How to Shop for a wireless home security alarm system

Wireless home security alarm systems are easy to setup and usually don’t require professional installation. This is good and bad—you won’t need to pay a home security company to come in and set up your system, but you’ll also have to shop for a wireless home security alarm system on your own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• internet connection
• phone book

1. Take a walk around your house. Look for possible points of entry and think about how you can make it more secure. Think about where you want to put the sensor and where you want to put the control panel. Take note of how far away the sensors will be from the control panel

2. Decide what you want. You need a control panel and at least a couple of door/window sensors. Consider whether or not you want motion detecting cameras, glass break sensors, smoke detectors and other extra components.

3. Do some preliminary research. Get on the internet and search for some reviews of wireless home security alarm systems. When you get your results, be sure to try to find some non-vendor sites. Look for articles by magazines or find user reviews.

4. Check the specs. Make sure a system is going to meet your needs. When you find a specific system that interests you, do some very specific research. Read as many articles about the system as you can and take note of the specifications—Find out how many devices it can communicate with, what the wireless range is, what kind of monitoring service you get.

5. Focus on features. Alarms are effective due to innovativeness—does the system your looking at have a backup system; duress PINs as well as master and secondary; built-in auto dialer; good customer service; FCC/IC approval?

6. Consider having it installed professionally. If all of this seems like too much for you, you might feel better having a professional walk you through the process.

7. Background check a company. When you work through a service provider or contractor, check with your local government to see if they have the proper licenses. Also, it can’t hurt to get a couple references.

8. Buy with confidence. Make sure you are as educated as possible about your purchase before you sign anything or order a product. There are bad systems out there, but by researching thoroughly you’ll be sure to avoid them.

Tips & Warnings

• Some systems work in conjunction with your PC or a mobile phone. See if your cellular phone service providers also have any home security systems.
• Get a system with a warranty, and if possible get an extended service agreement.
• Don’t set up your system to dial 911 automatically—that’s illegal.
• When you plug in your control panel, make sure the outlet is not switch-controlled.

[neslod]

on 4/26/2007 I am now connected to a company that monitors my home alarm system. However, I had a response to my 911 call faster than they telephoned me that the alarm went off. So - I ask - why do I pay them? My alarm system was builtin during construction. This is the third company monitoring the system. If I drop them - does my alarm system still work?