A vital part of securing your home is the installation of a home security system. Home security systems come in many different forms and levels of protection. Whether you like to do it yourself, or are hiring a professional security installation company, there are critical elements that must be considered that are covered here.
To begin with you need to decide what your budget is for your system. Most alarm monitoring companies offer a free or reduced installation of their basic package which usually includes 3 door contacts, 1 keypad, 1 passive infrared motion detector, 1 back-up battery, 1 siren, and yard sign if you agree to their monitoring agreement. For many homeowners, this is a very cost effective way to have a basic system installed. However, if you are willing to spend a little additional money, you can add devices and contact points that really beef up your home security system.
The most important areas of the house to cover is the back and the sides. Burglars do not want to be caught, so they will look for the point of entry that gives them the most cover. When a burglar approaches a home, they will usually ring the doorbell to see if anyone answers or stirs in the home. If they do not hear any activity inside, they will kick in the door and close it behind them. It is hard to tell that anything is going on from the street. But your neighbors can easily tell that something is not quite right if they were to see a broken window on the front of your home.
Most burglaries occur through the doors. The doors most often targeted are the back and side doors. Windows can also be an easy entry point. If you are concerned about protecting your home and providing a warning of possible intrusion while you are at home, then you should consider contacting the windows. If however, you are primarily interested in protecting your property while you are away, then it may be more cost effective to consider using passive infrared motion detectors and glass break detectors. The reason is that even if the windows are contacted, it is possible on most windows to simply break the glass and climb in. If the window is never opened, the contact never goes off.
An interior trap of some sort is a critical part of an effective home security system. The most popular interior trap is a motion detector placed in the living room or hall as a back up to the perimeter protection. Pet motion detectors are available which filter out animals but still pick up humans. However, these pet motions are absolutely not recommended for homeowners with cats. Most cats are notorious for jumping on counters and tables. When the cat jumps, it jumps so quick that the motion thinks it is a person standing up. A good alternative in this case is to use an interior door contact on a closet or bedroom door that is kept shut. Should the burglar open the interior contacted door, then the alarm will sound. But if the system is armed in the stay mode, the interior contact is bypassed so that you may open the door if necessary.
Homeowners with animals often request glass break detectors for their home security system. Before spending your hard earned money on glass break detectors, it is important to understand their limitations and what they were truly designed to cover. Glass break detectors are designed to be a line of sight type product. The glass break detector is listening for the sound and vibration of breaking glass, and it has to occur within milliseconds of each other. This dual technology is designed to cut down on false alarms. A glass break detector likely will not work properly if the windows you are trying to protect are covered with heavy draperies, shutters, or even faux wood blinds. In most homes the areas where a glass break can do the most good is around the glass above the master tub and back door glass.
Another thing you might consider if you are going to have your security system monitored is to add a cell back up.The cell back-up unit will transmit an alarm signal in the event of a burglar cutting the home phone line. Many homeowners skip this option due to the cost of the unit and monthly airtime. However, it is the absolute best means of alarm communications available today.
In summary, when you are looking at installing a home security system, at a minimum you should contact all of the exterior doors, and install an interior trap of some sort as discussed earlier. Since all of the keypads on the market today are easy to operate, you should never be afraid of using your alarm system. As I tell my customers all the time, "It will not do you any good sitting on the wall".
Lonnie Sallas is a 13 year veteran of the security industry and president of Texstar Alarm Systems in Houston Texas. Texstar Alarm Systems is a leading provider of Houston home security systems as well as surround sound, CCTV, and wireless web cameras. Feel free to browse our site for more security tips to protect you and your family as well as your business.
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