DIY Home Security Systems: Are They Worth It?

Saving money as a homeowner by engaging in DIY projects is important, but not at the expense of a proper security system. There are simple and safe measures a homeowner can take to prevent danger or theft, but these methods shouldn’t exist as the only security practices in the home.

For example, a homeowner might strive to keep doors and windows locked at all times, which will reduce crimes of opportunity. However, creating a safer environment by adding an alarm system to those locked doors is best.

Potential Problems with DIY Security

Many simple devices sold in stores today promise to do the job of a full-fledged security system, but homeowners shouldn’t rely on these basic machines to provide the same level of security alarm monitoring as a professionally installed system.

One of the biggest issues homeowners run into when attempting to install a DIY home security system is that professional monitoring isn’t always available with homemade security devices.Albany security companies can’t guarantee full protection if the home’s system hasn’t been installed and checked by professionals.

Comprehensive Systems and Installation Complexity

A homeowner might not have too much difficulty installing a floodlight that’s activated with a motion sensor, but many other types of devices are important for full protection of any residence. For example, systems that require a homeowner to modify the wiring in the home could result in fire danger if the installation isn’t handled correctly.

In addition, DIY security systems are often quite general and don’t offer a tailor-made design for the home. Professionally installed security alarms are designed for a specific house or property instead of a general residence. One home might need additional glass-break sensors while another might benefit from more surveillance cameras.

Also, professional systems often come with neat features that aren’t always available or easily installed by homeowners. For example, professional systems may feature battery backups for security devices, fire alarm monitoring and carbon monoxide detection.

Smart Habits for Family Security

An updated and comprehensive security system isn’t the only way a homeowner can protect his or her home. Active security alarm monitoring is essential, but homeowners can indeed use simple practices to increase the effectiveness of the security system and the overall safety of the home.

For example, a homeowner can install new locks on all the doors, as well as locking mechanisms on every window to make it more difficult for a thief to get into the home. The security system will alert the homeowner if an intrusion does occur, but a homeowner can make it more difficult for a thief to get into the home in the first place.

Handling the Cost of Professional Installation

Homeowners who are worried about the cost of active monitoring may want to speak with a local Albany security company to discuss different types of plans. Often, security companies offer attractive discounts for equipment installation and service when a contract is signed, and most companies provide different monitoring options.

A safe and protected residence will always have an updated security system, as well as a vigilant homeowner who is smart with the protection and security of his or her family and home.

Help! I’ve Been Robbed!

Many homeowners who haven’t been robbed before believe a robbery is always going to happen to someone else. When a burglary or theft does occur, the victim might not know what to do or how to get life back to normal. The psychological impact of a burglary may be difficult, but there are some vital steps a homeowner can take to make the recovery process as smooth as possible.

Remember to do the following after a burglary occurs:

1. Make an immediate call to law enforcement

Time is an important factor for solving crimes, and an old burglary has a much lower chance of being solved than a burglary that happened a few hours ago. Calling law enforcement immediately is essential. If the theft occurred where the homeowner was able to see the burglar, writing down key pieces of information about the criminal is an incredible help.

It’s easy to forget vital details after a burglary because of the shock of the experience, so writing things down ensures that law enforcement has as much information as possible to find the perpetrator(s). Vital details like sex, race, height and clothing will help law enforcement create a description of the thief. Additional details like where the thief ran when he or she escaped, as well as any vehicles used, should also be shared with the police.

2. File an insurance claim and official police report

In addition to visiting with the police in the home, a homeowner may also need to visit the police station to file an official report. Some locations offer online reporting, so inquire about this option before heading down to the local precinct.

Immediately after filing a police report, the next contact should be to an insurance company. Remember that insurance companies usually require that a police report be filed in cases of burglary, so the call to the insurance company should occur after a homeowner has made an official report with the police.

3. Check the security system

Experiencing vandalism, burglary or theft without the benefit of a security system often spurs homeowners into action. Many speak to an Albany security company almost immediately to have items like cameras and proximity alarms installed. However, the best time to speak with home security companies is before a burglary occurs.

Homeowners who already have a security system may need to request repairs if the burglar broke or disabled the system. Sometimes an older system might have vulnerabilities, such as cords hanging out from surveillance cameras. New cameras are often wireless and are more difficult to disable.

4. Recover emotionally and live smartly

Most people assume that a burglary will never happen to them, but with the FBI counting somewhere around 9 million property crimes in the U.S. every year, the chance of burglary is something everyone needs to consider. Crime levels ebb and flow, but smart security and lifestyle choices will always help reduce the chances of a future crime.

After taking steps to report the crime, inform the insurance company and beef up security, it’s also important consider ways to reduce theft in the future. Creating a neighborhood watch program and ensuring active security monitoring are two great options for decreasing the chances of future burglary.

Tips for Hiding Valuables in the Home

A beautiful home with stylish and tasteful decor is a joy for homeowners and their families, but a nicely decorated home is exactly what burglars want to see. Thieves must work quickly to avoid detection, and a homeowner must hide valuables smartly so that a quick sweep of the home won’t reward a burglar with items to steal.

Experienced thieves know exactly where a homeowner might hide valuables and will head to those spots first when rifling through your possessions. Smart homeowners will use unconventional methods to ensure valuable items aren’t placed in popular hiding spots.

Hiding Spots to Avoid

Although hiding money under the mattress and putting jewelry in a sock drawer might sound obvious and the worst spot for concealing valuables, many people still assume these spots are safe because they’re not out in the open. The only appropriate item to put under a mattress is a box spring, and sock drawers shouldn’t have anything in them but socks.

Other incredibly obvious tricks include using baggies in the toilet tank or using a “hidden” cubbyhole behind a picture. Thieves commonly toss pictures off the walls when they’re looking for a hidden safe or other hiding spot.

Tip: A jewelry box is an obvious place for valuables, but filling it with fake pieces or costume jewelry is a great way to trick a less-experienced thief into thinking they’ve found the “mother lode”.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Getting creative with hiding spots often requires using common items in the home for concealment. A thief may not notice a shelf of old VHS tapes or realize that some valuables are hidden in one of the cases. Likewise, a fake or hollowed-out book is a hiding spot that’s not too obvious. However, smart thieves often know about this trick and may rifle through books in the home.

False containers are available in many spots around the home, such as in the kitchen where an innocent box of cereal might actually be a hiding place for valuable documents or some jewelry. Likewise, a bottle of lotion in the bathroom might actually hold a roll of cash or some earrings instead of liquid. It’s unlikely that a thief will try to look in every single bottle in the medicine cabinet.

Don’t use a medicine or prescription bottle to hide valuables. A thief might decide to take off with some prescription pills or antibiotics and unknowingly end up with some of the family’s valuable possessions.

Advanced Protection for Valuables

Homeowners who want to increase safety of valuables will want to speak with an Albany security company about installing theft prevention measures. Popular and effective choices range from a standard alarm systems to advanced CCTV networks for visual surveillance. Investing in a safe may also help. However, it’s important to make sure the safe is well hidden because a thief could steal the entire safe and try to crack it at his leisure.

The simple act of locking doors and windows will prevent many burglaries from occurring, but the addition of a security system will provide the best protection possible. A homeowner may choose active monitoring through home security companies, so residents know immediately about a potential break-in. Additionally, if a theft does occur, surveillance measures like cameras may provide valuable evidence for law enforcement.

Odorless and Dangerous: Carbon Monoxide Monitoring Can Save Lives

While the smoke and flames of a fire are incredibly noticeable, the infiltration of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible and requires special monitoring. Common devices in the home that might malfunction and cause a buildup of this odorless, colorless gas include water heaters, the heating system, and any type of appliance that utilizes gas.

A Silent Danger for Families

It’s common to underestimate the value of a carbon monoxide detector as part of an Albany security system, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests around 170 deaths occur every year because of CO poisoning. This number doesn’t include deaths from automobiles but does include devices like furnaces, portable generators and fireplaces.

Each of these devices is very safe when used correctly, but may represent significant danger if they’re not used properly. The CPSC counts an extraordinary percentage of deaths that come from generators, which means that people aren’t using these helpful devices properly. Using a generator during a power outage may save lives, but the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning cannot be ignored or downplayed.

Know the Signs of CO Poisoning

Remaining aware of the simple signs of carbon monoxide poisoning should help residents evacuate early when a device has started to malfunction. Initial signs of CO poisoning include:

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nausea

• Trouble catching breath

Symptoms of CO poisoning are often compared to those caused by the flu, but there won’t be any fever. Additional symptoms may occur with higher levels of exposure. Severe exposure might include symptoms like:

• Loss of consciousness

• Loss of muscle control

• Vomiting

• Death

Sustained exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide may result in long-term problems such as memory loss and depression, so preventing exposure at all costs is essential.

Add Monitoring to the Security System

Although a particularly aware homeowner may be able to figure out that a device is malfunctioning, carbon monoxide isn’t as easy to detect as other dangers. Installing a carbon monoxide detector as part of an alarm for residential homeowners is best. Monitors may work much like a smoke detector and may even be placed in a similar spot like a ceiling.

An active Albany security system with carbon monoxide detection is essential because swift and heavy exposure to carbon monoxide may cause unconsciousness and death before a resident has any time to evacuate. The mental bewilderment experienced during heavy carbon monoxide exposure may make it very difficult to evacuate in a timely manner.

Test the System and Create a Plan

Just as the family should have a plan for evacuation in case of fire, it’s also important to have a plan in place to evacuate due to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The family should be aware of the difference in sound of a smoke detector’s alarm and the warning given off by a carbon monoxide detector because evacuation procedures may differ. Additionally, the CO alarm should be tested on a monthly basis, particularly if it is battery-operated.

Homeowners should feel safe with carbon monoxide detectors installed in the home. These devices are designed to alert residents before a life-threatening level of carbon monoxide is reached. At one time, false alarms were common with carbon monoxide detectors, but today’s devices are extremely reliable and valuable for alerting residents to CO buildup and danger.