HOME SECURITY SYSTEM By Mary Jane Bogle
Highlights
Thinking of buying a home security system this year? You’re not alone. With security systems improving in both quality and affordability, many homeowners are discovering that a good home security system can be a great investment, now more than ever before. Reasons to Invest in Home Security Not only can a home security system help you monitor your home remotely (think checking on package deliveries or making sure the kids get home safely); but you can also deter would-be burglars from targeting your home, simply by posting window stickers and a yard sign advertising your protection. Security footage can even help in apprehending a perpetrator should a break-in occur. Add in the fact that many insurance companies offer impressive discounts to homeowners who install monitored home security systems, and now might be a great time to invest in your own safety. Basic Components of a Security System Most home security systems contain five basic components: • • • • •
A control panel Cameras for real-time viewing Entry sensors A high-decibel siren or alarm Yard sign and window stickers
10 | Michiana House and Home | January 2022 |
An optional component is professional monitoring, which links your security system to local police or fire departments when alarms are triggered. (Homeowners on a budget can opt to self-monitor the system and call emergency services themselves.)
Home Security System Costs Obviously, these components come with multiple options, quality considerations and price tags. Consider the cameras, for instance. Do you want night vision and low-light performance, a wide field of vision, motion detection and audio? You also need to consider what kind of image resolution you prefer. (Options range from a grainy 480p to a much sharper 1080p.) Be prepared to spend a little more for each type of upgrade. Storage space for the image recordings is also a factor. How long do you want to keep recordings? Will you need additional storage on a cloud-based
system? If so, how much? (You can purchase a plan that might range from a few gigabytes to over 100 gigabytes of memory, with varying prices to match.) Finally, you need to decide if you want to purchase a Do-It-Yourself kit, which can cost as low as $300 (not including monitoring), or have a professional create and install a custom solution for you and your home, which can cost up to $1200 in equipment alone. If all this sounds overwhelming, it might be worth a call to a professional security company. Many offer free estimates and are willing to work with homeowners on a budget, offering the option to add extra components later. Whatever you choose, know that an investment in your security can reap dividends in recovered goods, deterred crime and — maybe most important — peace of mind. n Photos: Shutterstock.com RESOURCE: Simplx Security, simplxsecurity.com