The security of the home is an issue of concern to most homeowners. Since crime rates are not constant across the country, having a home alarm system provides homeowners with a sense of security for their family, home, and possessions when they are out of the house. However, do costly home alarm systems have to be installed? However, there are a few factors, which you need to keep in mind while deciding whether to install a home alarm system.
Reduce Home Insurance Premiums
Several aspects of the alarm system make you save money, and one of the most obvious ones is that you can save on home insurance. Many insurance providers give you a 5-15 percent discount on your annual premium if you have a professionally monitored home security system. Within several years, the savings are considerable and can be used to counterbalance the monthly charges for the monitoring services as well as the installation of the system. The details vary from one insurance company to the other, therefore, when acquiring quotes, determine which of the discount types applies to you.
Deter Burglars
It is good to install option one security alarm yard signs and window stickers will by and large dissuade unprofessional burglars from attacking your home. The presence of a system, whether it is activated or not, will deter most burglars from attempting to break into a house because an alarm may be triggered. According to one US Department of Justice, survey, sixty-nine percent of convicted burglars claimed they would attempt to find out if a house had an alarm before breaking in. Further, sixty percent stated that they would not break into an occupied house, which has an alarm system. That is why if there is a visible and clear signal of an alarm, even dummy equipment, your home becomes less attractive and crime is simply transferred to another location.
Customizable Systems
There are simple home alarm systems with no or limited monitoring, and there are sophisticated systems with around-the-clock professional monitoring, cameras, smoke detectors, flood sensors, and much more. Pricing goes as low as 10-20 dollars per month for the DIY kits that are self-monitored with an app on the consumer’s smartphone. Or you can build better wireless systems which integrated with authorized monitoring services, HD surveillance cameras, smart thermostats, smart lighting, and smart locks to realize the smart home. The majority of the providers also provide cheap equipment leasing solutions if you are not interested in buying some parts at a time. You can begin with simple intrusion sensors to doors and windows and gradually introduce other features for versatile solutions for home security.
Receive Instant Alerts
Rather than getting home only to realize that your house has been burglarized, a monitored system informs you and other response agencies in real time should the alarm be triggered. Get alerts on your smartphone from the alarm company’s monitoring center each time a sensor picks up the presence of an intruder. Or receive notifications if smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide detectors go off so you can call firefighters, check on the house with neighbors, or have a monitoring center call the police on your behalf. Some systems allow for live video streaming and two-way audio communication to challenge intruders through a security camera’s microphone and speakers. Instant status updates give the assurance that everything is alright or alert indicating that some action is required when one is out of the house.
Limit False Alarms
The two main disadvantages of home security systems for both homeowners and police departments are the frequent cases of false alarms. Across the country, more than ninety-four percent of the alarm calls for service are false alarms arising from faulty equipment, user mistakes, weather conditions, and other problems. This distracts the police manpower from dealing with actual criminal incidents but rather handling calls that do not warrant emergencies. To minimize the number of false alarms, choose a reputable home security company and study the correct ways of arming and disarming your security system. Also, consider systems that incorporate technology elements to ensure that real intrusions are confirmed, such as video verification and sound detection rather than relying on motion sensors or door contacts that can be set off by accident. Operators in a monitoring center can watch the scenes in real-time or wait for the sound of broken glasses to call emergency service to ascertain whether the alarm incidence is valid.
Smoke and Fire Detection
Besides preventing burglars, home alarm systems protect a home’s interior against fires and carbon monoxide hazards. SMOKE AND HEAT DETECTORS: If there is an increase in temperature or smoke within the home, the built-in smoke detectors and heat sensors are activated to call for emergency help to deal with the fire before much damage is done. These systems also send signals to indicate high carbon monoxide levels from faulty furnaces, water heaters, or other gas appliances, so dangerous conditions become deadly. Battery-backed and tested alarm systems with these life-saving detectors offer round-the-clock protection against accidental house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning when residents are asleep or out of the house.
The Best Cheap Home Security Measures
Even the professionally installed and monitored home security systems remain relatively expensive with equipment, installation, and activation fees going for over 1,000 dollars. Next are monthly fees for professional monitoring services, usage of the mobile application, and in some cases, fees for storing the clips in the video recording service. This can range between hundreds of dollars annually despite the slashed prices that come with multi-year monitoring solutions. Since most of these advanced systems come with deeper pockets in terms of features and capabilities, professionally installed systems are not easily affordable for renters or homeowners with really low incomes.
Fortunately, with wireless security systems that have become available and considerably cheaper, there are now easy-to-install and operate home security systems that are far more affordable. Easy installation process along with no contract and cancellation charges make DIY security systems even more cost-effective. Connected smartphone eliminates the need for official monitoring services although there are real-time status alerts. DIY systems are also easy to carry when one is moving from one house to another, from one state to another, or from one country to another. For DIY equipment packages, the initial cost is approximately 100-500 dollars, and no monthly charges are needed. On the expandability front, additional wireless sensors and IP cameras can be integrated into the system to achieve full control of the system’s functionality. While not suitable for every homeowner, DIY security is flexible and contemporary in presenting a cost-effective way of securing homes.
Consider Your Unique Needs
The home alarm systems are available in different varieties to fit the home and the budget of the owner. To know whether a security system is necessary for your house, take some time to assess the design of your house, doors, and windows, existing security features, and past break-in attempts or security issues in your area. Look at the prices for both professional and self-installed security systems, to find a cheap counterpart that may offer necessary intrusion detection features and options you might find useful, such as cameras or an ability to automate the system. Always obtain quotes from different home security companies in your area and be very specific when it comes to warranties, monitoring services, and insurance rebates that are offered. Understanding what is required as compared to what is out there and its cost makes informed decision-making on which home alarm system if any will be best to protect your most valuable asset, the home.
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