Nighttime Safety Protocol: 5 Phases and 8 Hours Smart Home Must Cover
Statistics show 47% of elderly living-alone emergencies occur at night — from bathroom falls to cardiac events during sleep to disorientation in darkness. Smart Home design for elderly must weight this period heavily.
Phase 1: Pre-Sleep (20:00–22:00) — Winding Down Mode
Automations to configure:
- 20:00: Circadian Light shifts to 2700K (warm), dims to 150 lux to stimulate melatonin
- 21:00: Night lights auto-activate in bathroom, corridor, and bedside (5–10 lux)
- 21:30: Smart Lock auto-locks and confirms front door closed
- 22:00: mmWave enters Sleep Monitoring mode with heightened sensitivity
LINE Notify to family: "Mum/Dad is preparing for sleep — monitoring system active"
Phase 2: Early Sleep (22:00–02:00) — Deep Sleep Monitoring
Automations:
- mmWave records respiration rate every 5 minutes (normal range 12–20 breaths/minute)
- Immediate alert if: apnea >20 seconds, HR <40 or >120 bpm, leaving bed after 03:00
- Smoke + CO Sensor: active monitoring with all-channel alert (LINE + siren)
- Temperature Sensor: alert if room exceeds 30°C (heat stroke risk during sleep)
Escalation Protocol:
- Level 1: LINE alert to first family member
- Level 2 (no response in 5 minutes): LINE alert to all family
- Level 3 (no response in 10 minutes): automatic VoIP call
Phase 3: Deep Night (02:00–04:00) — Highest Risk Period
Why this period is most dangerous: Blood pressure reaches its 24-hour low between 02:00–04:00. Elderly getting up for bathroom use during this window face peak dizziness and fall risk.
Additional automations:
- mmWave detects leaving bed → all night lights activate immediately (no waiting for motion sensor)
- PIR in bathroom: timestamps entry and exit
- If bathroom occupancy >15 minutes → Level 1 alert immediately
Phase 4: Pre-Dawn (04:00–06:00) — Wake Preparation
Automations:
- 05:00: Sunrise Simulation begins — gradual increase 20 → 100 lux, colour temperature 2700K → 4000K over 60 minutes
- HVAC/fan adjusts room temperature to daytime setting
- Smart Pill Dispenser: prepares morning medication with soft pre-alert chime
Phase 5: Wake-Up (06:00–08:00) — Morning Confirmation
Confirmation protocol:
- mmWave detects rising + PIR detects movement → "Woke up normally" LINE report sent
- No movement by 08:30 → Level 1 alert immediately
- Smart Plug on kettle/coffee maker: activation detected as additional wellness signal
Nighttime Protocol Budget
Required devices:
- mmWave (3,500 THB) + Circadian smart bulb bedroom (800 THB)
- Night lights x3 (750 THB) + PIR bathroom (400 THB)
- Temperature Sensor (400 THB) + Smoke+CO Sensor (1,500 THB)
- Smart Lock (3,500–8,000 THB)
- Total: 10,350–15,350 THB for complete nighttime coverage