According to the FBI, a burglary occurs every 26 seconds in the US. That sums up to 3,300 burglaries per day. If you haven't protected your home yet, it's high time to start looking for a security system from a reputable provider. And before choosing appropriate equipment, you may want to know whether self-monitored security systems https://securinghome.com/best-self-monitored-home-security-systems/ are a good choice.
What Is a Self-Monitored Security System?
Home security companies commonly preferred to handle monitoring services. But this tradition has been gradually changing. More and more companies give customers freedom of choice. Homeowners can monitor their alarm systems themselves via cellular or broadband remote access. It works as follows.
If a sensor detects suspicious activity, it transmits a signal to the control panel and then an alert is sent to your smartphone. It can be a text message or email. Some systems have a mobile app, so you can receive an instant notification on it. You are to assess the seriousness of the situation and contact the appropriate authorities, if necessary.
Experts recommend installing cameras. It will help to assess the situations fast. For example, a motion detector can spot a neighbor's pet playing in your yard and you may think that someone is trying to break into your house and call the police. If you have an outdoor camera, you'll be able to see live footage.
What if you are not sure that a situation is serious and hesitate to call the police? If you are not far from home, get back quickly, and check if everything is OK. Or you can call a family member or a friend to check on the problem.
Why Choose a Self-Monitored Alarm System for Your Home?
As you can see, it is quite possible to perform monitoring by yourself. But how beneficial is that? Here's our list of 7 reasons to go for self-monitoring.
1. Full control of the situation.
Ferdinand Porsche, a founder of the Porsche car company, once said: "If you want a thing done well, do it yourself." Don't get us wrong, we don't have a goal to discredit professional monitoring. We just want to say that you can do it as well as a security company.
With a mobile app, it's easy to control your security system while you are at home watching TV, at work, or on a vacation far from home. And you don't have to check live feeds every half an hour. As soon as one of the sensors is triggered, you get a notification.
2. Ownership.
Often, those who sign contracts for professional monitoring have to return equipment after its termination. When a customer buys a self-monitored alarm system, they own everything. No vendor will claim ownership.
3. Ease of installation.
Installing a self-monitored security system is a DIY project. So, buy DIY-friendly products. This way, you will be able to set them up by yourself and won't pay a fee for professional installation.
DIY systems are mostly wireless and don't require drilling and running cables. You'll get an instruction. And it's possible to contact technical support.
4. Flexibility.
Self-monitoring leaves you in charge of your security kit. You can add additional devices to your base system or replace the old ones to more sophisticated at any time and with no additional fees. That's a bonus for those who don't know exactly what and how many security elements they need. They can modify the system with time.
5. Portability.
A self-monitored home security system is perfect for renters as it's easy to move from one house to another. It usually consists of small devices which is convenient for transportation. Besides, you'll have no problem installing them for the second time.
6. Unexposed private life.
Remember the episode with a camera from "The Wolf From Wall Street?" Sometimes it's best to have complete control over your security system.
During professional monitoring, your video clips are being sent over the Internet and stored on a cloud server. Cloud serves may be hacked.
People who value privacy want to keep video footage from indoor cameras under control. They keep it on their hard drives.
7. Savings.
Firstly, self-installation is free. Professional service can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the chosen kit.
Secondly, you save on monitoring. If the security system is monitored by a company, a client has to pay a monitoring subscription fee that may range from $150 to $1500 per year.
Thirdly, you won't pay for upgrading or changing your alarm equipment. The self-monitoring option doesn't require you to sign expensive long-term contracts with a company. Those who sign them have to pay fees for any configurations of kits or canceling the contract.
Fourthly, you won't have to pay fees for false alarms. In some cities, homeowners face fines if they have false alarms that summons police officers or fire crews to their property.
Police solve only 13 percent of burglary offenses, mostly due to a lack of witnesses or physical evidence. So, it's best to prevent crime.
As in the case of purchasing any other pricey product, you'd better do your research before spending your hard-earned money. At first, ensure that you're going to buy from an accredited and licensed security provider. Check licenses and certificates. Read testimonials.
Why is it important to work with a reputable company? You are going to disclose security-related matters to individuals or a company. If they are untrustworthy, it may expose your house or apartment to possible vulnerabilities.
A home security system is a strong barrier to people with bad intentions. Aside from criminal threats, there are also environmental ones, such as water leaks, fire, or gas leaks. Smart sensors can detect them and instantly notify you. That lets a homeowner taking measures a.s.a.p. Increasing advancements in security technology ensure that you and your family remain safe at all times.
