Home Security Basics: What You Need to Know

When deciding to add a home security system to protect your family and property, various factors will be top of mind, such as equipment, pricing and packages, installation, smart technologies, and more. 

Whether installing an alarm system and security cameras or implementing additional features, such as Central Station Monitoring, fire and life safety equipment, and wellness measures, it’s best to enlist a reputable provider, such as General Security, to assist with building and customizing the best solution for your needs. 

Below, we’ll discuss specific equipment and technologies, packages, installation options, smart home features, and more. 

Benefits 

When you think of home security, traditional technologies, such as burglar alarms, come to mind. While this is imperative, it’s just one of several critical components. 

Many homeowners often interchange home security with burglar alarms. The latter sounds an alert during an intrusion or break-in, while the former comprises advanced and reliable smart features, such as Central Station Monitoring, motion detection, real-time monitoring, and contact sensors.  

Recent statistics deem home security almost a necessity for added protection. 

According to home security resource hub Alarms.org: “Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized.” 

Furthermore, FBI and U.S. Justice Department data, as cited by insurance rate comparison company The Zebra, state: “66% of burglaries affect residential properties.”

Some insurance companies will also offer discounts on homeowners' policies of up to 10 percent. It's best to examine your individual policy, or consult with a company representative for exact amounts and coverage.

When you think of home security, traditional technologies, such as burglar alarms, come to mind. While this is imperative, it’s just one of several critical components. 

Equipment

When building your plan, consider areas in and around your home requiring the most protection. This can vary by need, size, and budget.

If your goal is contactless, front-porch deliveries and monitoring, consider doorbell or front-door cameras. To ensure protection from dangerous carbon monoxide and smoke, contemplate fire and life safety systems. Or, consider smart technology solutions Wellness and Wellcam to keep a watchful eye on an elderly loved one while maintaining novel coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. 

Learn more about the following home security applications and technologies below: 

Alarm Systems

Comprising a control panel, keypad, and contact sensors, an armed alarm system’s sensors send a warning about a breach, and serve as your home security hub or nerve center. 

Central Station Monitoring provides an added layer of protection, with real-time incident alerts to homeowners and immediate notification to local authorities and first responders. Without this, homeowners must notify emergency services on their own, which could lead to increased injuries and property damage, or even death.

Security Cameras

From safeguarding yards and porch areas, to keeping an eye on children arriving home from school, or monitoring a frisky pet, security cameras within and around your property provide real-time footage from any mobile device, regardless of location. 
 

Indoor/Outdoor

Wired or wireless cameras can include night vision, remote viewing, motion detection, digital microphones, and clear speakers. Camera motion settings can also be adjusted, for accurate video analytics and surveillance.

Doorbell

Facilitating contactless, front-porch communication, these can remotely instruct a delivery person to leave a package, food, or other items on your doorstep.

All Alarm.com-branded doorbell cameras offered through General Security are equipped with front-porch identification, intelligent lighting integration, and nighttime detection.

Wellcam

For real-time, two-way audio and video communication, Wellcam also easily connects to Qolsys Personal Emergency Response wristbands for additional monitoring and fall detection alerts—even if the panic button isn’t within reach.

Fire & Life Safety

Your family’s safety from the dangers of carbon monoxide and smoke are a high priority. Additional research indicates that more home fatalities occur in residences lacking working smoke alarms—or none at all. Ensuring these devices are regularly tested and inspected is another important safeguard.

Real-time, mobile alerts and Central Station Monitoring can assist with device maintenance, informing of your detectors’ low or missing batteries, or other mechanical issues. 

Doors & Windows

Program door locks with a secret pin code to prevent break-ins, lockouts, and lost keys. These also provide real-time alerts should the lock be opened by an intruder, or other unauthorized individuals.   

When combined with traditional window and door contact sensors, glass detectors or glass break sensors respond to noise, shattered glass, or vibrations for additional, real-time protection.

Garages

Secure your garage’s stored valuables such as vehicles, tools, bicycles, and sports equipment. Smart garage door openers provide real-time security notifications, should an intruder attempt to breach contact and tilt sensors.   

Vehicle Tracking & Monitoring

When building your home security plan, consider areas in and around your home requiring the most protection. This can vary by need, size, and budget.

Recently introduced through Alarm.com, Car Connector provides real-time vehicle tracking access, diagnostics, speeding alerts, and other important safety and security information. 

Installation

Whether you choose professional installation or to go Do-It-Yourself (DIY), a service provider with seasoned technicians can provide advice on the best placements for critical devices, such as contact and alarm sensors, security cameras, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Depending on the issue, General Security also offers support for DIY customers located within its designated U.S. East Coast service areas.

Pricing & Packages

Choosing the best security solution is based on budget, features, equipment, and other factors. While most providers require specific terms for new customers, *General Security is currently offering home security systems with no money down and interest-free financing.

Learn more about customized packages, pricing, and accompanying equipment.

Getting Started

For additional guidance on the aforementioned technologies, it’s best to work with a versatile and reputable provider, such as General Security. We provide customized, build-as-you-go packages and solutions designed with your loved ones and property in mind.

*With specified term agreements, and subject to credit approvals.  Not applicable to DIY customers. 

General Security provides residential security cameras, video surveillance, and smart technology solutions to protect your home and loved ones. Request a free, contactless quote from us today.