In the world of smart homes, one of the best investments any family can make is smart locks. These tamper-proof locks replace existing locks and bring a host of smart features. This adds convenience and security to a single device. Best of all, they’re easy to install and work with existing smart home products.
Smart locks are extremely beneficial during the holidays. During gatherings, family and friends experience firsthand, the benefits smart locks provide. Perhaps now is the time to make the upgrade. Let’s examine how smart locks benefit you during the holidays.
Entertaining visitors with smart locks
The holidays are the time for get-togethers with friends and family. It’s also an opportunity to host dinners and parties at home. With visitors coming over, smart locks help guests get in and out with ease. This is especially true when it’s combined with other smart home products.
For example, imagine you’re in the kitchen cooking and you get a motion-detection smartphone alert from your smart doorbell. While you’re chopping onions, use voice commands to see the smart doorbell camera on your smart display. Then, use your voice to unlock the front door so guests can enter. It’s a smart home hat trick, completely hands-free.
If you’re hosting a party, it’s a good chance people will be going in and out for fresh air. Guests may accidentally forget to lock the door when they enter back in. Many smart locks come with built-in sensors that can detect when a door is closed, but not locked. In an app, homeowners can set to have the door lock every time it’s closed. This provides peace of mind knowing the door is always locked when someone enters inside.
Accommodating out-of-town house guests
Another example is guests staying over during their holidays. This could be your grandparents, your sibling’s family, or your crazy Uncle Harry. Smart locks provide various ways to let them in and out of your home. First, many smart locks have Pincode displays. Program new Pincodes for family guests during their stay.
Another alternative is to set entry schedules. This allows people to enter at certain times and not others. This is great for kids, who may be going in and out playing with their cousins. Set a schedule so the doors stay unlocked during the daytime, and lock at night. That way, you don’t have to manually lock the doors at night.
Third, send virtual keys to guests. Many locks allow you to send virtual keys to other people. These keys can be activated on their smartphones for certain periods of time before expiring. It’s perfect for guests staying over during the holidays. Set the virtual keys for the duration of their stay so Uncle Harry knows when it’s time to go.
Using smart locks during holiday travel
Many families travel during the holidays to reunite with loved ones. It’s one of those rare instances in the year when no one is home. Thankfully smart locks provide a lot of security and peace of mind for holiday travelers. First, bad things can happen when we’re away. Heavy snow may lead to roof water leaks. Pipes may burst in freezing temperatures. Whatever the case, smart locks allow quick entry for others while we’re away.
For example, say you’re at your in-laws for Christmas and your smart water detector sends you a notification about a water leak in the basement. You then use your indoor security camera to get a live look at the basement and confirm a pipe is leaking. After calling an emergency plumber, you send him a virtual key so he can enter your front door. With a smart lock, emergency personnel can enter your home to fix any issues while you’re away.
Caretakers and homesitters
When the family is away, things at home still need to be done. Someone needs to come over to feed the fish, water the plants, and take out the trash. Smart locks allow caretakers like the next-door neighbor into our home with ease. Ask them to pick a Pincode, and program it into your lock. That way, they’re more likely to remember the pin.
For homesitters, add their fingerprint to the smart lock for their stay. This makes it easy for them to get in and out without using (or potentially losing) a physical key. Gone are the days of hiding a key under the mat. Smart locks are just as convenient but way more secure than a hidden key.
Short-term home rentals and smart locks
For extended holiday trips, many families make their homes available on short-term platforms like Airbnb. This could be for a couple weeks, or longer stays like the entire winter for snowbirds.
Smart locks provide an easy way to grant and revoke access to a home. For example, for locks with Pinpads, program new Pincodes for each guest. After the guest checks out, revoke that Pincode so it no longer works. When a new guest arrives, program a new, original Pincode. This ensures you don’t have to share your personal Pincode, and new ones get deleted after guests leave. It’s a simple secure entry/exit method, hosts and guests will appreciate.
Smart locks help you during the holidays
Whether you’re hosting a party or heading out of town, smart locks help a lot during the holidays. They make it easy for friends and family to get in and out of our homes during gatherings. Gone are the days of opening the front door. With smart locks, guests can walk right in whenever they arrive. Virtual keys are perfect for out-of-town guests staying over. When you’re away, you can always let someone in with smart locks.
Remember, smart locks are just one piece of the smart home. Be sure to read this smart home buying guide to better understand how all these smart products work together. With the holidays around the corner, treat yourself to a smart lock for the convenience and security it offers.
