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As our kids have grown up over the years (and we have 7 in total), one of the most heard phrases in our home is “Lock the door on your way out” and it most likely came from Dad. While it may have been a hassle to the rest of us, he liked knowing that the doors are always secure, whether we’re home or not. Being away from the family a lot during the week, he was always looking for ways to keep us, and our home, safe and secure. Most parents probably feel the same way, so help them in keeping your home and family safe with abode.
abode
The system is a breeze to set up and comes with everything you need to get started monitoring your home directly from your smartphone. Additionally, abode is one of the only system that allows users to activate on-demand professional monitoring when they need it for however long they need it without locking users into a long term contract. If your home has any smart home devices currently, such as Nest, the Amazon Echo, or Google Assistant, the abode DIY system works with all of those devices and features Z-Wave and Zigbee connectivity so the system can grow with users needs over time.
abode Essentials DIY Smart Home Security System
Having an alarm system definitely gives us peace of mind, whether we are at home or away. And the fact that Dad could start with the essentials in a DIY Smart Home Security System, then add on just the specific pieces we’d need, was definitely a hit! The basic kit comes with what you need to get any home set up, including the gateway, a mini door/window sensor, indoor motion sensor, remote key fob, iOS and Android app access, and web access.
There is no contract to sign up for, and you install the system yourself with the easy to follow instructions. Plus, it works with a lot of devices you already have at home, like the Amazon Echo, Google Assistant, and more. And there are a bunch of additional pieces you can buy like additional door or window sensors, a streaming camera, an outdoor siren, and even a water leak sensor! And no tools are required for installation.
My Thoughts:
We’ve had various alarm systems over the years in our different homes, but they were always a pain to get installed or move, plus you were committed to a long term contract that always went up in prices. Honestly, there were a few times we used a system without it being monitored, just because the equipment was already in place. But as our kids are getting older and spending more time home alone, and the fact that we travel more now than we use to, Dad likes the thought of keeping our home and family safe with a security system.
Installing the abode starter kit was a breeze and required no tools (bonus!) so that was a relief. The basic kit came with what we needed to get started like the gateway which is the brain of the system, plus a door sensor and a motion sensor which is perfect for the lower level of the house. I really enjoy the fact that I can use the app on my smartphone to monitor the house to see if the kids are home from work yet, or if the pets are busy getting in the trash can. And it works with the other smart home devices we already use, like our Amazon Echo and Philips lighting.
My favorite part of the whole system is the key fob, so I can turn the system on and off right from my key ring. This is great especially when my hands are full, or I send a child ahead of me so they can open the door.
We are definitely looking at a few of the upgrades to add on to the basic system, like being able to control the lights when we come in or out, adjust the thermostat when we are coming in from vacation, or even being able to take pictures when an alarm goes off so we can see exactly what is happening before we alert the authorities. And there’s no contract to sign up for; in fact, you can sign up for a 3 or 7 day monitoring plan, perfect for going on a trip!
And you can set up the system to send you texts & alerts for doors or windows being opened or closed, the alarm being disarmed, a motion sensor being tripped, whatever you want to know! Now, there is a battery backup in case you lose power and you can even upgrade to have a cellular backup available if your service provider goes down. And the siren will alert you anywhere in the house that something is wrong, so even heavy sleepers or those hard of hearing will be on the alert and investigating the problem.
For me, I like knowing that the abode system is simple for Dad to install in a short period of time, and that it has the ability to be expanded or moved somewhere else in the future. Plus either of us can watch our family or home from anywhere, whether we’re using the app on our phone or logging in on the website to make sure everything is okay. This is the perfect Father’s Day gift, so Dad knows he’s keeping your family and home safe with abode. Be sure to check them out today and find the right options for you!
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We’ve added abode to our 2018 Father’s Day Gift Guide! Check it out here!