A Beginner’s Guide to Home Security Systems

With crime on the rise, it’s no wonder you are looking into installing a security system into your home or business. Here is some basic information to get you started:

Think Like an Intruder

Look at your home or business and think of ways you would get in to your home or business. Then figure out the best way to protect and detour attention in those areas. The most common intrusion is through the front door. It’s surprising to many that burglars can easily smash their way past a deadbolt locking system. Always remember to double lock your doors. Another way intruders have found to get into homes is called Lock-bumping. Burglars use a small tool kit to essentially bump all of the locking pins in the lock into place. An appropriate home security system will stop both of these threats before they materialize. Homes with an alarm systems are four times less likely to have a burglary.

The Right Company

It’s easy to become overwhelmed at the various choices for home or business alarm systems. Choose a company that will install a system that will meet the needs of your home. An alarm company should work with you to determine the most important components for your system and licensed technicians should ensure that the system is installed and functions to meet your needs.

Standard System

A standard alarm system should have sensors on all the doors and windows so that if a door or window is opened, the alarm sounds. The next level of security should offer motion sensors throughout the house that can be activated during times when you’re away. This will catch any movement within the house and sound the alarm.

Added Benefits

Most security systems should also support fire detection and medical alert. These are valuable added benefits to have in the home. Fire detectors are able to immediately alert the fire station of a situation whether you are at home or away. Medical monitoring has been incorporated into many systems in order to provide emergency aid to senior citizens when they are in need. The latest and most technologically advanced systems allow remote activation and status monitoring via internet and cellular phones. For more information on the latest systems go to pinnacle security.

Monitoring

Just as important as the sensors and devices in the home, is the monitoring network which supports it. A quality monitoring network will be aware not just of intrusions, but system problems and attempts to disable the system without authorization. Today’s more sophisticated monitoring services are able to quickly contact you to confirm an emergency, or even monitor additional devices, like smoke alarms and medical-alarm pendants. Many of the system will offer two-way voice technology. After the alarm has been triggered the monitoring agent can communicate or hear what is going on in the home in order to get a better idea of the emergency at hand.

When buying a system, ask about what monitoring services are available. Additionally, be sure to choose a company that has a partnership with an alarm monitoring facility that will ensure your family’s protection around the clock.

Estimate

To get started, choose a company that is willing to install a system to your specifications. The company will likely set up a consultation during which a technician will come to your home, take measurements, scope out sensor locations, windows, and doors, and will then prepare an estimate. If you are satisfied with the price, installation can usually begin immediately.