Guest Post: Choosing the Right Home Security Method for Your New Home

One of the things that a new home offers you is a sense of pride, ownership, comfort, and safety. You like to think your new home is your haven from the world, and it should be. Yet, new homes are as susceptible as existing homes to burglary or home invasion. You need to spend some time thinking about what kind of home security method makes the most sense for your new home.

There are basically two options you can look into when it comes to a home security system:

• Independent home security systems. There are a number of do-it-yourself home security systems on the market today that you can install. These systems start for around $75 and can be found on the shelves of your big-box home improvement store. These systems aren’t monitored by a security company; the idea is that when these systems are tripped, they’ll emit a large noise and alert your neighbors.
• Monitored home security systems. Some systems connect to a security monitoring company when the alarm is tripped. The security company then assesses the situation, and if necessary contacts emergency personnel in your area. These systems typically require a sizable one-time investment, as well as an ongoing monthly charge.

There are many different types of products you can choose from within each type of home security system, as well. For example, you might want:

• Door and window monitors. These detect when doors or windows are opened and trip an alarm.
• Home security cameras. These cameras may capture video in real time, or they may take time-lapsed photos.
• Motion sensitive lighting. Burglars don’t generally break into homes if there’s a spotlight shining on them when they try.
• Interactivity. Some systems will send you a text message, or display an alert on your smartphone when an alarm is tripped. Some even offer remote viewing of your home security cameras

Standalone security measures

Regardless of what kind of system you install, there are some things that you can and should do to protect your home that don’t use a security system directly. For example, you can stick a sign in your yard that says your home is protected by a security system. You can put a large dog bowl on your front step. You can install deadbolt locks on all of your doors. These types of steps all help to reduce the likelihood that your home will be invaded.

Forming or joining a neighborhood watch can prove tremendously effective, too. Statistics show that those neighborhoods that participate in a neighborhood watch have a much smaller risk of burglary than neighborhoods that don’t.
The bottom line is this: you’ve put a lot of money into your new home. Chances are you’ve put your dreams and hopes into that home, too. You want it to be a truly safe place. Look into all of the available home security options out there, and figure out what you’re willing to do that still fits within your budget, and then do it.

Guest Author

Madison Parker is a security expert whose interest range from home security to personal security. Get more tips and advice at the blog Home Security Systems.

Image credit: David Hawgood