What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions home security? Those of us old enough to remember when home security was in its infancy tend to think of things like noisy burglar alarms that disturbed everybody in the neighborhood when they went off. Noisy alarms still exist, but home security in the modern era goes well beyond preventing burglary.
A modern home security system can protect against all sorts of security threats that range from property crimes to acts of nature. A modern system can also be fully integrated with home automation technologies to make a home smarter, more energy-efficient, and more comfortable to live in. The sky is the limit as long as you have the money to spend.
Protection Against Burglary
Most of us think of burglary in the home security realm because preventing it was the impetus for creating home security systems to begin with. So many years later, they still accomplish that fundamental goal. Burglars still say they are more likely to avoid homes with working alarm systems. They would rather target unprotected homes instead. But why?
Burglars are, in reality, cowards. They choose the most vulnerable targets with a plan that allows them to get in, snatch a few items, and get out quickly. Your typical burglar does not want to spend more than a few minutes in a home. He or she certainly doesn’t want to encounter an alarm system that records his/her presence and alerts the authorities of a burglary in progress.
Home security is, therefore, an effective deterrent to burglary. It is an effective deterrent to a wide variety of property crimes – from vandalism to breaking into cars. But there’s more on the table here.
Fire and Carbon Monoxide
Vivint Smart Home, a leading provider of home security and automation equipment in North America, explains that the typical home security system these days also includes monitoring for fire and carbon monoxide. This takes the burglar alarm to the next level by protecting occupants from other dangers.
The thing with fire and carbon monoxide threats is time. The longer occupants are in a burning house or one filling with carbon monoxide, the more likely it will all end with tragic results. Early warning is key to staying safe.
A smoke detector provides early warning of fire by monitoring for smoke and sounding an alarm at its presence. A carbon monoxide detector identifies a deadly gas that has no odor or color. It can pick up even trace amounts that are not yet in high enough concentrations to be dangerous.
Natural and Unnatural Flooding
If a homeowner is so inclined, he/she can include flood monitoring in a home security package. Monitoring for flood involves placing sensors in key locations in the lowest points of the home. If those sensors detect the presence of water, an alert is immediately sent to the homeowner.
This sort of monitoring is ideal for both natural and unnatural floods. A natural flood would be one caused by rain, an overflowing river, etc. An unnatural flood would be one caused by a ruptured water line, a leaking water tank, and so forth. Both kinds of floods can be financially devastating to a homeowner.
Full System Customization
The technology now available affords so many opportunities for customization. Start with a basic home security system that includes several video cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, and monitors for both smoke and carbon monoxide. Add to it a few home automation features and see what happens.
You can create a fully customized system that guards your home when you are away but makes it more pleasant to live in when you’re not. A smart thermostat can automatically control indoor temperatures for maximum comfort and efficiency. Automated lighting can reduce energy waste and create just the right lighting scenes for every hour of the day.
The list of things you can do with integrated home security and automation goes on and on. Space doesn’t allow for discussing all the possibilities here. Needless to say that the home security systems of the 1970s are a thing of the past. Modern systems can do a whole lot more than just preventing burglaries.
