Should You Install Home Alarm Systems Yourself?

Those who want to install home alarm systems themselves could save some money. There are a number of options for for choices in home alarm. House DIY alarm systems are available to peruse online from many options. If you don't want monitoring and do want either wired or wireless home alarms you will find companies that cater to home alarms systems of this type.

But before you make a decision to do a DIY alarm system install, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of a basic system. Most DIY systems are fairly basic. This could be sufficient for your needs but it is worthwhile looking at installed systems as well.

Things to consider when shopping for a home alarms systems include:

-Whether you want monitoring or not

-What type of system you choose

-What other types of home safety you have considered

Do you want a monitored alarm system?

Some people do want a home monitoring system as part of their home burglar alarm and for this reason they do not do their own installation. Most companies that offer monitoring do professional installations. Having the knowledge that someone can respond to an alarm call when they are not home can be comforting. An alarm monitoring company will dispatch police, fire department, and other services based on what type of an alarm sounds. They can respond to carbon monoxide alarms, to voice to voice requests for help, and can notify you or your emergency contact that an alarm incident has taken place.

On the down side, monitoring does cost money on an ongoing basis. If you have an alarm installed that requires monitoring there is typically a monthly associated fee and a contract period. Quite often the company that does installations for free and may even install the alarm system for free does it because they are looking for the ongoing profit from the alarm monitoring companies services.

What type of system do you want?

There are a lot of advanced alarm systems available. Some have extensive features and parts, which could make DIY installation challenging. If you want something basic, that does not require too many aspects, it could be simple enough to do it on your own. If installing just a basic system yourself, be sure that you have compared costs and features to determine if the basic alarm system offers enough value and return on your investment.

Considering various types of home safety alarms.

Whether you are concerned about intruders, want CCTV, want home security monitoring, or just want something to deter potential intruders, there are options available. Some advanced wireless home security alarms also offer flood detection, carbon monoxide detection, hard wired smoke alarms, and other features as well such as being able to check in via secured internet connection to manipulate video cameras and check the perimeter and interior of the property. Looking at those options can help you make an informed decision whether you want business alarm systems or home alarm system.

By Fernando Iglesias

Home Alarm Systems

Home alarm systems are electronic (sound frequency, temperature, or motion-sensitive), security systems-also known as burglar alarm or intrusion alarm systems. These devices warn you in the event of an intruder to your home.

Home alarm systems can provide you and your family with an added sense of protection and security. Over the years, home alarm systems have proven themselves to be great discouragers for criminals whom would have otherwise entered your home (unauthorized).

Home alarm systems usually contain a control unit, a receiver, a keypad, sensors, etc. Some models require low-voltage wiring and others are wireless. Some home alarm devises serve a single purpose, while others are multipurpose devises (known as general alarms). These multipurpose or general alarms can be used to detect burglary, fire, and/or the presence of carbon monoxide. Some home alarm systems monitor a single zone or region within the house and others monitor multiple zones or regions.

There are several types of home alarm systems: those that make loud, audible sounds; those with silent alarms and those which alert the police department and/or security company via telephone. All of these alarm systems detect violators and trespassers using detectors which incorporate different technologies:

Glass Break Detectors-Alarms with glass break detectors alert when glass is broken. These devises can detect sound in both audible and inaudible frequencies (ranging from less than 20 Hz. to above 20 kHz).

Microwave Detectors-Alarms using microwave detectors make changes in microwave emissions when motion and/or shifts in sound frequency are apparent.

Passive Infrared Detectors (PIR): These are the most commonly used detectors; they are both reliable and reasonably priced. Devises using PIR detectors are able to detect intruders by measuring the difference in temperature of the surrounding area (both before and after the presence of an intruder).

Photo-Electric Beams-Alarms with this technology emit infrared light beams throughout the monitored area. These can detect an intruder when the intruder's body obstructs the beams of light.

Ultrasonic Detectors-Ultrasonic detectors emit sound which is too high in frequency to be heard by humans. Alarms using these detectors recognize intruders by the change in sound wave frequency caused by motion in the monitored area.

Statistics show that burglaries usually occur in the daytime during common working hours (6 a.m.-6 p.m.). Anyone wishing to protect their assets should get one of these home alarm systems. Definitely anyone who doesn't already have one of these alarm systems should seriously consider buying one for their family's added protection and security.

When purchasing one of these home alarm systems, you must be able to find a home security alarms provider that you can trust. How do you go about researching a company's trustworthiness, reliability, and degree of care? You can ask family and friends whom have had experiences with such companies; you can also check with your local police department for listings on home security companies. There are a lot of different kinds of alarms from which to choose. Your job is to determine which type of home alarm system is best suited for your home and family. Unfortunately, no system-regardless of technology is perfect. With each type of home alarm system, there are instances where false alarms may occur. Each of the detectors aforementioned has its own set of dead zones and sometimes (as with the use of photo-electric beams detectors)-an intruder may be able to get by the devise undetected. This latter problem can be alleviated by using three or four beams instead of one.

Homes without security systems are often 3X more likely to get robbed or invaded by persons with the intent to do bodily harm, than homes that have them. You'd never want your family to experience a break in (resulting in feelings of personal violation). After a break in, your family's peace of mind and sense of security will have been compromised. So invest your time and money into a home alarm system; start ensuring the safety and security of your family and property-today!

By Matthew Richard Kerridge