Many throughout history have uttered some form of the phrase “a man’s home is his castle” to express the fact that your home is the place where you should feel safe and secure. Though it is not feasible to protect today’s homes with impenetrable walls, moats and lookout towers, it is possible to keep homes, valuables and family members safe. Advances in technology have made it fairly simple to monitor an area’s interior and exterior by using any number of available security systems.
Home Monitoring
There are numerous reasons to install a home security system. You can better protect your home and family from intruders, fire and toxins like carbon monoxide. You can get assistance in the case of medical emergencies and ensure that help is summoned as quickly as possible. You can view the exterior of your home and ward off possible threats before they become realities. You can save on utility costs since you are able to control your heat and lights more effectively. You will probably even save on the cost of homeowner’s insurance once you install a security system. Finally, you have the capability to accomplish all of this whether you are at home or away for a short or extended period of time.
Professional vs Do-It-Yourself
There are a variety of smart home security systems from which to choose so you need to find the one that is the best fit for you. You can install your own cameras, doorbells with video and audio, smart locks, motion detectors, and door and window sensors. These devices are usually connected to some wireless network that allows you to communicate with and control them using an APP loaded onto your personal mobile device. You can customize your system using a digital assistant like Alexa or Google Home and then change your thermostats, turn on your lights, and lock your doors with a simple voice command.
A professionally installed system offers you the same level of control but takes the monitoring burden from you. You receive the highest level of coordination with 24/7 live monitoring and immediate contact with emergency services. You are still able to use a mobile APP and a computer assistant, but you also receive one or more control panels with a battery backup in case of power loss. There can be silent and ambush alarm codes as well as instant buttons to contact fire or police.
Getting What You Need
The possibilities are endless. Once you decide that you want a security system, you need to determine the level of complexity that works for you. You should consider the size and location of your home, the number of people in your family, the most common times that you enter and leave the house and how often the house is unoccupied. Even if you decide to do it yourself, you may want to work with a professional to design an emergency plan. The system components that you choose should ensure that your plan will be implemented just in case.