Choosing the Right DIY Home Security Equipment
You shouldn’t have to spend thousands of dollars to keep your home, family, and belongings safe. For the longest time though, expensive, professionally installed home security systems were the only options out there. This made real security impractical for many people.
No one should have to feel insecure in their own home. Luckily, there are great DIY home security options that cost just a fraction of what most people are used to paying. Setting up your own home security might sound daunting at first, but plenty of modern systems are easy enough for even the most basic novice.
In the old days, home security involved running cables around your home, through the walls, and in the ceiling. Today, most popular systems – and nearly all DIY devices – are wireless. This makes installation much easier, especially for DIY home security enthusiasts.
When it comes to choosing the right equipment, there are two must-have items that should be in every system:
1. Video Surveillance Cameras
Once only found in premier home security packages, video cameras are now the bread-and-butter of even the most basic systems. From IP cameras to webcams, there are a range of DIY security options to help you keep an eye on your home while you’re away.
2. Motion Sensing Devices
Although many state-of-the-art DIY systems have motion sensing technology built in, some still use standalone motion sensors. Regardless of whether they’re built into your cameras or not, the motion sensors are what provides warning of a potential problem – raising alert when there’s movement where there shouldn’t be.
Some professionals also recommend sensors for your windows and doors, which trigger an alarm to ward off would-be burglars. While this type of DIY home security equipment can be an effective first line of defense, it is also among the leading causes of false alarms. You can still catch an intruder breaking into your home with properly installed motion sensors, but with the added benefit of visual confirmation.
DIY Home Security Installation
Today’s monitoring systems are so easy to set up that they make DIY home security installation a breeze. For most people, even those setting up their first system, the biggest issue is deciding where to place security cameras.
Improper camera placement is definitely among the top reasons why home surveillance systems don’t work. If you want to properly protect your home, you need to be strategic about where you install your security cameras. Rather than trying to cover of as much space as possible, you’re better off focusing on the sites where criminals are most likely to enter.
According to recent burglar statistics, the most at-risk places in your home are:
- Your front door (34% of all burglaries start there)
- Ground floor windows (they’re generally large enough for a burglar to quickly climb through without being noticed)
- Rear and side doors (these are popular among burglars because they’re often obstructed from public view)
- Your attached garage (it’s not uncommon for even well-secured homes to have an unlocked door leading from the garage into the house)
By focusing your attention on the most likely break-in spots, you can spend less on equipment while still vastly improving your family’s security.
Monitoring DIY Home Security Systems
One of the biggest draws of DIY home security is the freedom from outrageous setup fees and costly long-term monitoring contracts. That being said, monitoring is a crucial part of any effective system. It doesn’t need to be expensive, however, and there are a couple of options designed specifically for DIY installations.
1. App-Based Remote Monitoring
Ideal for the user who just wants a little peace-of-mind when they’re away from home, remote monitoring platforms like the Home Security app gives you the ability to view your camera feeds from your smartphone or tablet. While your system is armed, any movement in your home will be recorded and stored in the cloud for your review.
2. Professional Monitoring Services
If you’re serious about implementing a home security solution, some companies offer affordable monitoring that will work directly with your DIY system. A Home Alarm provides round-the-clock human monitoring whenever your system is armed, guarantees no false alarms, and can be automatically activated and deactivated whenever you leave or enter your home.
It also costs less than a daily cup of service station coffee.
Conclusion
No matter where you live or how much you can afford to spend on protecting your home, you deserve to be safe. Thankfully, modern DIY home security technology makes it easy for both homeowners and renters to secure their properties without complicated systems or pricey installations.