If you have a smartphone or an iPad, you’re probably already aware of just how many things you can literally do from anywhere. Update your schedule with a swipe of the fingertip, watch music videos of your favorite artists and even make lists so that you’re more productive. Have you ever thought of taking those abilities even further by using your smartphone to monitor your property? Fortunately web developers have already partnered with home security leaders such as Alarmforce Monitoring to do just that.

Making Sure that your Alarm System is Working

One of the most beneficial reasons for using an automated system to oversee your home security measures is simply to know for certain that the alarms are working properly. Many smartphone apps can tell you in seconds where each alarm is located within your home, and whether it is armed or disarmed.

However, experts caution that it’s valuable to understand what you really need in a home security system and take time to do business with a company that’s reliable. You should never feel pressured into signing a contract before you fully understand how your system operates, and what it can do for you.

Camera Screenshots

If you have cameras set up around your home as opposed to just an alarm system, your smartphone or iPad can help with that, as well. Some options give you real-time video monitoring, and let you watch clips from the past, too. If you notice something suspicious and want to look at it again later, you can ask the app to send the video files or images directly to your e-mail.

Getting Down to the Specifics

Other apps can break your home down into certain zones and focus on areas such as the front or back door, prominent windows, the hallway or even your smoke detector. Some apps can give you details such as whether you might have left the door open, and instantly provide peace of mind, particularly if you’re about to head out of town and want to ensure that everything is safeguarded before you travel too far down the road.

Help for Times When You’re Forgetful

Many of us have a huge amount of responsibilities to contend with during each day. It’s no wonder then, that people commonly forget to do things such as turning down the thermostat before they leave the house for an extended period of time, or making sure that all the lights are turned off. These mistakes may seem minor, but they can quickly run up your utility bills and cause extra hassles for when you return home. Several apps let you manage crucial details so that even if you forget to do these things when you’re at home, you can take care of them from afar.

Personal Safety

A protected home lets you live life to the fullest because you no longer have to be unnecessarily worried about being unprepared if a burglar strikes. However, there are some apps related to your personal safety, too. They allow you to quickly contact specific people or emergency services without having to go through the normal process of dialing a number and transmitting a call, which can be helpful during an abduction. Everyone always thinks that bad situations won’t happen to them, but at the end of 2011 alone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that there were over 85,000 reports of missing persons that were still active for that year.

There’s a good chance that you already rely on technology to help you get more things done and stay on top of your responsibilities. Take the next step and consider equipping your smartphone with one of the many apps that protect your home and your life with a security system today.

Amy Nielson is an avid blogger. You can follow her on Twitter @NielsonAmy.