How to Design an Effective Home Security System

A vital part of securing your home is the installation of a home security system. Home security systems can vary greatly in the levels of protection that they provide. Whether you like to do it yourself, or are hiring a professional security installation company, there are critical elements that must be considered that are covered here.

First you need to decide what level of coverage your budget allows. If you agree to a longer term monitoring agreement, most alarm companies will offer a free or reduced installation of their basic package which includes 1 control panel, 1 keypad, 3 door contact, 1 motion detector, 1 siren, and 1 yard sign. For many homeowners, this is a very cost effective way to have a basic system installed. However, if you are willing to spend a little additional, you can really beef up your security by adding devices and contact points.

The areas of the home to put the most emphasis on is the side and back of the house. Burglars look to find the easiest point of entry where they will not get caught. When a burglar approaches a home, they will usually ring the doorbell to see if anyone answers or stirs in the home. If no one answers the door, they will kick the door in and close it behind them. It is hard to tell that anything is going on from the street. But your neighbors can easily tell that something is not quite right if they were to see a broken window on the front of your home.

Most burglaries occur through the doors. The doors most often targeted are the back and side doors. Windows are also easy points of entry. Contacting all of the accessible windows will provide a warning of possible intrusion if someone were to raise a window at night while you were at home. If you are mostly interested in protecting your property while you are away however, it may be more cost effective to use motion and glass break detectors. This is because on most windows it is possible to simply break the window and climb in. If the window is not raised, the contact will not be triggered.

A critical element in the design of a home security system is an interior trap. The most common interior trap is a motion detector placed in the living area as a way of catching an intruder that got by the perimeter contacts. Pet motion detectors are available which filter out animals but still pick up humans. However, these pet motions are absolutely not recommended for homeowners with cats. By jumping so quick, a cat fools the motion into thinking that it is a person standing up. If you contact an interior bedroom or closet door that is kept shut when you are away, this could be a good alternative. When the burglar opens the interior contacted door, the alarm will sound. This interior contact is off when the alarm is armed in the stay mode so that you can still freely open and close that door without setting the alarm off.

Homeowners with animals often request glass break detectors for their home security system. Before spending your hard earned money on glass break detectors, it is important to understand their limitations and what they were truly designed to cover. A glass break detector is a line of sight product. It is listening for the sound and vibration of a breaking glass, and it has to occur within milliseconds of each other. This dual technology is to cut down on false alarms. Faux wood blinds, shutters, and heavy draperies will greatly reduce or render the glass break detector totally ineffective. Common places where a glass break can be effective in a standard home include protecting the glass above the master bath tub, and the back door glass.

Another item for consideration if you are going to have your home security system monitored is to add a cellular back up to the system. The cell back-up is designed to send in the alarm signal if the burglar decides that they are going to cut the phone line. It is an additional cost due to the cost of the monthly airtime and cost of the unit, but it is the ultimate as far as alarm communications are concerned.

In the final analysis, the minimum home security system installation should include contacting all exterior doors and an interior trap of some form or another. Since all of the keypads on the market today are easy to operate, you should never be afraid of using your alarm system. As we tell our customers all the time at my company, "It will not do you any good sitting on the wall".

Tips on Home Security Montioring Companies & How You Can Get a Great Deal

There are many different types of security companies that provide alarm monitoring. The type of security company you are getting a quote from will have a great bearing on the rates and terms you are quoted. Security alarm monitoring rates can start as low as $10 per month while some go up to $40 per month or more for the same basic service. So "Why the big difference in price points?" you may ask. It all has to do with the business plan the alarm dealer is following and the level of involvement in the servicing of the alarm that they provide after the sale. Security companies operate based on 3 different business models.

• The most common alarm monitoring programs offered are 3 or 5 year agreements starting around per month. These companies are usually associated with national dealer programs such as Brinks, ADT, Protection One, Monitronics, and Central Security Group. Incentives such as free installation or free activation are often offered by these security dealers in order to obtain your monitoring business. The good thing in regards to these type programs is that the national company is there to back up the local dealer in terms of service. Some of the national dealer programs have very suspect monitoring, however most are pretty good.

• Another type of alarm company is the independent security dealer. These security companies do not sell off their agreements, but opt to hold their own paper. They tend to be much smaller than the larger national dealers. Smaller independent dealers will usually have to charge an installation fee of some sort since they are not being paid up front by the larger national company for the contract. As a result, you will usually have a bit lower monthly rate, since you paid something up front to help defray the cost. Since you are paying the cost of the installation and activation at the time of install, the independent security dealer will often offer a shorter term agreement. You have to be careful though because many of these independent dealers are technicians who are trying to start their own company on the side. Service after the sale may become an issue in these instances. But most of the smaller dealers can offer very good service.

• Web based companies are the third type of security monitoring company that you will find. They will offer a very low rate, but the trade off is no service department and less qualified monitoring staff. Should the need to service your alarm arise, you will have to call another company to get service. If you are not being monitored by an alarm company, it is highly unlikely that the alarm company would be willing to work on your security system due to the liability that it presents. In addition to the service issue, these companies are often not Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. If your monitoring company is not UL listed, they will not qualify for most insurance discounts that you may have available.

Always check with the local Better Business Bureau prior to signing an agreement for security service. On line reviews of monitoring companies are often unreliable since most are written by salespeople of other companies. The security business can be pretty cut throat in some areas. If you are considering a particular alarm monitoring company, look for their sign in a neighbor's yard and ask them about their experience with the company. Your neighbor will give you an honest and unbiased opinion.

If you happen to live in the Greater Houston area, then check out our Houston Alarm Monitoring packages. We offer flexible rates & terms and are a member of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston. Texstar Alarms also installs Honeywell and DSC security systems in Houston and surrounding areas. Give us a call for all your security, audio, and CCTV needs.

Alarm Home Security Systems - Do They Work?

Many people have questioned whether or not an alarm home security system really works. Well that depends on who you ask and what you are trying to accomplish by having the alarm system installed. If you expect the police to show up at your door within a couple of minutes of the alarm going off, then you are in for some serious disappointment. If however you have realistic expectations, then having a security system installed in your home will provide you with more peace of mind and an added layer of protection that you would otherwise not have.

I could cite numerous studies that show how alarmed homes are many times less vulnerable than a home without an alarm. The numbers bear out time and again that a home security system is a great tool for fighting crime. But what are some of the benefits of having an alarm home security system installed? Here are just a few:

• If someone does break in, a signal is sent and both you and the authorities are notified if the proper password is not given at the premises.
• The fact that you have an alarm with a company yard sign (not the generic ones), will make you a harder target than your neighbors.
• An alarm going off will attract attention in most cases.
• You will not come home and find an intruder waiting inside for you.
• Panic buttons can be hooked up for emergency situations such as a home invasion, medical emergency, or a fire.
• In some states, the insurance discount that you receive with a monitored system can cover a portion if not all of the monitoring costs.
  

There are reasons that the insurance companies give these discounts for homes that have alarm systems. Their loss models show that these homes have less incidence of burglary than a home without a system.

Alarm home security systems definitely work. Even if the cops do not get there in time to catch the thieves in action, the burglaries that an alarm system prevents, and the peace of mind that they provide, make these systems a good investment.

Wireless Web Cameras - What Should You Look For?

The latest craze has been the little wireless web cameras that have hit the market. These wireless web cameras can be used for such things as:

• looking in on the babysitter
• checking in on elderly parents
• viewing business activities
• checking to see if the kids are home safe from school
• view the baby in the other room
• verify that gun & liquor cabinets are secure
• keep an eye on pets
  
• check status of vacation home
• and many other uses.

As you can see there is a bunch that you can do with these cameras. But what should you look for when purchasing? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Make sure the network the cameras are viewed on is secure. It is very important that you are on a secure network, or else others may be able to see what you are seeing.
2. Are the cameras easy to install? Are they sold in a kit, or do you have to buy separate pieces and put them all together?
3. Is the recording of events on site or off? If the recording is done on site, then anyone can take off with the evidence.
4. Remember quality cameras are king. Poor quality cameras will often false. Many of these poor quality cameras also have poor picture quality.
5. Can you get email alerts with the wireless web cameras? Some systems do offer this service.

Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, it is a good starting point. Do a little homework before purchasing an inferior wireless web camera system.

If you would like to find out more about a new line of wireless web cameras by NAPCO security products called iSee Video, then click the link. These wireless web cameras have many more features than are offered by the other wireless web cameras on the market.

Is Cheap Alarm Monitoring Worth the Cost?

People often ask about those companies that offer the really cheap alarm monitoring rates. There are some very cheap alarm monitoring rates that can be found on the internet, but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Here is what you may be sacrificing by going with one of these cheap alarm monitoring providers.

• The monitoring station will not be UL. UL stands for Underwriters Labratories approved. A UL station must have redundant phone paths and back up generators as well as some other requirements in order to aquire the UL listing. Most insurance companies require a UL listed monitoring station if you are going to be applying for the insurance discount by having a monitored alarm system.
• The cheap alarm monitoring providers will often have very limited staff. Sure they will call you back, but how long will it take?
  
• Most all of the cheap alarm monitoring companies do not offer service on the alarms that they monitor. They will tell you to call a local company to do the service. The problem is that no alarm company in their right mind would work on a system that is being monitored by another company because of the liability involved. Even if the company would be willing to do so, the insurance company for the alarm company will not cover them for a claim if they do work for that customer because they are not under contract.
  
• No real technical support is available from these cheap alarm monitoring companies. If you need to be walked through an issue, they will usually refer you to their website. Now to be fair, if you call almost any monitoring station in the middle of the night with a problem, the operators are not going to be as helpful as the technical staff will be. They will have to call you back, but a good alarm company will have staff who can call you back the next day. The cheap online companies are not as versed in the intricacies of how your alarm works, and consequently will just ignore the call.
  

The next time you are looking at one of those cheap alarm monitoring companies online, just know the quality risks that you are taking. If you happen to live in the greater Houston area, and would like a connection for the best security systems in Houston, then click the link.

Good luck on your search for a reputable alarm monitoring company. Remember, you can get a reasonable monitoring rate and great service if you do your homework.

The Best in Houston Alarm Systems - Introducing Texstar Alarm Systems

If you are searching for the best of all Houston Alarm Systems, let me take this opportunity to introduce you to Texstar Alarm Systems. There are many area Houston alarm system companies to choose from. Many companies offer only on a strict pre-determined package, giving the homeowner very limited choices. So what makes Texstar Alarm Systems different from everyone else? Take a look at some of the highlights in regards to Texstar Alarm Systems and be sure to consider us next time you are looking for an alarm system in the Greater Houston area.

• Member of the Greater Houston Better Business Bureau
• Texstar Alarms is in its 10th year of business
• Authorized dealer of Honeywell & DSC security products
• Provides structured wiring of security, phone, data, tv, and surround sound.
• All installation techs have a minimum of 7 years experience
• Can monitor some VOIP systems
• Texstar Alarm Systems can work with most systsems installed after 2001.
  
• Small company service with big company monitoring. Our UL listed monitoring station qualifies for all insurance discounts.
• Texstar Alarm Systems can tailor make a package for you. Most of our agreements are 3 year agreements, but we do offer 1 year and month to month agreements also.
• Alarm system monitoring rates as low as $19.95/mo.
  

While searching for Houston alarm systems, be sure to explore all of your alternatives. The bigger named companies may be the best at sponsoring bowl games and race cars, but when it comes to protecting your home, give the experienced personnell at Texstar Alarm Systems a chance to earn your business. Discover why Texstar Alarm Systems is the best in Houston for alarm systems monitoring and installation.