It\u2019s time to wake up for school. Music videos begin to play on your television screen. Your bedroom lights come on gradually, the curtains slide open to welcome the daylight, and a soft voice urges you out of dreamland. No need for an alarm clock to jolt you from bed, you\u2019re gently awakened by an integrated home automation system!<\/p>\n
You hurry to the bathroom, where the lights come on as soon as you enter. The tile floor has been pre-warmed for your arrival. When you finish showering, you dry off with automatically pre-heated towels.<\/p>\n
In the kitchen, your little brother says you\u2019re out of milk, so you check your refrigerator to make sure. You don\u2019t open the fridge\u2014instead, you use a computer on the door to check its contents. At the push of a button, your refrigerator system automatically reorders milk via the Internet.<\/p>\n
Does this sound familiar? Maybe not yet, but in the future it will be commonplace. Technology is now available to make lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, appliances, entertainment, and security systems all operate automatically by computer, telephone, or touchpad.<\/p>\n
These \u201csmart home\u201d systems will not only make home life more fun and convenient, but can enhance home safety as well. In today\u2019s homes, electricity can be accessed from any outlet at any time. In smart homes, outlets will provide power only upon request by a qualified appliance. If the computer system determines that all is well, the power will be sent to that outlet. If the network senses potential danger, such as a frayed cord, short circuit, overloaded outlet, or appliance incompatibility, the system will deny power to the outlet.<\/p>\n
Smart, safe homes are not as far off as you may imagine. By the time today\u2019s high school seniors turn 40, most new homes will have these technologies. Meanwhile, you\u2019ll just have to rely on that alarm clock to help you get up in the morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Do a simple inspection inside your home to keep yourself and your family safe. Look for these hazards:<\/p>\n
Every home should have smoke detectors to alert you in case of fire. Make sure you also have a multipurpose (Class C) fire extinguisher in the house, preferably in the kitchen.<\/p>\n<\/div>