Summer is a season when Spain experiences a higher rate of robberies as people tend to be away from their homes for longer periods. This, along with concerns about squatting and home fires, has led to an increasing number of people installing security cameras, alarms, and other devices to protect their homes. In addition to protecting our mobile phones when we are away, it is also important to take measures to protect our homes even when we are not present. One effective way to do this is by simulating human presence through the use of remotely-controlled devices.
Creating the illusion that someone is home by using programmed lights and sounds is a key strategy in deterring burglars. To achieve this, we can make use of an application called Google Home and several devices. Let’s take a look at some of these devices:
1. Lights and Plugs:
– The cheapest option is to use smart bulbs that can be placed in any compatible lamp. These bulbs can be controlled remotely, allowing you to turn them on and off, and even change their color.
– Plugs can also be used to activate lights or other devices. However, it is advisable to use them only with lights to avoid activating appliances like toasters or coffee makers unnecessarily.
2. TV:
– Another device that can create the illusion of human presence is the television. By turning it on and off, changing the volume, and even switching channels, you can give the impression that someone is inside the house.
– If your TV does not have smart capabilities, you can use devices like the Broadlink RM to control it remotely from your mobile phone.
3. Vacuum Cleaner:
– Cleaning the house while you are away can serve as another indicator that someone is home. Additionally, the noise generated by the vacuum cleaner adds to the illusion.
– It’s important to remember to tidy up and collect any items on the floor to avoid accidents or entanglement with the vacuum cleaner cords.
4. Blinds:
– Motorized blinds are an excellent option for simulating the presence of people at home. However, not many people have motorized blinds installed. By automating your blinds, you can raise and lower them as if someone were controlling them from inside the house.
5. Music:
– If you have smart speakers from Amazon or Google, you can play music remotely. This not only allows you to change the type of music but also adjust the volume. You can even make calls using Google Meet or Alexa Drop-In to make it sound like someone is at home.
Creating a routine using these devices is simple and can be done through the Google Home app, which is installed on all Android phones. Here’s how to create a routine:
1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Click on the “Automatic” option at the bottom.
3. Click on the “+” icon.
4. Select the type of routine you want to create.
5. Add a trigger by selecting “At a specific time” and choosing the desired time and days.
6. Add an action by selecting “turn on” or “turn off.”
7. Save the routine.
If you have the Alexa app, the process is similar:
1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Click on the “More” option at the bottom.
3. Select “Routines.”
4. Click on the “+” icon in the upper right corner.
5. Give the routine a name.
6. Select the desired schedule and repetition.
7. Add an action by selecting “Digital Home” and choosing the device you want to control.
8. Set whether you want the device to turn on or off.
9. Save the routine.
Keep in mind that if you configure a lamp to turn on at a certain time, you should also configure another action to turn it off at a different time. It is recommended to alternate the timings to avoid creating a predictable pattern.
In conclusion, taking measures to simulate human presence in our homes is an effective way to deter burglars during the summer months when many people are away. By using devices such as lights, TVs, vacuum cleaners, blinds, and smart speakers, we can create the illusion that someone is home even when they are not. By following the steps outlined in the Google Home or Alexa app, we can easily create routines that control these devices remotely. Remember to create varied schedules to avoid predictability.
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