Dec 27, 2011

DIY Home Security

A DIY home security system can help you increase the security of your home without your having to spend a lot of money on professional installation and contracted monitoring services. One of the key advantages of DIY security systems is that they allow you to implement only the security measures that you want for your home, without your having to worry about expensive contracts and installation headaches. Do-it-yourself security systems, by definition, are designed to be easy to install, easy to operate and maintain, and easy to remove.

No Contracts Required

Until relatively recently, if you wanted a security monitoring system for your home, you had to sign up with a professional services company to get it. Such companies typically throw in the security monitoring equipment for free, but require customers to sign up for expensive, multi-year service contracts. Most security service companies also charge an upfront installation fee and registration fee to get started.

A DIY home security system gives you a way to skirt around such expenses. Unlike traditional home monitoring systems, most DIY security systems are based on wireless technologies. That means you do not need to rewire your home in order to be able to use these systems.

Plug and Play

Many DIY alarms are pre-programmed and ready to be used out of the box. Often, they come with installed batteries and adhesive strips for sticking them into place over doors, windows and on walls. All you would need to do to get started is to figure out where you want to install the alarms, and then just secure them in place at that location.

Wireless Sensors

Plug and play DIY home security systems typically comprise of multiple sensors that are connected over a wireless network to a central communications control panel. The sensors are usually passive infrared (PIR) sensors that are programmed to issue an alert when motion is detected or when a door or window is opened. Some sensors are designed to detect the sound of glass breaking, while others are activated by vibrations and by light. Most DIY security systems allow you to keep certain sensors on all the time, even when you are at home.

Subscribing to a Security Monitoring Service

If desired, you can use a DIY home security system just for alerting purposes. Or, you can subscribe to a security monitoring service and have them monitor the alarms for you around the clock. If you subscribe to a monitoring service, the central communication control of your home security system will be linked to the security company’s alarm monitoring center. If any of your alarms are tripped, the security monitoring company will immediately contact police on your behalf and ensure that you are safe. Typically, such monitoring services require no contract and cost less than $15 a month, compared to the $35 to $40 per month you would pay for a traditional service.

Tips for Installing a DIY Security System

If you decide to implement a DIY security system, keep the following tips in mind:

Pay attention to where you install the alarm sensors. Typically, most DIY home sensors can communicate with the central console from distances of up to 300 feet away. However, walls, ceilings and other obstacles often reduce the effective range.
Make sure the alarms you choose are certified to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards. Low-quality sensors can seriously undermine the effectiveness of your home alarm system.
If you subscribe to a monitoring service, make sure that the company is a reputable one. Verify that its monitoring center and all the equipment in it are certified to UL standards.
Pay attention to maintenance. Remember to change batteries frequently and ensure that there is some sort of backup power available in case of an emergency.

DIY security systems offer an inexpensive and relatively easy way to bolster the security of your home, so long as you pay attention to such details.

Home Security News

Installing a Home Security System?

Did you know that installing a security system is not only a great way to minimize the risk of a break-in or burglary, but it can also lower your home insurance payments? Insurance companies recognize that homes are indeed more secure when they have a home security system installed by one of the top alarm companies.

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ADT Security Systems - ADT is certainly the largest and most well known security provider. Not only do they work with homes and businesses, but their security services are so sophisticated that government agencies also use them.

Protection 1 trails only ADT in the number of customers it has in the US. And, with 60 branch offices, Protection 1 also has locations in nearly every US state, making them a home and business security company that you can even contact in person if need be.

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