Recently I was speaking with a Home Security professional and I realized not everyone can get a professionally installed home security monitoring system. Might be due to financial reatraints, or it could be a resistence to yet another contract; It could be that the family moves constantly or it could be something as simple as not wanting to drill holes in the walls.
So what are the options for those people? Carlos Benjamin, a contributing author for HomeAlarmReport.com, gives us some great Home Security DIY ideas in a guest post.
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With advancement in technology, you no longer have to shell out thousands of dollars on a home security system. You can now create a decent and interactive system in under an hour, without drilling holes in your wall, and without signing a long term contract.
In general, there are three ways to approach DIY home security.
- DIY system with professional monitoring
- DIY system but self-monitor your system.
- DIY just enough to make it look like you have a system
Believe it or not, all three methods are effective and are all are better than doing nothing. For the purposes of this article, we are going to explore options two and three. Arguably, these are the most authentic DIY approaches.
The Self-Monitoring Approach
Self-monitoring a system requires that you own a smart phone. Assuming you have and can use a smart phone, you can setup and self-monitor a security system. In general, you will need to find a system that can:
- Communicate to your cell phone via a free mobile app.
- Monitor your doors and windows.
- Setoff an audible alarm/siren if someone tries to break into your house.
These three points are the basic features of a self-monitored home security system. If you want, you can get even more advanced by adding surveillance cameras to act as your eyes and ear when you are away from home. You can also add sensors that can monitor for rising heat or perhaps monitor for low temperatures that may cause freezing pipes. If you choose a basic system, it will take the average person 10 to 30 minutes to setup. Most of these new self-monitored systems will allow you to start small and add more equipment over time which can significantly reduce your initial financial investment.
The new self-monitored systems like Piper, Canary, iSmart, Oplink, and SimpliSafe are extremely user friendly. They use industrial strength adhesive so you don’t need tools to install the different sensors and they offer setup wizards through their mobile apps to make setup a breeze. You can get started with a self-monitored system for around $150-$500. However, this is a one-time fee. There are no hidden costs and no monthly fees with this system which can save you money in the long run. The downside is that you are ultimately responsible for monitoring the alarm from your phone. If you are on vacation or in a meeting, an emergency will not wait. The system can only be programmed to call you and will not call out to emergency responders.
Make It Look like You Have an Alarm System
Another option is to make your home as unattractive as possible – to an intruder that is.
Statically speaking, the most common point of entry for an intruder is a home’s front door and usually front door intrusions are “no force”. In other words, lock your door. Perhaps the best DIY home defense is to invest in a quality lock and to actually use it.
Next, you might consider investing in a quality home security sign which will cost less than $30. I advise against using a generic sign, invest in one that looks like a legitimate security sign. The sign should detour most every day burglars and will improve your overall home security.
Lastly, you should also consider investing in a DIY home security system that does not communicate to your smart phone. I call these systems “noise makers” as all they do is make noise. A noise maker system will usually cost around $40 and should include a door keypad and a few sensors to monitor doors and windows. You should look for a system that is wireless and also a system that has a built-in alarm that is louder than 120db. These systems use a high quality adhesive and stick to your doors and windows just like the self-monitored systems. Unlike the self-monitored systems, noise makers will not call out to your cell phone. Instead, you stick the sensors to your doors and windows. Once armed, the system will sound an alarm if anyone opens your monitored entry points. The sound of an alarm might be enough to scare away some intruders and can certainly improve your overall security.
The pro of a noise maker system is that it is proactive and can provide peace of mind. The downside to this solution is that you must arm and disarm the system manually and if the system is breached while you are out of the house, you may never know.
Any step you take toward home security is going to be a step in the right direction. Being aware will put you leap years ahead of others.
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Thanks Carlos! Weren’t those great ideas to secure our homes? Though if you are anything like me, you might consider a security alarm system that looked like this: 😀
My alarm system
Carlos Benjamin is a contributing author for HomeAlarmReport.com. After his apartment was broken into in 2010, he took measures to protect his property, and he enjoys writing about security measures and technologies to help keep others safe as well.
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