When trying to decide on the right security system for you and your family, you should take your time, research, and look for certain features.
Don’t Rush, Research
It’s more important than you may realize.
Choosing the right system will set you up for years of peace of mind, with a huge range of benefits. However, if you choose badly, you could leave yourself unprotected, or with an expensive inconvenience for years to come.
To make the best choice, use this checklist of essential home security features:
Professional monitoring for emergencies
Many home security devices offer smartphone apps that alert you of activity at home. It is a great way of staying connected to your home, however it is an inconvenient approach to home security.
You cannot be and probably don’t wish to be “on call” around the clock, ready to respond to any emergency alert from your home.
Getting professional security monitoring is the best way to fully protect your home, without adding the inconvenience of keeping up with everything yourself.
In an emergency, the system alerts the monitoring station, where security professionals are on hand, 24 hours a day—to contact your local police or fire department immediately.
Smarter alerts that don’t overwhelm you
When choosing an alarm system, choose one that allows you to have full control of your system.
Smartphone alerts are a great feature that some systems offer, however they can become overwhelming if not used correctly.
Our smartphone app through Alarm.com, allows you to understand what is happening at your home and determines whether you need to know about it. This allows you to not get overwhelmed with alerts about everyday activity.
For example, if you want an alert when your son arrives home from school, but not every time someone opens a door, you can create a ‘disarm’ alert for your security system that only your son’s four-digit user code can trigger.
Security with added convenience
A modern security system can make life easier for you, while an old-fashioned system can inconvenience you.
Look for an alarm system that can incorporate smart home features. A smart door lock can connect to your alarm system and make it convenient for you to let the right people in remotely, without compromising security.
Another feature to look for is the power to set user codes and schedules. You can set permanent user codes for family members, while trusted visitors can be given a restricted user code that expires at a certain time.
You can have your system disarm and your hallway lights come on when you open your smart door lock. You can even create an “arriving home” scene button in your app that does it all with one command.
Security with smart deterrence
It is better to deter a crime than to solve one after the fact. The right security system makes your home a highly unattractive target to a burglar.
Look for a system that can incorporate visual deterrents such as security cameras or a doorbell camera. Burglars will often avoid homes if they see that they have security cameras.
You can also include smart lighting on your front porch. This allows you to program your lights to turn on when the sun sets or turn off when the sun rises. The lights can also be programmed to be turned on when your doorbell camera detects motion.
Proactive safety features for your family
The best security systems don’t just protect you from crime, but also protect you from every day dangers as well.
Contact sensors inside your home can send you alerts when your kids get into forbidden areas of the home or go outside of the home.
A system that can protect you from fire
Another important feature to look for in a security system is the ability to integrate with your smoke detectors and other fire devices.
Smoke inhalation is the number one cause of death in a house fire. People often don’t know there is a fire until it is too late, especially while asleep in the home.
Integrating your alarm system with fire devices can protect you from all the dangers of a fire inside the home.
A tamper-resistant cellular connection
When assessing a security system, pay close attention to how it communicates and sends emergency signals.
Some systems use phone lines and these are vulnerable to a falling tree branch, or a pair of wire-cutters. Other systems use WIFI, which can leave you unsecure and vulnerable to hackers.
For better security, look for a system with a dedicated cellular connection and battery backup. This type of security system can signal for help regardless if the power is out or if the phone lines are down.
Our panels also come with crash and smash protection. This means that if the panel has been tampered with or destroyed, the panel will still send an emergency signal to the central station, and they will send authorities to your residence.
A complete smart home setup
Smart Home technology is fast and becoming a must-have. Our security systems equip your home with the smart home platform you need for a frustration-free smart home that is controlled with a single app. You can incorporate new smart home devices as you need them, such as:
- Smart Thermostat to save energy and stay more comfortable
- Doorbell Camera that allows you to see who is at your front door and answer remotely
- Indoor/Outdoor Cameras that allow you to keep an eye on your property or inside the home.
- Smart Garage Door Opener that allows you to have easy access
- Water sensors that help protect you from burst and leaking pipes
We can customize your alarm system and create an efficient, and convenient way to protect your home and those your love.
Ready to get started? Give us a call today at (409) 792-9212
