Home security is a popular topic today. More and more home owners are taking to secure their property, assets, and family members. Home owners are starting to realize that in these tough economic times they need more than just locked doors in order to protect the things that are most important to them.
It is hard not to take security seriously, especially since it is almost impossible to turn on the local news or open a newspaper without seeing numerous stories about crime, theft, harassment, and even murder. As a result, home owners are now striving to increase their current home security measures.
At the same time security manufacturers have developed better and more cost effective security products that allow home owners to quickly secure their homes without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the most effective ways for home owners to secure their homes:
1 – Alarm Systems
Alarm systems have always been the go to product type for home owners to secure their home. Alarm systems have become more affordable and much easier to install. An alarm system allows the home owner to set up numerous motion sensors throughout the home that will detect motion and cause the alarm system to sound.
Alarm systems also use alarm contacts that manage the opening and closing of doors and windows. As the alarm system is triggered the panel will activate sirens and strobe lights that will alert surrounding people that there is a possible intruder or a possible criminal threat. An alarm system will also call 911 and have the ability to call or email the homeowner to let them know about the event.
The hottest alarm product today is a wireless alarm system. The new wireless alarm systems allow home owners to simply mount devices throughout the home without having to open the walls to install wires. The devices are so simple to install that a home owner can install their own system in a single day. This saves time and money which most home owners can really appreciate.
The modern wireless alarm system will also allow a home owner to manage the system remotely from a smart phone or from any other computer. This gives home owners complete flexibility to manage and control the alarm system when they are away from home, on vacation, at work, or just out and about running errands.
The modern wireless alarm systems offer flexibility, durability, and reliability. Plus they are packed with features that give the home owner better control and system management capabilities. Wireless alarms systems offer the ability to secure indoor and outdoor areas of the home, while offering some light home automation capabilities to better manage lighting, air flow, and even water flow requirements. There is no doubt that wireless alarm systems can take your current security measures to a whole new level.
2 – Surveillance Systems
Most home owners see security camera systems as an extra layer of security for their home. Adding a security camera system in conjunction with an alarm system allows the home owner to capture video of visitors and would be intruders externally, while the alarm system is securing the internal entry ways of the home. Security camera systems in the past were thought to be too expensive for a home owner and really just for commercial applications. But the security camera systems of today are more cost effective, easier to install, and provide real time video for monitoring.
The video a security camera system captures is the most reliable evidence you can have when a crime, accident, or event happens. Without the captured video that is saved by the security DVR, the odds of a criminal being caught drops down to about 10%. So, the odds of capturing a criminal and recovering your stolen property is so low that it is almost impossible to not install a security camera system at the home.
The security camera industry is growing rapidly. There are systems available to support almost any applications with any amount of budgets. And there are security cameras on the market that can be used to secure almost any area types. Security camera system manufacturers have made the systems so easy that you can install a system on your own in a single day. If you are not the do-it-yourselfer type then there are 100’s of local installers in your area that can also implement a system for you. Either way a surveillance system is easy to implement and may be the best weapon in your arsenal to secure your home.
3 – Security Peripherals
There is an explosion of security peripherals hitting the market that allow you to enhance your alarm and surveillance systems. These security peripherals are simple add-ons that you can use to create extra layers of security. Some of the most popular security peripherals are: perimeter detectors, driveway sensors, outdoor motion detectors, sirens, strobe lights, wireless motion sensors, electronic locks, vehicle sensors, door chimes, video analytics, and covert cameras.
These simple add on peripherals are cost affective and simple to install. But most importantly they will heavily increase the security measures you have in place. For a small amount of money a security peripheral can double or even triple the effectiveness of your current security systems. Plus security peripherals are available to help secure the most unique areas or handle those tough applications that are not monitored by a simple alarm system or security camera system.
Putting it all together!
There is no doubt that in today’s world security is a prime concern for most homeowners. More than ever people are taking it into their own hands to better secure their family members, assets, and property. The great thing about implementing security is there are many product options available to support any applications with any budget!
Implementing security can also be done in layers and phases, which means you can build onto your security systems until you have complete confidence they are at a level that you trust. Implementing new security measures will not only give you peace of mind but also make your family members feel safer. Your family will thank you for it!
About the author: Erik Johnson is a security industry professional with years of proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing residential and commercial security systems. His goal is to help home owners take the best steps in increasing the security measures at their home so they can best protect the things that arte most important to them and their family.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Adam Jakubiak.