Your home isn’t just filled with furniture, clothing, and special items; it’s also filled with your loved ones, so keeping everything within the walls safe is a top priority for homeowners. With statistics showing that the United States has the highest rates of burglary, home security is a very real and serious issue. If you’ve been looking at your current security measures for your homeor your lack of security measures, and thinking it’s time to make some significant changes, then it may be time to look into a security system.
Security systems are designed to not only keep your home and its premises safe, but you’ll find that there are many different types, features, and technology available. So, how do you go about choosing the right security system for your home? Here are some tips and advice that can help you in the process.
Do You Want Smart Features?
Thanks to huge advances in technology, today’s security systems are smarter than ever before. Many different systems and packages allow you to monitor your home and security sensors remotely from a mobile deviceso that you can feel in control no matter where you are. Depending on the system, you’ll be able to remotely lock and unlock doors, close a garage door, turn on/off lights, see what door was left open, actually view people at your door and speak to them, and so much more.
With so many smart features, it can actually seem a bit overwhelming, so it may be helpful to make a list of must-have items first.
Are There Live Security Professionals On-Hand?
What you may not realize is that depending on the system you choose, it may not include live monitoring by security professionals around the clock. Again, this is something you will want to look into and decide if it’s a priority for your home security needs. Obviously, having security professionals on-hand to respond to calls 24/7 offers a higher level of protection and comfort for many homeowners.
Ensure that All Entrances and Windows are Secured
As you go over the various security systems, you also want to take into account how many entrances and windows you have in your home. Ideally, they should all be secured with sensors, as each one acts as a potential entrypoint for a burglar.
What Areas Do You Want to Monitor?
You can also give thought as to the area that you want to monitor. Most people are all-in for protecting the interior of your home, but the exterior can be just as important to monitor for suspicious activity and potential issues. You may even want to think about using a driveway alarm that can send you an alarm as soon as a car enters your driveway. If you aren’t expecting anyone, then it’s a great way to be on alert and contact the authorities, if necessary.
Does the System Include Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Monitoring?
Finally, you want to consider a system that also monitors for smoke and carbon monoxide. Detection of these harmful substances can save your home and lives.
To take things a little further, some systems also offer water and leak detectors, which can alert you as to water damage. This is ideal for homes in areas prone to inclement weather or at high-risk of flooding.
Finding the Perfect System Takes Research
When it comes down to it, finding the perfect home security system is all about taking your time to do your research, ask questions, and think long and hard about what is necessary in order to make your home safer than it currently is.