When it comes to protecting yourself, your home and your family, a security system can do far more than provide added peace of mind. Why is a home security system worth your investment?
1. Keeping Your Household Secure
Installing a well-equipped home security system isn’t solely a precaution. 2.5 million burglaries occur every year, with a burglary occurring every 13 seconds. Surprisingly, while only 17 percent of homes have security systems, 66 percent of yearly burglaries are home burglaries. Still, the real whopper is this: homes without security systems have a 300 percent higher chance of being burglarized. If this unsettles you, it may be time to look into investing in a security system to keep your house safe. According to multiple studies conducted on home security and burglaries, over 60 percent of burglars are deterred when they are aware that a home is equipped with a security system.
Home security systems work by securing entrances into the house, including windows and doors. Some systems depend on motion detectors to alert occupants to motion in various parts of the home. When a system is armed, it can only be disarmed with a code agreed upon by the house’s occupants. If someone breaks in and does not have the code, they will only have a few seconds before a loud, deterring alarm begins to blare. Home security companies will call the authorities on your behalf if they believe your home has been broken into, though they’ll often call you first to verify that you didn’t trigger the system. Many systems allow you to set multiple security functions, including locking down the house from the inside-out. This will only set off alarms when doors are opened but not when motion is sensed in the home. This can help ease the minds of heavy sleepers, people who fear nighttime break-ins or even parents with kids who sleepwalk.
2. Protecting From Disasters Within the Home
Home security systems do more than protect individuals from outside intruders. They can also help you when disaster strikes within your own home. Did you know that a home alarm system can alert you to the start of a fire? More complex security systems have the power to alert you to signs of fire, similarly to a smoke detector. Smoke detectors can be unreliable, run out of batteries and unexpectedly lose function. However, a complete home security system can be equipped to alert you when a fire has broken out so you can make it to safety.
Another way that a home security system protects you from household dangers? It can alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that, when inhaled, can quickly be fatal. It is also odorless and tasteless, so its presence can often go undetected until it is too late to escape. Top-tier home security systems can be programmed to function as a carbon monoxide detector. They can alert you to the presence of this dangerous gas before you risk losing consciousness and are unable to make it out of your home.
3. Saving Your Life in a Crisis
Certain security systems can also help you communicate for assistance in the event of a health crisis. Some alarm systems have panic buttons that can put you in touch with a dispatcher, medical personnel or an emergency contact in the event of a medical crisis. For those who live alone, having access to help at the push of a button can be life-saving. If you’re a person with a chronic condition or someone who is at risk for a stroke, seizure, heart attack or other debilitating health crisis, an alarm system with an emergency line may provide some peace of mind.
Home security systems that come with medical alerts are often accompanied by a device that individuals can wear around their wrist or neck. In the case of a crisis, the wearer only has to push the device’s button to be connected to the contact of their choice or to emergency responders. While the elderly are usually the ones who take advantage of this type of system, anyone who is potentially medically compromised may benefit from this extension.
4. A Financially-Friendly Return
Stellar home security systems aren’t cheap upfront. However, they can end up saving you money in the long-run. This goes beyond deterring criminals from stealing expensive goods in your home. Homeowners that have security systems often end up saving money on homeowner insurance policies. Many insurance companies will lower prices for homeowners with security systems, as these systems lessen the potential for a break-in. Additionally, if your alarm is part of a full-home automation system, you also may be able to lower the cost of your energy bills.
Houses equipped with security systems also tend to have a higher home value. Homeowners on the hunt for a new place to live want to see that their next residence is a place where they can feel safe and secure. A home security system can add resale value to your home if you decide to relocate. Many home-shoppers view them as an essential piece of tech to keep their home protected.