Home Security, Home Surveillance, Home Safety, Alarm Monitoring, Security Systems

“Last night a local home was broken into. The elderly resident was beaten and sexually assaulted,  but the witness was still cognizant enough to tell police that thousands of dollars electronic equipment belonging to her son was stolen from her home by the intruders. More information tonight at ten.”

You’ve heard the stories, and even the strongest-hearted among us can’t help but feel vulnerable. That is, unless, they have taken the steps necessary to protect their homes. Deadbolts on exterior doors are not going to be enough to keep your home secure. You need windows that lock tightly, including basement and garage windows, an alarm system that will be monitored for you every minute of every day, motion detectors, adequate outdoor lighting, and a special timer to turn lights on and off in your home in order to simulate movement while the family is away.

When you start searching for the home security that is going to be right for your lifestyle and which will also fit your budget, you’ll find that a lot of options are available to you. Start by looking through the yellow pages to see if there are any local security companies. In addition, you can browse the Internet to compare the services that other companies can offer you. Talk to people you know about the different companies to learn about their experiences and whether or not they would recommend the company to you. Call the Better Business Bureau and ask if any of the companies you are considering has a record of customer complaints. The more information you have going in, the more satisfied you’re going to be with the service you receive.

Narrow your Choices and Choose Carefully

Narrow your choices down to a more manageable two or three.  Set up appointments with company reps so that you can learn firsthand about the company and it’s services. Questions you need to be sure and ask any rep you speak with include:

1.Does the company have all the licenses that are required in your community?

2.Are installers employed by the company or an outside source?

3.Are installers well-trained and bonded in case of damage to your home?

4.Exactly what are am I going to get with any package deal I accept?

5.What will the total price of the materials, installation, monitoring, etc. be?

6.Is the company’s monitoring service actually run by human beings 24/7 instead of being left to the care of a computer?

7.Is the company willing to spend the time it takes to train your family to use the system properly?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most home security companies insist on contracts that last anywhere from one to three years, and you don’t want to get stuck paying for something that just isn’t working for you for that length of time. It’s a good idea to write yourself a list of questions prior to any consultation so that you can refer to it while you’re talking with the rep. Get everything in writing, and don’t sign any contract until you take the time to read all of the fine print. The company you deal with should be willing to give you all of the information upfront, and if the rep seems to hedge on answering your questions, be sure to show the guy the door.