Your Home Security Options
by John Tuthill

An Indoor or Outdoor Alarm System?

Most standard home security systems are installed inside your entry points, so that they can monitor the opening of doors and windows. Other sensors are placed to monitor movement inside your home. With an indoor system, you can enter a code that activates and deactivates the motion sensors, depending on whether you will be at home or away, asleep or roaming about the house. An outdoor home security system also keeps track of activity on the grounds surrounding your home. Although older outdoor security systems were prone to false alarms from the neighbor's cat, modern systems are programmed to check the size and weight of the intruder before triggering the alarm.

Hard-wired or Wireless?

Although there are countless options in comprehensive home security systems, there are essentially two choices on the market today: hard-wired or wireless. New wireless systems consist of battery-operated motion detection and surveillance devices remotely connected to a control panel. Wireless security systems are generally the more expensive of the two. Less expensive hard-wired systems can be conveniently installed if you are building or remodeling your home, but otherwise can be a nuisance to set up.

Do-it-yourself or Hire a Professional?

Although installing your security system yourself will probably cut down on costs, it requires a great deal of expertise to know that you are doing everything correctly. If you are not 100% confident that you can pull it off, hire a professional installer. Whichever route you choose, it is important that your system be checked and monitored by a home security provider.

Source:
Home Security 101

About the Author
John Tuthill is an aspiring beekeeper and horticulturist. He lives in Missoula, Montana.