Victim Of A Home Invasion? Three Types of Home Security System
Whether you live in a high-crime area or not, having a home alarm system provides added security as well as tremendous peace of mind. People view their home as a sanctuary, where they are safe from the outside world and anyone who seeks to do them harm.
Unfortunately, once someone has experienced a home invasion, their sense of security is shattered. Even if they weren't physically injured or even home at the time their home was burglarized, the emotional trauma can be intense.
The realization that you aren't as safe as you thought you were can induce anxiety and panic attacks. Being a victim of crime may even trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, with life becoming unbearable from extreme fear and persistent nightmares. These reactions are intensified if there was a physical attack or if the criminal hasn't yet been caught. Children are particularly vulnerable and often suffer severe emotional distress after a home invasion.
While a home alarm system can help you get back to normal, they are not all created equally. Here's what you need to know to choose the right system and feel confident your home and family are protected.
Choose A Combination Home Security System
Before the internet, home security systems were hardwired and depended on electricity and often your landline telephone to work. The problem with that is phone lines and electricity don't always work. Severe thunderstorms often cause the power to go out or knock out traditional telecommunications. An accident where a vehicle hits a utility pole can also cause an outage. And while unlikely, most people have seen slasher movies where the bad guy cuts the wire.
A combination, or hybrid, system uses a combination of electricity, wireless communications through the internet, and your landline (if you have one). A good system also has a battery backup. This hybrid system covers all the bases and ensures your alarm system will always work.
Choose a Smart Home Security System
Smart technology is likely to only continue becoming more intelligent. Using a security system with smart technology means you can integrate the system with other systems as well as better monitor it. The smart security system doesn't need to be manually operated. For example, instead of having to remember to set the alarm before bed, smart technology will do it for you. The system can also warn you when it detects someone in your yard, and it will immediately zoom in with the right security cameras. It will also alert you the second a door or window sensor isn't working. If you install smart locks on your doors, the security system can lock them if it detects a threat. A smartphone app allows you to view the feeds from your security cameras, whether you are home or a thousand miles away. A smart security system can be integrated with your smart fire suppression or smart HVAC system. A smart system can also be operated simply by your voice, providing hands-free convenience.
Choose A Central Monitoring System
While self-monitoring systems are available, this isn't the safest option. You aren't awake 24 hours a day, nor are you always home. Getting a smartphone notification about a problem while you're on vacation isn't going to help you. In the time it takes you to even notice the message, find the number for the police station back home, and call and let them know there is a problem, a robber could have wiped you out and already gotten away. A central monitoring system leaves it to the professionals, who are always awake, ready to respond.
Share