Types

• There are several basic types of home security systems. This first distinction is that some systems are connected to a professionally monitored service that will automatically call the police if an intrusion is detected. Systems without such a monitoring service will simply activate a loud alarm intended to notify the inhabitants of the home (and/or nearby neighbors) that an intrusion is taking place. Hopefully, the alarm itself will be enough to cause the intruder to leave out of fear of being caught.
  You can also install video cameras outside the house to allow you to view and record imagery of suspicious persons on the property. Physical barriers are another type of security system. Burglar bars may be placed on windows. Walls or tall fences may be erected around the property. A well-trained guard dog can also be a very effective alarm system all by itself. Depending on the laws of your state, you may also want to consider firearms or other weapons as a means to protect your family in the worst-case scenario.
  
  

Function

• Most commercially marketed alarm systems today (either with or without monitoring) use lasers or photosensitive motion detectors to determine if someone is has gained entrance to the house. Typically, there will be a keypad into which a code may be entered by the homeowner to prevent the alarm from going off when entering your own home. If the code is not entered, the alarm will go off after a predetermined number of seconds. It is important to carefully research the function of any alarm system you are considering. Some are better than others, and some may be exorbitantly expensive or ineffective for a particular type of home situation.
  
  

Considerations

• Those who sell and promote monitored alarm services will tell you that this is the only effective way to protect your home, and they will be quick to cite convincing statistics to prove their case. However, these systems are not the best answer for everyone. While they can be very effective, especially if you have a very large house or are away from home a lot, they also come with hefty monthly fees and contracts that can be expensive to get out of if you ever change your mind or decide to sell your house. These fees add up over time and can be very taxing on your budget. Additionally, check with your local police department, as some districts require homeowners to purchase a license before connecting to a monitored service. Be aware that this type of system will occasionally send off a false alarm, and if the police are called, this can be quite frustrating. In fact, some police departments are slower to respond to monitored service calls than to calls for help that come directly from homeowners. If you are home most of the time or if your home is small, then you might be better off relying on a conventional alarm, combined with physical barriers or other methods to protect your home.
  
  

Warning

• When using physical barriers such as burglar bars, be sure that you have a safe way to escape in case of fire. This is a serious danger, and many states have related code requirements. Also, be sure that you know the legal ramifications in your area for a false call to the police from a monitored service.
  
  

Misconceptions

• No security system is perfect, no matter how much money you spend. Do not let your system lull you into complacence. Never rely only on one system. Always have a backup plan. If possible, choose a home in which there are multiple exits, so that you can escape if necessary. Think carefully about your home's layout, and consider where it is most vulnerable to entry by an intruder, and also where you could hide or best defend yourself if you had to. Finally, be certain to research and understand your state's laws on self-defense should it come to that. As insane as it sounds, there have been a number of cases in which a burglar was able to successfully sue a homeowner for injuries caused to him while breaking into the person's home.