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Considering both the rate at which technology is evolving, as well as our increased dependence on the internet, it makes only perfect sense to switch to a smart home. As the name implies, smart homes contain many technologies such as programmable thermostats, smart locks, smart leak detectors and many other additions. 

While they definitely improve the utility and convenience of your home, there’s just one problem - they all need power and an internet connection to function properly. If your house has neither, does it render these technologies (and by effect, your home) useless?

Ensure That All Essential Devices Have Backup Power

As previously mentioned, the devices that are essential to a smart home all rely on power and internet connectivity. This means that power outages are more than just an inconvenience. To smart home owners, this can render many home functions useless. To avoid this, always have backup batteries for critical devices such as door locks. 

 

You may even want to consider investing in a diesel generator. This is especially important if an outage is expected to last for an extended period. There are many types of diesel generators to choose from, which is why it's important to understand how they work. A simple search query like “what is a diesel generator?” is bound to yield more than enough information.

Install and Configure Your Tech Properly

 

Many smart home devices are designed to prevent disasters at home. Some examples of these devices are leak detectors and smoke detectors. However, if these devices aren’t installed or configured properly, they’re not going to function as they’re intended. In the same essence, a poorly-installed door lock could keep a door from being locked or unlocked remotely. The surest way to install these devices is to hire professionals to do it for you. They may be expensive, but they’re as reliable as they get, much like the smart devices they’re installing.

Educate Members of the Household On Device Use

 

Smart homes are relatively new, and it’s easy to assume that these devices are going to be complex to operate. This isn’t the case, especially if you take the time to teach your family how to use them. This also makes it easier to respond to emergencies and this helps make your contingency plans pan out more smoothly.

Lay Out an Emergency Plan

 

Finally, as with any emergency, it’s best to assume that communication will be difficult. Make sure that everybody knows what to do and where to go.  If a storm is on its way, have everyone charge devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops before it arrives. You may also want to secure alternate ways to charge your devices such as power banks and power inverters.

Smart homes are forecasted to eventually become the norm. Besides the cybersecurity risks that need to be addressed, it’s important to ensure that your smart home is emergency-proof so that your smart home retains its functionality. Plan ahead and make the necessary investments to minimize the impact that a disaster may have on your home and family.