My family is the most precious part of my heart and keeping them safe is in my nature. Sharing 5 life lessons in keeping them safe and a new kind of home security in this sponsored post with Iris by Lowe’s.
It was a snowy winter night. Our hometown was blanketed in a thick layer of this chilly gift, wrapping us tight. Typically it’s a kind of night that makes you feel snug, as a calming hush falls over the city. This night however was one to dress up… an event downtown, a night to ourselves, first-time parents with grandparents to babysit. This particular night meant slippers traded in for stilettos, hair down and lipstick on.
We basked in it. As dewy flakes danced around us, we danced through the evening, enjoying each moment that felt like solitude though we were in the midst of many. Just as high as we soared, drinking in the night, the rest of the evening’s events culminated with an even lower crash.
He called from the back door as I was laying our babe in her crib. After quickly settling her I ran down to see what the frantics were all about, and it didn’t take long for the threads that wove together an incredible night to unravel. The back door had been kicked in, wet footprints through the house from the snow that was so blissfully dancing around our heads just hours before. My head raced to my babe before anything else. My heart lurched at the thought of her safety.
That night held little sleep for us and the next morning brought with it a wave of anything we could do to protect our home, our family. If there’s one thing that runs deep, it’s a mother’s desire to protect her babes, no matter the cost. Those cubs are the world, the very extension of her heartbeat. And this? This weighty event that came a little too close for comfort? It made us change the way we saw our home… the way we protected our home. And my little ones? There’s nothing I wouldn’t do in keeping them safe.
Quite a few years as well as a few moves later, we’re remodeling our new home. Our home… and after years of renting and moving, just those words are still enough to make me smile. And to me, even years past that fateful event and after time to heal from the feelings of vulnerability from it all, safety is still of utmost importance to me. Which is why I was thrilled when Iris by Lowe’s wanted to send us a home Security System and try their new professional monitoring service in our new home!! Security for my family, check. Peace of mind for me, check. Protection for our home, check.
The entire concept was a win for me because we’ve already been Iris users for some time now, with a handful of Iris Smart Switches throughout our place… and connected to Alexa so everyone in the family can turn a switch and change a light, whether it be through a flick of a finger in the app or voice activated. Seriously, our nightly dance parties after dinner have the lights flickering on and off and everyone (including Aria now!!) yelling to Alexa to change something. Well, all of this connectivity just carries over into our new home security now. With that same, simple flick of a finger in the app, I can check on my home… our home, and know that we’re covered with professional home monitoring, not just for burglary, but also for smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and we’re even set up with a panic alarm. I love using and learning about home technology. I’ve recently been checking out the best z wave controller and they look pretty good.
We’ve been through quite a few security systems through the years since that night, meaning I have quite a bit to compare this new monitoring service to. For me, I love the fact that it’s backed by emergency dispatch, plus everything is SO easy to install (with no wires, so I pretty much did it all with a babe on my hip!), there’s no long-term contract that most security systems require AND besides the wireless wifi system, there’s also a cellular backup. These are all things that I look for and consider… but the cherry on top is the fact that I can build my smart home at my own pace… adding from the over 100+ smart devices like sensors, switches, plugs, keypads, locks, thermostats, alarms, detectors, garage openers, heaters or vents and control them all from the palm of my hand, my cell.
On top of a top notch home security system, I’m sharing a 5 simple tips that we’ve learned in keeping them safe and our home more secure.
- Switch it out. Just purchased a new home (we’re in that boat right now!)? Have your home rekeyed before you move in, this way you know exactly who has a key to your door.
- Light up the house. Use motion-sensored and/or time-activated lights to deter unsavory guests. Smart lights are a staple of any smart home, and you might want to check out the ge z wave light switch if you’re interested in making your home smart.
- Toss the screws. Replace those small 1/2″ screws that are standard on doors with at least 3 or 3 1/2″ screws to beef up your entryways.
- Clean it up. Don’t leave items in your yard that could enable an intruder. Ladders should always be put away. Keep shrubbery tall enough for privacy, but cleaned up and short enough that someone can’t hide in them. Don’t leave an extra key under the mat, or in another conspicuous place (have a lock-box nearby if you really need access to a key).
- Make your landscaping inhospitable. Keeping your yard pretty AND safe is totally an option. Add in thorny bushes like rugosa rosebushes, bougainvillea, or blackberry vines to make it far more difficult to sneak around your windows.
So what about you? Do you have a home security system or smart devices set up? What has been your favorite feature?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Iris by Lowe’s.
Belle says
Oh wow! That was scary! I’m glad nothing serious happened though. I would have done the same. Home security is so important nowadays!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Heydy says
oh my goodness!!! What a scary situation to be in!! Thank god you found Iris to help keep your family safe <3
Mary Ware says
I cannot even begin to imagine how scary that was! That is one of my biggest fears! So glad you feel safer now!
Patricia says
Reading that sent chills down my spine. What a scary experience! I’m glad that all is well and that you now have a device to help bring that piece of mind. It’s great how you can customize it too!
Megan says
Holy cow, that is so scary! I can’t even imagine. So happy you and your family are safe. My husband and I have been debating whether or not to buckle down and spend the money on a security system, but I think it’s definitely worth it. Nothing better than knowing your children are safe while you sleep.
brittany says
I love this! Now I really want to do it at my house.
Stephanie says
Wow that is an amazing security system!
Leslie says
Terrifying! Mama bear is fierce, and I’m glad you’ve found piece of mind. Congrats on your new home!
Krysten says
I wish that we could have a security system in our apartment, but we would lose our deposit. I’m saving this for when we move into our house though. Great tips!
Jasmine says
I sent this to my husband because i keep telling him we need one and THIS IS WHY!
Ashley says
Yikes! I’m glad nothing bad happened! I am all about safety for our family!! You have some great tips!
[email protected] says
I’m such a tech nerd, this looks awesome!
Clair says
This security system sounds great! I love how easy it looks to install. Thank you for sharing!
rachel says
That’s so terrifying! Having kids really changes things, doesn’t it!? Before children, I couldn’t understand the amount of worry and panic a parent can feel. Now? I feel it constantly. But I have to say that I’m super grateful for our security system.
Stacey says
Oh it is so scary, I had something similar prior to kids and it’s so violating. Home security is a must! Sorry you went through that.
Gail Akeman says
Security is special in a family. feeling secure in one’s home. Doing everything possible for that secure feeling.
Jenn @ Edamamu says
Security and safety are so important. Nothing beats peace of mind. This system looks cool. Great pics.
Eryn says
Well that’s a terrifying experience! I’m glad you’re all okay! Makes me rethink not having a system that high tech. Really you can’t put a price on safety!
Katherine says
I really need to rethink our security. Thanks for the reminder!
Annie Thompson says
Being home with the kids all day leaves you so vulnerable. I have heard so many good things about Iris, I have to check it out!
Our Family World says
Thank you for the reminder to keep our home safe and secure. We have motion activated lights on the front porch and back door. I like that tip about the shrubs and thorny plants near the windows.
Lauren | Love Lola says
these are such great tips!! now that we have kids it’s something i’m so much more concerned about!
Rahul Rao says
nice post I love this website
Gordon @ Strong OX says
Securing our family is always our top priority so better take security precautions. Thanks for sharing these tips.
VProtectindia says
Family plays very important role in everyone’s life. So lets stand for them and secure the family first with home security alarms. As its well said that ” Precautions is better than Cure”. Thanks for sharing the great tips. It’s really helpful article.
10hightech says
Smart lock does make no changes to the hardware of the external side, you can use your regular key to enter the house as well. Hence, for times when you forget to bring your phone along, you can still enter your house.
PinoyChannelReplay says
Yikes! I’m glad nothing bad happened! I am all about safety for our family!! You have some great tips!