We don’t normally talk about home security, but we believe it is just as important as cyber security. Our sister company, Premier Alarm Solutions, focuses on home and commercial security services. When it comes to home security systems, choosing the right one for your property can be difficult if you’ve never purchased one before. Here are some tips to help you get started!

1. Think about what you need out of a security system

There are many things to consider when choosing your home security. Although you should think about everything in the following list, you should speak with an expert to find out more.

• The layout of the property: This includes the placement of rooms, shape of the yard, and window count/locations.
• The number of entryways: This will be important to know when choosing alarms as well as security panels.
• The size of your home: This will affect the number of products you use.
• Your budget: You should have a budget in mind when you start shopping for home security systems. Be prepared for it to potentially change as you learn more about your needs.
• The use of the system: Security systems have different purposes. Some only provide an alarm to let you know an intruder is present. Others do this as well as record footage and sound.

2. Consider the equipment available

There are a lot of products available for home security. Though you may not need or want every piece of equipment, it is good to ask about everything. If you have commercial security, you might be familiar with some of the products. Just remember that they will be a little different from your business security system. Below are just some of the types of security equipment to think about.

Cameras

The two main types of security cameras are indoor and outdoor. Within these, there are multiple subtypes including wireless, floodlight, doorbell, box, bullet, dome, smart, and pan-tilt-zoom. Each one has different benefits depending on its use. For example, outdoor wireless cameras run on batteries and are built to last through tough weather conditions. Indoor cameras can be wireless or wired, use wifi, and some can record even when the internet is down. Here are some other features you will need to consider.

• Motion activation
• Daytime and nighttime capabilities
• Size
• Resolution
• Mobile capabilities
• Remote viewing
• Control options

Control panels

These provide a user-friendly interface for homeowners to access their security system and control it. If you aren’t tech-savvy, the basic touch screen option is a great choice. It has all of the features you need without too many bells and whistles. There are also secondary panels you can use and connect to your first one for different entryways in your home. If you don’t like the idea of holes in your walls, you can get the same easy-to-use panels in a desktop format.

Sensors

Cameras are great for recording, but they won’t immediately alert you when someone tries to break in. That’s where sensors come in. These devices come equipped with tamper switches to let you know that someone is attempting to bypass or break them. There are a ton of sensor options you can use in your home security system.

Recessed door sensors: These are hidden within your door and are not easy to detect. They are battery-powered and easy to use.
Surface door/window sensors: These are ideal for sliding glass doors and windows.
Bypass door/window sensors: These are similar to surface sensors but cannot be bypassed from the outside.
Long-range surface door/window sensors: If you need sensors that activate from a long-range, these are right for you.
Motion detectors: These come with features that allow you to program in your pets so they don’t trigger the alarm. They vary in degree of field and range.
Glass break detectors: These detect the shattering of glass and the sound it makes.
Smoke/heat/freeze/carbon monoxide detectors: Your security system can help protect you against other threats, not just intruders!

Lights

Lighting is a great way to protect yourself and your property. Criminals are often deterred by lights because they feel exposed. You can choose from a variety of lighting types including smart lights, video doorbell lights, and floodlights. These options can be tied in with the rest of your security system and can be controlled remotely, set on a schedule, or be motion activated.

3. Know the difference between commercial and home security

Business security systems are more robust and complex than home systems. This is because commercial properties are often larger than homes and require different security requirements. Cameras can offer higher resolution and floodlights usually cover more area. Video footage storage can be larger too because business owners need more information to protect their assets. With these differences in mind, you may ask about using some commercial security options in your home system, and vice versa.

Looking for a security system for your home or business?

At Andrews & Associates, we offer the best of both worlds when it comes to security systems! We can help you keep your business and home safe through Premier Alarm Solutions. Call us at (806) 242-1088 or Send us an Email for more information about our Services.