Your home is your haven. The last thing you want to think about is that haven being disturbed by unwanted visitors. That’s why many homeowners look at reinforced windows to prevent break-ins. After all, it’s better to be prepared and protect yourself and your family, than to be caught off guard. It’s also important to prepare for the worst so that if your belongings, and important documents such as reports from medical reviews and identity documents are taken there is a chance of getting them back. In order to do this, it’s important to consider securing your home with the help of some security features.
Of course, many people already make use of home security systems. As these systems get more expansive and high-tech, though, it’s important to understand your options for software and what they do.
Types of Security Systems
There are a variety of types of security. Before getting into what your specific options are, however, it’s important to understand the styles of security technology you might want to consider.
Intrusion Technology
Intrusion technology is what most people think of when they are considering home security systems. This includes alarms and sensors that notify you when someone comes in your door, window, or breaks any glass to get into your home.
Surveillance Technology
Surveillance technology is especially popular as of late. This includes technology such as cameras inside and outside your house or monitoring your front door. These are especially useful when it comes to knowing who you’re opening the door for or monitoring for “porch pirates.”
Environmental Technology
Environmental technology is a type of technology that is probably the most traditional when it comes to home security. These include items such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. Of which need to be checked regularly in order to ensure that they are working effectively because if they are not it could mean that the carbon monoxide goes undetected and cause brain damage or death.
Safety Technology
It can be argued that all these choices are for your safety. When safety technology is mentioned specifically, it usually refers to technology such as panic buttons, emergency alert necklaces, and fall detection monitors. These technologies are particularly important in the homes of individuals with limited mobility or senior citizens.
Modern Home Security Software
When choosing a home security software in today’s world, the trends that run with home security tools and software is offering more to homeowners. While several years ago you might buy an alarm that you arm and disarm when you leave the house in case a door or window is opened, security systems today usually cover more than one aspect of home security.
Modern home security also usually allows for control of your home when you are away from home. Did you forget to arm your security system because you were late for work? Arm it from your phone while you’re at the office. Do you want to make sure your package didn’t get stolen before you get home to take it inside? Remotely take a look at the view from your porch camera.
What Are Some Reliable Security Software Systems?
Now that you know some of your options as to what technology is used in home security, it’s important to look at some of the most popular software systems that you have to choose from.
ADT Pulse
ADT is a company that you’ve probably heard of before. After all, they’ve been around since 1874, making them one of the most long-standing members of the home security market.
The ADT Pulse system is a software that tries to cover as many aspects of home security and control as possible. It includes some of the following technologies;
- IP video cameras with auto-record
- Nest Thermostat
- Ring Video Doorbell
- Remote access through ADT web portal or mobile app
- Police and Fire buttons
The downside of ADT is that this high value comes at a high price. The more features you want – especially third-party peripherals – the higher the cost will be.
SimpliSafe Home Security System
SimpliSafe is another popular home security company although it’s newer on the security scene than ADT. Many love the SimpliSafe Home Security System because it doesn’t require the years-long contract that some other companies do. The sleek, attractive design of the system also makes users feel better about having it in their homes.
The SimpliSafe Home Security System includes many features to choose from, including the following;
- Freeze sensors to prevent bursting pipes
- Flood sensors
- Smoke detectors
- Entry sensors
- Remote monitoring features
The biggest downside to this system is that it focuses solely on indoor home monitoring. It doesn’t include external features such as doorbell cameras.
Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit
Finally, we’ll take a look at a more DIY option: the Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit. This security system is meant to be used with Amazon’s Alexa voice service, which is built into the system. The base station includes the following;
- Remote control key fob
- A pair of access sensors for windows and doors
- Base station with built-in Alexa compatibility
The largest complaint that most have about this system is that it is completely self-monitored. In other words, while an option like ADT will alert authorities for you in the case of a crisis such as a break-in, this Honeywell software won’t offer this service.