Home Security System Purchase Tips

Home security is a major concern not only for homeowners but for tenants as well. The technology that powers home security systems is changing so swiftly that the system you buy this month could be outdated in less than a year. But that doesn’t mean you should hold off on purchasing an alarm system to help protect your family. While we’d all love to afford the best when it comes to protecting our homes and families, that’s not always possible. Choosing the right alarm system is a matter of weighing your needs, the costs and the benefits against each other and finding the home security system that works best for you.

Evaluate Your Needs

First, figure out how much of a security system you need. Consider the ways that you can reduce your vulnerability – will motion sensor lights make your home less attractive to burglars at night, for example?

The best way to figure out how much security system you need is to contact a local home security firm and schedule a consultation. Ask the security rep for a bare bones quote and a fully-loaded quote to get an idea of the range of security services available.

Secure Your Entry Points

At a bare minimum, your home security system should cover the doors and first-floor windows, which are the break-in points in nearly 95 percent of all home burglaries and invasions. You can reduce that somewhat if you use locking security bars on the first-floor windows.

Work with a Full Service Home Security Company

A burglar alarm is only one part of a home security system. You’ll need to have it installed, and may need to work with an alarm monitoring company as well. Your best bet is to work with a dealer of security systems who does it all. A good home security company will install many different types of alarm and security systems, including the top of the line Honeywell security system. In addition, they can provide home alarm monitoring and repair or adjustment services. When you work with a single company from start to finish, you don’t have to worry about miscommunication among the different companies responsible for the equipment, the installation and the security service.

Choose Upgradeable Components

Alarm, surveillance and security technology is changing rapidly with new developments every week. Choose alarm and security systems components that can be upgraded as new technology becomes available. More of the new tech is available in interactive smartphone apps that can easily be added to the right security systems.

Neat Things Home Security Systems Can Do These Days

If you have an installed home security system, you probably know that it will make noise if someone breaks in, feed a signal to alert help if you need it and monitor your home for fire, flood and carbon monoxide levels as well as for break-ins. But, say the home security experts at Safeguard Home Security, a Houston home security firm, many of today’s security systems are capable of doing some pretty neat things. Sit down with the full owners’ manual that came with your home security system – you know, the one you tossed in the top drawer with the manual for the washer, dryer and refrigerator – and see if your home alarm offers any of these nifty perks.

Customize Your “Door Chime” Feature

Most systems will beep when someone opens the front door – they’re generally pre-programmed with that setting. But if you’ve got a whole house system, you can ask the installer to program it to chime if any of your windows are opened as well. Have him set it to chime if the second floor bedroom windows are opened and you’ll always know if one of your little ones may be in danger of falling.

Mommy, They’re Home!

If your alarm pages you when the alarm is tripped, you can probably have it programmed to let you know when other things happen. If you’re generally at work when school lets out, for example, you can have your home security system page you when the kids get home from school. That way you won’t be sitting worrying when one of them forgets to check in – and they will. Kids always do.

Get the Pets Fed When You’re Away

Okay, home security systems haven’t advanced enough to actually feed and walk your pets – yet – but they can make it easier for those you engage to make sure Fido and Fluffy are taken care of while you’re away. You can program your alarm system to turn off and reset itself at predetermined times, offering a window of time when the pet sitter can get in and out without you having to hand over your security code.

Lights On!

If you hate arriving home to a dark house, let your alarm system turn on the lights for you. You can use your cell phone to turn the lights on from your driveway before entering the house, or phone home before you leave the office. You’ll get home to a warm, welcoming home.

I Need Help Now!

Officially called a “duress code,” a panic code is a special code you can key in to let your alarm system monitoring company know that there’s a problem at your home and you need help immediately. It’s also often called a panic code, and is designed to alert the security company if an intruder forces you to disable the security system.

That’s only a short list of some of the neat features you’ll find in home security systems today. To find out what your alarm system can do, contact your alarm monitoring company and ask.