When you think of home security, you probably imagine a guard with a watchtower, cameras, and other visible measures. But there are many less visible ways to fortify your house and its contents. The key is to take advantage of the home’s weaknesses.
Home security systems have come a long way from simple alarms that sound whenever a window or door opens. They’re now equipped with motion detectors, video monitoring, and even artificial intelligence to monitor the house when owners aren’t home.
Fortunately, setting up a home security system is not as technical as it sounds. It generally involves installing sensors in key points around the house and connecting them to a control panel that triggers the alarm in case of danger.
Here are some tips on how to install a home security system in your place with ease:
Plan Your Security System
Before you go out and buy sensors, cameras, and other equipment, it’s important to plan your security system. Write down what you want your system to achieve: Is your goal to keep out intruders? Or do you want to monitor your kids while they’re home alone?
So, if you want to keep out intruders, then you’ll want to focus your security system on the doors and windows of your home. If you want to monitor your kids’ activities, invest in a video surveillance system, including cameras and microphones.
Install Sensors All-Around
One of the best ways to know when someone is trying to break into your home is by using door and window sensors. These sensors alert you when a door or window is opened, whether from the outside or inside the house. You can install them in all the doors and windows you want to monitor or just those most vulnerable to break-ins.
You can also install motion sensors indoors. These devices measure movement inside the house and can be programmed to trigger when you want. They’re a great way to monitor rooms like the kitchen where you cook and the living areas where you spend most of your time.
You can install proximity sensors for your outdoor space that trigger the alarm when someone steps too close to the house. They’re a great choice for doors that aren’t as vulnerable to break-ins, like the garage door.
Use CAT6 Plenum Cables To Set up the Cameras
CAT6 plenum cables are gradually replacing the Cat5 cables and are emerging as a considerable option for many surveillance systems installations.
For one, Cat6 cables are specifically designed for use inside ceilings and walls — known as plenum spaces — thanks to their fire-resistant properties. If you aren’t familiar with the term “plenum space,” it refers to an area above a ceiling where air can recirculate either intentionally or unintentionally; typically through air conditioning vents.
Moreover, Cat6 cables are much more effective since they are capable of 10,000 Mbps of bandwidth. That’s ten times the amount of bandwidth you can expect from a Cat5 cable.
Install a Wireless Alarm System
You can install a wireless alarm system if you want to go all out on security. Professional security companies usually install these systems, but you can hire an electrician to do the installation if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.
While alarm systems come with a wide range of sensors, you can select the ones that best suit your needs. For example, you can install glass break detectors on windows and doors to detect sounds caused by intruders trying to break in. You can also install smoke sensors to detect fires and carbon monoxide sensors to detect harmful gases.
In Conclusion
Home security systems are not just for keeping out intruders. They help monitor your kids, your pets, and your belongings as well. The best way to install a home security system is to plan your security needs from the start. This will help you choose the best sensors, cabling, and cameras for your home.
