Protect your home & family
A security system is a reasonable safeguard to protect your family and possessions. It’s axiomatic that a home with a good security system is less likely to be burglarized. If you’re thinking "Oh, no, not another expense," know that security comes in many varieties that offer peace of mind. It can be something as simple and inexpensive as having good deadbolt locks on your doors, window locks, exterior lighting by all doors, and pruned landscaping so intruders can’t hide behind large shrubs. But security can also come in the form of high-tech smart home security system. In addition to keeping you safe, smart home systems can adjust your thermostat, detect a water leak, and so much more – all monitored from mobile devices at any time.
Regardless of which security option you select, protecting your most important assets – your home and your family – is of paramount importance. Fortunately, along with recent technological advances, we’ve seen prices come down on security systems. Without breaking the bank, leading security systems include wireless smoke detectors, will alert your local police department, and include video cameras so your home can be viewed on your iPhone or tablet.
There are many manufacturers’ products to consider, but think of the choice as similar to selecting an engagement ring, according to Safewise, an online blog/website that focuses on this category. According to Safewise staff, you should know what you need, what you want, and what you can afford (see questions below). Also, remember that it is a highly personal decision for your family and home and that there are various choices to meet your needs. Security companies offer different packages and equipment. You also want to be certain that you find operating the equipment user-friendly, or else you won’t maximize its use or use it at all. Most home security installers will give the family a tutorial.
Honeywell’s latest smart home security system, The Lyric Security and Home Control System, features a voice controlled security and smart home hub that connects with various smart technologies in your home. From smart doorbells to garage doors, and light bulbs to fans, you can conveniently control your home’s automation. You can even program personalized scenes. You can say, for instance, "Hello, Lyric, Bedtime," and your smart home will shut down for the evening and perform the rules you have set, such as setting the alarm, dimming the lights, and locking the doors.
Lyric is a platform that includes a broad range of products, with room for future growth. The security aspects of the Lyric system include eight indoor/outdoor video feeds, streamed through the cloud to your security hub or smartphone, CO2 and smoke detectors, as well as glass shatter and motion sensors, which help make your home even safer. If more than eight camera views are required, the user can view them on a mobile device using Honeywell’s remote services app. With this app, you can manage the safety and security while you’re away, which will dramatically decrease your worries. Incorporated into the system is a feature to prevent typical causes of false alarms such as pets tripping a motion sensor. Honeywell has also developed pet-immune motion detectors that allow users to let their pets–up to 80 pounds–roam freely around the home. User operation and training are key to preventing false alarms. The Lyric Security and Home Control System offers internal videos that explain the operation to homeowners.
Honeywell also offers equipment for the Do-it-Yourself market, namely its DragonFly Security system, which is easy to install and use. It’s battery-powered, wireless, and uses a video alarm – and it works both indoors and outdoors. While it’s self-installed, DragonFly is always professionally monitored for police response. All video alarms are sent to the homeowner’s smartphone for review with three options – dismiss, disarm or dispatch. Dispatch-on-demand sends the video alarm to a central station operator who contacts law enforcement officials as a crime in progress. The outdoor cameras are battery powered and easy to install up to 500 feet from a home. This means that homeowners can move the security perimeter beyond the front door and catch criminals before they enter.
The DragonFly Smartphone App allows the owner to share the outside cameras with trusted neighbors and create a virtual neighborhood watch system combining the outside cameras of several systems to help protect the local community.
To make your best decision, do your homework and ask the following questions. Record responses from several leading companies and this will lead you to the best security solution:
- Are you planning to move any time soon?
- What is the best system for the size and value of your home and contents?
- Do you want to access your security system from your smartphone?
- What is your budget for a system and ongoing maintenance?
- Are you capable of installing a system yourself?
- What key features do you need – video cameras, sound, or motion detection?
- What is the total cost, including equipment, installation, monitoring and the potential cost for emergencies, false alarms, and so on?
- Is it possible to lease a system?
- Does the system include a warranty, what does it cover and for how long? (The industry standard is 36 months, according to Safewise).
- Will the security solution be compatible with my smartphone or tablet and other operating systems in my home such as a smart thermostat, smoke alarm, CO2, door locks, video surveillance, electric garage door opener, and doorbells?
- If I want to add more high-tech options in the future, can I do so?
- Do you understand all the industry terminology and jargon? Safewise offers a good glossary on its site that you should master before you investigate choices.
Remember that any type of security system is an investment in safety and can increase your home’s value when you go to sell it.