What are the Best Features to Look Out For in Buying Home Security Systems?
The need for home security could never be over-emphasized. Having unwanted intruders inside your home can not only cause damage or loss of property; but more daunting and devastating are the psychological and emotional traumas, and in worse cases, the loss of lives among household members, brought about by theft or burglary. We don’t wan’t any of these to happen! An effective and reliable home security system is our key to lock-in security, protection, and peace of mind within our homes.
Home security systems such as alarms, surveillance cameras, etc. abound in the market today. Before you get tangled up in the shopping web of brands, product features, prices, promos…here are the most important and most effective features to look out for in buying a home security system:
1. SECURITY – You might get so lost in all the shopping chaos and clutter that you may overlook the essential criteria of security. Silly and contradictory as it may sound, but you may just fall into the trap of feature-laden security gadgets that are not secure. So what makes for a ‘secure’ security system (no pun intended)?
- Back-up power = make sure that when electricity fails or is tampered with, a mixture of back-up batteries will keep it alive and kicking!
- Tamper detection = the alarm system goes off if someone attempts to disable it.
- SWT (Secure Wireless Technology™) = a special system designed for an added layer of security and peace of mind.
2. BATTERY BACK-UP – Don’t under estimate a thief breaking-in to your home. Before they break anything else, they’ll go for your electricity box to disable electronic devices like your alarm system. Thus, a battery-backed-up home security system keeps the power alive!
3. LONG BATTERY LIFE – Given the benefit of batteries as a back-up power system, ensuring long battery life is of equal importance. Choose a system that has a battery life of at least 6 years. An advanced home security system has a panel that notifies you when batteries are running low. This will save you time, effort and anxiety!
4. SELF-MONITORED - Alarm systems can only get the job half done, or perhaps not at all. When the siren goes on, response from your neighbors or the authorities don’t come in a flash. Don’t rely on an alarm alone. A home security system should be able to provide you other ways and means to alert people and the authorities.
- SMS = Choose one that can enable sending SMS to notify them. Alarms systems that can store up to 6 mobile numbers and send SMS of a pre-recorded message are ideal.
- Built-in microphones = This can allow you to listen-in to noises and conversations from intruders, thereby feeding your instincts on appropriate decisions on what to do next.
5. GSM / SIM CONNECTION - Leverage the advantage of mobile technology! As mentioned above, alert and notification should not rely on one source alone. Your home alarm security should work hand-in-hand with a mobile device — it should notify you via text or phone of any emergencies and allow you to dial or text the system and control it from afar. And when your normal phone fails, you may use it as a back-up phone.
6. EASY TO INSTALL – Get into the DIY (do-it-yourself) lifestyle! Choose a system that you can install yourself within 30 minutes or less. A basic alarm system should come with only two wires – the electricity and phone cables on the security console, and even the phone cable is optional. No screwing should be required, a double-sided tape should be sufficient.
7. WIRELESS – A wireless device makes DIY a breeze. Apart from its easy installation feature and maintaining un-cluttered surroundings, wireless systems should be expandable or promote ease in adding more devices into your system to augment its features.
8. CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE – It’s not just getting a system in place; it’s also about getting a ‘smart’ home security system. With your busy schedule, you make room to forget and you’re not always in the home. Thus, get a security system that you can remotely control. Not with an extra pocket device that you can forget or misplace — something that can allow you to enable or disable the system from anywhere in the world like phones or SMS messages. A smart home security system allows you to take control of your alarm system anytime, anywhere.
9. EXPANDABLE SYSTEM – As your lifestyle changes, so does your home security system. A complete makeover is not always the answer. A lift, an augmentation, or some styling can do the trick. That is why your alarm system need not be replaced every now and then. Save more and get more value for money by picking out a device that could accommodate ‘add-ons’ or accessories to enhance the capability of your existing security system.
10. PET FRIENDLY SENSORS – Motions and sounds from house pets like dogs, cats, birds, etc. can be detected by your sensors and may always send off a ‘false alarm’. Check out for systems that could differentiate between human and animal sounds and motion height level.
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