A Beginner's Guide to Home Security
A home security system immediately translates to peace of mind, safety and protection for your property
Pia Sinha
27 November 2019
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine. I write professionally about design and decor. Personally too, I am a big fan of design that marries functionality with elegance. At home, I use a combination of striking patterns, colourful prints and natural materials for some chutzpah and cheer!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine.... More
Today’s home security systems are available in a range of prices, sizes and shapes while offering truckloads of flexibility. Consult this buyer’s guide to gain an understanding of the options available to you before you decide.
The basics
A home security system includes a collection of electronic sensors that help detect any form of activity around your property. For instance, this could be your doors or windows opening, glass breaking or simply motion inside or outside your home. When the sensors detect any of these activities, the control panel receives a signal that then triggers the alarm. Think of the control panel as a hub for your security system. It’s a touch pad device that you can use to arm or disarm your system. The control panel will communicate directly with the sensors and cameras, and work in sync with them.
A home security system includes a collection of electronic sensors that help detect any form of activity around your property. For instance, this could be your doors or windows opening, glass breaking or simply motion inside or outside your home. When the sensors detect any of these activities, the control panel receives a signal that then triggers the alarm. Think of the control panel as a hub for your security system. It’s a touch pad device that you can use to arm or disarm your system. The control panel will communicate directly with the sensors and cameras, and work in sync with them.
How to plan
The first step of the process is to understand and evaluate your needs. Define the reason for investing in a security system. For instance, are you looking for a basic burglar alarm to detect intruders trying to enter your property? Or are you interested in a wireless monitoring system that notifies the police and fire services in case of a problem? Or are you thinking of something more sophisticated, which offers you real-time monitoring through your smartphone?
The first step of the process is to understand and evaluate your needs. Define the reason for investing in a security system. For instance, are you looking for a basic burglar alarm to detect intruders trying to enter your property? Or are you interested in a wireless monitoring system that notifies the police and fire services in case of a problem? Or are you thinking of something more sophisticated, which offers you real-time monitoring through your smartphone?
What’s the absolute minimum for an alarm system?
If you have a limited budget, at the very basic level look at an alarm system that you can attach to your doors and windows. When the alarm is triggered, you’ll hear it (if you’re at home) or else the neighbours will know. The noise may also scare off the intruder.
However, if you’re looking for more safety features, consider a system that offers some level of monitoring.
Tip: If you purchase a basic package, at the very least you should consider a battery backup, especially in the event of a power outage.
If you have a limited budget, at the very basic level look at an alarm system that you can attach to your doors and windows. When the alarm is triggered, you’ll hear it (if you’re at home) or else the neighbours will know. The noise may also scare off the intruder.
However, if you’re looking for more safety features, consider a system that offers some level of monitoring.
Tip: If you purchase a basic package, at the very least you should consider a battery backup, especially in the event of a power outage.
Security and home automation
One option is to set up a smart home that lets you remotely monitor and control your door locks, lights, and alarms using your smartphone and apps. The internet has made it easy to find effective solutions, especially if you’re looking to monitor your home from just about anywhere in the world.
While a more complete home security system will usually combine motion detection, CCTV, smoke alarms, system battery backup and even remote controls, you could look at individual devices depending on your budget and needs. Let’s take a look at some of the devices on the market.
One option is to set up a smart home that lets you remotely monitor and control your door locks, lights, and alarms using your smartphone and apps. The internet has made it easy to find effective solutions, especially if you’re looking to monitor your home from just about anywhere in the world.
While a more complete home security system will usually combine motion detection, CCTV, smoke alarms, system battery backup and even remote controls, you could look at individual devices depending on your budget and needs. Let’s take a look at some of the devices on the market.
Video doorbell: A video doorbell connects to your home’s wi-fi and sends a notification to your smartphone as soon as someone gets close to the doorway. It can also include customised videos as soon as the bell is pressed, or in case the device detects movement. With some devices, you’ll be able to speak with the person at your doorway directly from your phone. They’re fairly simple to install and they utilise your doorbell’s wiring.
Tip: Look for a model that offers high-resolution videos and a wide-angle lens with a night vision range of up to at least 7.5 metres.
Tip: Look for a model that offers high-resolution videos and a wide-angle lens with a night vision range of up to at least 7.5 metres.
Security cameras: A security camera can look after your security needs for a lot less money when compared to a dedicated system. Most standalone cameras today will connect to your home’s wi-fi, so you have real-time access to what’s happening inside your home from your smartphone or tablet.
“Embedded with artificial intelligence, new-generation smart security cameras can detect unusual activity and automatically report back to the homeowner. These technologies are game changers as they offer a superb range of possibilities, from scaring off intruders to helping the police identify criminals, to even catching a burglar red-handed,” says Fred Potter, the CEO of connected home appliance company, Netatmo.
“Embedded with artificial intelligence, new-generation smart security cameras can detect unusual activity and automatically report back to the homeowner. These technologies are game changers as they offer a superb range of possibilities, from scaring off intruders to helping the police identify criminals, to even catching a burglar red-handed,” says Fred Potter, the CEO of connected home appliance company, Netatmo.
Ideal for both indoors and the outdoors, security cameras can be controlled to zoom in or out and may also have attributes such as night vision. Most wireless cameras come with high-definition specs, which means superior quality pictures. “When comparing prices, users should also consider if the camera requires a subscription, contract or cloud storage fees,” says Potter.
Motion sensors: Motion sensors use a variety of technologies – infrared, ultrasonic, microwave and heat – to help detect movement around your home. When motion is detected either an alarm is triggered or a notification is sent to your phone. You’ll also find pet-sensitive sensors that allow you to avoid false alarms.
Smart locks: If you want a full-blown home security system, you’ll find they often come with integrated smart locks. If not, there are Bluetooth or Wi-Fi locks that come with their own mobile apps. You’ll be able to lock and unlock doors through the app as well as receive notifications when others enter and leave your property.
An interesting feature to look out for is geo fencing. Geo fencing uses your phone’s location to lock and unlock your door. Smart locks are usually available in no-touch, touch screens and a combination of key and touch pad formats.
Read more:
Hi-Tech Living: What Are Smart Homes?
4 Must-Have Smart-Home Devices
Tell us:
What do you think is the most effective way to improve your home’s security? Comment below and join the conversation today.
An interesting feature to look out for is geo fencing. Geo fencing uses your phone’s location to lock and unlock your door. Smart locks are usually available in no-touch, touch screens and a combination of key and touch pad formats.
Read more:
Hi-Tech Living: What Are Smart Homes?
4 Must-Have Smart-Home Devices
Tell us:
What do you think is the most effective way to improve your home’s security? Comment below and join the conversation today.
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our unlocked door was very embarrassing to explain to the police and, despite having nothing stolen, the police were greatful for the report and performed the whole CSI procedure and the information gathered was helpful in identifying the culprits who had also attempted other robberies and stolen a car in the area but it's very uncomfortable to know that we had a stranger in the house while we (and our dog) were asleep in the next room and finger print dust is a pain to remove so we're now much more conscientious about locked doors
security systems are all very well, but don't actually stop thieves getting in. I recently had Crimsafe security screens installed on all my windows. Expensive but worth every cent as I sleep soundly every night. An probably not that much more than some of these alarm and camera systems.