The Minnesota Home Security and Automation Guide

Each year thousands of people move to Minnesota, and it’s not hard to see why. A robust economy, strong job market, and low cost of living make it a practical choice to live. And Minnesota’s well-known outdoors scene (which earned it the nickname “Land of 10,000 Lakes”) is a plus for outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you live in Minnesota or are thinking of moving there soon, keeping your Minnesota home safe is a top priority.

Most people don’t live in neighborhoods with private security guards or 24/7 patrol services. But with so many high-quality security systems on the market, you don’t need to live in fancy area to protect your home.

This guide will help you find the best security system for your Minnesota home.

Home security systems for Minnesota residents

The exact devices, features, and system you choose for your security system will vary depending on your security needs and your budget.

There are thousands of home security devices on the market today, but most security solutions include the following basic components:

Security sensors

Security sensors are an integral part of any home security system. These sensors trigger your alarm to alert you of unauthorized entry.

There are sensors that protect different entry points around your home, including:

• Door and window sensors will sound an alarm if a window or door is opened.
• Motion sensors sense motion in a defined area and trigger the alarm when someone is detected in the area.
• Glass break detectors can measure the decibel levels of breaking glass and will set off the alarm if someone breaks a window.

Safety alarms

Potential break-ins and vandalism aren’t the only threats to your home. Safety alarms keep your home safe from environmental factors that could harm your family or your home.

Home security companies in Minnesota should offer the following safety alarms for your home:

• Smoke alarms. Smoke detectors are required by law and can save lives; in fact, 3 out of 5 home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
• CO (carbon monoxide) alarm. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas. It’s also odorless and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without a CO alarm.
• Water sensors. A water leak is probably not life-threatening like a fire or carbon monoxide, but it can harm your home and be costly to repair. Water sensors are small devices you can place in areas at high risk for leaks, like washing machines or water heaters. If a leak is detected, you’ll receive a notification.
• Emergency pendants, or medical alerts, are usually worn around the neck or wrist and provide quick access to the alarm company’s monitoring center. These are a good idea for the elderly, immobile, or anyone at greater risk for falls.

Surveillance cameras

Video surveillance is another important component of both smart homes and alarm systems. Security cameras let you see what’s going on both inside and outside of your home and include:

• Doorbell cameras let you answer your door from your smartphone no matter where you are. You can also see when someone comes to your door, even if they don’t ring the bell.
• Indoor cameras can be placed in different rooms throughout the home, letting you check on kids, pets, or relatives.
• Outdoor security cameras give you a view of your property day or night. Some outdoor cameras have more advanced features and new technologies that go beyond just capturing images. Vivint’s outdoor cameras, for example, identity lurkers on the property and then warn them that they’ve been spotted.

24/7 monitoring

When it comes to monitoring, security systems are either self-monitored or professionally monitored.

With a self-monitored system, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to call for help if an alarm goes off. While this might save a little money, it has some downsides. If you’re not home, for example, it can be impossible to tell whether it’s a real emergency or false alarm. Or, if you’re busy getting to safety, it can delay contacting emergency services.

A professionally monitored system is monitored around the clock by a professional monitoring company. If an alarm is triggered, the company will immediately be notified and then attempt to contact you. If they can’t get ahold of you, or if you confirm that the alarm is the result of an emergency, they will contact emergency responders on your behalf. Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it lets you focus on the most important thing—getting your family to safety.

Home automation any Minnesotan can use

Home automation and home security go hand-in-hand. With home automation, you can remotely control and monitor the devices and systems in your home. You can also automate many of the security functions and systems throughout the home, such as locking doors automatically when you arm your system.

If you’re interested in home automation, look for a security provider in Minnesota that will also offer home automation. Smart home automation can automate your entire home, or it can be as simple as a connected smart device or two that you can remotely control.

Your specific system will depend on your needs and wants, but the most helpful smart home devices include:

• Smart thermostat. These devices save energy and money by learning your temperature preferences and automatically adjusting the temperature accordingly. You can even control the temperature with your voice by pairing your smart thermostat with a smart speaker.
• Smart locks. With smart locks, you can unlock your door via a unique code (or your smartphone) instead of a physical key. You can also set it to lock automatically after a few seconds, giving you peace of mind that your home is locked up. Smart locks are good for front doors and can also provide additional access control for off-limits areas.
• Garage door control. The garage door can be a serious security threat. Not only are they pretty easy to break into, but attached garages have an entry door leading to the home that often goes unlocked. With garage door control, you can make sure your garage door is always closed. You’ll also get notified if your garage door is open and can close it with your phone.
• Smart lighting. Smart lighting lets you turn your lights on and off no matter where you are with your phone. Some smart security companies in Minnesota, like Vivint, even allow you to create room groups, like bedrooms or downstairs lights, that you can control as a group. You can also automate your lights to turn on and off at certain times or after certain actions, such as when you unlock the front door.
• Smart control. The ability to control your smart home wherever you go is one of the biggest advantages of home automation. Vivint lets you control your entire smart home on the go with their top-rated Vivint app or at home with their touchscreen Smart Hub. You can use either to arm and disarm your system, adjust your lighting, watch live camera feeds, lock your doors, and more.

If you’re like many people, you probably already have at least a few smart home devices in your home. As you shop for security services, make sure your existing devices will integrate with your new system. Vivint integrates with some of the most popular smart home devices, including the Nest smart thermostat and smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo.

Security systems near me

No matter where you live in Minnesota, you can find a cutting-edge security system that will meet your needs.

Twin Cities and suburbs

Minneapolis and St. Paul are so close together, they’re known as the Twin Cities. While the state’s capital is St. Paul, the most populous city is actually Minneapolis. Between the two, there is no shortage of entertainment, sports, and economic opportunities.

When it comes to crime, however, neither Minneapolis or St. Paul are considered extremely safe—Minneapolis is safer than just 1% of all US cities, and you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in St. Paul.

Whichever Twin City you live in, a security systems in Minneapolis or security services in St. Paul will keep your home protected around the clock.

Those who like close access to city life but prefer a more suburban environment often settle down in Minneapolis and St. Paul suburbs like Woodbury and Bloomington. Suburban living often means commuting—Woodbury residents, for example, commute an average of 50 minutes round trip each day.

A smart home security systemm in Bloomington or Woodbury will keep you connected to your home while you’re away.

Rochester

Rochester sits in Southern Minnesota and is home to many working professionals. The affordable cost of living and job opportunities make it an attractive place for families, and Rochester’s population has grown over 35% in the last 20 years.

More people often means more crime, and that goes for Rochester, too—you’re significantly more likely to be the victim of a property crime like burglary than a violent crime. With a security system in Rochester, you can keep your home protected day and night.

Why you need a Vivint system for your Minnesota home

When it comes to protecting your home and family, only the best will do. Vivint security systems include the best smart home devices and professional services that will keep your home more comfortable, convenient, and safe.

You can customize your Vivint system with some of the most advanced smart home security devices on the market, so your system is exactly what you need it to be. In addition, Vivint provides:

• Professional installation included with all systems. No need to DIY or worry about wiring or getting connected—Vivint’s licensed Smart Home Pros will have your system up and running in no time, blending your devices seamlessly with your home. They’ll also show you how to work your new system, so you can get the most out of its features.
• 24/7 monitoring from our award-winning monitoring team so your home is protected day and night. You can also contact them quickly and easily from your Smart Hub, so help is always the touch of a button away.
• Customer service team that’s accessible via phone or chat. You can also access a helpful library of online resources to get answers to your questions or learn more about your devices.

Let Vivint protect your Minnesota home

Getting started is simple. Find out how Vivint can make your home more comfortable and convenient. Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.