There are not many places around where people would feel comfortable leaving their front door unlocked at night. For protection and security, homeowners install and use deadbolt locks, put up fences, and may even have a dog on the premises. There is an increasingly more popular and effective way to stay safe and secure your home and possessions: a security system. Home alarm systems can be helpful in deterring crime on and around your property. This method can also catch intruders in the act and prevent theft and other criminal behavior. If you have been wondering whether installing a system is right for you, consider the benefits one would provide.

Keeping Your Valuables Safe

Much like a jewelry store would use an alarm system to protect thieves from taking precious items, you may want to do the same at home. If you have valuable possessions such as artwork, collections, fine clothing and furniture, or expensive electronics, you should do everything you can to prevent someone from taking it. Adding surveillance cameras and alarms at home can be an effective way to keep your property out of other people’s hands. Alarm systems come in both wired and wireless options. The alarms use sensors and cameras to detect intruders and unwanted activity on the premises.

Peace of Mind While You Are Away

Most home break-ins are not random, spur-of-the-moment events. Perpetrators usually know their victims or carefully watch the home to see when no one is around. This makes the act much easier, allowing the person to have more time to take more items. If you are leaving town for several days or more, your home could be vulnerable to break-ins. Your home alarm system will go off when someone trips a sensor. This alarm will alert a monitoring station, which will then contact the police. If you have a wireless system, you can watch camera footage online from anywhere. You will also receive text updates on any activity on your property.

Works With Other Home Automation Needs 

A wireless system is helpful because you can use it along with other security functions. You can control wireless alarms from your smartphone. From this same tool, you can turn on and off lights, and lock and unlock doors in your home. You can also control the temperature in the home and turn on or off the television or music.

Potential Insurance Savings 

If you are not happy with your homeowner’s insurance premiums, buying and installing a home alarm system could help. Many insurance companies will lower your monthly premium if you get a security system. A home alarm will reduce the chances of you having to report a loss to the insurance company, so your provider may provide some incentive for you to get a system.

Turning Would-Be Criminals Away 

Most home intruders are looking to get in and out of a vulnerable house quickly. People breaking in know there is possibly little time before someone detects their presence. So, criminals will look for the easiest homes to get into and out of. If your home has an alarm system, but someone else in the area does not, the thieves are not likely to try to get into your place when another home offers a quick, unguarded entry. Plus, if your home has an alarm system, others in the neighborhood might follow suit, making it a safer place for everyone.

If you are debating whether a home alarm system is worth it, think about these factors. The right plan could help you rest easy at night knowing you are doing your part to protect your loved ones and home.

Photo: Luxe

After coming back from my Australian vacaYour home is your castle and with the average Australian home costing $679,000 AU it is a large investment which you will want to protect.

With this end in sight you should consider adding the following safety measures. Of course, Australia is generally considered a safe place to live but with such a hefty investment it is worth taking a few extra precautions:

When considering home projects it is worth being aware that the building envelope is the physical divide between the interior and exterior of your home. In effect, this is the walls and windows. These projects are all outside this envelope.

Photo: The Z Hush Blogspot

Plant Bushes

The bushes round your home can keep unwanted intruders out, providing they are thick enough and prickly. No one will want to crawl through this just to see if it is worth getting into your home.

However, the bushes should only be on the perimeter and should not be too tall; you don’t want to create hiding places!

Keep Trees Trimmed

A tree too close to your house can allow a burglar access! It can also act as a good place to hide and watch your home. Keep your trees trimmed to ensure this is not an issue.

Photo: John Comitskey

Arrange Parking Areas

Create a parking area where all residents and home owners can park. This can be arranged to look nice but also ensure you have a good visibility of your land and even the vehicles. Thieves like to work where no one can see them, you need to make this as difficult as possible.

Don’t Underestimate a Fence

A fence is not actually your friend as they are comparatively easy to climb, allowing someone access to anywhere on your property. Instead, replace them with mesh fences, there are no hiding points and they are difficult to climb!

Photo: Fun Gardening Today

Cut The Grass

Keeping the grass cut and the yard maintained will ensure that your home looks lived in and cared for. This will discourage many opportunists. It will also ensure that you can maximize your visibility of your grounds.

Security Door

The most likely entry point for anyone looking to break into your home is the front door, with the back a close second. Replace them with security doors to ensure you make this as difficult a process as possible. There are many attractive designs on the market which can really improve your home.

Photo: Vanessa and Valentine

Digital locks

If you’re ever tempted to leave a key out for a relative or friend then it’s time to consider going digital. This will allow anyone access with the right code or you can be more advanced and use a finger print!

Window locks

The window is the second most popular access point. Safeguard it by replacing the standard locks with deadlocks.

Shatterproof Glass

It can be easy to gain access if you break a window, no matter how good the locks are. Make sure all your ground floor windows have shatter proof glass. It can be designed with patterns to add to the appeal of your home.

Window Stops

If your window is ajar then they don’t need to shatter the glass, simply open it! Make sure you fit all windows with stops to prevent them from being opened more than an inch.

Use Security Lighting

Security lighting can benefit you when you are sitting in the garden. Connecting it to sensors means you’ll be aware anytime someone enters your property. This will turn away most burglars before they start.

Photo: Helen Norman

Invest in Cameras

Finally it is worth considering adding cameras outside your home. Security systems are an essential investment to keep your home safe. Having your cameras connected to your mobile home makes a smart home that is secure and safe. You will need to ensure there are signs and that they only point at your land, but this can be an effective deterrent. They also come in a wide variety of designs, allowing them to be an attractive addition to your home!

Photo: Studio McGee

And that is why you can’t really put a price on home security. It is invaluable. According to the latest statistics, only 15% of American homes have a security system. This is despite the fact that the incidence of burglaries and invasions continue to increase. This is also notwithstanding studies that the presence of a home security system and the prevalence of crimes are correlated.

A home security system is an essential investment, especially as times become more dangerous. Here are reasons why you need a home security system now.

Keeping Your Home Safe

This is obviously the best argument on why a home security system is a great investment. The costs are high when it comes to the people we love, and you don’t ever want to be “too late” for emergency situations that may arise.

Modern alarm systems or smart technology offer remote monitoring, which means you can watch over your home wherever you are. You can set up your alarm system in such a way that it gives you real-time updates and alerts you in case something untoward happened. After all, ensuring a safe home is the best thing that security systems can offer.

Effective Crime Deterrent

Ninety percent of burglars, as shown in this study, would avoid homes with an alarm system. It also found that homes without a security system are at least three times more likely to be broken into.

The correlation of an alarm system with the frequency of property crimes has been established in many studies. Burglars don’t like the attention, and they sure want their conquest to be easy. The presence of an alarm system would easily discourage them.

Lowers Cost of Insurance

When you have a home security system, you are at a lower risk of falling victim to burglary or intrusions. This also means that your home is less of a risk for the insurance company. By installing a home alarm system, you get a valuable discount from your insurer, who basically likes the fact that they probably won’t ever have to cover for potential losses due to a home invasion.

Home Management Made Easy

Modern alarm systems now do more than just secure your home. Some help you manage it. An example is a DSC Alarm System that features all-in-one alarm panels and systems that are upgradable, expandable, and customizable depending on your needs. A built-in Z-Wave Controller would help you maintain a truly smart home. Thermostats, lights, timers, etc. can be turned on and off automatically. For as long as you have a web-enabled device, you can still manage and control your home. This means there is no need to worry if you forgot to turn off the kitchen lights or you left your curling iron plugged in. Modern home security systems will do the job for you.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Don’t you want to be able to sleep peacefully at night knowing your home and your family are safe? The moment when you rest your head on your pillow, close your eyes, and let go is simply priceless. Peace of mind and a good night’s sleep are two things that make a home security system a great investment. You can’t really quantify it, but these things would mean the world to you.