Be Alarmed, Be Very Alarmed.

After every conversation I have with people over home security, they inevitable question comes up, What is the best home security system out there? Unfortunately, my answer always seems to disappoint them. I guess they expect to me to name a particular brand or type. The reality of the dilemma is that no system can completely secure your home. I often use the old axiom, “build a 10 foot fence, and I’ll show you an 11 foot ladder”.

What I try to make people understand is that the question should not be which system is the best, but, what is the best way to make my home less vulnerable? I also try to explain that good home security should have multiple layers of security, not just one.

Let’s look at it from the burglar’s perspective, because after all, he’s the one who will make the effort to defeat whatever security measure you have. If Bob the Burglar really wants something in your house, he will get in. Even if you have a $5000.00 alarm system, just breaking a window and getting what he wants, he can still be in and out of your house in 15 minutes or less even if the alarms goes off. He may need an accomplice and a plan, but he could still pull it off.

With that being said, consider that most break ins occur in 15 minutes or less. Now, if Bob the Burglar spends 15 minutes just trying to get in your house because you’ve taken the time to take a few extra steps to protect your home, he will very likely reconsider the break in because he knows he’s taking too much time just trying to get in. Remember that most burglars are looking for EASY hits. Bob will move on to an easier hit.

A homeowner who has even taken the simplest of steps to make a break in difficult is better protected than the guy with only the $5000.00 alarm system. One reason is because many homeowners rely too much on technology rather than taking a few minutes of their time to use a simple method. I explain this in greater detail in my presentations.

As evidence of this, I was once a real estate home inspector. There were countless times I walked into home (locked or unlocked) for an inspection and set off the alarm. Only once, did a neighbor come out to investigate. She actually took down my license plate number, (good for her). Every other time, I usually finished the inspection before the police arrived. Yes, I had some explaining to do, but that proved to me that if I was a burglar, I could have gotten away even though a highly recommended system was installed and worked as promised.

I’m not knocking home alarm systems, I highly recommend the use of alarms but, I emphasize that you should not be totally reliant on just an alarm system but, you should supplement your security with additional methods such as door braces, inside locking chains, and lock enhancers. The important thing to remember is that a burglar is looking for easy hits, so make it harder for him. No alarm system is invulnerable, and you must take responsibility for your home security.

Security over convenience.