Choose a home security company

It seems that robberies and robberies are in the newspaper or in the news all the time. You are smart to worry about your own well-being and your family. You will also protect your house and your belongings. For this reason, you may be considering purchasing a home security system or burglar alarm.

There are DIY systems and professionally installed systems. Most DIY systems are not worth much because they are easy to prevent for thieves and are not monitored (if anyone comes in you will not know until all your stuff is gone). Oh, you can install timers for your lights, motion sensors for your patio and improved locks for your doors and windows, but if you want to feel really safe, you can feel more secure by investing in a monitored system security system.

The monitored systems are installed and monitored by professional security companies. Once the alarm is activated, they send someone to investigate or call the police, depending on the plan you sign up for. They also help you maintain your system year after year.

As you may have guessed, they charge you for this. Expect to pay an installation fee, which covers the cost of equipment and work to configure everything. You will also have to pay monthly fees when you want them to control your home. (One advantage is that this expense can actually reduce insurance for its owner as many insurers deduct their premiums for safer housing).

Since the installation of a monitored alarm system represents a continuous investment, be sure to find an alarm company that you are happy with. Let's look at some tips:

- Choose a security system that fits your lifestyle and protects your valuables.

- Ask for recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. You can also ask your insurance company for suggestions from accredited companies.

- Buy from a company that offers good customer service and technical support.

- Choose a company that is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

- Get written estimates from at least three companies before deciding one (but keep in mind that the prices of security systems vary depending on the features of the equipment and the level of monitoring offered; compare the systems with similar systems).

- Find out whether the company assesses employees or not before hiring them. You want trusted people to install your system as they have access to their passwords and security codes.

- Check if the company is licensed and is a member of the National Association of Fire and Burglar Alarms.

- Ask for guarantees and warranties to see what's available. Make sure you are protected if a computer is not working properly.