There are several options when it comes to a home security system. Alarms are a common choice because they alert you to activity around your house and they can also scare off intruders. Even when it comes to alarms, you have a range of options from smart systems to inexpensive DIY options. Here's a look at how you can use alarms to keep your home safe.
Door Alarms
Installing alarms on your doors is a good start. Intruders often try the easiest route first such as opening an unlocked door or trying to pick the lock. An alarm at the front door can emit a loud sound to alert your neighbors to trouble, or it can turn on a light so that you can see who is at the door and scare them away if they can't hide in darkness.
Door alarms can be quite sophisticated. They can send you text messages or emails to let you know when a door is tampered with when you're not at home. You can even connect the door alarm to a monitoring service so that there is always someone ready to respond when the alarm goes off.
However, you don't need to spend a lot of money to increase your security with a door alarm. A basic alarm that just costs a few dollars could be all you need to alert you with an audible alarm if someone tampers with your door.
Window Alarms
If you're trying to improve your home's security, you'll need to do something about your windows. If you don't have impact glass, the windows can be broken easily or opened if they don't lock securely. An alarm can detect vibrations that could indicate someone is trying to open a window. It will also detect the movement of broken glass.
By having alarms on all the windows in your home, you can have peace of mind that you'll be alerted in case someone tries to break in at night. Another way to add an alarm to windows is to put pressure alarms on the floor under the windows. These sound an alarm when someone enters the window and steps onto the floor.
Smoke Alarms
Intruders aren't the only threat to your home. You should also install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your house. These can also be part of a monitored system, so someone can respond to the alarms quickly. However, even simple and inexpensive smoke alarms can save your life if you install them properly and keep the batteries changed. Be sure to put the alarms on each level of your home and near your sleeping areas so you can be alerted to smoke quickly when the alarm goes off.
You may also want motion detector alarms outside and inside your home. These often use light rather than sound to alert you to movement. Motion detecting technology can even activate a security camera so you'll have footage of an intruder on your property you can hand over to the police. Installing alarms outside and inside your home relieves worry about crime and allows you to sleep better at night, so start with what you can afford and keep your family protected.
For more information, contact your local home security alarm system company.