If you live in a detached or semi-detached home in , you probably already have a doorbell installed on your door. But how modern is your doorbell? How much convenience and even safety does it add to your home?

For homes with older analog doorbells in , , these systems can only do one thing; notify you of visitors if you’re home. But new, wireless doorbell systems can do a lot more for you and your home security. Here are five reasons why you should think about investing.

Wireless Means No Extra Work

As the name implies with a wireless doorbell system, there’s no inconvenience with needing to make holes in walls, run wiring through, and other installation requirements that come with older electronics. A wireless doorbell runs off batteries and comes with indicators, so you know when it’s time to replace—or recharge—the batteries you have. This also means that it’s easier to place things where you want without worrying about wiring connectivity.

On the other hand, if you want to use electricity, that is an option, and you can have wiring installed.

Automatic Lighting

New doorbells can control the lighting in homes if you like. This means either the indoor lights or outside lights so that you can get a better look at the people on the other side of the door. In the past, if someone rang the door, you had to perform all these tasks yourself, and you could only do this once you got to the door. The automatic function in these new systems also means that now, if criminals are “testing” your home to see if someone is present, even if you’re not the lights turning on can give the illusion of someone in residence.

Notification When You’re Not Home

New wireless doorbells have apps that you can install to your phone. This means that even when you’re not at home, you can be notified when someone rings your doorbell with a text message or another indicator. If you’re expecting a package, this is a good way to find out. If you weren’t, this is always something that you can keep in mind to investigate further.

Preview Visitors

New doorbells also come with an important key security feature; a camera. Now if someone rings the bell and the light comes on, the camera is recording the person at the door. You can see who it is by consulting your phone, so if it’s someone you don’t know, or who looks suspicious, the camera has already recorded everything.

Speak Without Going To The Door

These doorbell systems can also come with a microphone so that you can speak to visitors. This means that you don’t even have to go to the door when someone unfamiliar is there. Combined with the camera and microphone, you can talk to people safely without coming close to the door at all, while the exchange is recorded.

If you want a safer, more convenient home in , upgrading to a modern wireless doorbell system gives you more convenience and control over what happens when people come calling, and what you choose to do about it.