Can your Treasure Coast smart home outsmart a storm? Even with all our high-tech gadgets, we’re still at the mercy of Mother Nature when a major storm hits. As I write this, Hurricane Isaias is on its way to Port St Lucie, Florida. You can’t stop strong winds, power outages, or flooding, but the right smart home tech gives you an edge in keeping your home safe during a crisis.
As you prepare your emergency kit and plan, consider these smart home tips. They can make the difference between a short-term inconvenience and a long-term disaster.
Stay Connected Even When the Grid Goes Down
Before you buy smart home tools, make sure you have backup power. Invest in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to keep your internet and WiFi running during an outage. A UPS kicks in the moment power drops. Many mid-range models keep your critical systems working for 12 hours or more.
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or long outages, buy a small generator. It can power your tech for days and keep essential appliances like your fridge, HVAC, and medical devices running.
Keep an Eye on Your Premises, Wherever You Are
Whether you’re stuck inside during the storm, or far away and worried about your property, wireless smart cameras let you see everything. You’ll know right away if you’re dealing with a few broken branches or a true weather emergency.
Today’s WiFi cameras are affordable and easy to install. They’re designed for home security, but their motion detection and night vision make them valuable during bad weather.
Many cameras run on batteries, so they keep working even if the power goes out. Camera footage can help with insurance claims. You can check footage from your phone anywhere. These cameras keep your family informed and safe every day. In an emergency, they can be lifesavers.
Get Alerts When Water Enters Your Home
As you add smart home tools, pick up a few water detectors. Place them in key spots like the basement and near patio doors, where leaks or flooding are more likely. These affordable sensors work with almost any smart home hub and add real value.
As long as your WiFi network is up, a water detector can send instant alerts to your phone or tablet. You’ll know about leaks in minutes and can prevent a disaster before it starts.
The Simplicity of Smart Home Storm-Safe
These devices are simple to use and set up. You can integrate them into one system using a smart home hub from your cable or internet provider. The right smart home upgrades boost your daily productivity and provide a vital safety net. They can keep your family safe and save thousands of dollars during a weather crisis. You might even save more on your insurance.
There’s no smarter way to be ready for any weather. In our home, we use SimpliSafe. It monitors for fire, flood, and burglary for $24 a month. We love their doorbell camera. With 1080p resolution, the response time is about 75% faster than Amazon’s Ring system. SimpliSafe also offers more privacy, as law enforcement and third parties can’t access footage without permission.
If you have technical issues after the storm, call the folks who are available 24/7/365 and know how to do the job right the first time!