Crime does pay if you don’t do your part.
Every year, there are about 2,199.5 property crimes for every 100,000 Americans. Larceny, burglary, and motor vehicle theft all qualify as types of property crimes. Once the thieves leave with the goods, catching them can be difficult, if not impossible.
Luckily, if you have a home security system, you can scare away criminals before they step foot into your house. However, not every security system is made equal. While some are incredibly efficient, others are a waste of your time and money.
If you’re thinking about protecting your home with a security system, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll review the top 10 tips for choosing a system that will keep you and your loved ones safe.
Read on to learn how to choose the best security system for your home.
1. Expect Great Customer Service
First, when it comes to choosing a home security system, you have to be picky about who you want as a provider. After all, there’s no point having a state of the art alarm system if it’s not installed or monitored correctly.
To make sure you’re choosing a trustworthy company, take a moment to read online home security system reviews. Find out what current customers are saying about the provider, and pay attention to any repeat complaints.
Next, call the security company to assess their customer service for yourself. If they don’t answer the phone right away, or place you on an extremely long hold, it’s probably not a company you’ll want to do business with.
2. Wireless vs. Landline
Next, when it comes time to choose a security system, you’ll have to decide if you want a landline or wireless one. Wireless security systems are a great choice if your home doesn’t already have a pre-installed system in place.
Wireless symptoms can be installed without having to make any modifications, such as drilling holes, to your home. A landline, or wired, security system, could be the best choice for you if your house is already prewired.
3. Keep Your Budget in Mind
Moving on, you’ll want to consider your budget when you’re getting ready to purchase a security system. As you call around and get quotes from different security company’s, you’ll want to ask them to include a total of all expenses.
Here are some possible expenses you might come across:
- Monthly camera fees
- Installation fees
- Contract vs monthly dues
- Monitoring fees
- Monthly equipment fees
Choosing the cheapest option might not be the safest, however, you can find a middle ground by narrowing down your search. If you’re working with a tight budget, ask the security salesperson what fees you can eliminate to make the plan affordable.
4. Professional Monitoring Is the Best Choice
Another aspect to consider is whether or not you want a self-monitoring or professionally monitored system. We find that a professionally monitored system tends to be the most effective. Why?
When you have a professionally monitored system it’ll be easier to respond to threats such as a fire. In a matter of seconds, a small fire can become large enough to destroy your entire home. If you’re self-monitoring and you’re away from your phone for a few minutes, that’s all it would take for your house to burn down.
5. Smart Home Integration
A smart security system goes above and beyond in the event of a burglar break-in. Instead of simply alerting you, a smart system will use your home’s Wi-Fi network to communicate with smart devices.
For instance, if you have smart door locks or light bulbs, your security system would be able to activate them. Another advantage of smart systems is that they can use cloud storage to save videos and photos.
6. Sensors Your Home Needs
To have the best security system in place, you’ll need to cover all of your bases when it comes to sensors. Here’s a list of sensors you should look for:
- Door and window sensors
- Smoke detection sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Glassbreak sensors
- Motion Sensors
In addition to the list above, it’s also a good idea for your home security system to include a driveway sensor.
7. Consider Add-on Components
If you’re going to get a smart home security system, there a few add ons you should take advantage of. First, opt for a cell dialer to give you remote control of your system from your computer or smartphones.
Next, include a doorbell camera to help you monitor who’s coming and going. Finally, smart thermostats can help you keep your house at the perfect temperature, even when you’re away.
8. Best Alarms and Sirens
While it’s great to catch burglars in the act, it’s even better to scare them off before they enter your home. Make sure that the alarms and sirens your system uses are startling and loud enough to deter would-be criminals. Think earsplitting levels of volume for your alarms, along with motion detector capabilities.
9. Professional vs DIY Installation
Now you’re ready to decide if you want to install your security system on your own or have a professional do it. Wireless systems are the best DIY home security system. However, if you’re looking to wire your home with a landline system, you’ll likely need the help of a professional.
10. Why Size Matters
Finally, there isn’t a one size fits all solution when it comes to choosing the best security system for your home. If you live in a small 1 bedroom apartment, you could benefit from a simple, smaller system. However, if you have a large house, you’ll need a larger more complex system that can handle monitoring each area and collecting information.
If you have a very big property installing more cameras would mean spending more money. The same goes for sensors, trips and other tech security systems. People who own large properties can always go for roller shutters to ensure safety and security of their property. You can always speak to the roller shutter specialists and get a quote from them. If you have doubts about the material or the security, they will be able to provide talking would be the best way to address your concerns.
Find the Right Home Security System Today
Now you can start shopping for the best home security system for your home. Which tip in this article was the most helpful for you?
Were you surprised to learn DIY installations are easier if you have a wireless system? Or how about all of the different sensors and alarms your system should include?
By keeping your budget in mind, while also considering your needs, you’ll finally be able to have the peace of mind you deserve. For more articles like this one, explore the rest of this site.
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