The popularity of smart home technology is on the rise across the United States, offering users not only convenience but also safety. While these items sometimes come with an upfront cost, the investment in home safety is priceless. Here are some popular smart home appliances that provide enhanced protection:

Video Monitoring – Video monitoring, especially systems that can be accessed remotely, are some of the most useful safety-providing smart home features. Many modern security cameras provide clear HD footage that is accessible directly from your smartphone and that can be placed on the interior or exterior of the home. Many cameras even feature motion-activation — enabling them to begin filming when motion is detected — as well as two-way microphones to check in on children and pets. View a variety of smart home security cameras here.

Smart Smoke Detectors – Much like traditional smoke detectors, smart home smoke detectors can save lives in the event of a fire. However, in addition to the traditional capabilities, smart smoke detectors help eliminate false alarms and low battery chirps. Smartphone notifications for batteries and smoke detection allow users to know when it is time to replace batteries as well as decide if smoke detection indicates an emergency or false alarm. View smart home smoke detectors here.

Smart Locks – Door locks with smart keypads can allow users to lock and unlock their home remotely with a pin entry from a smartphone. Users can receive notifications when doors are locked or unlocked as well as when doors are opened or closed. See smart locks here.

Doorbell Cameras – Doorbell cameras can be accessed from a smartphone, allowing users to see who is at the door before opening it. Some cameras give users the ability to upload faces that can be recognized as safe guests. Here are some doorbell camera options.

In addition to being accessible from a smartphone, many smart home appliances communicate with other smart home products, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. When purchasing smart home products, it is important to do your research to find the items that communicate together and best fit your needs.