The holidays are in full swing, and just a few days my family will be traveling. We will drive about 8 hours to grandma’s house and then will spend an entire week with family. I can’t wait for all of my family traditions, for my kids spend time with grandparents and lots of playing with cousins. The holidays are already so busy, but there is added stress when I am getting ready for us to have a long trip. Besides all the packing, and making sure the house is clean I want to ensure our house is safe while we are gone. Luckily we have never had our house broke into or a pipe burst, and I want to keep it that way!
Ooma is a leading internet home communications hub. They have four tips for keeping your home safe and secure when you’re on the road this holiday. Before you lock your doors and hop in the car, make sure you follow these steps to ensure your home is safe.
TIP #1: DON’T TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT OFF
Before leaving for an extended trip, it’s important to lock in a safe temperature in your central heating system. If you live somewhere with cold winters, don’t turn your thermostat off! To prevent your pipes from freezing, set the temperature lower than usual—ideally between 40 and 55 Fahrenheit. Live in a warmer climate? Leave the thermostat at about 69 Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can completely avoid worry by controlling your thermostat remotely. Ooma detects when your thermostat is in “Away” mode and will automatically forward any home calls to your mobile device.
TIP #2: SHUT OFF THE GAS AND UNPLUG ALL APPLIANCES
Always turn off gas-powered devices such as stoves, ovens, and fireplaces, and unplug all appliances. This can prevent any accidental fires and potentially hazardous carbon monoxide leaks into your home, as well as save energy. This is especially important if you have pets at home who can’t defend themselves against unforeseen hazards. For an added layer of protection, be in the know—Ooma can warn you via text and direct you to call 911 when your Nest Protect smoke/carbon monoxide detector has been triggered.
TIP #3: DON’T KEEP YOUR TRAVEL A SECRET
When leaving home for several days, tell someone you trust where you’ll be in the case of emergencies, such as a fire, burglary, or carbon monoxide leak. Friends staying in town or a thoughtful neighbor could be options. They can keep an eye out for suspicious activity and notify you of any out-of-the-ordinary occurrences. Ooma allows you to be notified immediately when 911 is dialed, and you can call them or call the police to investigate.
TIP #4: LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR YOUR HOME
Thanks to technology, our homes are getting smarter and smarter. Did you know there are countless apps that can connect to systems in our homes—from central temperature to security systems, light bulbs to the Amazon Echo? The Ooma Telo seamlessly interacts with your favorite smart home products and services to make your home safer and more convenient than ever before. Whether it be increased levels of carbon monoxide or a home break-in, Ooma can be the first to alert you to any danger.
You can learn more about Ooma’s home monitoring system and buy an Ooma Telo at http://www.ooma.com.
I hope you have a great holiday season! I love that with these great Ooma tips for keeping my home safe I can be nice and relaxed while we are gone. Has an emergency ever happened at your home while you were away? Tell me about it in the comments below!
About Megan
some really good tips and points to do all year long as well
I did not realize that Ooma could do so much. I will have to tell my husband about it and see what he thinks.