Posts Tagged ‘alarms’
Home Security Systems 101
March 29th, 2010 | 
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The home security market has something for everyone with security options from shoe string budget burglar alarms to sophisticated surveillance systems. Choose from a simple do-it-yourself set up or a professionally installed system, complete with monthly monitoring devices. The amount you wish to spend on your security system is determined by your needs, and the home market security suppliers have created devices to cover the entire property or individual doors and windows as they are needed.
Outdoor Systems.
The outdoor security systems are designed to cover the exterior of the home and may also be used to cover the property grounds. The most popular device is an automatic outdoor lighting system, which can be programmed to register and alert with a motion sensor component. You will program the unit to identify a certain height, thus eliminating a false alarm when your dog or cats struts through the yard.
The advantage to the outdoor sensor lights is to stop the burglary attempt before the criminal has a chance to get near the doors and windows. The flood lights will illuminate when alerted, and in most cases, drive away the intruder before he makes contact with the house. However, remember that many burglaries occur during the daytime hours when the thieves know the occupants will be away. So the flood light system should be reinforced with a secondary alarm, especially in the backyard or other areas of the property that cannot be seen from the street.
In addition to the flood light security system, you may wish to be alerted with sound. Doorway chimes are a cost efficient means to send an audible signal when someone approaches your driveway, backyard or stands in the doorway. You may program this annunciation system to send you a sound or voice signal when motion is detected, and this easy to use system may be placed anywhere on the property to do its job.
Indoor Systems.
The complete home monitoring devices are linked to a live desk with 24/7 response units ready to assist you with a security breach or medical emergency. And although the monitoring systems are comprehensive and keep you connected with help, they can be costly with the monthly monitoring fees. Before signing up with a monitoring company, be sure you have read the fine print and are comfortable with the minimum contractual agreement. The home security centers are effective, but not without flaw. Your monitoring service may be interrupted with a power outage or temporary disconnection from the telephone lines.
Home owners located in regions where weather conditions such as high winds or thunder storms may interfere with an electric security system may opt for the battery powered units. These easy to install individual pieces are applied to doors and windows as needed and deliver a powerful alert signal when the motion sensor is triggered. And with no monthly fees or professional installation charges, the battery operated security device remains one of the most cost effective and easy to use home security systems on the market.
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Home Security
Instead of purchasing security systems that are sold at the local department store it is better to invest in the devices sold by privately owned security companies. Although the ones in the stores are considered to be reliable and are considered to be self installation home security systems, choosing to go with the service offered by the private Security Company has its perks.
Most home security systems are configured with connection to the local police station and sometimes it cannot be avoided that false alarms can be triggered from home, possible for a variety of reasons. An advantage of having the security system installed in your home from a private company gives 24 hours assistance along with the help of the police resulting in more personnel reacting to your alarm. They also provide technical support and after purchase customer support which helps you to manage the security system that you purchased.
Having this kind of home security system is a bit high-end and can cost a pretty penny however most clients enjoy that they have human contact, it provides good customer experience and the intimacy of it provides a relaxed mindset as they cannot rely on product manuals all the time. Not only do these companies offer technical support but their response team consists of professionals trained in handling security matters.
If there are security cameras installed on your properly and you are away on vacation there are agents who will be able to monitor your cameras from a remote location at your request and are ready for action should the need arises. These companies also allow you the benefit of being able to monitor your own surveillance system from another computer and possibly from any remote location. Being able to still have that hands-on feel in protecting your home even when you are miles away will result in you being totally relaxed to enjoy your vacation completely.
These complete home security systems provided by private security companies usually allows you the opportunity to expand your system whenever your budget allows it. So not only can you have security cameras, but you can also seek to include motion sensors, fire and smoke detectors, these may come at an additional monthly cost which usually covers maintenance of the system.
So whether you are interested in the department store models or the services offered by a privately owned company, consumer of these products share one common goal and that it to have peace of mind knowing their family, home and all their belongings are protected. There is just deep comfort in knowing that when you retire for bed at night the chances of an intruder disturbing the sanctity of your home is highly unlikely.
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That “Free” Home Security System is Not Really Free After All
If you are looking for a cheap, monitored home security system, make sure you stay clear of the free security systems. I’m sure you have seen the ads on the internet claiming that you can get a “free” home security system installed.
What you basically get is an all-in-one wireless security system. This means that the control panel, keypad, alarm and dialer are all located in one place. You will also get one wireless door or window sensor and one wireless motion sensor.
What these companies don’t tell you is that if you want additional sensors for your doors and windows, it will cost you extra. The cost can run you between $50 and $90 for each sensor.
You also have to sign a long-term contract for the company to monitor your “free” system. The long-term contract can be for several years. And if you’re not paying attention, the monitoring company can automatically renew your contract if you don’t cancel it.
It doesn’t take much work to install a wireless security system, so their technicians are usually not trained professionals. You can also expect to pay an activation fee just to get your system working.
Because these systems are all-in-one, they are pretty vulnerable. If an intruder breaks into your home and disables your keypad, he not only destroys the keypad, but he destroys the control panel, alarm and dialer at the same time.
If you buy a home security system from a more reputable monitoring company, they will install your control panel in a separate place inside your home, usually in the basement. The dialer will be located inside the control panel.
If an intruder tries to break the keypad that’s usually located near your front door, the control panel won’t be affected. The alarm will still work and the dialer will contact the monitoring station to notify them that there is a disturbance at your home.
The “free” home security systems are also vulnerable to false alarms because wireless systems are not as reliable as wired ones. Many cities will charge you a lot of money if the emergency services have to keep coming out to your home for false alarms.
If you go with a more reputable company like ADT or Broadview Home Security, you can expect to pay around $200-$500 for the security system. They usually will install it for free. After that, you will pay around $35-$50 for monthly monitoring fees.
The system that they install will be more secure, have better monitoring services and will give you more peace of mind than the so-called “free” wireless systems.