It’s hard to get anywhere on time in the New York metro region and just about any other area with big commuter populations like Washington and Boston. When you head home after a long day, the last thing on your mind is a one-hour delay and the frustrations that can lead to – no way you should miss a favorite show or wait to start a project.

Luckily home automation can assist not only when such a situation arises, but to prevent worse things from happening. Here’s two reasons to help yourself by setting up for home automation.

Press play, record, or turn TV’s on and off without ever reaching for a remote.

Home automation serves a primary purpose of making life more convenient. Running late is inevitable and so is the unexpected, like taking that call or answering that email from your mobile device. Spare time just isn’t there and you may not have even left the office yet, but with innovative technology you can power your TV, DVD player or audio systems at home from the convenience of your iPhone, iPad and other instruments. Why not flip on the tube and change the channel to what you want on once you do get there, or record it using home automation?

Theft deterrence at the touch of a button

According to the FBI a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds. Fifty percent of home invasions involve the use of deadly weapons like knives. Parts of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas are known to draw crime in due to the nation’s economic struggles.

If you’re not home, using home automation is among your best bets to make sure no uninvited guests turn up. Criminals prefer to work a) in the dark and b) when nobody is around. Convincing them that breaking into your house is too risky and dangerous to attempt will make them move on to another target. You can do just this without being home, particularly handy of you know it’s getting late and you want to play it safe.

Having your lights on is an extremely cheap security precaution, as is turning a TV or radio on to add sound. Whether you decide to leave inside or outside light on or activate motion sensor lights (ultimately saving on electricity costs) home automation is the solution you need to activate and adjust settings from wherever you might be. Take that longer way home with a few stops or stay out with the family a little later than usual – you’ll be protected by setting your home up and using technology to your advantage.

Some alarms on the market offer dog barking at different volumes followed by turning your lights on. Imagine if you can access this through home automation? You can control the settings of your lights at home, using your work computer, laptop, iPad or smartphone and essentially eliminate threats, protecting your home and your family.

The cost of home automation far outweighs the cost of continued inconvenience and the pain, discomfort, and anguish a burglary would create. To get integrated and be proactive about protecting your home, use home automation to your advantage.