Choosing the Home Security System that Works for You
With crime rates escalating, there has been an increased risk to you and your homes and valuables alike. According to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds. This has led several companies to come up with technological advances in home security systems and basic electrical alarms have taken a back seat.
These new security systems not only monitor and alarm the authorities regarding an unwanted intrusion in your home but also alert you of a possible gas leakage or smoke generated by the fire.
Since there is a wide range of security systems available, it gets extremely exasperating and daunting for home owners to choose the best for their homes. In this article I will offer some of the key points and tips when choosing a security system that is suitable for your home and your lifestyle.
Note: Also make sure you go for an option that is difficult to hack into.
Unmonitored System
An unmonitored system sets of a loud siren which alarms your neighbors. The siren not only goes off outside your home, it also goes off inside as well. Thus if you are unable to contact the cops or you are not home during the break in, your neighbors are likely to call the cops and alert them regarding the situation. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report states that a household member was home in approximately 28 percent of burglaries, which indicates the need for such a system.
It also comes with the option of flashing lights so that it is easy to locate where the alarm noise is coming from.
Monitored systems
Almost all of the companies offer a monitored alarm service to their customers. The monitoring system is a better and modified system versus the local alarm system. It can monitor burglary as well as fire or gas leakage to ensure your security.
With this sort of a system you are able to communicate and reach your monitoring service 24/7 in case of an emergency. The monitoring service then contacts the required institution depending upon the type of emergency.
Your system can contact the monitoring center in three ways when the alarm is triggered;
Landline: Your security system will utilize the landline connection of your home to alert the monitoring center. However, this is not a very reliable option as roughly 25 percent of burglars reported cutting telephone or alarm wires before they broke into the home.
Cellular: It will use your cellular signals to contact the center. This is a better alternative compared to the landline since your telephone lines could be easily disconnected.
Broadband: Alerting the center through the broadband internet connection is much more efficient and faster than the landline connection.
Professional or Do it Yourself Installation?
This is another dilemma that homeowners are likely to confront when deciding on the type of installation they should go for.
The Do It Yourself (DIY) system doesn’t require a representative from the company you bought the alarm from to install the system. It is delivered to you along with the instruction manual which allows you to install yourself.
Though a DIY system cuts the cost of the professional installer, I personally would advise homeowners to go for professional installation from providers like ADT, just so the risk of making a mistake while installing the system yourself is avoided.
Mobile Access
Many security systems today offer the convenience of mobile access. This means that you are able to arm and disarm the alarm from a smartphone or laptop.
This kind of a security system provides its users with a number of features including, monitoring flood sensors, viewing a live video feed of your home and seeing which of the doors or windows are open. These also allow you to receive any security alerts etc.
Security Cameras
With today’s severe threat to security, people prefer having their security company install security cameras, both inside and outside of their homes. If you are willing to have cameras installed, you should check if it is available with the system you are planning to get installed.
In conclusion, I hope these tips have been helpful on the types of security systems available. Understand that the more tight of a security system you install, the harder it becomes for thieves to break into your home. Plus, it also helps increase the value of your property and fetch a better price if you ever need to put it on sale.
Author:
John Miller is an avid reader and loves to write on topics related to home design and improvement, and writes for various online publications and websites.