Do-it-yourself Home Security Systems
Home security doesn’t have to be left to those who can afford expensive equipment provided by home monitoring companies. A wide variety of do-it-yourself options exist to fit every need and budget. Believe it or not, home security options can start with just a few dollars. Basic home security options tend to start with the obvious, “low-tech” but effective options like locks for not just doors but every possible point of entry in one’s home. It may seem ridiculous to mention, but many people will install high-tech surveillance systems without even bothering with preventative measures that keep unwanted visitors out in the first place. So be sure to take care of securing doors, windows, external garages, fuse boxes, and gates the old-fashioned way before adding “advanced” goodies that are easily defeated without the basics already being in place.
Do-it-yourself Home Security Systems
Another cheap idea is to add security signage to your home. A few well-placed signs indicating your home is secured and/or monitored only costs a few dollars, whether or not you actually have the home security system you are boasting about. You would be surprised how cheap it is to pick up a basic system that can be expanded to add remote-controlling of lights, appliances, thermostats and more. You can start with a basic system that simply turns appliances on and off at various intervals to give the appearance that people are currently inside your house.
Once you have satisfied the basics it’s time to consider state-of-the-art options–alarms, motion detectors, systems that contact the police and your mobile phone in case of an intrusion are all things you can install yourself using a DIY option. Motion detectors, broken glass detectors, and other equipment that notifies you of a break-in can be connected to standard high-decibel alarms. However, it would be even better if someone else other than the one breaking in knew about it. Letting you know as soon as the break-in occurs can help you react faster and hopefully prevent your loss from worsening. If you add cameras to the system you can remotely view (and perhaps record) what’s going on so you don’t have to put yourself in harm by physically visiting a potentially dangerous area. Basic, budget-conscious cameras, both wired and wireless, can be connected to a traditional remote television monitoring system, a VCR or DVD for recording, and even the Internet for remote monitoring from potentially any location on the planet. Many basic security-oriented cameras even come pre-packaged with software that allows you to monitor your camera from a web page. They can even periodically save photos to your email account or FTP server.
Home security doesn’t have to come at a Fort Knox price. There are simple, cost-effective DIY solutions available out there you can build and scale for any budget.
