How to Create a Safe and Eco-Friendly Home

It’s hard to think of anything more important than keeping your family safe. In this day and age, however, most people feel a civic and social duty to protect the planet as well. So can you do both at the same time? Fortunately, the answer is “yes.” Here’s how.

Traditional Security Options

While smart technology options are great and gaining in popularity, there are also traditional methods to raise the security of your home. You shouldn’t necessarily forgo the excellent tech solutions available, but you can also use some great options that have long been proven to work.

Deadbolt locks are great; fences have been working for millennia; and secure, locked windows may be all you need to help keep burglars out. Most thieves are not trying to pull off the next great bank heist, they are just taking advantage of homes that have no visible protection. Just by signaling that you are protected — with visible cameras, a dog or other means — you will make most opportunistic criminals skip your house and head down the block instead.

Increasing Energy Efficiency

Fortunately, most smart home technology is very energy efficient in general. And manufacturers understand the eco-concerns, so they are are continually working to limit consumption even more every day, and this is particularly true in the home security area.

Anyone who wants to lower their carbon footprint can opt for a home security camera system that conserves energy by only turning on when motion is detected. And in this way, your family can be safer without harming the environment. By going with these options and remaining conscious, you will not meaningfully increase your electricity usage.

Powering Smart Security

With the rise of smart homes, there is now a wide range of security technology on the market. Many of these devices truly are powerful, convenient and effective ways to help protect your home. But some people will struggle to balance the need to safeguard their family with their desire to keep their carbon footprint low.

This is understandable. But there is a reason that safety is considered a “basic need” on the famous Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Take care of this first and then it will be easier to work at ways to offset any small uptick in electricity usage you add. You can install a solar panel, for example, or simply switch to green power program with your local provider (where available) or purchase individual renewable energy certificates.

This will more than make up for any extra usage. In fact, doing any of these things will likely lower your household’s carbon footprint below even current levels. So if moving toward a smarter and more secure home is what inspires you to adopt sustainable electricity, the result will be a win/win.

Keeping Your Priorities in Order

Protecting your family and protecting the planet are both important. It is only right to try to do both at the same time, and it really is possible. As you make any upgrades, do your best to make sure you are opting for energy-efficient solutions. And don’t forget about all the low-tech methods to keep your home safe.

If you pay attention to all these factors and keep your priorities in order, you can rest easy. You will be doing the right thing — for your kids and the environment.