When purchasing a home security system, one of the critical decisions that must be made is whether to install the system or yourself, or rely on a professional installer. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages; the decision you reach should be based on your own situation, including your budget, confidence in your technical abilities, and security needs.
For most homeowners, a home security system is something that will be created on a fixed budget. While some installers will periodically run “deals” where installations are less expensive than normal, you can usually count on spending anywhere from two hundred to two thousand dollars having a professional do your security system installation. (You can also usually count on having that installation “deal” be limited in scope and done in a hurried fashion.) If your project budget is $1000, then the fees for installation may mean losing the digital video recorder or not wiring all the windows. That might not be a trade-off you’re willing to accept.
On the other side of the coin, while installing a home security system is much simpler today than it was just a few years ago, thanks to the proliferation of high-quality wireless security system components, it is still a fairly substantial project to install a complete system. If you will be paying the installer $250 to do three hours of work, or doing it yourself and taking ten hours to do it, then you have to examine the value of your time and labor and decide which option makes more sense.
Homeowners’ competence with technical tasks like stripping wires and running lines varies by individual, of course. If you are the king of do it yourselfers and regularly rewire your own electrical systems and do your own plumbing, then putting together a security system is going to be a walk in the park. On the other hand, if you are at the level where you can plug in your own toaster, usually, then it might be somewhat intimidating to tackle a home security system installation.
One advantage to a professional installation is that if something goes wrong, there’s someone to call. Professional installers will generally do a good job on an installation, but every system is different and poses its own challenges, and if something is mis-configured or done incorrectly, with a professional installer you have recourse and options. If you did it yourself, it will be you out on the lawn at 3 AM trying to figure out why the alarm keeps sounding. Conversely, if you install it yourself, then when something goes wrong it’s likely you know where and what the problem could be – something that might be a complete mystery if a professional did your home security system installation for you.
A home security system installation is not a trivial job, but it can be handled by someone with the appropriate DIY attitude and abilities. It’s also something that is very important for your family’s safety, and so you will need to decide whether or not you need to bring professionals into the picture. Whatever your decision may be when it comes to installing your security system, you’re always making the right choice by having a security system in your home and protecting your family. Happy installing!
Electronic home security systems have been around since the 20th century, offering peace of mind and home security for millions of families. In recent years, however, it has become possible to build a system using wireless technologies, deploying sensors and cameras that communicate with the system’s base unit using radio waves or infrared light. In the early days of wireless security systems, homeowners had legitimate concerns about reliability and longevity. Nobody wants to have to change batteries every three months, to suffer a break-in because a sensor went dead, or worst of all, to have cameras or sensors just completely fail because of interference from some outside radio source.
Fortunately, all of these concerns have been resolved thanks to technological progress by wireless security designers. New lithium batteries provide maintenance cycles measured in years rather than months - you won’t need to change that sensor battery for at least seven to ten years. Improved manufacturing techniques mean that wireless reliability is at least as good as wired systems can provide, although it remains important to test any security system periodically. Finally, more sophisticated tuners and better frequency usage means that wireless sensors are virtually impervious to interference from other devices - your wireless security system will perform every bit as well as a wired security system.
Wireless security systems today offer three substantial advantages over a comparable wired security system.
Wireless Security Advantage #1: Ease of Installation
Whether installed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, a wireless security system is extremely easy to install. No wires means no digging, no drilling holes through walls, no taking up floors or having to remount windows. That means a cheaper installation cost even when using professionals.
Wireless Security Advantage #2: Ease of Modification
Adding a bedroom? Knocking out a new window? Decided that the back gate needs to have an additional motion detection sensor? Not a problem - with a wireless security system, making a modification to the system is as simple as adding the new wireless sensor or wireless camera and punching in a few codes at the base unit.
Wireless Security Advantage #3: Accessible for Do-It-Yourselfers
While the truly hardy DIYer can install a wired security system, the level of skill involved can be somewhat intimidating. A wired security system installation or modification may involve removing flooring, putting holes in wall, trenching outside the home - a variety of fairly involved tasks. By comparison, putting in a wireless security system usually requires exactly two tools - a wire stripper and a screwdriver.
Every parent worries about keeping their children safe - whether out in public or at home. You might not be able to do much about the outside world, but your home, at least, is a place that you have some control over. Here are some tips on making your home a safe environment for children.
Cap unused electrical outlets with outlet covers. Available inexpensively at any hardware store, these plastic caps plug into the socket and prevent little fingers from finding big trouble. Instruct children to leave plugs alone, and teach them not to play with power cords.
Install a quality home security system, and instruct your children – especially the older ones – on how to properly set and use it when they go out of the house.
Put at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, and make sure there is one in or near every bedroom in use. Replace batteries annually, and replace the alarms themselves at least every ten years – the technology is constantly improving and the alarm you buy today is a lot more effective than the one you’ve probably got up on the wall now. Use the ‘test’ button on your alarms monthly to ensure they are working, and to familiarize children with the sound they make. Better yet use a fire alarm system with heat and smoke sensors which are monitored by a company such as ADT. This will ensure the fire department is on the way if you are unable to get out or to a phone.
Install carbon monoxide sensors near bedrooms and near potential carbon monoxide sources such as enclosed gas fireplaces. Learn the sound this alarm makes, as well.
Practice fire and emergency drills with your entire family. Assign younger children an emergency buddy – either a parent or a responsible older sibling – to assist them in an emergency situation.
Keep poison and toxic chemicals well out of reach of small children – either securely locked away, or in a high storage area that they can’t reach with a ladder or stool. Write down the number for your local poison control center by each telephone – and make sure that your children know what to do if they or a sibling ingest something dangerous.
Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairwells when you have smaller children. Window guards for upper stories and security gates for balconies or high decks are an inexpensive investment that can prevent a major tragedy.
Perfect safety is probably an unattainable ideal – but simple steps like these can make your children much safer in your home without spending a fortune or upending your lifestyle. Stay safe!
