Homeowners see daily news reports about robberies, burglaries and violent home invasions. Many have decided to implement some security measures to protect their families and property. The security choices range from self-installed alarms to professionally installed and monitored systems. Across the state, home security are available to design and install customized security systems. Some of the homeowners’ options are examined in this article. Benefits and shortcomings of some of the options are described. Self-installation versus professional installation is also discussed.

Self-installed packages are available in hardware stores, department stores and online. Most of these use wireless detectors with a central keypad with a loud alarm. The number and type of detectors vary greatly. The most basic systems include at least one motion detector for area coverage and one or two door or window sensors. Some self-installed systems have the ability to make phone calls to one or more phone numbers programmed by the owner. Other self-installed packages can be combined with a monitoring service with additional charges.

There are two primary weaknesses in self-installed kits and some minor security considerations of which owners should be aware. A limited number of sensors and battery life are the two main issues. In some kits the quality and sensitivity of the sensors is questionable. The average homeowner will overlook some security vulnerabilities that are less obvious. Installation mistakes can make an alarm system practically worthless. Bargain basement alarm systems are little more than toys.

There is a wide selection of Tennessee home security services that can provide the professional approach that real security requires. The technology of security systems advances with the same speed as all other technology-based fields. Professional security consultants keep abreast of the advances and can offer the homeowner much better security than any self-installed kit. Unfortunately criminal activity has reached a professionalism not seen before. Technologically savvy criminals are developing methods to defeat security measures. A security professional is better prepared with new technology the criminals have not widely defeated.

Almost all Tennessee home security services have professional installation technicians who can spot security vulnerabilities that are easily overlooked by amateurs. Professionally installed systems will use the home electrical power and include batteries as emergency backup during power outages. The problem of dead batteries goes away.

Monitored systems add an extra measure of security beyond simply warning residents when security is threatened. Many Tennessee home security services are part of much larger country-wide organizations with full time professional monitoring. Monitoring professionals are trained to respond rapidly and effectively when a threat is detected.

Very early in the days of electronic security systems, alarms were hardwired into local police stations. Repeated false alarms and the growing use of alarm systems have forced police departments to stop monitoring home alarms. Monitoring services verify the threat before contacting local police. This adds some to the response time of law enforcement, but isolates the same law enforcement from false alarms.

A homeowner must consider several factors when choosing one of the home security alarm. Among these factors are: the perceived threat level, the value of the property being protected, the money available to pay for home security and the family’s self-defense abilities.