How to Design a Home Alarm System

Everyone wants to feel safe at home. Here are some simple steps that you can take to design an alarm system for your home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine what your home security needs are, both inside and out.

2. Secure your doors and windows, even your garage door.

3. Determine your lighting needs. Would an outdoor motion-sensing light benefit you? If so, determine where one could best be placed to protect your home.

4. Determine which doors and windows you need sensors for. Typically this will be your front and back doors, first-floor and basement windows and any other windows that could be easily accessed by someone trying to break in.

5. Choose a location for a keypad to arm and disarm your system.

6. Determine your wiring needs. What will it take to power up your keypad and keep the sensors in communication with the monitoring system?

7. Determine where any surveillance cameras should be placed.

8. Determine where any motion detectors should be installed.

Tips & Warnings

• Want to be sure you have all your bases covered? Consult your local police station. Many times the police will do a free-walk through of your home if you ask.
• Determine how many sensors, lights and cameras you will need before purchasing a system, or make sure that additional sensors can be purchased later.
• If you are not comfortable installing any necessary wiring, contact a licensed electrician to help you out.