning the lights on or off according to your schedule. To activate the randomizing security feature, simply press the "Security" key.
| | | Tip 2: Lights, Sounds & Response | |
For the ultimate vacation security mode, you can actually set up your system to call your wireless phone or pager, or call a friend or neighbor, if something goes wrong at the house. The options described below are designed to respond when activated by any normally open or normally closed relay sensor, like motion sensors, door/window contacts, temperature sensors, water leak detectors and more. Examples include:
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Option A: Two-Channel Automatic Voice Dialer
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One of the easiest and most affordable methods of setting up a voice response system is with the Two-Channel Automatic Voice Dialer, which has an integrated microphone. This standalone system can be added without interfering with your automated lights.
To set it up, simply connect the dialer to a phone line and an AC outlet with the included AC adapter. Next, connect any two of the normally open or normally closed sensors described above to the low-voltage terminals using an ordinary flathead screwdriver. Program the numbers for the dialer to call using the steps described in the Instruction Manual. Once it's set up, the Two-Channel Automatic Voice Dialer will call up to four programmed phone numbers and deliver a message when any of the connected sensors detects abnormal conditions. Plus, its integrated microphone even allows call recipients to listen in to the house itself to hear what's happening.
Option B: 4-Channel Sensaphone
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For even more flexibility, choose the Sensaphone, a Smarthome best-seller. It does everything the Two-Channel Automatic Voice Dialer does, and so much more. In addition to accepting four inputs instead of two, the Sensaphone gives you the option of actually being able to dial your house for real-time status updates.
For example, its built-in temperature sensor can tell you the actual air temperature inside your home (great for determining if there's a problem with the heater). A built-in sound detector can prompt the Sensaphone to call you if it detects a loud sound, like a smoke detector or an alarm system siren. In addition, the Sensaphone gives you the option of calling it for real-time, verbal status updates any time you like. Its built-in microphone even allows you to listen in to the premises yourself to hear what's happening.
Setup for the Sensaphone is just as easy. Just plug it into an AC outlet with the included adapter, and connect up to three additional normally open or normally closed sensors using an ordinary flathead screwdriver. Then program the four phone numbers you want the Sensaphone to call by following the steps in the Instruction Manual.
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