The goal of a residential security system is to detect an intruder as early as possible, alert the home's occupants of his presence, and scare him away before he does any harm. Creating progressive layers of protection accomplishes this goal. Imagine four concentric circles in and around your house, with your family and your most valuable possessions inside the center circle. The interior of your home is the second layer, the exterior shell of your home (often called its ?perimeter? by home security professionals) is the third, and the property surrounding your home is the fourth.
For most people, installing a security system that protects the second and third circles (the interior and shell of the house) is both effective and cost efficient. That third circle, the exterior shell or points of entry of your home, is the place to install your first line of defense. This layer of protection consists of alarm sensors on the windows and exterior doors. You may want to install alarm screens so you can leave windows open but still protected and glassbreak sensors to detect any attempt to break the glass out of a window or sliding glass door.
Strategically placed interior motion detectors are the second layer of protection and serve as back up to the point of entry protection. Protecting the interior is especially important if you don't install a complete ?perimeter protected? system. Should an intruder slip through, motions will activate the alarm as soon as he enters its field. At a minimum, include motion detectors in central walkways, hallways, entry areas, or family rooms. A more thorough interior protection would include motion detectors in all rooms that contain valuables, such as the master bedroom, dining room, family room and home office.
The innermost circle requires spot protection for high value areas, such as a security closet, safe, or gun cabinet. This circle would also include hard wired or wireless panic buttons, which send an instant signal to a central monitoring station, who in turn summon help.
The outermost circle of protection consists of motion sensors or beams to let you know when someone has come onto your property. Unless you live in a remote or hidden location, this type of protection is likely more than you need for the cost involved.
How Much Protection Do I Need?
Are you mainly concerned about protecting your possessions when no one is home? Then a basic system protecting the exterior doors and one or two interior traps may be sufficient. This is the least expensive type of system, and could cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on whether you lease or purchase it and whether it will be monitored.
If you're primarily concerned with protecting yourself and your family when you're at home, you'll want a complete perimeter system. The goal is to have the system detect an intruder before he actually enters your home, and frighten him off with a loud siren. Alarm sensors are installed on all exterior doors and windows that open. A perimeter system can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on how many doors and windows need protection.
Be sure to get bids from two or three reputable security companies in your area. Listen to the sales rep's recommendations, and ask plenty of questions! This will help you decide what features you want and which ones you can live without.
By M Adley http://www.alarmsystemreviews.com
Home Security Systems: Big Pictureby Kenneth L. MeyerWe are in a depression! Would anyone argue with that; even so, prior to the horrible economic times we are in, crime was on the rise. Break-ins occur at the rate of about 1 every 20 seconds or so!It becomes very important to consider having a good home security system. This article is the first in several that will guide you through the maze of finding a good reliable, INEXPENSIVE home security system.One of the first things to consider is who are we protecting? I mean are you alone, are you in a family, large or small, do you own a gun, are you open to that. We'll talk about home defense and weapon use in a later article. Just know that this author is in favor of weapons in the home for home defense?.under the right circumstance that is.If you family is large it is usually easier to protect the home as it will be occupied a good deal and the bad guys can see this, but many burglaries occur with people in the house too. Finding a home security system is a trusted and safe way of protecting your home, family and property.Indoor vs. Outdoor Alarm SystemsThere at two general categories for home security systems, you guessed it! Indoor and Outdoor home systems and various alarm systems. The basic home systems usually are concerned with mounting something on the doors and the windows. They are looking for two things: and opening of doors and windows, or any signs of movement inside the house. Systems detect movement with the help of motion sensors. Many digital systems today will automatically call the police as soon as the alarm goes off. In addition, you can have a "panic button" if you will to push that will set off the alarm should you suspect something the system did not pick up! Neat isn't! More on how they work later.That is inside the house, outside systems can be desired also. Most outdoor systems are programmed to turn on flood lights at the slightest hint of movement on your grounds. Motion detectors have become very sophisticated and can determine if movement is being caused by a large object or a small object. This is helpful in reducing false alarms that might be triggered by pets or yourself taking a walk.Outdoor alarms also include driveway alarms to ensure the safety of your car.Power SourceMost systems operate on either electricity or batteries. With the ever increasing ability of battery technology today, having a battery powered system can be very economical and reliable especially in the event of a power outage that shuts down the main home electricity.Video ProtectionYou'll find that some of the more expensive and sophisticated video systems offer you the added security of close-circuit television (CCTV) and wireless video surveillance (VSS). These usually consist of several transmitters and receiver, which is connected to the TV or VCR. The advantage with such wireless systems is that the only cable you use is the one that connects your receiver to your TV. Wired systems are more reliable than wireless ones.Security for Apartment BuildingsIf you live in an apartment building, you can find special systems designed to be installed in multi-apartment premises. You can also opt for systems for the individual apartment probably with apartment administration approval based upon the same ideas discussed abaove. Really your apartment supervisor/manager should be responsible for building security and don't hesitate to contact them and inquire. If you looking to find a new apartment complex, make the security quality and level of the complex one of your decision making criteria before you rent.Risk AssessmentDepending upon the type and cost of the system you consider some vendors will provide a free (they say its free, your paying for it in the mark up of the system but that's ok) risk assessment to help determine system capabilities. Think of it a ?scouting report? to help you determine potential threats and what your capabilities will need to be.Ancillary but Important IssuesMake sure you have sturdy doors and windows which you can bolt and lock.I live near a major city with a high crime rate and which is also famous for putting grills/iron bars on there windows for extra protection. While this is an option so many times the bars become a obstacle for you as you try to get out of the house in the event of fire or something else! We see it on the news all the time, so consider this one very carefully before you make you house a prison instead of a well protected home.Most police will reaffirm that lots of outside and inside lighting is important. They will also tell you that having a dog that barks at movement is also a good idea. I have seen firsthand where not only a barking dog but a large barking dog can be a deterrent to a attack or break-in. Whatever system you choose, make sure that signs of its installation are clearly visible. If you're open to it, cut down shrubs and trees that would hide someone close to the house,pretty basic stuff but real.As previously mentioned this is the first in a series of article that will discuss in more detail various home security system ideas, technologies and strategies so that in these difficult times your home can be as safe as possible.
Both Your 3d Source & Ken Meyer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Your 3d Source has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, web development and Home Security. M Adley has over 10 years experience in the security industry and is webmaster at alarmsystemreviews.com, an unbiased resource for reviews and information about burglar alarm systems and monitoring.. Your 3d Source's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
Ken Meyer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aging, Careers and Job Hunting and Health. Look for and follow the series of articles that will follow this one and make your home as safe as possible. Ken Meyer is a web site deve. Ken Meyer's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.