Ring Video DoorbellAfter hours, especially for small businesses where employees may be alone at night, can be a concern.
But technology offers an answer: the "smart" doorbell. A variety of companies make doorbells equipped with a video camera (including night vision), a microphone and a speaker. A smart doorbell lets you communicate via a smartphone in real time with whomever comes knocking.
Or simply to monitor activity. Thanks to motion-sensing capability, these smart doorbells can trigger your smartphone app and let you know when, say, a delivery person has left a package - or if there's suspicious activity, like a thief taking a package left on the doorstep.
If a would-be burglar rings your smart doorbell to see if anyone's around, it lets you speak to them in real time. You can pretend to be inside the building - even if you're far away. And video shot by the cameras can help identify burglars.
YouTube abounds with local TV news stories that show homeowners who called the police as burglars broke in after being alerted by their smart doorbell.
Brands of smart doorbell include SkyBell HD, VueBell, Ring Video Doorbell and August Doorbell Cam. Installation doesn't require much rewiring, since the doorbells connect with your business or home Wi-Fi.