Are you among the millions of American homeowners who keep an eye on your property with electronic security equipment? If so, what else are you doing to keep your family and property safe? As helpful as affordable home security systems are, they are not foolproof weapons in the fight against property crimes. They represent just one step toward making home safer.
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Important Enough to Spend
Affordable home security is important enough that Americans are willing to spend a significant amount on it. According to a recent Insurify report, an estimated 25% of all American homeowners have spent at least $1,000 on security equipment. Many have spent even more.
Security cameras and video doorbells are the two most utilized security devices in American homes. But if you were to purchase a prepackaged security system, whether professionally installed or DIY, you would get more than the cameras. You would also get window and door sensors, a central security hub, and perhaps a motion sensor or two.
Given the different types of devices one can invest in, it seems the next obvious question is why people spend money on home security. The same Insurify report says the big thing for 81% of homeowners is having children at home. They install the equipment to protect their families. It’s a very good reason, indeed.
Professional and DIY Security
Consumers looking to invest in home security can look at both professional and DIY options. Vivint Home Security, a nationwide leader in professionally installed security, just rolled out their most affordable home security package ever. It is known as HomeProtect. Their main competitor in the professional space is ADT.
On the DIY front, the most recognizable name is likely SimpliSafe. Other brands include Ring and Wyze. There is even the possibility of starting with a Google, Amazon, or Apple home automation system and then adding security equipment to it.
The dividing line seems to be system monitoring. Some people are happy to pay for 24/7 professional monitoring, while others prefer to monitor their devices themselves. But even monthly monitoring doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive.
Above and Beyond the Equipment
There are enough options dissatisfied just about any homeowner looking to install affordable home security. But what about other steps? How many homeowners move beyond their equipment to keep their properties and families safe through other means?
You are probably familiar with all the security tips local and state police agencies promote. They have been promoting most of them for decades for one very simple reason: they work. For example, making your home look occupied even when you are not there goes a long way toward preventing burglary.
Burglars don’t want to get caught. So while there may be a few who are willing to burglarize an occupied home, most won’t. That’s why experts recommend doing things like:
- Programming lights to go on and off at certain times
- Never allowing mail and newspapers to stack up
- Keeping a car parked in the driveway
Experts also recommend things like heavy-duty deadbolt locks on first-floor doors and security glass in basement windows. They recommend planting thick, thorny shrubbery in front of first-floor windows. They also recommend motion-sensitive lighting. These are all things that make a criminal’s job harder.
A Big Picture View
Investing in electronic home security is a very good idea. But it is just the first step toward keeping a home safe. To be truly safe, a homeowner needs to adopt a big-picture view. There is more to staying safe than just cameras and motion sensors.