Here’s how the best home security system can be found
Wherever you live, feeling safe in your home is important. But feeling safe and being protected from burglaries and home invasions can be two completely different things.
Robert Siciliano, Chief Security Architect at ProtectNow, says that while every home security system varies, the primary purpose of an alarm is to alert the burglar that the clock is ticking and to alert homeowners and law enforcement through a central alarm in case of an intrusion.
Whether you need cameras, motion sensors, external monitoring or other features, here’s how to find the best home security system to protect your property, but more importantly, your family’s security. You’ll also want to know these things, too, that a burglar won’t tell you.
How much security are you supposed to seek?
Besides your lifestyle, your home location is a major factor in assessing what type of home security system you need. For example, if you live in a densely populated or highly trafficked area, systems that monitor when someone approaches your door or window may not be the best choice, says Cassie Tolhurst, Frontpoint’s security advisor. “You always err on the side of caution, depending on what system you have. Keep in mind these security nightmares lurking around your home.
Consider the needs of you:
In order to determine your needs, ask yourself these questions, suggests Ana Bera, co-founder of Safe At Last: How big is your [home]? Are you the owner of your home or just the place to rent? You’re planning to move soon? How many valuables do you have at home? Which kind of neighborhood are you living in? Must you be able to remotely control the security system?”
Once you have a handle on what your needs are going to be, finding a home security system to meet them is easier.
Identify points of access before selecting equipment:
Scan the premises from someone’s point of view who wants to break in, suggests Jeremy Stewart, Global Marketing vice president for Swann. Try to identify potential points of access and what areas need to be monitored. From there, you’ll know how many cameras you need and whether the best option is a wired or wireless system, he says.
What are sensors of motion doing?
According to Gabe Turner of the Security Baron, motion sensors are a must. Motion sensors will let you know whenever movement of any kind occurs, while input sensors can tell whether a door or window is opened or closed. Glass break sensors can hear when glass is broken to fill in the input sensor gaps.
Need a camera for security?
Cameras provide extra security, but for every home they are not always 100% necessary. You should definitely install cameras if you live in a risky neighborhood or have a lot of valuables in your house. Make sure you place them strategically so that you cover your home’s most important parts. Also, always have a camera at your front door, Bera says. It’s a smart option to send alerts to your phone. These are some of the best-reviewed on the market home-security cameras.
Is there too much security possible?
It turns out that you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to security; children, pets, and visitors can trigger false alarms. So while you want to be as safe as possible, being realistic is just as important. False alarms can cause you to ignore a real problem if it happens. For this reason, you might want to consider an alarm system that only triggers and turns on the siren when someone opens a door, as Nils Mattisson, CEO and co-founder of Minut, suggests.
For every home security system, the one must have:
Whatever system you choose, make sure you’ve got a loud siren. As a deterrent, the siren is a very important part, both of which allows the intruder to know that he has been detected and warns people nearby that something is wrong. This is stressing out a burglar and will make him leave faster, says Mattisson.
Wired v. Wireless system of security?
Stewart recommends wired security systems that will require more than four cameras for medium to large properties. Wired systems need to connect both to a power source and to the Internet.
For anyone renting, living in a small space, or planning to move, wireless systems are best. There are also many systems that can be installed on their own, don’t require a long-term contract and are priced at an affordable price. These are powered by batteries or panels of solar energy.
Is a system of home security professionally installed and monitored better?
Having a professional security system installed and monitored, such as Fort Knox Security Services, will ensure that the equipment is always functioning properly. It’s also ideal for people traveling or spending a lot of time away from home. “You should always look for a system that is professionally installed and monitored,” says Rod Pettingill of Safe Streets. A monitored system has people dedicated to responding if your alarm goes off so even if you’re in a movie, camping or just don’t notice your phone going off, you can send the right first responders to your home.
Do home security systems that are self-installed provide sufficient protection?
A self-installed system should be adequate if affordability is a factor and you don’t need to guard your home like Fort Knox. Each system has its own characteristics, but you should be able to customize everything to suit your needs. Another benefit of a self-installed system is that if you move, you can take it with you. You should also consider these cheap ways to prove your home theft.
