Home Security System Tips and Guide

Choosing the right home security system can be overwhelming task, especially if you not acquainted with the basics. However, you'll need to first check that the general security of your home is taken care of, and then consider the situation of your house and the crime statistics in your local area. A burglar alarm can either be a necessity or provide an additional safeguard and peace of mind, knowing that you have done your best to ensure the protection of your home and family.

How Much Security do I Need?

Security systems should be designed to give you a combination of parameter and interior protection which can include door and window sensors, glass break coverage, motion detectors, and fire protection. Based on the features of the property being protected, add-on protection can be installed to meet specific property needs.

If you are an inexperienced security system user, it may be valuable to consider your need for a security camera system.

Types of Systems

Hard Wire - Nowadays, security systems have become more important than ever before. Protecting assets and ensuring privacy has become of paramount importance for homeowners. Today's technology offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to alarm systems, allowing everyone access to this basic form of protection.

Wireless - Wireless home security systems are gaining popularity, as people want to do away with complicated and confusing wiring operations. In these wireless systems, battery operated control panels use existing radio wave frequencies to allow for easier operation and maintenance of the alarm system. Moreover, these days, intruder alarms are being adapted to accommodate apartments as well as private homes.

Detection

Most alarm systems have at least two types of detection devices. The most commonly used ones are:-

Magnetic Contacts - Magnetic contacts consist of a magnet fitted to the opening part of a door or window and a switch fitted to the frame. When the two parts are separated (the door or window is opened), the alarm is activated.

Passive Infra-red Receivers - Commonly referred to as PIRs, Passive Infra-red Receivers are generally fitted into the corner of a room and look for changes in temperature, such as an intruder's body heat.

Monitored Home Security Systems

Actual components and services usually vary in different companies, but here is an overview of the components and services you can expect to get from a home security system.

Command Stations: Various service providers refer to the command station by different names, e.g. Great Alarms calls it a "command station", ADT refers to it as a "touchpad", and Brinks calls it a "keypad". From this command point, the system can be armed or disarmed, help can be summoned, and warnings can be given to others in the house by means of a device such as a whistle, horn, chime or similar item. You can also get more than one station or keypad installed, such as one in the living area and one in the bedroom.

Door & Window Sensors: In terms of functionality and ease of use, door and window sensors are simple devices, but when you purchase them one at a time, their cost can add up to a significant amount. Home security companies and other vendors earn their money by providing monthly monitoring services; these companies purchase items like these in bulk, and at wholesale prices that are much lower than the price offered to the general population. As such, it is often more sensible to purchase a package installation, as opposed to buying individual components, one at a time.

Motion Detectors: Motion detectors can be used to sense an intruder's presence and activate alarms or summon help.

Remote Controls: In addition to the command station, keypad, or touchpad, many systems include a remote device which you may carry with you. These range from small units suitable to be carried on a keychain to larger units intended to be carried within your house.

Sensors: There are sensors available to detect fire, heat, moisture, carbon monoxide, breaking glass and flex.

Alarms & Other Warning Devices: The old familiar "alarm" has almost become a passé. You can get chimes, sirens, and even strobe lights to warn you of break-ins or other emergencies.

Security Cameras: Security cameras are not a standard inclusion in domestic security systems that belong to the average-price segment. They are, however, available as an add-on security option.

Alarm Company Vetting and Alarms Administration

There are some unscrupulous alarm companies, which may tell you they are police approved or that the police will respond automatically when the alarm is activated. Beware of such stories, and always check with your local police station and obtain at least three competitive quotations before investing in a home security system. If contacted by telephone, never disclose details of your security arrangements. Ensure that the installed alarm is fitted and maintained to British Standard specifications. The standards you should look for are: BS4737 for wired alarms and BS6799 for wireless alarms. Companies should offer a 24-hour service along with a guaranteed 4 hour response to emergency call-outs.

The most common of security systems is the traditional "bells only" system. When professionally fitted, these cost around £500 plus another £65 per year for a maintenance contract.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) suggests that householders use a professional alarm installation company registered with a police recognised "alarm inspectorate." Ask for your security company's registration documents, and look for the following accreditation:

NSI (National Security Inspectorate)

NACOSS (National Approval Council for Security Systems)

ICON (an approval scheme run by NSI)

SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

The association also suggests that householders only speak to installers that offer a free survey and written quotation without obligation, and turn away companies that try to shock them with stories or statistics about burglary. Burglaries are less common than most people think and violent attacks on people in their houses are extremely rare. You should consider reporting any companies that use shock tactics to your local police or trading standards.

In a study published in the Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, Dr. Yochanan Shachmurove, Dr. Gideon Fishman and Dr. Simon Hakim studied the motivating factors behind a burglar's decision to rob one home over another. Their findings indicated that isolation and occupancy were the two major considerations.

The study indicated that while you are reclining in your lazy chair and flipping through 100 channels of Cable TV (and still finding nothing to watch) you can rest easy. Ok, the study did not read quite that way - but it does tell us that burglars rarely target homes with occupants in residence.

Homes that are more frequently targeted tend to be secluded or isolated. Keep in mind that this definition encompasses homes with an entrance that is not visible from the street, due to foliage or other visual obstructions. The ideal 'pigeon' for a thief is an expensive home that is detached with no security measures and is located less than a mile from a major highway or road.

The study also revealed that the third most important factor is highly visible security measures. Deadbolt locks can't be seen so they did not deter burglars. However, advertising the fact that your home is protected by a security system was a major deterrent. The professors found that if a house is protected by an alarm system, the chances of a burglar's choosing it are virtually zero. Those are pretty great odds!

In the study's conclusion, the professors determined that homes without security systems were 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized than those with protection. If a thief does victimize a home with a security system, they spend far less time in the house during the robbery and therefore remove fewer pieces of property.

This research and similar studies have led insurance companies, such as State Farm, to advise their clients to install home security systems. In fact, many times homeowners with alarm systems will receive an incentive in premiums. The National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, D.C. has also endorsed security systems as a deterrent to crime.

A home security system can range in cost from less than fifty dollars to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. Sometimes you can actually get a system for free, when you sign a contract with a monitoring company. You can also opt for a wireless system, which is quite easy to install. In fact, these systems typically fall under the "do it yourself" category. But before you decide to tackle that particular project, you need to be armed with a working knowledge of all your security system options. No pun intended!

First, there are two basic types of systems. One option sounds an alarm and turns on various lights throughout the home. The other offers those features, but is also connected to a monitoring company twenty-four hours a day. With this system, an employee at the monitoring company automatically calls the police for you, when the alarm is tripped. These systems not only protect against intruders, but can also be hooked up to fire alarms and carbon monoxide protectors.

You may also want to consider a system that provides you with the option to place "panic buttons" throughout your home. These are particularly valuable, for those with a medically fragile family member.

The most expensive systems have surveillance cameras placed at checkpoints throughout your property. You can actually monitor your home yourself from any location, by connecting to a closed circuit program on your laptop.

Detectors can be found not only on doors and windows, but also underneath rugs and in every room in the house. When a detector is tripped, the homeowner checks his control panel to see exactly where the disturbance is occurring.

If there is no danger, the homeowner can opt to cancel the phone call to the monitoring company, or shut down the alarm by entering a pass code on the control center. To avoid sending false alarms, family members should be taught how to use the password system. If the system is not halted, the monitoring company phones the police and they are dispatched to your home.

Now how do you translate all this information into practical applications, when it comes to actually keeping your home from being burglarized? Let's summarize:

Home security systems vary depending on their features and the technology they use. They can also differ depending on which part of the house they will be installed. There are versions of home security equipment that are either wired or wireless, have motion detectors, and those that provide indoor security for outdoor perimeter protection.

To some home owners, simple and not complicated security devices work best. The effectiveness of a security system is not always dependent on how advanced it is when it comes to technology.

Several factors need to be considered: such as security conditions of the area where you live in, the size of your home, your family's daily activities and a lot more. The following systems are considered as the most preferred security solutions in the market.

Total Wireless Home Security Solution

Systems for security focus on keeping a window or a door in such a way to prevent intrusions. In these modern times, a holistic approach has been taken by a lot of security companies to ensure total home security.

Devices providing complete home security are usually wireless. Systems offering total wireless security are, not just limited to detecting intrusions but, also programmed to monitor flood and temperature.

These security systems include a security alarm kit which includes a control panel, motion sensors for the door and windows, and an emergency dialer. This makes it a convenient investment for home owners since everything is included in one purchase. They need not separately buy a window or door lock or a sensor, a security control panel and other home system device for protection. This is indeed a total solution to home security since there are varieties that offer a control panel which can detect more than 24 motion sensors.

Security Cameras for Home Use

Security cameras for the home have evolved since they were first launched. Nowadays, a home security camera can be under a wired or wireless format. The newest development on these security cameras is the internet enabled feature.

This internet capability allows you to connect your home camera to the internet so that you can view it anywhere you are in the world. These types of camera are relatively small and light and can be installed in any part of your house without being visible to intruders. By watching the camera feed on your computer you can easily spot intruders without their knowledge and immediately call the police department.

Window and Door Security System

Windows and doors are common points of entry for intruders. This has led to the development of several very effective types of window and door security systems.

The most common window and door protection ranges from dead bolts, motion detection system, wireless alarm systems and glass lamination. This is a very popular choice since it is not as expensive but can still provide basic security protection. This is best for areas where common intrusion cases are done through the windows or doors.

Home security systems are great tools for your family's protection. Investing in these systems will ensure that your property is out of the intruders list of targets.

They are also very affordable.

Here are the top 5 reasons why residential security systems should be integrated into all homes.

They..

1. Save lives.

2. Protect our homes and families.

3. Provide piece of mind.

4. Minimize damage to personal property.

5. Reduce insurance premiums.

1. They Save Lives

If in the middle of the night a fire broke out, or a room filled with smoke, or there was a carbon monoxide leak, would your family be safe?

Would they make it out of the house in time?

It's a scary thought, I know but...

Due to recent advances in technology, residential security systems now offer improved safety features.

These safety features ensure that in the event of an environmental threat, people are safe, and that they make it out of the house in time.

Today, the best home security systems offer life saving protection when it comes to home environmental needs.

They include...

* Fire detectors to safeguard against the possibility of a fire.

* Smoke detectors to warn against the threat of smoke inhalation.

* Carbon monoxide sniffers to detect the presence of a poisonous carbon monoxide gas leak.

Residential security systems can detect a threat in the home environment, initiate the siren to inform the occupants of the house, and send a priority signal to the alarm company central monitoring station.

Depending on the setup, certain systems can even dial the local authorities directly.

Now, that's a comforting thought!

2. They Protect Our Homes and Families

Is your home protected against a break-in or a burglary?

What can you do to discourage unwanted intruders?

Crimes against homes and families are ever present. Just watch the evening news or read your local newspaper and you'll see that this is true.

These crimes can range anywhere for quick break-ins, to aggressive burglaries, to violent home invasions.

FBI statistics reveal that law enforcement agencies in 2005 reported an estimated 2,154,126 burglary offenses-a 0.5-percent increase compared with 2004 data.

Good residential security systems incorporate protection for the confined area (the inside of the home).

This can range from window latches and bars, to door locks, to sensors that detect the opening of a door and window, to sensors that detect the breaking of glass.

If burglars were to enter the confined area, motion sensors would detect their movement. Advanced systems now offer sensors that can distinguish between human and animal movement for those homeowners who have pets.

To further protect our homes and families, residential security systems can include...

* Security cameras.

* CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras.

* Internet cameras.

* Remote monitoring.

The most basic way to protect your home and loved ones is to discourage break-ins before they occur.

The best way to do this is through yard security signs and window security stickers.

Surveys have shown that over 90% of seasoned burglars avoided homes that displayed security decals.

3. They Provide Piece of Mind

Do you know what's happening in your home when you're not there?

Is your mind at ease?

Thanks to the Internet, you can now monitor the activity in your home remotely.

Like say from the office or from your hotel room when you're on vacation. Computer software and cameras allow you to see exactly what going on at home regardless of where you are.

Certain setups even allow you to manipulate and command the security system through the Internet.

Nanny cams for example, allow you to see exactly what the babysitter is doing (or not doing).

4. They Minimize Damage to Personal Property

Residential security systems can even include water sensors. These sensors detect the presence of rising water in the event of a broken pipe or sewer backup.

Caught early on by the sensor, it can immediately notify both the monitoring company and the homeowner that water damage is occurring in the home.

The water can turned off sooner, thus minimizing the damage to the home.

Depending on the setup, certain systems can even dial the local authorities directly.

The same applies in the event of fire or any other environmental hazard. Caught early on, the damage to the home can be minimized.

5. They Reduce Insurance Premiums

Residential security systems that include a central monitored alarm system can actually lower your yearly insurance premiums by 10% - 20%.

Most insurance companies regard the installation of an alarm system an excellent step in home security.

The industry wide average is about a 15% reduction in insurance premiums.

Yes We Need Them

The best home security systems provide more than just security. They provide protection and safety on many levels.

They also provide us with an overall piece of mind knowing that we are well protected.

Aside from being a necessity, the 5 points mentioned above are all excellent reasons to consider getting a residential security system for your home.

1. Effectiveness: Home security systems currently marketed are a highly effective crime deterrent. When a potential intrude attempts entry into the home an alarm, incredibly piercing and loud, will sound. This is an attempt to scare the would-be thief away. The security system despite frightening the intruder is also meant to get the attention of your neighbors in the hope that will call the police to respond. Many home security systems today come with built-in home monitoring which automatically alerts your police department. Utilizing a camera security system with monitoring allows you to gather irrefutable evidence against the intruder.

2. Home Break-Ins: Surveillance Systems often give you nearly 100% safety when a home break-in would occur. The criminal will usually skip your home when seeing the sign or window logo of the home security or camera security system you have. If they still are bold enough to enter then the police will quickly come.

3. Ease to Use: The home security systems of today are incredibly simple to use. You merely have to enter a rather short numerical code that you can use to activate or deactivate your security system. This simple addition relieves the stress you may have of accidentally setting the security system off when leaving or entering the areas to which your home security system is set up to monitor.

4. Rapid Response: when you purchase a home security system, be it a camera security system or not, if it has monitoring then information is instantly transmitted to the police and fire department (depending on which home security system package you purchased) If your home security system comes with monitoring, information is transmitted to the police and even fire department and rescue squad within seconds of the incident. Because everything works via high-powered computer system, the transfer of information is immediate.

5. Customer Service: The companies that provide security system options are highly trained and very professional. They can assist you in every aspect of operating your security system. Most of the time a solutions specialist will come directly to your home to install the home security system for you and then instruct you on its proper use and function.

6. Affordability: With the myriad of benefits that a home security system offers one would think it to be quite expensive. You can have an effective security system installed at a reasonable price, usually for as little as $99 with a small monthly fee to maintain the home security service.

7. Choice: There are an incredible (and still growing) amount of providers for home security systems. Brinks as well as ADT are two of the biggest names in the industry. As far as security systems go they offer tops in quality and service.

8. Insurance: When purchasing a home security system your insurance provider often gives a discount on your insurance premiums. Camera security systems can decrease your premiums even further.

9. Peace of Mind: Nothing else can match the peace of mind you'll feel when you have a home security system helping you to protect your family.

10. Safety: Your family will feel more secure and safe in your home when you have a security system.

No matter the reason why you seek out a home security system it's an important step in securing your family from harm.