Feeling safe and secure in your own home is incredibly important. We all want the peace of mind that comes with knowing our families and possessions are protected. While no system can make your home completely impenetrable, installing a security system can go a long way in deterring burglars and keeping your home safe. How can you find the right security system for your home? Read this guide, and we will help you figure out how.
Property managers in Boston offer comprehensive solutions that include market analysis, tenant screening, and regular property maintenance to maintain the value of each property. However, you should still consider protecting it with a comprehensive security system.
When it comes to protecting our homes, there are a variety of security systems to choose from. Before selecting a system, it’s important to understand the difference between a monitored system versus an unmonitored do-it-yourself system, as well as wireless systems that make upgrading easy.
These systems are professionally installed and monitored by an external security company. They require monthly monitoring fees but provide the assurance that trained professionals are standing by, ready to dispatch police if an alarm is triggered. Many connect motion sensors, cameras, smoke detectors, etc., directly to the monitoring company.
Perfect for the handy homeowner on a budget, DIY systems can be purchased online or at stores such as Costco. You can install them yourself and manage access codes for family/friends without monthly fees. Most incorporate motion sensors, entry sensors, cameras, and high-decibel alarms. When the system detects an intrusion, it sounds such as an alarm and sends smartphone notifications so you can monitor activity.
Both monitored and DIY systems can utilize wireless technology for a painless setup without the need for drilling holes and running wires. Sensors transmit alarm signals wirelessly to a control panel. This also makes expanding your system easy by simply adding and positioning more wireless sensors. If you have an old security system at home, this is something you can consider when renovating the property.
Cameras add another layer of protection and work hand-in-hand with monitored systems and DIY kits. Look for wireless cameras with night vision, a wide viewing angle, and weather resistance. Many provide mobile alerts or automatically record activity when disturbances are detected.
To ensure your home is fully protected, it's important to invest in the best security system available. However, the security system you choose for your home depends on several factors such as budget, technical abilities, and vulnerabilities in your home layout or community. Assess your needs to select equipment and monitoring levels that offer peace of mind without overspending.
Consider the level of security threats in your neighborhood. Systems in remote areas can focus more on fire protection and prevention, while those in crime hotspots need added intrusion management features such as surveillance cameras. If you are investing in a full smart home network, consider multi-level solutions to control lighting, locks, appliances, and entertainment, too.
Evaluate your floor plan and landscaping to identify weak points such as hidden alcoves or dense bushes where criminals could enter unseen. This determines ideal equipment placement when mapping out monitoring with motion sensors, connectivity ranges for device communications, and camera coverage areas requiring reinforcement. Track building materials too, as wired systems may be difficult to install in stone/brick.
Assess your comfort with handling system management based on your ability to troubleshoot tech issues or respond swiftly to home disturbances while traveling. Extra fees provide professional monitoring, but proactive homeowners can purchase mobile apps offering notifications, live feeds, and remote accessibility afforded in higher-tier packages. Compare monitoring response times guaranteed, as typical DIY equipment simply sounds such as home alarms.
If you opt for a third-party system, be realistic about your budget for equipment costs and monthly monitoring fees. For households overwhelmed by managing complicated electronics, branded all-in-one kits that simplify security with user-friendly apps and useful features such as email/text alerts, storage, and automation capabilities are a good option for property owners.
Installing a security system is only the first step toward ongoing protection. To ensure your home and family are truly secure, it's important to properly maintain your equipment, stay on top of upgrades, and make enhancements when necessary.
Maintaining a home security system usually involves testing alarms monthly, replacing aging batteries, cleaning camera lenses, and keeping landscaping trimmed seem obvious but are easily neglected over time. Set calendar reminders to routinely check essential system components because malfunctioning devices severely limit alert capabilities.
Register all equipment for warranty protection. Budget for eventual repairs or replacements beyond this coverage window. Seek at least a one-year manufacturer's warranty and confirmed component lifespan estimates before purchasing any security system.
Remember to maintain your home security system by staying aligned with your alarm monitoring company or kit manufacturer's software updates, especially improvements to thwart hacking vulnerabilities. Backup settings in case faulty firmware alters your system's performance until fixes become available.
Consider covering blind spots identified after living patterns change over time. Bumping into the garage more often? Add motion detectors and consider adding outdoor cameras. Switch to wireless sensors, ensuring ample signal strength even though it is located in a blind spot.
Follow these tips and buy the best security system to protect your home. Protecting a home requires ongoing diligence - test gear routinely, replace outdated technology, and tweak placement as situations change. Review monitoring plans annually because demands shift as families grow in size or independence over the years.
