WIRELESS DOOR / WINDOW SENSOR FOR X10:

WIRELESS GLASS BREAK SENSOR (X10):

For easy to reach and operate alarm system panels, you may opt to get a hand-held wireless security remote control.

WIRELESS X10 SECURITY REMOTE WITH X10:

WIRELESS X10 SECURITY REMOTE WITH X10:

BARKING DOG ALARM:

BARKING DOG ALARM:
Effective home security all comes down to different layers; there are layers aimed at ridding your house of an intruder~ such as a wireless alarm~ and then there are layers aimed at preventing thieves from breaking in to begin with. This barking dog alarm is one such security system.

• Reliable 24-hour protection

• Scare away intruders

• Automatically activates a high quality digital recording of a dog barking when an intruder approaches your home

• Can be operated by battery or by mains-power

Features:

• Detection range of 0 to 7 metres

• 150 degree detection angle for full coverage

• Adjustable volume all the way up to 5 watts

• In-built voice recorder capable of storing an optional~ 10 second message

• Alarm settings of bark~ chime and alarm

In the box:

• Main unit: barking dog alarm

• Wireless remote control

• Power adaptor for main unit

This is the home security automation system that Smart Home offers.  Technology based on the plug and play concept that is easy to install, easy to operate, easy to expand, and easy on the budget.

And on that note, we’ll keep our promise to save you $100!  All you have to do is enter the code “100offsecuritykits” when you purchase any of our security starter packs, and $100 will be knocked off the price. How good is that?? It’s only valid for a limited time though, so head over to our security page now..

With an abundance of alarm systems, surveillance cameras, detectors, and the like available, there are just too many to choose from.  Don’t be overwhelmed.  Take a step forward by finding a provider that can help you make that smart choice.  Finding that perfect match and making a stress-free decision as to what home security system will best address your security requirements is now at your finger tips!  Smart Home’s product line-up of complete security system packages has streamlined your options into 3 simple all-in-one packages.  For starters, you just have to ask yourself one question — “how big is my home?”

• SMALL HOUSE GSM SECURITY SYSTEM – Perfect for a flat, apartment or small house, this security system will allow you to monitor three rooms, a door or window, and still includes all the features of our advanced security kits. The package contains:
• Advanced GSM Security Control Panel includes an alarm system console panel with mobile phone~ telephone and back to base dialling.
• SIM CARD
• Wireless motion sensor for alarm

• FAMILY HOME GSM SECURITY SYSTEM – Designed for the house that isn’t a mansion nor a flat, this alarm system is able to monitor three rooms and two doors or windows. It has the added advantage of both an internal and external alarm, and a remote control. The package contains:
• Door / Window Security Sensor (Wireless) – Wireless door and window movement detector for use with SmartHome.com.au’s alarm systems.
• Advanced GSM Security Control Panel – Alarm system console panel with mobile phone~ telephone and back to base dialling.
• Security System Keychain Remote Control- RF keychain remote control for use with the our security systems and the advanced security…
• Security Siren & Strobe with back-up battery – Outdoor siren and strobe light for use with SmartHome.com.au’s wireless house alarm systems
• Sim Card
• Motion Sensor for Alarm (Wireless) – Wireless PIR motion sensor for use with SmartHome.com.au’s wireless alarm system.

• ULTIMATE GSM SECURITY SYSTEM -  Perfect for a big house, this security system will monitor rooms, doors, windows, features an external siren, and includes our ‘lived in’ technology.
• Door / Window Security Sensor (Wireless) – Wireless door and window movement detector for use with SmartHome.com.au’s alarm systems.
• Advanced GSM Security Control Panel – Alarm system console panel with mobile phone~ telephone and back to base dialling.
• Security System Keychain Remote Control – RF keychain remote control for use with the our security systems and the advanced security…
• Security Siren & Strobe with back-up battery – Outdoor siren and strobe light for use with SmartHome.com.au’s wireless house alarm systems
• Sim Card
• 5 x Motion Sensor for Alarm (Wireless) – Wireless PIR motion sensor for use with SmartHome.com.au’s wireless alarm system.

DIY Install - Step 1: Insert the batteries & plug in the power

DIY Install - Step 2: Pair accessories with the alarm panel

DIY Install - Step 3: Fix accessories on to your walls

 

This is what Smart Home is all about — giving you easy, hassle-free, worry-free choices from a complete package of reliable, safe and secure home automation and security products.  Enter your smart hometoday, live a life of peaceful tomorrows…Oh and we promised we’d save you $100 didn’t we? All you have to do is enter the code “100offsecuritykits” when you purchase any of our security starter packs, and $100 will be knocked off the price. How good is that?? It’s only valid for a limited time though, so head over to our security page now..

What are the Best Features to Look Out For in Buying Home Security Systems?

The need for home security could never be over-emphasized.  Having unwanted intruders inside your home can not only cause damage or loss of property; but more daunting and devastating are the psychological and emotional traumas, and in worse cases, the loss of lives among household members, brought about by theft or burglary.  We don’t wan’t any of these to happen!  An effective and reliable home security system is our key to lock-in security, protection, and peace of mind within our homes.

Home security systems such as alarms, surveillance cameras, etc. abound in the market today.  Before you get tangled up in the shopping web of brands, product features, prices, promos…here are the most important and most effective features to look out for in buying a home security system:

 1.  SECURITY – You might get so lost in all the shopping chaos and clutter that you may overlook the essential criteria of security.  Silly and contradictory as it may sound, but you may just fall into the trap of feature-laden security gadgets that are not secure.  So what makes for a ‘secure’ security system (no pun intended)?

• Back-up power = make sure that when electricity fails or is tampered with, a mixture of back-up batteries will keep it alive and kicking!
• Tamper detection = the alarm system goes off if someone attempts to disable it.
• SWT (Secure Wireless Technology™) = a special system designed for an added layer of security and peace of mind.

2.  BATTERY BACK-UP – Don’t under estimate a thief breaking-in to your home.  Before they break anything else, they’ll go for your electricity box to disable electronic devices like your alarm system.  Thus, a battery-backed-up home security system keeps the power alive!

3.  LONG BATTERY LIFE – Given the benefit of batteries as a back-up power system, ensuring long battery life is of equal importance.  Choose a system that has a battery life of at least 6 years. An advanced home security system has a panel that notifies you when batteries are running low. This will save you time, effort and anxiety!

4. SELF-MONITORED - Alarm systems can only get the job half done, or perhaps not at all. When the siren goes on, response from your neighbors or the authorities don’t come in a flash.  Don’t rely on an alarm alone.  A home security system should be able to provide you other ways and means to alert people and the authorities.

• SMS = Choose one that can enable sending SMS to notify them.  Alarms systems that can store up to 6 mobile numbers and send SMS of a pre-recorded message are ideal.
• Built-in microphones = This can allow you to listen-in to noises and conversations from intruders, thereby feeding your instincts on appropriate decisions on what to do next.

5.  GSM / SIM CONNECTION - Leverage the advantage of mobile technology!  As mentioned above, alert and notification should not rely on one source alone.  Your home alarm security should work hand-in-hand with a mobile device — it should notify you via text or phone of any emergencies and allow you to dial or text the system and control it from afar.  And when your normal phone fails, you may use it as a back-up phone.

6. EASY TO INSTALL – Get into the DIY (do-it-yourself) lifestyle! Choose a system that you can install yourself within 30 minutes or less.  A basic alarm system should come with only two wires – the electricity and phone cables on the security console, and even the phone cable is optional. No screwing should be required, a double-sided tape should be sufficient.

7.  WIRELESS – A wireless device makes DIY a breeze.  Apart from its easy installation feature and maintaining un-cluttered surroundings, wireless systems should be expandable or promote ease in adding more devices into your system to augment its features.

8.  CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE – It’s not just getting a system in place; it’s also about getting a ‘smart’ home security system.  With your busy schedule, you make room to forget and you’re not always in the home. Thus, get a security system that you can remotely control.  Not with an extra pocket device that you can forget or misplace — something that can allow you to enable or disable the system from anywhere in the world like phones or SMS messages.  A smart home security system allows you to take control of your alarm system anytime, anywhere.

 9.  EXPANDABLE SYSTEM – As your lifestyle changes, so does your home security system.  A complete makeover is not always the answer.  A lift, an augmentation, or some styling can do the trick.  That is why your alarm system need not be replaced every now and then.  Save more and get more value for money by picking out a device that could accommodate ‘add-ons’ or accessories to enhance the capability of your existing security system.

 10.  PET FRIENDLY SENSORS – Motions and sounds from house pets like dogs, cats, birds, etc. can be detected by your sensors and may always send off a ‘false alarm’.  Check out for systems that could differentiate between human and animal sounds and motion height level.

Now with all these features in mind, you’re ready to go into a smarthome security shopping spree!  Enter SmartHome.com.au…Discover the beauty of home automation by making use of advances in technology in keeping a secure, peaceful, easy, and enjoyable home.

The day started off like a page from a Christmas story.  All’s well in home and hearth, I was reclining on my rather large posterior, watching a blockbuster movie on my 66 inch flat screen, playing from my old laptop.  My pet monkey mowing the lawn, my email inbox filling up with ‘Amazing Curry Recipes’ sent from the fans of my last blog post and online strangers begging me not to try to make that  ‘Amazing Monkey Curry Recipe ’.  (If this makes no sense you need to see part 1 (link to part 1)

And then it happened! In full 66 inch HDTV glory; staring at me was the dreaded BSOD or Blue Screen of Death – In layman’s terms MY COMPUTER DIED!

My world spun into a darker place, and I had to know – Who done it! Darn you Jessica Rabbit. Okay for those of you who read my last post you will remember I used my $20 gift voucher from www.smarthome.com.au  to purchase a Mini HTPC Keyboard and Mouse that worked like a dream. (For those of you who did not read my last blog post – GO READ IT NOW (link)

So I logged back onto www.smarthome.com.au  with my trusty smart phone from home to find a solution (Pun intended); and there was the answer, staring at me from all 6 inches of phone screen glory – SIMPLE BOX FOR WEB ACCESS WIHTOUT PC

So then I got smart; I’d already used up my $20 www.smarthome.com.au gift voucher buying that Mini HTPC Keyboard and Mouse that worked like a dream. So I hooked up my pet monkey to the internet and had him do the www.smarthome.com.au survey for another $20 gift voucher, and yes it was so simple even a monkey could do it!

To cut a long story short, my pet monkey lives another day, my ‘Amazing Monkey Curry Recipe’ remains safely in my back pocket and I have movies, the internet and u tube back in 66 inches of glory.

PS: No live monkeys were harmed in the writing of this blog, similarities between ‘Amazing Monkey Curry Recipe’ or ‘Amazing Curry Recipes’ of other blogs is purely coincidental.

PPS: Check out the u tube video

The End (till next week)

There are only 3 reasons why you are on this page.

• You were searching for “Amazing Curry Recipes” on Google
• You’re looking for a “Mini HTPC Keyboard and Mouse”
• Or you want a $20 www.SmartHome.com.au gift voucher

Well if you got to this page hoping to find “Amazing Curry Recipes” sorry, can’t help you. But, if you came here looking for the Mini HTPC Keyboard and Mouse, or $20 SmartHome gift voucher, you’re in the right place.

Now as of a few weeks ago, I had a computer hooked up to my 66 inch TV full-time – so I could plop down and get comfortable on the living room sofa to surf the net and watch streaming movies. Sounds great right? And it was… until I realized that I couldn’t reach the keyboard from the sofa! Now there were two possible solutions to this dilemma;

1. Get a monkey and train it to work a computer or;
2. Buy a new Mini HTPC Keyboard and Mouse with the $20 SmartHome gift voucher I got (will tell you how to get one shortly).

So I sat two feet away from my 66 inch TV and searched Google for a wireless keyboard and mouse (or keyboard/mouse combo) that:

-          Had decent range (20-30 feet, ideally)

-          Didn’t take up too much space

-          Was compact with small keys and no numeric keypad

-          Had a reliable, two or three button optical mouse that could tolerate occasional attacks by our cats and toddler, possibly even a spilled drink

Sounds like a lot to ask right – turns out it wasn’t! I could get it all right here. And they even let me use my $20 gift voucher, which you can get for yourself right here.

Stay tuned for part 2..

A lot of people have trouble wrapping their head around how Home Automation works, and how it can improve their home living experience.

This great video from Micasaverde show’s you some of the innovative uses for their Vera product (distributed exclusively in Aus by SmartHome.com.au) in your home.

When people think about home security, they tend to think of heavy bars in front of their windows and expensive security systems. Keeping your home safe and secure doesn’t require you to turn it into a fortress though. Here are some simple tips to improve the security of your home and help protect your family:

- Leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbour instead of hiding a spare key that could be found by an intruder

- If you like pets, then dogs can be your best burglar alarm. If not, a ‘beware of the dog’ sign may still deter a burglar

- If you have unique items of jewellery and other collectables, consider a portable and concealable hide-away safe, available in a variety of sizes

- Mark your property using an engraver or ultra-violet markers, with the letter of your state followed by your licence number. These markers are now available to buy from various electrical stores around Australia. Marked property is much harder for burglars to resell.

- Don’t allow drain pipes to be used to gain access to upper floors. Shrubs, trees and bushes should all be pruned so the burglar cannot hide

- So an emergency service can find your house in an emergency, make sure your house number or name is clearly visible

- Imagine you have locked yourself out - how easy could you break in? Fix any weaknesses that can allow an easy entry for the burglar

- Tools that can help a burglar must be locked away. Keep your shed and garage doors locked and if you have a ladder, chain and lock it to a fixed point like a wall

- Windows are actually the key to home security. Window-stays become loose or sloppy as they become older and sometimes you can get a window-stay to jump off its peg by thumping the outside window frame. Fit window stay locks

- Doors must be sturdy, well-hung on strong hinges and have secure locks. Fit deadlocks, particularly on external doors

- Home security systems are an excellent way to provide an extra layer of defence to your home. Smarthome.com.au offer a range of affordable and highly effective systems, and for the month of July we’re offering a $100 discount on all our security starter kits. Simply visit our security starter kit and enter the code “100offsecuritykits” to access this special offer.

Got some other home security tips? Let us know in the comments!

The fact that you’re reading this means that you’re a bit interested in automating your home. However, you might still be trying to figure out the benefits of home automation and whether they justify going ahead with it. Obviously, the benefits will vary for each individual, here though are some of the stand out benefits which most people will likely enjoy as a result automating their home:

It’s convenient

Remember the days when the TV didn’t have a remote? Can you even imagine not having a remote now? This was one of the first and definitely most used home automation tools to hit the market.

Home automation goes a lot further though. Here’s an example; imagine being able to turn the heater on, get the kettle boiling and have the lights turned on all from the touch of a button AND before you get home! This is just one example of the many ways you can make your life more convenient with home automation. There are literally hundreds of different ways you can make your life more convenient, the only limit is your imagination!

It makes your home more secure

Home automation can make you and your family a lot safer. Things like motion sensors that send you an alert to a mobile device when triggered, cameras which can send a live feed to your ipod, or even simple things like turning lights on remotely so that you can enter a well lit abode without fear of someone hiding in the darkness.

Save money

While the common perception is that whiz bang technology like home automation will cost you the earth, the reality is that it’s actually very affordable to purchase and setup. On top of this, automating your home can help you save money as well!

By programming your home automation system to do the things that you want to only when you need to use them, you can save yourself countless dollars along the way.  Your electric bills, gas bills and other costs can be considerably lowered when you harness the ability of automation to use programming benefits.  Additionally, our systems can actually track the energy usage in your home and show you how much you’re saving each year.

Automating your home will also make it more attractive if you decide to sell, and pump up its re-sale value!

It’s plain fun

There’s so much cool stuff you can do with an automated home. Not only can you enjoy playing around with it yourself, you’ll be able to impress your friends.

Imagine walking around your home and being able to control every appliance from your mobile phone or laptop, or walking into a room and having the lights turn on automatically thank to motion sensors – and these are just basic functions! Once again, what you can do with your automated home is only limited by your imagination.

These are just some of the simple benefits of automating your home – if you’d like to check out some of the great products that make these benefits a reality, head over to SmartHome.com.au

If you’ve got an iPhone your life is no doubt a bit different now to how it was before you had one. It seems like there’s an app for just about everything these days, and home improvement is no exception. From design inspiration to practical tools for the handy man, here’s a list of apps that will be invaluable for improving your home:

Home Improvement Glossary: This app is ideal for anyone new to do it yourself projects who needs a glossary of terms for starting a new project or fixing an old one. Common knowledge terms and more advanced terms are listed in an easy to read format.

Home Maintenance: Trying to remember when it’s time to change the smoke alarm or when the plumber fixed your toilet? The Home Maintenance app sets reminders and gives you suggestions as to when your home systems needs regular maintenance and scheduling. You can even email yourself a complete record of maintenance and add pictures to help keep an archive history of your home and its repairs.

Handy Man DIY: This app has just about everything you will need for your home improvement project. From categorizing your products in a shopping list format, to measuring ‘take-offs’ for your individual rooms and adding together the measurements. Other handy features include do it yourself, step-by-step instructions for common projects and even video tutorials.

Palettes: If you’re trying to match colors to a paint or fabric in your home improvement project, the Palettes app allows you to grab colors from pictures, magazines, or websites and match/contrast them with color schemes. This is a really good app for choosing accent wall colors and comparing colors for your interior and exterior projects.

Dream Home: If you need inspiration for color, style, room and design help, the Dream Home app gives you a multitude of full color photos across a variety of home categories. Designers the world over have contributed inspirational photos to help you have ideas in hand to share with your home improvement, designer or sales person to get your point across. No more clipping magazine pics!

iHandy Carpenter: How much better can the iPhone get when you have a ruler, protractor, bubble leveller, plumb bob, and surface leveler all in the palm of your hand. Whether you are hanging a picture and need the leveller, or you are mitering the corners of crown molding, this app is for you!

Z~Series Home Automation: Imagine being able to control your home remotely through your iPhone.. Well the Z-Series iphone app lets you do exactly that! Control all your Z-Series enabled appliances from the touch of a button on your iPhone; make sure the doors are locked, turn lights on and off, even turn the heater on before your get home! Getting this set up is much easier and more affordable than you may think – with starter packs from just $699. Checkout the range here.

Getting a bit bored with your surroundings at home? Sick of looking at the same old setup you’ve had for the last decade? We feel your pain, and that’s why we’ve come up with some handy and cost effective hints for instantly upgrading your home. Read through the below and get ready to take your home from boring to beaut!

Add some color: Nothing refreshes your rooms as quickly as the newest hot colour combinations. An quick example is to for the living room is to add some throw pillows in the new colour combinations of tea green and burgundy, sky blue and chocolate brown or yellow and acid green.

Get your bed in season: Find a nice fabric or a freshly patterned sheet from Spotlight, and change your duvet cover and place two patterned pillow cases in a matching print in front of your plain colored pillows. This will give your bed a great spice up!

Pimp your windows: Simply adding some natural match-stick blinds, patterned roman shades or painted wooden shutters inside your windows can give a room an entirely new feel.

Class up your your coffee table: Head down to your nearest homewares store and pick up a large square ceramic dishe in a modern colour like banana or pewter grey. Place it in the middle of your coffee table and use it for potpourri or as a holder for some candles. Alternatively, just use it as a place to organize your coffee table essential like the television remote or some SmartHome gadgets.

Modernize your kitchen: Change your tap to a new brushed chrome goose-neck and change the handles on your cupboards to match. It might be time to update to a sleek new kettle, toaster or coffee maker and don’t forget to have some new tea towels hanging off the oven!

Freshen up your lamp-shades: Get rid of those traditional silk shades and replace them with some modern looking parchment paper shades, or even new silk shades in a clean square or rectangular shape.

Tinker with your tabletop: Change up the layout of your tabletop using your old dishes as a base. Get some colourful new dessert plates, coloured chopsticks, and new table linens in seasonal colours.

Make your storage chic: Ebony coloured rattan baskets, plexi-glass boxes, frosted plastic boxes or blonde-wood crates in multiples on a bookcase or a kitchen shelf are a simple and stylish way to store almost anything.

Beautify your bathroom: Replace tired art with chic black and white photography with crisp white matting and thin black frames and you can easily give a dated bathroom a modern look. Little things like changing your towels to a new neutral like sable, pewter, or burnt orange can make a big difference as well.

Clear away clutter: Give your home office and closets a good clean out. Eliminate, organize and only keep the stuff you really need. Invest in small details like new hangers, storage baskets, a container for pens and a new desk lamp. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel personally, plus your space will look much more stylish!

Add some SmartHome.com.au devices! We had to give ourselves a plug. Our great range of products can make your home much more comfortable and efficient to live in, and you can start automating your home for as little as $150!

What about you?

Do you have any simple tips for adding a bit of freshness and style to your home? Let us know in the comments!