Home Security System Tips

Home Security System Tips

  • By Ginger Hill
  • May 08, 2013

Although Macaulay Culkin demonstrated some wonderful home security “systems” in his Home Alone movie series, with swinging cans of paint crashing into the forehead of the intruders, today’s home security systems are so highly-sophisticated that it can be difficult to know what to choose to ensure you are getting the amount of security you want at the price you want to pay.

Home Security System TipsThe following tips help to provide a guideline to selecting the home security system that will work best for your home, based on your lifestyle.

1. Planning Your Home Security System

  • Involve all family members in discussing a home security system.
  • Make a list of reasons for purchasing home security.
  • Make of list of your specific needs, home security system expectations and what you want the system to do and not do.

2. Take a Personal Home Audit

  • Consider your family’s security concerns and issues.
  • Make a list of the security essentials that you absolutely need. Be sure to take into consideration all doors, windows, garage, locks and who has keys, square footage inside and outside (the perimeter) as well as special medical and personal needs, neighbors, lighting around your property and in your neighborhood.
  • Research the number and types of crime in your neighborhood by contacting your local police department.

3. An Integrated Approach Based on Lifestyle Needs

The following is a list of other things your home security system’s infrastructure could do beyond the typical burglar, fire and carbon monoxide alarm monitoring:

  • Interface with smartphones, tablets and laptops from remote locations;
  • Add video cameras to monitor your home in real time;
  • Control your home’s lighting needs by dimming or turning lights on/off (with the option to control remotely);
  • Control your home’s HVAC needs by adjusting temperatures in your home (with the option to control remotely);
  • Add motorized window shades (with the option to control remotely);
  • Add room intercoms throughout your home;
  • Add storage servers and cloud services;
  • Protect specific assets such as gun racks or artwork; and
  • Integrate your home security system into a safe room to provide protection during inclement weather and other emergencies.

(The security industry is constantly changing and the above list is by no means inclusive; however, it does give a broad scope of the possibilities that are available when it comes to home security systems.)

4. Search Home Security Systems and Monitoring Services

At this point you should have produced the following lists:

  • Reasons for investing in a home security system;
  • Your specific security needs;
  • Your security systems essentials; and
  • Security system extras for an integrated lifestyle.

And, now that your homework’s complete, it’s time to start researching security systems and monitoring systems.

  • Comparison shop to find the most budget-friendly home security system that will fit your lifestyle needs.
  • Be sure to present your lists to each company to determine their solutions for fulfilling your needs.
  • Ask if the company is licensed and has certificates to perform a risk assessment on your home. These assessments are essential to allow you to decide what kind of system will optimize your identified needs. (Note: Many home security providers offer free risk assessments.)
  • Consider getting at least 3 quotes before selecting the ideal home security system.
  • When you have narrowed down your home security system selections, check with your insurance company. Many insurance companies offer discounts based on the type of system that is installed.

5. Home Security Installation

  • Read the fine print in your home security company’s contract before signing it taking notice if there are fees for early termination or for adding additional services in the future.
  • Once installed, test your home security system with your monitoring company. This will ensure you know the step-by-step process, should an emergency occur.

The successful purchase, installation, maintenance and monitoring of a home security system takes time and adequate planning; however, this is all worth the effort to ensure that you and your family are safe and secure within your home environment.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies: Uniting Human Risk Management and Security Awareness Training

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

  • Report: 1 in 3 Easily Exploitable Vulnerabilities Found on Cloud Assets

    CyCognito recently released new research highlighting critical security vulnerabilities across cloud-hosted assets, revealing that one in three easily exploitable vulnerabilities or misconfigurations are found on cloud assets. As organizations increasingly shift to multi-cloud strategies, the findings underscore significant security gaps that could provide attackers with potential footholds into networks. Read Now

  • Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow

    Selecting the right VMS is critical for any organization that depends on video surveillance to ensure safety, security and operational efficiency. While many organizations focus on immediate needs such as budget and deployment size, let us review some of the long-term considerations that can significantly impact a VMS's utility and flexibility. Read Now

  • Paving the Way to Smart Buildings

    In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, the convergence of on-prem, edge and cloud technologies are critical. The physical security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid digitalization of buildings and the evolving needs of modern organizations. As the buildings sector pivots towards smart, AI and data-driven operations, the integration of both edge and cloud technology has become crucial. Read Now

  • The Cybersecurity Time Bomb

    If you work in physical security, you have probably seen it: a camera, access control system, or intrusion detection device installed years ago, humming along without a single update. It is a common scenario that security professionals have come to accept as "normal." But here is the reality: this mindset is actively putting organizations at risk. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities