Home Security Buyer's Guide
Home security service tips
Table of Contents
A home security system is a great deterrent. Here are some tips to help you realize the value in a home security system, and its ability to deter burglaries or crimes from ever occurring in the first place. Home security is a lifestyle.
Don't call 911. It's illegal to set your home security service up to call 911 if the system is set off. Doing so can result in a large fine and possibly jail time.
Beneficial savings. While most insurance companies may not require home security service, installing one comes with benefits. Homeowners can save as much as 10-20% on their insurance by verifying they have a monitoring alarm in place.
Have no fear. Ask about monitoring your home security service with a duress signal option. If you are ever forced to let an intruder into your home and you have to disable the alarm, entering a duress code indicates to the central monitoring station that you were forced to provide access into your home.
Training your household. Once you have home security service, you need to make sure that everyone in your home knows how to properly use it. In most cases, it's very easy and a matter of learning a few buttons. Most vendors can show everyone in the home how to use the alarm in just 10-20 minutes.
Be consistent. Get into the habit of setting your system each time you leave the house. Your security system is worthless if it's not activated. You may even want to consider posting a note in your car to remind you.
Communication is key.Home security service vendors are required to ask about your communication system and find out if you use non-standard phone lines. If they don't, they could be liable for any losses you experience should the monitoring signal not go through. But communication is a two-way street. If you make changes to your alarm system, such as switching to VoIP for example, you should let your monitored alarm company know so they can test the system.
Tell your neighbors. Make sure your friends and neighbors know you have a monitored home security service. Most burglaries and other break-ins are by acquaintances or people that live close by. So let people know that you're serious about your home security and that you use your alarm system regularly.
