June 1, 2023 - New parenthood is one of life's most hectic and exciting times. Suddenly, you’re responsible for deciphering cries, changing endless diapers, and waking up for middle-of-the-night feeds — all while keeping your baby safe and sound. While there’s no foolproof guide to caring for your new bundle of joy, here are a few simple tips to help you keep your new home secure.

Install a Security System

Your home has an adorable new addition, and keeping it safe with a security system can help give you peace of mind. Self-installed security systems are perfect for new parents because you don’t have to plan a service call around the baby’s nap times. Instead, you can install the system yourself in no time at all at your convenience.

To add a layer of protection around your home, most self-installed systems come with the following components:

Contact Sensors

When the system is armed, these magnetic sensors sound the alarm if someone opens a door or window. And even when the system’s not armed, contact sensors can chirp anytime a door or window is opened, giving you extra peace of mind knowing that you’ll be alerted to any activity around your home. Once your little one starts to crawl and explore their surroundings, a contact sensor can let you know if your kiddo opens a door to go explore outside or to chase the neighborhood cat.

Some systems even have outdoor contact sensors that can be placed on garage doors, gates, and sheds, so you’ll be the first to know if your sneaky toddler tries to go somewhere they’re not supposed to.

Motion Detectors

Contact sensors are a great first line of defense, but if someone manages to get inside the house, you’ll know when they trigger the motion detector. These sensors can also be helpful in off-limits areas to alert you if your little one managed to sneak in.

Installing a security system may be the best way to protect your home and the people inside, but it’s not the only way. There are a few dos and don’ts you should also follow — especially now that your new baby is home.

Capture the Most Important Moments With Indoor Security Cameras

For the first weeks of your baby’s life, there’s nothing like spending quality time at home snuggling and admiring their funny faces. But eventually, you’ll need to leave the nest you’ve built and venture back into the world — whether it’s for a one-hour doctor’s appointment or an eight-hour day at the office.

With an indoor camera, you can capture your little one’s most special (and unexpected) moments, even if you’re not there. That means you can still be involved in all your baby’s firsts, from adorable belly laughs to their triumphant first steps. And with a Ring Protect subscription, sold separately, you can share those precious memories. For example, after the unexpected moment when your baby yelled “dada” for the first time, you can look back at the footage, save the clip, and send it to your friends and family.

Mount a Few Outdoor Security Cameras

The outside world may feel nonexistent when you’re hunkered down with a newborn, but you still need to keep an eye on what’s going on beyond your home. Outdoor security cameras are the perfect way to do so, especially if you need to keep an eye on your dog from the nursery while he lets out some pent-up energy in the backyard.

Many outdoor cameras are battery or solar-powered, which means you don’t have to worry about wires. You can easily mount a few cameras over entry points and in areas that might otherwise be difficult to see. You’ll get alerts if the camera detects motion, and you can check the footage from your security app.

See Who Comes and Goes With a Video Doorbell

Eager visitors always seem to stop by at the most inopportune times. As soon as you sit down for a feeding or get the baby down for a nap on your chest, you hear a knock that you can’t answer. With a video doorbell, you can check the live feed on your phone to see who’s at the door and let them know it’ll be a few minutes. You can also say a quick thank you if a friend or family member drops by with a care package or a pre-made meal.

Make Life Easier With Smart Home Technology

Once you know your home is protected around the clock, you can focus on upgrades that will make life with a baby a little easier. Here are a few smart devices to consider:

Smart locks: If you’re tired of running to the front door every time your loved ones stop by, swap your regular lock for a smart alternative. Smart locks allow you to unlock the door from your phone, and you can even give trusted visitors your code. As an added bonus, you won’t have to hand out keys that could get lost or stolen.

Smart thermostats: Babies can easily get overheated, so it’s important to keep a consistent temperature in their sleeping space. With a smart thermostat, you can check the current temperature on your phone and make adjustments if needed. You can also set automations to keep the house a little warmer during the day and cooler when it’s time to go to sleep.

Smart lights: When you’re exhausted after a long day of watching a baby, the last thing you want to do is walk around the house turning off lights. Smart bulbs allow you to adjust brightness and turn lights on and off via your phone. You can also install outdoor smart lights to illuminate your front path, so if you arrive home at night, you can safely bring the baby inside.

Prepare for Your Newborn With Ring Whole Home Bundles

Now is the time when home security is most important — but it’s also when you have the least time to tackle new projects. With our Ring Alarm security system and Whole Home Bundles, Ring makes it simple to add an extra layer of security, no matter what your space requires. You’ll get all the devices you need to secure your home, from Stick Up Cams to Video Doorbells and even Smart LED Bulbs. And with a Ring Protect Pro subscription, sold separately, you’ll be able to control all your devices from the Ring App, get 24/7 professional monitoring, and even save footage of your baby’s first steps if you catch them on camera.

Now that you know about all the best home security upgrades for you and your growing family, check out our innovative security products to see which ones are right for your home. Have more questions? Take a simple quiz or speak to a Ring Security Expert at 833-906-1146.