Seven Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Home Security

Spain is one of the most beautiful places in the world to own or rent a property in. It’s also one of the safest, but smart people don’t take chances. Whether you’re planning on moving here or have lived here for a while, it would be wise to consider a home security service. As anywhere, various options are available, ranging from DIY wireless home security systems to professional 24-hour monitoring with live video. To help you decide, here is some information on seven things you probably didn’t know about home security. 

1. The Best Home Security Systems are the Well-Known Ones

You might be tempted to cut corners with a lesser-known provider. This is something we’d advise against because small providers have smaller networks, which decreases the security level. What is more, there are a lot of scammers out there who will pretend to be selling a security system to gain access to your property. Among them are identity thieves trying to get your personal data. 

Be very cautious if someone contacts you on behalf of a security company whose name you don’t recognize and tries to sell you a system. The chances of a scammer using the name of a major security system provider are always more limited.  

Another risk you run with lesser-known firms: a company that’s trying to cut corners itself might install your system only locally without a connection to the main response center. Then, if the alarm goes off, the agents won’t respond. In this case, you can only hope the alarm will scare the burglar away.   

2. Home Security Systems Could Save You Money on Homeowner’s Insurance

If you have a professionally monitored security system, there are insurance providers who might give you a discount of up to 20%. Home security systems with video come with 24-hour surveillance and live stream to your computer, phone, or tablet, reducing the burglary risk. If your home is broken into, the police can be contacted quickly. There will be less damage to your property, a fact that’s much appreciated by any insurance provider. 

You can also take your residential home security system with you if you decide to move. All you need to do is install the wireless devices in the new location and call or email your security system provider to let them know. Unless you ask for additional services, your monthly rate shouldn’t change.  

It’s best to opt for a whole-house security system and post the company sign in your front yard or another highly visible location. Studies show signs deter up to two-thirds of burglars.  

3. Home Security Systems Can Prevent Accidents

In the past, alarm systems used to only signal break-ins. Today, their scope has been enhanced to include flood, fire, and carbon monoxide monitoring. For example, Brinks Home Alarm Systems are connected to smart home devices like thermostats, locks, and lights. They come with water sensors for your basement to warn you of flooding. The smoke and carbon monoxide sensors are adjusted to shut off your furnace automatically when a given threshold is exceeded.

A lot of homeowners choose to link their systems to smart devices, all of which can be controlled by a mobile app. This brings much-needed peace of mind. You can rest assured knowing you and your loved ones are safe from intruders, accidents, and even natural disasters. 

4. Systems Can Increase Your Home’s Value

If you opt for hard-wired home security systems, these will remain on the property if you decide to move and increase the value of your house when you sell it. The vast majority of buyers don’t want to deal with getting a security system installed and would rather pay more for a house that’s already equipped with one.

5. Wireless Systems are Safer than Landlines

Some labor under the misconception that if there is a power outage or the wireless network goes down, the security system will stop working. It’s much harder for an intruder to disrupt a wireless signal to your provider’s response center than cut a landline. If they try to disable your security base or panel, the alarm will go off before they are able to compromise the system. 

Companies that offer professional monitoring equip their systems with 4G LTE battery and cellular backup to ensure uninterrupted surveillance. Wireless sensors are not constrained by wall mounts or phone lines and can be installed discreetly. The benefit of this is twofold – the intruders won’t see them, and your design aesthetic won’t be compromised. An alarm will be triggered if a sensor is tampered with. 

Even if the cellular service is poor in your area, a professionally installed and monitored home security system will remain in operation. Cellular backup connects to the most reliable wireless provider in the vicinity. 

6. Home Security Systems Give you More Protection Than you Think 

If you have kids who spend time alone at home on the weekend or after school, the live stream we mentioned earlier will ensure you can see how and what they’re doing at all times. You can also see if a child triggered an alarm by accident. 

On this note, Reader’s Digest reports that up to 95 percent of all alarms in the US are false. In some areas, authorities don’t respond to signals unless they are verified by a security monitoring agent, sound, or video. Guaranteed response to your alarm is an indisputable benefit of residential home security systems. 

7. Security and Aesthetics Can Coexist!

This is one last thing about security systems you may not have known. It can be hard to decide what the best home security system for your property is and even harder to reconcile it with design aesthetics. Thankfully, modern security companies have saved us from miles of incongruous cable, bars on our windows, and barbed wire fencing. Hidden cameras and wireless sensors in combination with solid, visually appealing materials will reconcile home security with design aesthetic. If you’re interested in learning more about this, have a look at our piece on ways to design your home without compromising security. 

Byline:

Heather Cowart is the Brand Manager for Brinks Home Security, one of the largest providers of complete home security systems across the U.S. and Canada. Heather specializes in a deep understanding of smart-home products and thoughtful design. She is passionate about developing personal customer experiences and educating about home security. 

Images source