A remote home monitoring camera is attached to the outside of a residential building.

Help control your home monitoring system with your smartphone

The latest generation of remote home monitoring goes far beyond smoke detection and intrusion alerts. Multiple professional and do-it-yourself options are available to help make your home a smart home.

What are the statistics?

Every 30 seconds a home is burglarized in the U.S. with an average value of $2,661 in property loss. Data from the FBI shows that during 2019, 55.7% of all burglaries were due to forced entry. In addition, 62.8% of all burglaries happened in homes or residential properties.

According to the National Fire Protection Association a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds, and a home fire happened every 89 seconds during 2020. In addition, a 2021 report from the U.S Fire Administration shows that electrical malfunctions were the fourth-leading cause for fires in residential buildings during 2019.

These days, home monitoring systems are about more than just preventing burglaries. They're about protecting your home and property from theft, fire and even water damage.

What kind of home monitoring system is best for you?

Many remote home monitoring systems don't even require the typical touchpads, key fobs or monthly monitoring fees. There are many easier, cheaper and more versatile alternatives you can access in a smart home using something that's probably already in your pocket — your smartphone.

In some cases, monitoring homes remotely can be a minimal, do-it-yourself effort by using products that provide a single device you can control from your phone. But for a more comprehensive service — some including 24-hour monitoring by security professionals — the latest generation of smart home systems goes far beyond smoke detection and intrusion alerts. Many include options for real-time video monitoring, motion-activated recording and even night vision. Systems also can monitor air quality, temperature and humidity.

Remotely-controlled ovens, water heaters and washing machines are here, too, although still in early stages, and many more items are in development.

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What smart home activity can be monitored or controlled remotely?

Devices that monitor fire activity

Devices that monitor water activity

  • Moisture detection (such as a leaking washing machine or dishwasher, burst water lines or overflowing sump pumps)
  • Automated water valve shutoff that stops water at the source when a potential leak is detected
  • Temperature sensors (to help avoid frozen pipes)

Devices that monitor crime activity

  • Broken glass alert
  • Door or window opened alert
  • Motion detection
  • Locking of doors
  • Motion-activated camera
  • Turning on lights

Devices that help with care monitoring

Devices that provide convenience

  • Connected electrical outlets
  • Thermostats
  • Appliance shutoff

A home alert protection discount may be available to State Farm® customers who install fire, smoke or burglar alarms. In addition, you may qualify for a free smart Ting device that can help you prevent electrical fires. Please see your agent today for more information.

Not all Homeowners insurance discounts described above are available in all states.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company
Bloomington, IL

State Farm General Insurance Company
Bloomington, IL

State Farm Florida Insurance Company
Winter Haven, FL

State Farm Lloyds
Richardson, TX

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