Home Security Buying Guide
Home security 
is an important part of making you feel safe and protected in your daily life. No matter what type of system you decide to use, make sure you are comfortable with it so that it becomes a worthwhile investment for years to come.
Before You Buy
There are a few important things to consider before purchasing your home system.
- Neighborhood: Are you close to any police stations? Is your town frequently the target of crime? This will determine your need for a security system and the level at which you need to protect your home.
- Living Situation: Do you live alone? Are you often working late hours or do you always have a family member that's in the house? If you often have people home and you feel safe coming in late at night, you may not need a system. However, if you aren't home a lot and you're are worried about safety, this is something to consider.
- Budget: Obviously, you want the best for your home, but you don't want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a system with all the bells and whistles that turns out to be a waste. Do your research and know what you are looking for beforehand; this will help you to spend within your budget.
- DIY: Consider if you want to install the security system yourself or have someone else do it. Besides significantly affecting your costs, this may impact where you are shopping since some stores offer free installation.
- Research: Ask around before making your purchase. Friends or websites may offer some opinions and comments that could significantly effect your decision.
Types
There are a large variety of home security systems for both indoors and outdoors . Below, a few of your choices.
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Passive Infrared Detectors These are very common indoor home detectors that are relatively affordable. They detect an intruder by picking up on temperature changes in the environment that indicate the presence of a foreign object. |
Photo-Electric Beams These indoor detectors pick up on the presence of a burglar by transmitting visible or infrared light beams across an area and setting off if these beams are obstructed. |
Glass Break Detectors These can be used for indoor building protection and have sensors that detect when glass is broken. The sensors respond by generating a frequency or alarm . |
Vibration Sensors As the name suggests, these outdoor sensors detect movement or vibration outside and an alarm is then set off when there is a noticeable change. They can be fence mounted and have a low false alarm rate. Though they are a bit on the pricey side, the sensors are very reliable. |
Taut Wire Fence This is an outdoor set of trip wires that can be mounted to a fence or wall. It can also be trained to detect only large motion so that it is not set off by small animals or birds. |
Other Options
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Door Phones Think of it like a peep-hole but better. A door phone allows you to answer the door using a remote from anywhere in the house and speak to someone over an intercom system while seeing their face via your outdoor camera. Besides this feature, many models come with built-in alarms. |
Electronic Watchdogs Now you can make your neighbors and potential intruders think you have a dog without actually purchasing one. These alarms can be placed inside the house, and they use microwave technology to see through the wall and detect if someone is approaching. When an intruder gets within 20 feet, this alarm will start to bark. |
Door Security Bars Much like a device used on a car steering wheel, a door security bar can be placed inside the door to prevent forced entry. The Master Lock Dual Function Home Entry Door Security Bar is one such model that can be adjusted to different heights and can be used on hinged or sliding doors . The padded foot on the bottom prevents it from scratching up the floors and the locking system keeps the bar in place. |
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Multi-Point Door Locks These can be installed in your door to lock it in multiple places at once for ultimate protection. Most are easy to handle and can lock all fixtures at once with the simple flick of a handle. |
Personal Alarms These can be kept on you at all times to emit a loud, shrill sound when pressed. Make sure you purchase a simple model that can be easily pushed in a time of distress. |
Window Films This is a protective coating that adheres to windows and makes them harder to break. It can also protect from natural disasters or storms by preventing glass breakage and keeping shards from flying everywhere. |
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