Home Security Products: Investing in Quality—Not Quantity—is The Key to a Successful Security Plan
With economic hard times being the center of the news these days, more and more families are having to cut corners to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and clothes on their backs. Indeed, times are tough. So tough that many homeowners are forced to place home security on the back burner.
If you're feeling the gripping effects of our troubled economy, you might find yourself tempted to forego the expense of installing security devices in your home in order to save a few bucks. But would this decision really save you money? Or could it be a potentially horrible mistake?
Many homeowners mistakenly use locked doors and windows as their primary means of home security. But today's statistics indicate that the majority of criminals who commit burglary and home invasions gain entry through those very means. A recent WLTX.com news story confirms these very statistics. Mr. Leon Wright, a 64-year-old male and owner of a small country store in Blair, South Carolina, became another victim of a home invasion when someone kicked in the door to his home and shot and killed him.
It's a scary thought that no one wants to think about. Yet today's news stories seem to indicate that burglaries and home invasions are on the rise. The good news is that you don't have to risk your children’s college fund to protect your family with the proper security devices. The key is researching and understanding which security devices offer adequate fortification for your investment. Keep in mind; it's the quality of the home security devices that are critical, not necessarily the quantity.
Here are a few tips that will help you get the best value for your dollar when investing in home security for you and your family:
1. Buying certified security products and only the necessary devices ultimately will you save you money. For example, regardless of what a security salesperson tells you, you don't need to install a glass break sensor on every window surface in your home. All that is really needed is a single omnidirectional glass break sensor placed on the ceiling of each room. Although these types of devices usually cost more per sensor, the fact that you only need one per room can save you a small fortune.
The same is true of high quality motion sensors versus the cheaper inferior devices most alarm companies tend to offer.. Premium motion sensors are capable of covering a larger area of square footage. So purchasing better quality devices, ultimately keeps more money in your pocket.
2. When purchasing only the necessary devices, you can allocate the balance of your budget towards more crucial areas of home security. For example, a cellular back-up dialer. This potentially life-saving device dials your alarm monitoring company when your phone service goes out due to a power outage or when a would-be intruder cuts the exterior phone wires of your home. So to recap—security gizmos are great, but choosing the right gizmos is critical when it comes to your safety and your budget.
3. Alarm systems are essential to any good home security plan, but they aren't the end-all-be-all. Most alarm companies tend to oversell the consumer using fear tactics. In doing so, the consumer's true security needs are not usually met. For example, most alarm systems sound only after the intruder has entered the home. This doesn't really leave you adequate time to protect yourself or members of your family. What you need is wireless exterior property motion sensors that transmit to an interior base station within the home. These types of sensors immediately alert you where and when a trespasser has stepped on your property. This allows the precious seconds necessary to dial 911 and/or seek safety in a closet or safe room until help arrives.
Another superb feature of these affordable systems is that they are easily programmed by the homeowner to sound a different tone based on the location of each sensor. This can provide you with vital information about where the trespassing occurred. Communicating this information to the 911 dispatcher can be of great value when it comes to apprehending the bad guys.
4. Installing a high quality deadbolt is essential; however, it means nothing if your door is hollow and your frame is not properly reinforced. Many locksmiths, alarm companies, and even so-called security experts don't explain to their customers the pros and cons of each device they sell or how each device works together as part of a system to provide protection. For example, installing a $100.00 deadbolt on your front entry door won't prevent an intruder from kicking it in if it's hollow. For your $100.00 deadbolt to perform effectively against an attacker, you also need a solid door, a reinforced frame, and a security door brace. With these elements in place, you now have a system that works together to prevent the bad guys from entering through the door of your home.
Other common security mistakes occur when a consumer is “pennywise, pound foolish.” Many customer are convinced they only need to apply glass protection on select ground-floor windows. But think about it. How does anyone know which window a would-be criminal will choose to gain entry? If you're going to invest your money in protective glass treatments, be sure to treat all ground-level windows, as well as any second-floor or higher windows that are easily accessible from a tree, deck, wall, etc. Otherwise, you could very well end up wasting your money and unknowingly place your family at risk.
Protective glass treatments can be very effective in preventing a burglary or home invasion, especially if it's a high quality glass treatment such as ShatterGARD. Not only is ShatterGARD one of the best protective glass treatments on the market, it provides incredible value for your dollar.
Home security doesn't have to break the bank. The money you invest in quality home security products is worth the peace of mind you gain in knowing you, your family, and your valuables are properly protected.
Jordan Frankel, commonly known as The Security Sensei develops revolutionary security products and solutions that protect both lives & property. Countless agencies and corporations such as NASDAQ, the US Military, and law enforcement entrust Mr. Frankel with their security and safety. Jordan Frankel is also frequent media guest addressing the personal and financial consequences associated with home invasions, burglaries and other serious threats. In addition, Mr. Frankel's security products & inventions have been featured on Oprah, FOX news and in countless publications. Jordan's ability to outsmart the proverbial bad guys - coupled with his commitment to making security an affordable reality for everyone is the key to Global Security Experts Inc success. Mr. Frankel (The Security Sensei) is available for media interviews by appointment only.
Mr. Frankel is a proud member of:
The American Society for Industrial Security.
The International Association for Counter Terrorism & Security.
The Society of Professional Locksmiths.