DIY Burglar Alarm Systems

Basics

• Most DIY alarm systems consist of a number of door and window monitors, motion detectors, and a central control panel which activates the alarm. Since the system needs to monitor your entire house, you need to make sure your alarm system is up to the job.

  Count all of the doors and windows on the ground floor of your house--you need a sensor for each one--and measure the square footage of your house to make sure it falls within the range of the wireless signals sent out from each component. With the motion detectors, prioritize which areas you want to cover--either rooms containing valuables or centralized locations like stairways and hallways--and divvy up the existing detectors accordingly.

Placement

• Door and window sensors need to be placed along the part of the door or window which opens first--usually the part furthest from the hinges. Magnetic sensors utilize two pieces: one attached to the door or window and one attached to the nearby jamb. When the door or window is closed, the pieces should come into contact with each other; when a burglar breaches the opening, the two halves come apart, which activates the alarm.

  Motion detectors need to cover as much of a given area as possible. Mount it on a spot high up near a corner, and with a good view of the entire room. Try to place it somewhere away from obstructing furniture or architectural protrusions. Finally, the control box should be placed near the main entryway to the house (so you can activate it and deactivate it easily), but away from easy view. A closet or coat nook makes a good spot: away from external eyes but easily accessed when you arrive home or head out.

Maintenance

• Most DIY burglar alarm systems can be mounted directly to the wall or door, using a screwdriver or other household tools. Because do-it-yourself models rarely have a security monitoring service attached, you need to test each component regularly to make sure it works properly. In addition, you need to check the batteries in each component and replace them when they run out (every 6 months or so). Finally, while some DIY burglar alarms can autodial 911 and play a recorded message, others simply emit a loud noise. Instruct family members on what it sounds like and ask nearby neighbors to keep their ears open for it in case there's a break-in while you're at work.