by Christopher Skjonsby

Created on: October 31, 2007

Evaluating a home security system is an easy task that can help reduce the chance of loss due to crime or disaster. Thinking about the value of items and the safety of family it is an excellent idea to evaluate your system every few years. New technology emerges everyday and the cost of electronics is getting less expensive. Familiarizing yourself with the current systems and technologies offered will help determine if you are in need of a simple upgrade or a new system.

The best starting point is to imagine you are "a would be" thief. Stand on the sidewalk and look at your house. Are there any sign's or stickers warning you of an alarm? Can you see anything of value? Next as you walk up to and around your home think about how you would break in. Are any windows open, are the doors locked? Just a note, most break-ins occur through a door, no-one likes broken glass. You should be making notes of possible entry points and verifying you have proper detector coverage. Where is the keypad for your system located? Is it in view of a window from the outside? This can give a clue as to the system being armed or not. Perform your survey of the home noting anywhere you can add motion activated lighting on the outside or removing cover in close proximity to entrances.

After doing your walk around check to see if you have an alarm detector covering the entrances you noted. Look at the detectors, if they are older than 5 years you should replace them. Magnetic switches in door or window contacts are mechanical devices and they wear out. Motion detectors and glass break sensors also wear out. Check the backup battery in the system, if it is older than 3 years change it. Look at the main control panel, if it's older than 6 years change it. Are there any points you can enter your home from and not be detected? Don't forget the roof or balcony. How far could someone get inside before being detected? This will point you to area's that you need to improve upon. Put your system on TEST' with the monitoring company then ARM' it then walk through to ensure all detectors are working.

Security systems reduce loss. When detected and a siren goes off they are put onto a clock. They will grab anything of value and head out the door. The idea behind a security system is to deter and to reduce the amount of loss. Check with your insurance company they usually provide a discount if you have a monitored alarm system. Don't be afraid to spend a few dollars on a system, it is protecting everything you have in your home.

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