The easy part is making the decision to buy a home security system. With all the options available to consumers, choosing one that’s right for you may prove to be a little more challenging.

The rate of break-ins has declined, but they are still prevalent and a danger faced by all homeowners. Statistics Canada reported in the 2009 Police-reported crime statistics in Canada by Mia Dauvergne and John Turner that the majority of break-ins (60%) were to a residence. The authors also note that,
“Break-ins are not only the most serious type of property crime committed in Canada, they are also one of the most common. In 2009, there were over 205,000 break-ins reported by police, accounting for 15% of all property crimes…The 2009 rate was 4% lower than in 2008 and 42% lower than a decade ago.”

Although the reasons for the slight decline in break-ins is unknown, the report speculates that,
“The decrease in break-ins may be partly explained by the existence of specialized policing programs in some communities as well as the increased use of home security devices, such as burglar alarms or motion detectors (Gannon and Taylor-Butts, 2006).”

Having house lights on a timer and keeping your home well lite and visible are generally good break-in deterrents but advances in technology have made the possibilities of protecting your home seem boundless. With new equipment on the market it is now possible to monitor burglaries, fires, floods, low temperatures, even carbon monoxide monitoring is possible. For the person who wants it all- video surveillance, emergency panic buttons, phone tampering detection, and outdoor alarm sirens and strobe lights are also available. Most companies will even offer a live two way voice system with a wireless cellular connection to a monitoring centre operator. Many of these systems are pet friendly as well, meaning your animals can have free range of the house and not set off the motion detectors.

When you’ve decided on a security provider, most will come to your home for a consultation, evaluating your home and selecting the right equipment for your needs. Many companies also offer packages for equipment and additional services such as lock-out protection and holiday house-checks all under a contract paid monthly. Obviously the price depends on the products you choose, however some companies will offer a free or reduced price for home evaluations and installation, customers can usually save if they decide to purchase a package. If you really need to pinch pennies, some companies will also let you purchase their logo decals for windows, so intruders may be intimidated by the threat of an alarm system-even though one really isn’t installed.

A home should be a safe place, and with the array of options available on the market, don’t leave the security of your home to the family dog.

By : Jill Earl