Most consumers today consider as a means to prevent burglary. While this is a main component of their use, recent studies suggest that the average homeowner is not aware that these systems can prevent and monitor criminal activity. Today’s high-tech systems have a number of features that can do everything from detecting fires and carbon monoxide in the home to alerting homeowners when there is a problem with flooding, leakage, and other potential disasters.
As early as a decade ago, home security choices were much more limited than they are today. While they could protect locked windows and doors and alert homeowners and security companies if a break-in was attempted, the equipment that was used was clumsy and the prices for packages were not very affordable. Today, things have changed, and now are not only more affordable, but they can also offer homeowners a great many more features.
For example, flood detection can be added to a home security system for early warning of a problem, such as when a sump pump starts to back up. “If the water starts to rise, you would get early notification before a major disaster happens,” says Tom Redford, vice-president of Wilsons Security in Dartmouth.
Homeowners who love technology have a wide variety of home security choices that can tie into their smartphones, laptops, and tablets. These features are especially useful for those who travel and want to keep an eye on their babysitter, their kids, and their pets. When the system is tied into their mobile devices, homeowners can access the camera directly from their device, in real time, to check on their homes. Some systems can also allow them to lock and unlock doors, turn lights off and on, and even arm or disarm the system with no more than the touch of a button. This is a far cry from the simple systems of a decade ago, when having a camera attached to any meant spending a great deal of money. Today, any homeowner can choose from a wireless or hardwired system, and monitor for a number of problems in the home that range far beyond burglary.
Because so many homeowners are unaware of all of these features, they may not also be aware that they can tie existing monitoring devices, such as smoke detectors, into any new system that they buy. This also may lower their homeowners’ insurance payment, because many companies offer discounts when these systems are in place. Home security choices range wide for today’s homeowner, but he or she needs to be aware of the specific needs of the home before they commit to a contract.
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Steven Ordona
Author & Pubic Relations – Steven is a fifteen year executive veteran of the home security industry and is now in charge of the site’s content. Steven is responsible for all the content created and also plays a critical role in our public relations department.