Guide To Home Improvement - Home Security System: Peace of Mind

If you're looking for peace of mind when it comes to protecting your home and your family, installing a home security system can help ease the burden.

Why a Home Security System?
Deterrence. With crime on the increase and the possibility of fire or other incidents in your home, an alarm system is a proven method of prevention and protection. The following 2007 crime and fire statistics from the FBI and National Fire Protection Association provide a persuasive argument for installing a home security system:

There were an estimated 9,843,481 property crime offenses.
The rate of property crimes was estimated at 3,263.5 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants.
Larceny-theft offenses accounted for over two-thirds of all property crimes.
An estimated $17.6 billion in losses resulted from property crimes.
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,557,500 fires. These fires resulted in 3,430 civilian fire fatalities, 17,675 civilian fire injuries, and an estimated $14,639,000,000 in direct property loss.

Alarm Systems on the Cutting Edge
The introduction of technology into the home environment has created a new generation of home security systems that can protect you from a range of potential problems. And the best part--prices for these monitored services are actually falling as more alarm system companies compete for your business. Today, you can configure home security systems to include more value-added services than ever before:

Smoke/heat detector
Carbon monoxide detector
Glass break detector
Heat sensor
Temperature sensor
Moisture sensor
Exterior siren

You can also upgrade your home security system and make it even more hi-tech by adding conveniences such as wireless remote, telephone activation, and strobe lighting.

Sources:
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2007 Property Crime Report
National Fire Protection Association, Fire Loss in the United States 2007