In our previous article, we looked at burglary statistics
and explored how to keep your home safe from intruders. Unfortunately,
sometimes even the most vigilant homeowners can become victims of theft and
property damage; common sense measures can only go so far when protecting your
home.
Home security systems may feel a bit over the top or
unnecessary to those who have not experienced a break-in, but for those who
have been unlucky enough to fall victim to burglary, home security systems are very
important indeed. The lasting mental effects of having an intruder in your home
can be difficult to manage, so many victims find a robust home security package
helps them to sleep more soundly at night, as well as allowing them to relax
during the day when they’re away from home.
These days, home security is more than just
installing a security light and alarm system – the technology has moved along
with everything else, so you may be surprised at what is now available on the
market. Security is an important business, and thanks to development in the
industry spurred on by commercial landowners, residential properties can now
also enjoy a highly professional level of security for their own home
Smart home security systems are so called because they can
link up to your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to control your security
system remotely. If something happens to alert your security system of a
possible intruder, a notification will be sent to your phone.
For instance, depending on the type of home security package
that has been installed, a homeowner may have a live video stream sent to their
phone, so that they can see exactly what is going on and therefore choose
whether to call the police or not. Cameras, motion detectors and less passive
features such as fogging capabilities can all be accessed, turned on or off,
and monitored from your smartphone.
Smart home security systems are usually overseen by a
security company, who can call the police for you in event of a break-in, and
are on-hand for support. They will also monitor the system to ensure it’s
working properly at all times, all for a nominal monthly subscription fee.
Often, having a security system like this can lower your home insurance premiums,
which can offset the monthly subscription payment.
When considering a home security system, many people weigh
up the likelihood of being burgled with the cost of the system as a whole.
While smart home security systems are built specifically to protect the home
against this type of crime, they can also have day-to-day benefits you may not
have considered. For instance, you could use security camera live-streams to
check on your pets if they’re at home alone. You will also be notified when
your alarm system has been disabled by an authorised user, and this can tell
you that your children have returned home safely from school, for example.
A comprehensive smart home security system will give
you peace of mind in a variety of ways, and you can tailor the package you want
to your needs as a household
As well as keeping your home secure and helping you keep an
eye on your household from afar, smart home security systems can also have
added safety features to help keep you and your family both safe and informed.
Carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms can be incorporated into the security
system, so you’ll be alerted upon activation wherever you are in the world.
Having these features linked up to the security company who
is monitoring your system can really help if you’re not at home, or if you have
fallen victim to an accident and are unable to notify the emergency services
yourself.
If you feel you require more robust protection, some smart
security packages come with a panic button, so that you can summon additional
protection if you need to. The Office
of National Statistics states that, ‘in over half of incidents of domestic burglary in a dwelling where an
offender gained entry into the dwelling, someone was at home at the time’.
This is a chilling thought, and one in which a panic button may well be useful.
A good-quality smart home security system will give your
home that added layer of protection, where intruders can be thwarted at almost
every stage of a burglary.
Firstly, evidence of security cameras around doorways and
the perimeter of the property is likely to be off-putting to potential thieves,
and may prevent a burglary of your home just by being there. Secondly, should
someone attempt to break into your home, their activity will be monitored and
you will be notified of any activated alarms. Additional features can prevent
an intruder from taking anything once inside, such as fogging or spraying them
with a detectable substance. A sounding alarm can help to alert your
neighbours.
Having witnesses, camera footage and other evidence can help
a conviction along if the intruder is caught. Unfortunately, just 6.9%
of burglary cases ended in a conviction in 2017, so anything that
can help improve this is favourable for all.
Being able to see what is going on in and around your home
from afar is a comforting thought for those who have fallen victim to this kind
of crime in the past. When you’ve been burgled, being at home can be nerve-wracking,
and being away from home can be frightening too. Having this additional level
of control over your home security, and knowing that a professional security
company is keeping an eye on things too can take a huge amount of pressure off.
Here at VPS we offer a range of home security
packages and solutions to suit all properties; whether you live in a city
high-rise or you have a listed home in the country. For a free, no obligation
consultation, or just to chat about your options, call us on 0345 145 0130 or
use our contact
form to get in touch