Kasa Smart Plug Mini $24.99 Programmable outlets that turn whatever’s plugged into them on and o on a set schedule aren’t new. Maybe you even own a couple. Today, however, programmable outlets are much smarter than they used to be. To start, they’re Wi-Fi a airs that connect to your wireless network and with it, the internet. You can set up a week-long schedule during which on and o times vary from day to day (in case would-be thieves happen to be doing their due diligence) using a tablet or smartphone. An added bene t that older, non-connected programmable outlets can’t touch: you can check in remotely to make sure that the lights are up and running on the schedule that you set. You can even choose to adjust the schedule remotely, as the days get shorter and then longer, for example. When you’re back home, there’s no need to pack these smart outlets away. At home, you get the neat and useful ability to turn whatever is plugged into them on or o from your phone or tablet. If you have a smart home assistant such as Google Home, Alexa or Siri, you can even bark a command at it from across the room. “Alexa, turn on the living room light.” Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer Switch $49.99 Leaving a lamp or two connected to a timer such as the one detailed above is a good move to make burglars wonder if perhaps someone is home. Better yet, though, is the ability to turn interior or exterior lights on or o on a schedule. AKasa switch replaces a dimmer switch (or, saving $20, a regular single throw switch) and turns it into a smart switch. Installation is obviously a little more involved than with the aforementioned programmable outlet. As a DIY project, however, it’s doable. Failing that, an electrician would be able to do the job in just a few minutes. e simplest application and the one which we’re highlighting here is to replace the porch light switch so that you can turn your exterior lighting on or o on a schedule while you’re away. It’s possible to go much further, though, if you wanted to. Any standard switch in the house could be replaced with one of these switches. at’d give you the ability to turn every light in the house on or o from your phone, tablet or using a voice assistant. What’s more, with a little setup in the app, you can create light groups (kitchen or living room, for example) to turn every light in that group on or o at once. Or even light “scenes” such as “movie night,” that you customize to, for example, turn the living room lights down to 30% brightness while turning o every other light on the main oor. “Night time,” in which a select few lights stay on at low brightness to light the way for that inevitable late-night trip to the bathroom. CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin Home and Away Getting away is great, but leaving home behind can be stressful. A week or two away isn’t without worry, but what about those of us who over-winter someplace warmer? We’re going to be away much longer than a couple of weeks. Break-ins are a sad fact of life and, with an extended absence, the risks unfortunately go up. We’ve talked before in this column about home security systems and smart tech additions that make it easy to check in on home from anywhere. If you’re interested, I encourage you to check out the Online column in the last issue, where we talked about home security systems. is time around, we’re going to talk specifically about making it look as if someone is home so that would-be burglars are more likely to pass your place by. e tips and gadgets which we’re about to detail can help give your home that lived-in look, but it bears mentioning that there’s no replacement for a friendly neighbour keeping an eye on things. 52 | www.snowbirds.org
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