| Two million American houses are burglarized according | | | | incorporated into the security system. The basic |
| to the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. A | | | | system can only control eight zones but it can be |
| majority of these houses have no alarm system to | | | | upgraded to control up to thirty two. These systems |
| warn off the burglars or to notify the occupants or | | | | usually range around $350-400. Pick where the control |
| neighbors that a burglary is taking place. Installing | | | | panel will be placed as well as any other keypads |
| security equipment - security hardware and software | | | | throughout the house. The keypads in most houses |
| for your home provides a peace of mind and alerts | | | | are placed at the front door and in the bedroom, |
| and reacts to any unauthorized entry. Below are the | | | | allowing certain components to be turned on or off |
| basic steps to purchasing and installing a home alarm | | | | while the control panel manages the entire system. |
| system: | | | | 7. When looking for a home automation system, make |
| 1. Survey your home and decide how many of the | | | | sure that they connect to lighting, smoke, carbon |
| doors and windows of the house will be included in the | | | | monoxide, and flood sensors. A problem that quite a |
| alarm system. | | | | few systems have is that during the winter their |
| 2. Talk to a security system adviser, an insurance | | | | switches freeze so consult an authority for its |
| agent, or a local police department for names of | | | | practicality during the winter. |
| security companies. | | | | 8. Once the system is installed, the code should be |
| 3. Call up each of the companies and ask for an | | | | easy to remember by everyone in the family and |
| inspection by them as well as a recommendation and | | | | should be kept private under most circumstances. |
| a price quote. | | | | Make sure the keypad is user friendly and can |
| 4. Depending on the reason for the security alarms | | | | activate and deactivate alarms in seconds. |
| and your family's normal lifestyle, pick the appropriate | | | | 9. There are many advantages to choosing wireless |
| type, brand, and locations for sensors around the | | | | burglar alarms. One of the main ones is that there is no |
| home. | | | | reason to drill too many holes in the wall. And if a |
| 5. A basic part of the security system to decide is the | | | | retrofit comes into the scenario, having a wireless |
| 24 hour monitoring system for an extra monthly fee. | | | | system becomes a huge convenience. |
| When there is an attempted robbery, a signal is | | | | General Tips: |
| automatically sent to security professionals that will | | | | 1. Check that the system has a backup battery power. |
| contact the proper local police. A less expensive | | | | 2. Ask about maintenance tests, how does them, and |
| monitoring system will call pre-selected numbers for | | | | how often. |
| help when there is a break in. | | | | 3. Choose the monitoring service before buying the |
| 6. Make sure all the zones can be controlled with one | | | | system because the type of system limits what type |
| control panel. A zone is any window or door that is | | | | of service you will receive. |