The reported number of burglaries in America is reason enough to beef up your home security system. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security (NCHSS), one burglary takes place every 13 seconds in America.
Another study published by the University of Carolina revealed that for 60% of convicted burglars, the presence of a security system in homes prompted them to target another home. Homes without security systems are 300% more prone to burglary. Yet, 83% of houses in America aren’t protected by a security system.
Complete Protection in a Home Security System
For an effective security system in your home, several basic components have to be present. When you consider your options, pay attention to the following:
1. Control Panel – this component monitors, controls, and communicates with other components of the security system. It can enable or disable the entire system. The control panel is also the one which communicates with the alarm monitoring company.
2. Sensors – the most common types of sensors are door and window sensors and motion sensors. These components detect intruders and communicate any disturbance to the control panel. To highlight the importance of sensors, statistics show that 95% of home invasions involve forceful entry, whether through the door or window, breaking a lock, etc.
3. Surveillance Cameras – these provide visual monitoring of the target area. Videos can usually be accessed real-time and recorded for playback through devices such as phones, computers, or tablets.
4. Alarms – these are triggered when there is a security breach. They serve to alert the designated authorities or persons depending on the type of breach. They can be sirens that are loud enough for the neighbors to be alerted or an automatic call to the police station or fire station. A study at the UNC Charlotte found that 60% of burglars don’t push through with their plans when they find out that there were alarms installed.
5. Signages – these tell burglars outright that the property is protected by a professional security system. With such a direct warning, burglars don’t usually take the risk.
Choosing the Best Security System for Your Needs
Security systems can be customized depending on your specific needs. You will have to determine the type of monitoring, recording, and alarm that you want. The security systems company can then put together a configuration accordingly.
While your budget is an important consideration in choosing a security system, it shouldn’t be the main factor in your decision-making. You’ll have to balance cost with quality, reliability, and responsiveness. Your security systems provider should be able to give you the right advice when it comes to protecting your home and family. The best system for you is the one that will give you the most value for your investment. It’s the one that you can actually count on when you need it most.
