In the age of social distancing, there’s a very real need to stay connected to the people we love. Fortunately, there are some outstanding ways to do it. Even your home security system can be part of your overall solution. Here are some ideas you may wish to include in your stay-connected strategy.

As a smart, capable adult, maybe you feel you have what it takes to handle everything on your own in an at-home emergency. But the truth is, most people need some kind of help. If there’s a break-in or a fire, your number one job is to get yourself and your loved ones out of the house safely. Calling 911 on top of that is not something you’ll be able to handle in that moment. But if you have a monitored home security system, you won’t have to.

Do you wish there was a button that automatically took care of things around the house for you? There may not be one that washes the dishes or takes out the garbage, but there is one that can perform your home automation functions. It’s called Scenes, and it actually gives you a total of four buttons – one for each of your day’s most important milestones. Here’s a little more about each of those buttons and what you can do with a simple tap.

Your home security system protects you, but what protects your home security system? The burglary method known as “crash and smash” is a threat to not just your home, but the security system as well.

Snapshots are all the rage these days; the most popular social media sites are dominated by snapshots, instant cameras are making a comeback, and even your home security system can include a feature that sends snapshots to your phone or email. How does that last one work? It’s called an image sensor, and it’s offered exclusively by the maker of our home security systems.

The list of technology brands competing for your attention and loyalty seems never-ending, and that includes home security camera technology. How can you choose just one? Here’s a tip: The brand matters a lot less than the platform.

Home automation is one of the best tools for confusing the enemy, providing a way to look home with lights and entertainment going off and on, and even sound home with the ability to answer the door via video doorbell and your mobile device. Even the most determined criminal doesn’t want to mess with that.