Homeowners see daily news reports about robberies, burglaries and violent home invasions. Many have decided to implement some security measures to protect their families and property. The security choices range from self-installed alarms to professionally installed and monitored systems. Across the state, home security are available to design and install customized security systems. Some of the homeowners’ options are examined in this article. Benefits and shortcomings of some of the options are described. Self-installation versus professional installation is also discussed.
Self-installed packages are available in hardware stores, department stores and online. Most of these use wireless detectors with a central keypad with a loud alarm. The number and type of detectors vary greatly. The most basic systems include at least one motion detector for area coverage and one or two door or window sensors. Some self-installed systems have the ability to make phone calls to one or more phone numbers programmed by the owner. Other self-installed packages can be combined with a monitoring service with additional charges.
The biggest weaknesses of self-installed systems are battery life for wireless devices and the limited number of active sensors. The quality and sensitivity of the sensors included with these kits can be questionable. Amateur installers can overlook less obvious security weaknesses and make installation mistakes that leave the home vulnerable. Prices vary widely and bargain basement systems should be approached with caution.
There is a wide selection of Tennessee home security services that can provide the professional approach that real security requires. The technology of security systems advances with the same speed as all other technology-based fields. Professional security consultants keep abreast of the advances and can offer the homeowner much better security than any self-installed kit. Unfortunately criminal activity has reached a professionalism not seen before. Technologically savvy criminals are developing methods to defeat security measures. A security professional is better prepared with new technology the criminals have not widely defeated.
Alarm systems provide a warning when a sensor is tripped or a threat is detected. Monitored systems go beyond that with the ability to very a problem and notify authorities. Some Tennessee home security services are nationwide companies with professional, full-time agents monitoring their systems. Other local companies can provide locally-based monitoring and even security patrols.
With the wide implementation of alarm systems, local police agencies became unable to directly monitor security systems the way they did in the past. Repeated false alarms were wasting too much of the policemen’s time. Monitoring services verify the danger or breach before contacting authorities. This adds a few seconds to the total response time, but keeps the police from wasting time on false alarms.
The days of home alarm systems being monitored by local police have long passed. Police departments were inundated with false alarms, forcing them to stop responding directly to alarms. While monitoring services add a few seconds to response time, the police are no longer wasting time on false alarms. There are a few Tennessee home security services with local monitoring centers. These local companies may have a small advantage with response time compared to the national monitoring centers. Direct contact with local police via radio or dedicated phone lines can shave a few seconds off the response. Some local companies also offer patrol services and radio dispatched security officers.
A homeowner must consider several factors when choosing one of the home security system. Among these factors are: the perceived threat level, the value of the property being protected, the money available to pay for home security monitoring and the family’s self-defense abilities.
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