How to Design a Home Security System

We have a different approach, and we're here to help. Putting together a home alarm system is not about selecting from a set of predetermined bundled kits, nor is it about having unnecessary sensors tacked onto your order to drive up the cost.

Choosing your home security system is about making sure that it's customized to fit your home and tailored to meet your needs. Think about it: who knows your home better than anyone else? That's right, it's you! And you should be designing your system.

So, where do you start?

In today’s blog, we’re diving into ‘How to Design a Home Security System.’ First we’ll help you evaluate the interior of the home by thinking like a burglar. Tomorrow, we’ll use the information from your self-evaluation to select the most appropriate sensors. Let’s get started!

Protect the Entry Points

We know that burglars most commonly break-in through the front and back doors. In fact, 57 percent of burglaries occur through these entry points. Focus your attention to these doors, either by reinforcing their security or by placing Door Window Sensors.

Burglars are also not afraid to go through windows, or even smash them. The second most common entry point for burglars is ground-level windows. Instead of buying a Door Window Sensor for every single window in the house, a single Motion Sensor can cover a large area with multiple windows and detect intrusion just as effectively. You get the same protection for less money!

Keep in mind that doors and windows are the most common burglar entry point, but not the only way.

Identify Targeted Rooms

We've covered the entry points, but it's better to be safe than sorry, and that means securing your rooms. What rooms do burglars target?

Convicted burglars have admitted that the master bedroom is often the first target. It usually holds valuables that are easily carried, such as jewelry and money. Other rooms with expensive possessions are also prime targets, such as the living room or basement.

When designing your home alarm system, consider the size of the room, as well as the path a burglar would have to take to get in and out. Smaller rooms may only require a Door Window Sensor, while larger ones would be better suited with a Motion Sensor.

Protection Inside and Out

What about the outside of your home? Through observation you can determine if you need more or less sensors – or even a security camera.

Start by looking at the space surrounding your home. Identify how large the area is, if there's enough lighting and if neighbors have a good viewpoint of your yard. For dark hidden areas, you may consider getting motion-activated lights, or security cameras for monitoring.

A very important thing to look for is anything that could allow a burglar to gain entry to the upper levels of your home – like trees, vines or a ladder. A burglar may opt to use those to get through a window on the top floor, so it's important to secure those if you feel it’s necessary.

Environmental Dangers

We've focused primarily on the threat of a burglary so far, but environmental dangers should not be ignored.

A FrontPoint system is prepared to protect you from a variety of threats, including fire, freezing, flooding and carbon monoxide. When putting your system together, take into consideration what potential threats from nature could affect your home.

Next Steps: Identify the Equipment Needed

Once you’ve done a complete evaluation of your home, the next step is to determine what equipment you need to protect these areas of vulnerability. Come back tomorrow for a brief overview of products available, as well as the ideal placement in your home.