Home Security and Automation for Your Maryland Home

If you call Maryland home, you probably already know how lucky you are to live in a state that’s rich in diversity, has many family-friendly neighborhoods, and boasts plenty to see and do for everyone.

Keeping your home and family safe is a top priority for anyone who lives in Maryland, which makes a security system a must-have. No matter where you live in Maryland, Vivint can give you peace of mind that your home is safe and sound.

Home security systems for Maryland residents

If you’re in the market for home security in Maryland, determining what you want in your system— especially if you’re unfamiliar with security systems in general—can be a daunting task.

Most security systems have some or all of the following components:

Security sensors

The main purpose of a security system is to protect your home, so security sensors will be one of the most important features you can have. They can be further broken down by how and where they sense a breach in your home’s security:

• Door and window sensors indicate when a door or window is opened. When the alarm is set, opening a door or window with a sensor will activate the alarm and contact your system’s central monitoring company. Some systems also have chimes attached to the doors that sound whenever a door is opened, even if the system isn’t armed. This is helpful to parents or caretakers of seniors prone to wandering.
• Motion sensors. Motion sensors are placed throughout your home, usually in areas an intruder is most likely to pass through. Depending on the type of sensor, movement or body heat will trip the sensor, sounding the alarm. Other security devices, such as cameras and lighting, also use motion sensors to activate.
• Glass break detectors. Glass break detectors work by measuring the decibel level of broken glass. They are an added layer of protection that alerts you to attempted break-ins or vandalism.

Depending on the size and location of your home, you may want to implement all of these security components in your home as you build your system.

Safety alarms

While security alarms are designed to make your home more secure, safety alarms make your home a safer place to live. They include:

• Smoke alarms are required by law in Maryland and every other state in the country, so these are a must have. A high quality smoke alarm that provides early detection can literally mean the difference between life and death.
• Carbon monoxide detectors are also required in Maryland in a home that is heated by anything other than electricity, such as natural gas, kerosene, or wood. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a lethal, colorless, odorless gas, so it’s impossible to detect it without a CO detector.
• Panic pendants are a smart addition to any security system, especially for an elderly, special needs, or immobile family member. These small devices are worn around the neck or wrist and let the user call for help with the push of a button.

24/7 monitoring service

Without professional monitoring, you are responsible for getting help if any of your alarms go off. With a monitored security system, however, your system is connected to a monitoring center that is alerted whenever an alarm in your home goes off, whether it’s a security alarm or safety alarm. They will immediately attempt to get in touch with you, then contact emergency services on your behalf.

Home automation any Marylander can use

Home automation allows you to both automate and remotely control a number of tasks around your home. Home automation and home security often go hand in hand, working together to keep your home safe without having to worry about it.

For example, with a smart home security system, you can set your doors to lock automatically when you arm your alarm system. Or, if you’re away from home, you can use your phone to turn lights on in your home to give the appearance of being home.

Some of the most popular smart home devices and functions you can have include:

• Smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and automatically adjust them based on your location, local temperature, and personal preferences. This helps you save energy and money at the same time, without even having to think about it.
• Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door from your phone or with a code, eliminating the need for keys and spare keys. You can also create unique codes for your family members, guests, or home help, so you always know who’s coming and going.
• Smart lighting is important for both security and convenience. In addition to turning off your lights with your phone (perfect for when you don’t want to get out of bed to turn off the lights!), you can set rules for your lights. When part of a smart home, for example, you can set your entry lights to turn on whenever you unlock your front door.
• Garage door control. If you’ve ever left your garage door open by accident, or couldn’t remember if you did or not, garage door control can bring you peace of mind. You’ll get a notification if your door is open, and you can close it right from your phone.
• Smart speakers like Google Home or Amazon Echo work with Vivint systems, so you have hands-free control of many tasks around the house. You’ll love how convenient it is to turn lights on and off or adjust your home’s temperature with your voice.
• Cameras are a must for any home and an important part of a well-rounded security system. Different cameras include:
  • Outdoor cameras that keep an eye on your property
  • Doorbell cameras that allow you to answer your door with your phone, wherever you are
  • Indoor cameras that allow you to see what’s going on inside your home
• Smart control. The ability to control your home from your phone or a single location is one of the things that makes a smart home smart. With Vivint, you can control your smart home via the Smart Home App, or your Smart Hub when you’re at home. This makes it easy to arm your system, check your camera feeds, and communicate with the monitoring center all from one place.

With a smart home security system, Maryland residents will enjoy the best of both worlds -- a home that’s safe and convenient.

Security systems near me

Whether you live on the coast in Annapolis or in the middle of the action in Baltimore, there’s a security system for anyone, anywhere in Maryland.

Annapolis

Maryland’s capital city is a seaside town with a rich nautical history that can be seen just about everywhere you go. Home to the United States Naval Academy and located on the Chesapeake Bay, there are loads of activities you can do on land or sea.

Living in Annapolis means you’re probably out and about enjoying everything your city has to offer whenever possible. A smart home security system in Annapolis means you can always check in on your home, no matter where you are.

Baltimore

As the most populous city in the state, Baltimore is a diverse city with plenty to see and do. Whether you’re sampling new foods or exploring the museums, shops, and entertainment along Inner Harbor, living in Baltimore is never boring.

Unfortunately, it’s not always safe, either. It’s one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country -- 98% of cities in the country are safer than Baltimore. But like every city, it’s smart to take precautions, like avoiding bad areas, locking up, and equipping your home with a security system in Baltimore.

Columbia

Columbia has been honored as one of the top places to live by Money Magazine. This master planned community’s unique makeup of 10 villages and relatively small population of just over 100,000 people gives it a small town feel.

Columbia is just 22 miles from Washington, DC, making it a popular place to call home for many government workers. The average commute time in Columbia is 31 minutes each way, meaning lots of time in the car. With a smart home and security system in Columbia like Vivint, forgetting to close the garage door or lock up is no big deal--you can manage your home right from your phone, whether you’re sitting in traffic or the office.

Germantown

Germantown is divided into six villages, giving this Maryland town a distinct suburban feel. More than 50% of residents have advanced degrees, making it one of the more educated communities in the country. It’s also rich with diversity; 34% of Germantown residents were born in other countries.

Although it’s safer than Maryland as a whole, Germantown isn’t completely void of crime. Property crime is where it ranks the lowest, comparatively, making a home security system in Germantown a wise investment for anyone who wants both protection and peace of mind.

Silver Spring

Sitting just outside Washington, DC, Silver Spring is home to beautiful parks, historic museums, and plenty of places for young families to explore.

It’s also one of the more costly places to live; houses in Silver Spring cost about 75% more than the national average. With that in mind, it definitely makes sense to protect your investment with a security system in Silver Spring.

Why you need a Vivint Security System for your Maryland home

You know you want a security system—now what? You want a system that is reliable, has all the features you want and need, and that will keep your home and family safe. That’s why Vivint makes perfect sense.

With a Vivint system, you can customize your home security system with the latest security and smart home devices that people all over the country have relied on for years. What’s more, Vivint also provides:

• Professional installation from experienced technicians who are experts in their field. With professional installation, you can be sure that each component of your system will work together. Our pros will also advise on the best placement for your devices in your home, then show you how to use your system.
• 24/7 monitoring. All Vivint systems include professional monitoring around the clock, providing peace of mind that help is there any time of the day or night.
• Dedicated customer support specialists who are on hand to answer your questions and help you get the most out of your system.

Ready to get started? Contact our Smart Home Pros today at 855.822.1220 and start customizing the perfect security system for your Maryland home.