Essential Features of a Quality Home Security System

There's no question that we live in a dangerous world. You don't want to spend your life worrying all the time, but if you watch the news it's hard not to. The recession has made a lot of people desperate, and the home you put so much time, energy and money into just might be a target. There are certain common sense strategies you can employ to help minimize the chance of becoming a victim of a burglary, but the only way you can get close to guaranteeing your safety is by putting in a home security system. Yet you must remember that not all systems are created equal. Here are some of the essential features of a quality home security system, so you can determine which one is the best fit for you.

First of all, a security system must protect every entryway of the home. If there are gaps in the system a savvy burglar will figure that out and exploit them. All entrances must be covered, and the windows as well. You will have several options as to how those entrances are managed, be it some sort of motion sensor or an electric locking mechanism, so just make sure that whichever direction you go is complete.

All home security systems should cover the approaches with some sort of surveillance. The less expensive systems find ways to expose those who would want to break in, by placing lighting in all of the key approaches. You'll want those large lamps to work off of motion detectors, so you aren't blasting the whole block with light all night long. That won't go over well with your neighbors. Perhaps detection is as important as exposure, in which case you might want to put in video cameras. Today's CCTV camera sets are incredibly inexpensive. Many of them will send a signal directly to your computer, so you can monitor everything in real-time. And since there are no tapes to recycle, every day you can refresh the memory. Just make sure that the cameras are properly placed. Again, if there are gaps in the coverage they will be discovered, and then it could just turn into a major waste of money.

Any system is only as good as the team monitoring the data. Many home security installations give you the option to put your home under 24-hour a day surveillance. That doesn't mean you'll have strangers watching you sleep. But if an alarm is ever triggered or a lock is compromised it will instantaneously show up on the security company's computer systems. They will be able to contact you on your home phone or cell phone, as well as reach out to the police and fire departments. This is a much better option, as you might not be home when a break-in occurs, or you might not be able to pick up the phone if a real emergency were to happen. This sort of coverage backing up your installed systems turn a decent security measure into a great one.

Finally, a top of the line security system will also have some remote or automated features that make your life easier while keeping your home secure. Through a remote control you might be able to turn on exterior lights, unlock and lock the door or even get the camera feed routed to your smartphone or tablet. With a garage door replacement you can open the garage as you're pulling down the block, so there won't be any delay before you're in the house. Some systems tap into your home's heating and air conditioning as well, so you can adjust the temperature while on vacation and even switch on the lights in particular rooms so anyone keeping tabs would think someone is home.