Installing
a Home Security System
Introduction: More than five million homes were
burglarized last year and that number is increasing at an
alarming rate. Communities that have rarely experienced home
break-ins in the past now find themselves as prime targets
for home robbers. The down turn in the economy has had a
direct influence on the increase as more people resort to
illegal methods such as home robbery to satisfy financial
needs.
Home robbers don’t necessarily wait until the house
is empty; frequently they conduct their trade in the middle
of the night while the occupants are asleep. Being the
victim of a home break-in is a devastating experience that
frequently results with the loss and sometimes destruction
of personal property. As a result many homeowners are
turning to home security systems to protect their property.
There are many questions when considering the installing a
home security system security that is best for you.
Having experienced more than one home
break-in I asked a police officer who dealt almost
exclusively with home robberies what he thought would be the
best type of a home security system. His answer was “a
dog” is the best home security system. The rational for his answer was that accomplished home
robbers know their way around home security systems. They
can detect and disarm most security systems in minutes. A
barking dog in the house is much more difficult to deal
with. The home robber has no idea if the dog is a trained
security dog or just a friendly pet that will welcome anyone
coming through the door or a window. In addition, a barking
dog, friendly or not, alerts the occupants if they are home,
and neighbors. If a dog is not right for you installing
a home security system maybe right choice for protecting
your property.
The primary question to consider when
purchasing a home security system is what type of system you
want. Both, wireless and hardwired systems are available
from many different suppliers. If you are a handyman home
owner and want to install a system yourself the wireless is
by far the easiest to install and can be moved between
locations quite easily. If you are an accomplished
electrician a hardwired system may be a better choice as
they cost less and are cheaper to install.
Both types can be effective in providing the security
you want for your home.
Modern
security systems consist of several main components; a
keypad control panel to allow the owner to turn the alarm on
and off and program the system, motion sensors placed in
numerous locations throughout the house to detect the
presence of unwanted quest, and an outside alarm. Older
systems used window and door trip devices to set off the
alarm. Some of the modern system still use trip detectors on
doors but rely primarily on motion sensors. Cameras that are
normally used in commercial security systems are not
recommend for home security systems. Pictures of a home
robbery after the fact will do little to protect your
property although they may assist the police in catching the
robber.
What about a monitoring system. There are
many home security system monitoring companies in large
metropolitan areas, less to nonexistent in rural areas.
They are a very
expensive service that usually does little more than alert
the local police that a security alarm has gone off at your
address. You can avoid the cost of a monitoring service by
having your control panel directly set up to call 911 with a
prerecorded message in the event that the alarm is
triggered. Typically the 911 operator will attempt to call
the residents back and dispatch a patrol office to the
address.
Depending on your choice of system you
can install an adequate home security system for as little
as $300 - $400 in a few hours. If you lack the skills to
install your own system there are many commercial home
security companies that will provide system advice and
installation. You should be aware that these companies tend
to over design home systems that will do little to protect
your property and cost hundreds of dollars.
The security system that is right for
you depends on where you live and the type of house you live
in. If you live in rural area a dog may be your best choice
however, if you live in a high density urban or a suburban
community you should seriously consider installing a security system to protect your property. It may be your
best investment.
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Installing
Motion Detectors
GFCI Electrical Outlets
Installing
GFCI Outlets
Light Fixture Replacement
Light Switch Replacement
Outside Electrical Circuit
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