Safe and Secured
Imagine yourself doing your everyday routine. You are busy, as usual, and decide to hop about outside. You also keep tabs on the weather daily forecast for rain. Also, you hurriedly run for an umbrella, also getting your rain jacket, and then turn around to shut the door behind you. However, you forgot to unlock your door. As you glance back at your house, you notice that the window over the sink is still open but you figure out that it will help cool off your apartment while you’re away. You notice the flyer for landscaping services placed on your screen door and continue your way down the driveway outside your house. In this article, we will discuss home security system.
Three-Minute Security Checklist
Does this three-minute routine before leaving your apartment ring a bell for you? It can be busy and hectic getting ready to leave your house and a sudden, last-minute distraction might make you forget to properly lock and secure your place. However, these following steps can be significant in keeping possible thieves away from choosing your lovely home as a target. Making a three-minute security checklist can help you make a habit out of some of the important safety practices.
Here are some very safe steps to remember as you leave your home:
- Secure your home: we greatly suggest closing and locking all windows and doors all the time. An open window may offer fresh air around your home but this is also an invitation for thieves. Possible perpetrators going door-to-door with flyers sometimes knock and try the door to see if it opens giving them easy access to your place.
- Arm your security system: always turn on your home security system even if you are running a short errand outside. Thieves can act fast and break into your home in a matter of minutes so it is always much better to leave your home protected with your home security system.
- Follow the forecast: always check the weather forecast in advance so you can prepare with the correct weather gear and take time to focus on closing up your place.
- Evaluate your exterior: Do a quick scan of your home’s exterior before you leave your home. Look for flyers, newspapers, or anything else that might suggest your absence.
Home security is both the security hardware in a property and also your personal security practices. Security hardware is your doors, locks, alarm systems, lighting, motion detectors, and also security camera systems. On the other hand, personal security usually means your own practices such as making sure to lock all your doors and windows, activate alarms, and have a guard dog. And, you should make sure that you should not hide your extra keys somewhere outside.
Security Statistics
According to an FBI report, about 58.3% of home robberies in the United States involved forcible entry. According to recent statistics, the average burglary in the country takes about 90 seconds to about 12 minutes. A burglar will try to break into your home within 60 seconds. Their main targets are cash, jewels, and expensive electronics such as laptops too. We do not suggest hiding extra keys outside for they will know. Do not also turn off the lights. Have small CCTV stickers on your doors and have a kind request with your neighbors while you are away.
Home Security Industry
Some said that the home security market will be worth $47 billion by 2020. While the do-it-yourself home security market will be worth $1.5 billion. On the other hand, the market for home security is also expanding provided that cable TV and internet service providers are now introducing their own security and home automation projects. It will be a fragmented market with many, different and small rivals. Furthermore, the FBI reported that 1.7 million homes were already burglarized in 2014. In the same report, it says that an estimated loss of $3.9 billion was lost by the victims in the same year. The average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,251. This is estimated at around 2.5 million burglaries a year with 66% being home break-ins. The police usually only solve 13% of break-in crimes due to inadequate information and a lack of witnesses.
What is a security system and how does this actually work?
Almost all home security systems work on the same standard principle of securing entrances such as doors and windows together with interior space that contains valuables such as art, computers, guns, and coin collections. The only problem is the number of security components deployed throughout your homes and monitored by the control panel. This is regardless of the size of your home or even the number of doors and windows or interior rooms you decide to protect.
What is a security system?
The most simple definition of any security system can be found in its own name. A security system is a method by which something is secured through a system of components and devices working together.
For this instance, we’re discussing home security systems which are networks of integrated electronic devices working together with a central control panel to safeguard against thieves and other possible home intruders.
A usual home security system includes:
- A control panel which is the primary controller of your security system
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensors which are both interior and exterior
- Wired or wireless security cameras
- A high-decibel siren or alarm
- A yard sign and window stickers
How does a security system work?
Home security systems operate on the simple concept of guarding entry points into a home with sensors that can communicate with your control panel or through a command center installed in a safe convenient location somewhere in your home.
The sensors are usually located indoors that lead to and from your home together with easily accessible windows, specifically any that open, especially those at ground level. Open spaces inside your homes can be safeguarded with motion sensors.
Control Panel: The control panel’s role arms and disarms the security systems and also communicates with each installed component. They also sound the alarm when a security zone is found in danger and also communicate with an alarm monitoring company.
The control panel also features a touchpad for easy programming and interaction. This is where passcodes are pressed to arm and disarm the system. They can also work on voice commands and can be set to work with wireless remote controls called key fobs.
Keep on reading…
Door and Window Sensors: Door and window sensors are two different parts placed adjacent to each other. The other part of the device is installed on the door or window. While the other part is on the door frame or window sill. Once any of your doors and windows are closed with these sensors, the two parts of the sensor are joined together making a security circuit.
These sensors communicate with it by reporting the point of entry is secure when the security system is armed at the control panel. The security circuit will be broken and the control panel will interpret this as a breach of a secured zone once a monitored door or window suddenly opens. A high-decibel alarm will be sounded once there’s a breach of a secured zone and an alarm monitoring company will also be automatically notified in most instances.
Motion Sensors: These kinds of security components once armed can protect a given space by making an invisible zone that cannot be breached without sounding an alarm. These are usually used to safeguard your rooms that contain valuables and also areas that are less frequented in huge homes.
Surveillance Cameras: You can get wired and wireless configurations of surveillance cameras and these can be used in a lot of different ways as part of a whole security system.
Typical uses include monitoring:
- Hard-to-see or faraway areas of your property
- Remote buildings like garages, barns, and workshops
- Entry points, both exterior, and interior, such as garage doors and front doors
Surveillance cameras can be accessed through your computers, smartphones, and even your tablets. They are usually used in this kind of method when you need to stay out of your house. These also watch out for deliveries and other service personnel such as caregivers and landscapers. They also monitor the arrival of children after school. They can also be used to record any security breaches which could lead to having footage of home burglary or invasion. With the help of surveillance cameras, the thieves can be identified and even the vehicles they drove can also be recognized.
Keep on reading…
High-decibel Alarm: This is loud enough for your neighbors to hear. Home security alarms have different purposes. The very first purpose is, of course, to alert the people inside your home that a certain problem occurred. The second purpose is they can send off a burglar running while also notifying your neighbors of your situation.
Yard Sign and Window Stickers: The very first thing that you would think about this is these items might seem like nothing more than marketing tools for alarm companies. However, they have important roles in your home security. When you place such stickers in your front window and have their sign in your front yard, you’re already warning potential burglars that your home is professionally protected and obviously not a wise choice for an attempted robbery. This is greatly recommended by security companies since they are effective in conveying this message.
What happens when an intrusion occurs?
Home security systems are to take out certain tasks when an unauthorized person enters a secure zone. What your security system does in case of an intrusion largely depends on the kind of system you installed in your home.
Professionally Monitored Security Systems: Alarm companies can be alerted when a security problem arises in your home if your security system is professionally monitored by them. Your monitoring company gets an alert along with the high-decibel alarm. Once that happens, a trained security expert might attempt to contact you via the control panel if it is set up for 2-way voice communication. Another option is they will also call your emergency contact number in your account.
These types of security systems communicate with the monitoring company in one of the following ways:
- They can communicate through existing home phone lines which continue to work during power outages when battery backup is in use.
- They can also communicate through cellular radio frequencies such as cell phones which also continue to work during power outages when battery backup is in use.
- They can also communicate through voice over internet protocol which usually doesn’t work in a power outage.
- They can also communicate through the internet which also usually does not work in a power outage.
Keep on reading…
In case there is an actual emergency, the monitoring company will notify the proper emergency response personnel in your location. These are the police, firefighters, and paramedics. The monitoring company will also try to maintain communication with you until the emergency team arrives at your place.
Monitored systems usually allow you to be notified by text message and even email once a security breach occurs.
Non-monitored Security Systems: There are many do-it-yourself security systems available today that don’t have professionally monitored services. A loud alarm will sound in case there is really a home intrusion that is happening when you have this kind of security system. You should immediately contact the police, fire department, and other emergency response personnel by dialing 911.
These kinds of systems may or may not allow text messages or even email notifications to be sent to the homeowner in case there is a security breach depending on your provider and the system you chose.
What are the advantages of having a home security system?
Various studies show homes without security systems when compared to homeowners with professionally monitored systems are most likely to be entered by intruders since they are opportunistic by nature and are in the continuous hunt for easy targets.
Homes without security systems are, of course, a priority on their list.
You’re letting thieves know the likelihood they’ll fail and be caught when you have a home security system that is professionally monitored by advertising this through your window stickers and yard signs.
Another advantage is the capacity to remotely manage your home. You can usually arm and disarm your security system from anywhere via a web-enabled device. You can also monitor who arrives and leaves your home and also use the panic button to initiate an instant response from your alarm monitoring company.
Lastly, most home insurance companies provide homeowners great discounts. These are up to 20% when you have a home security system in your home.
Best Home Security Systems of 2021
SimpliSafe – This is the very best home security system overall. This is also a popular choice for no contract, easy do-it-yourself set-up, and even affordable home security.
Why is this the best for no-contract home security?
SimpliSafe made it easy and affordable for you to install your home alarm system.
Pros:
- No long-term contracts to sign
- Easiest installation of any system
- Very affordable monitoring plans
- Award-winning professional monitoring
Cons:
- Expensive up-front equipment costs
- Limited home automation capabilities
- No outdoor security camera options
- It may be too simple for some homes
Low Prices for Equipment & Monitoring
Simplisafe is a lower-budget home security solution. You have to pay for the system upfront. However, the expense was reasonably low. A beginner set costs $244 before any discounts were placed. This company always has specials and they also have refurbished security equipment for a cheaper price.
SimpliSafe starter set includes along with stickers and yard signs:
- A base station
- A wireless keypad
- A keyring remote
- One motion sensor
- Two entry sensors
The deal also included a SimpliCam. This is a high-definition video security camera with a motion sensor that could send alerts. You can also use their mobile app to help monitor the system.
Quality Equipment
Although this kind of security system is affordable, it is not badly made. The equipment was less expensive since mainly SimpliSafe manufactured it themselves. While their other competitors used middlemen who placed big markups.
One example of SimpliSafe’s high-quality traits is their SmashSafe backup against tampering. Their monitoring service will alert the police once someone tries to disable the system. Another example is the Heartbeat feature which continuously checks if the security system is working as intended.
However, the video cameras were not ok. They weren’t weatherproof and don’t have more advanced functions.
Simple to Install and Move
Setting up this system is easy. Most of their customers can set up the equipment on their own and only need about 3% of help from the service crew. You can install the system in about 20 minutes and would take about 30 minutes for an inexperienced person to manage. All of the equipment included is freestanding or attached to surfaces with detachable adhesive. You could easily move the system to a different home. This can be a favorite for both renters and homeowners.
Ask us any questions
We hope this article about home security helped you. You can ask us any questions here at Team AIS in Denver, CO about the possible discounts you can get should you get a smart home security system.