How to Secure Your Home with a Home Alarm

Assess your home's risk. Put yourself in the mind of a burglar or other intruder. Ask yourself how you would break into your home if you were locked out. If you can identify at least one way into your home, it is at serious risk. Vulnerable areas may include old rotting window frames or doors with inadequate locks. Remedy those areas before installing an alarm.

Purchase and install either a wireless or hard-wired alarm system from an authorized, reputable dealer if you are confident you can install an alarm system yourself. Ensure the alarm system you buy has the number of sensors and zones your home requires.

A wireless alarm system's installation is fairly straightforward; an option is to install just a couple of sensors and add to the system at a later stage. Wireless sensors can be moved easily if necessary. A hard-wired alarm system is more reliable but more expensive, and a professional is required to install it and carry out future expansion. So unless you are a professional installer, a hard-wired system may not be a do-it-yourself option. A hard-wired system also is more permanent than a wireless system; you may need to leave it behind if you move from your home.

Hire a home security company to install an alarm system if you can afford it or if you can't install a system yourself. Hiring a company for the installation guarantees a professional job. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of home security companies in your area. Ask your insurance company for recommendations, too; it may work in partnership with a security company, which could decrease your insurance premiums.

Vet a security company before signing with it. Ask how long it has been in business, and check whether or not its employees are fully licensed to complete the installation. Find out if the company does background checks on all prospective employees. Read the offered warranty thoroughly, and ensure you understand what it covers and its exemptions.

Arrange security monitoring if your budget allows. Connecting your home alarm system via a telephone line or cellphone to a 24-hour alarm monitoring center provides additional peace of mind; if your alarm goes off, the center will call to provide immediate assistance. Check the terms of the contract before you sign the paperwork; ensure you won't be charged a high monthly fee or tied to a contract of more than two years. Also ensure you have a number of days to change your mind and cancel the contract.

Attach a security alarm system warning sign to the exterior of your property so that anybody who approaches your home knows you have security measures in place.

Change wireless alarm system batteries on a regular basis.