You’ve Acquired Nice Stuff. Now it’s Time to Protect It!
Let’s face it: you’re not a kid anymore. You may have lots of toys, but they weren’t cheap and you worked hard to earn them. Which is why it’s important to consider whether your home or office needs a security system to protect these items. A private security system is, without question, a serious investment of time and resources to protect your home from theft and damage. Sometimes this purchase is made at the instigation of a sales person or a casual recommendation garnered from a television commercial or a friend, and the homeowner might not be fully aware of some of the facts about security that a home system provides. Hardwired security systems have been on the market for years, and wireless security systems have only recently entered the market. In spite of the lofty promises of some manufacturers, no single kind of home security is foolproof, and a determined individual can sidestep even the best security systems. Therefore, it is important to know some of the strengths and weakness of the two systems, and how to choose the best security system for your particular circumstances.
According to recent statistics given by the FBI , property crimes have fallen by 8% for 2011. This follows a marked downward trend in the United States in the last few years of falling property crime rates, and an overall falling trend in property crime rates since 1966, according to the Department of Justice . However, it is important to note that property crime still happens in the United States and it usually carries with it some serious emotional baggage. It’s much easier than you’d think to become a little paranoid; maybe feel a little more vulnerable than before.
People who commit property crimes are often motivated by easy access to material belongings (laptops, tablets, jewelry, etc.). Single detached family homes offer the best targets for thieves because the robber is less likely to be noticed in a large, private lot. Most of these crimes happen during the day when homeowners are away at work during the week, and peak times for forced entry into home are in August when windows are more likely to be open. When the crime takes place, burglars often use very simple tools like crowbars or screwdrivers to gain entry through windows, even if they are closed. When considering a home security system you should also take into account where the home is located. Is there an area nearby that experiences high crime? If so, then it may be reasonable to assume that this crime might spread to your neighborhood.
Home security systems are a major deterrent against forced entry. Studies have shown that homes with alarms and other security devices regularly reduce the incidence of home break-ins. The market currently offers the homeowner two choices of security system. The wired security system and the wireless security system. Out of the two choices, the wired security system still offers the best protection for a home. The system consists of sensors that are placed on doors and windows, and these sensors are then connected to the alarm’s main panel. This kind of system can be added to with other accessories like motion detectors and cameras, and any break in any of the wires will result in the system sounding its alarm. The drawback to this kind of system is that the wires must be installed within the structure of the house, such as behind the baseboards and in the wall, and this can compromise the integrity of the house in various ways. The system, once it has been installed, is not very easily removed should a homeowner decide to move, and can represent a significant loss of money should a home owner move and leave it behind. On the other hand, wireless monitoring devices will not interfere with the system’s operation or the structure’s integrity.
A wireless home security device works in much the same way as it’s wired cousin, but it is much easier and less time consuming to install. Also, the installation requires no drilling or other alterations to a home, and the system is entirely portable. The drawback to the wireless system is that it can frequently receive interference from other wireless devices. It is also much easier to deactivate.
When considering both systems for installation, the home owner should look at their overall investment in terms of time and money. A combination of the two systems can offer the benefits of both should accessibility to wires from the outside be an issue. The home owner should also decide whether the benefits of portability outweigh the peace of mind that a hard wired system provides. In either case, home security systems are a deterrent to property theft, and either one gives the protection that a home deserves.
Karen Boyarsky is an avid blogger. You can follow her on Twitter @boyarskykareni.