Building Your Home Security Alarm System

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With so many home security alarm systems on the market, choosing the right one for your home and family can be difficult.  What are your home’s security risks?  What type of alarm system do you need? And how do you buy only the components you need to protect your home?

Here is a quick guide to building a security alarm system that’s right for your home.

What Are Your Security Risks?

Unless your neighborhood has experienced a rash of burglaries, it’s easy to feel that your home is safe and secure.  But in order to find the right security system, you need to think like a burglar.

Take a walk through your home and see which doors and windows are particularly vulnerable to break-in.  Don’t forget to check the perimeter of your house for dark and shadowy areas where a burglar could hide or enter.  This assessment will help you determine which other security devices you might need (driveway sensor, motion-detection lights, security cameras, etc.).

Types of Home Security Alarm Systems

Now that you’ve inventoried your home for security risks, you need to choose the right security system.  A few additional factors to consider include:

  • The size of your home
  • Neighborhood security
  • How much time you spend away from home
  • Whether or not anyone is in your house during the day

Basic Security Alarm System

The most basic home security system works by sounding a loud alarm or siren when the alarm is tripped scaring off any intruders.  Since burglars rely on stealth and silence, most won’t stick around if there is a risk of getting caught.

A basic alarm system is best for crowded neighborhoods where there is a good chance that neighbors will contact the authorities when they hear your home alarm go off.  Of course, if most of the homes in your neighborhood are empty during the day (every is at work), a basic alarm system may not be too effective.

Centrally Monitored System

If you spend a lot of time away from home, you may want to invest in a centrally monitored home security alarm system.  With this type of system, a signal is sent via phone line to a security monitoring center if your alarm is tripped.  An operator at the center will then alert the proper authorities.

A centrally monitored security system is also good if you live off the beaten path with few neighbors around who could call the police.  Central alarm monitoring operators can also contact the local fire department if your security system is tied into smoke and fire detectors in your home.

Wireless Security Alarm Systems

Standard alarm systems cannot be wired into older homes with plaster walls.  In these circumstances, a wireless security alarm system is your best option.  All components of a wireless alarm system (sensors, cameras, lights) beam their signals to a central control system without having to be hardwired into your home.  These components are either powered by batteries or a standard wall outlet, and can be moved around as your security needs change.