You love your home, you love your family, and you’re prepared to go full-on Wolverine on anyone that threatens that. The investment of installing home security doesn’t seem like something to question until you realize you don’t know as much about protecting your home as you might have hoped. Prepper’s Base has put together a fun and simple guide of things you need to know to help you feel confident in choosing a home security system that best suits your needs.
Creative Alternatives for Home Security
Before you get started, have you considered all of your options? The Chicago Tribune mentioned quite a few creative and inexpensive alternatives, including quality deadbolts on doors and window locks, outdoor motion-sensor lighting, and even a good ole’ watchdog (although that could turn out to be about as expensive as a real home security system). Clever homeowners have even been known to use the stickers or signs of alarm companies on doors to scare away any potential culprits. If a complicated system doesn’t seem worth it in your potentially safe neighborhood, maybe one of these simple solutions will do the trick.
If the above suggestions just aren’t cutting it for you, then you’re looking for a real home security system. Below, we’ve decided on three of the most important factors for any beginner to know before the buying process begins.
1) Cost
If you’ve decided that you have enough money to invest in a home security system, SafeWise.com has pinpointed the most common fees you’ll run into: “an activation fee, service fee, monthly fee, relocation fee and cancellation fee.” Costs will differentiate based on the companies and the option of purchasing or leasing the equipment will be something you might want to consider too. Prepper’s Base recommends plugging in prices and companies into a Google Sheets to compare all of these specific fees and decide which will be the most cost efficient for your needs.
2) Installation
There are two options when it comes to installation: DIY (do-it-yourself) installation or a professional installation. In the age of technology, DIY installation allows you to put everything where you want, when you want-- absolutely free. These systems are incredibly simple because they’re created with simple instructions, knowing that you are not an experienced installation technician. On the other hand, a professional installation allows you to let the pros do what they’ve been trained to do and there’s that added relief that the technician actually knew what they were doing when they installed everything.
3) Monitoring
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Landline |
Broadband |
Cellular |
|
|
Pros |
Cheapest option . |
More safe and secure than landline option. |
Most popular choice, wireless connection. |
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Best for remote locations that are far from cell towers. |
Faster than landline option. |
Safest and most secure of the three options. |
|
|
Cons |
Oldest and least secure way of connecting to a monitoring center. |
Instability or lack of reliability. If the internet goes down, so does your home security system. |
Most expensive of the three options. |
When an alarm goes off it contacts a monitoring center through the choice of these three mediums: landline, broadband and cellular. Landline monitoring is the oldest and cheapest option in home security systems. Broadband monitoring uses internet connection and is safer and faster than landline monitoring. Cellular is becoming the most popular choice because it’s the quickest, safest, and most stable of the three. Compare and contrast the different advantages and disadvantages to see which would work best for you.
We hope you feel a little more prepared to step out into the world and begin your home security purchase journey. Safety is worth preparing for. For more safety and survivalist tips, check out more articles at Prepper’s Base.