Homeowners Turn to Technology to Help Thwart Thieves
Comprehensive Security Systems Offer Remote Monitoring, Track Activity Around a Home, Alert Owners Via Cellphone
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Saturday, November 8, 2008
Homeowners have more options than ever for making their homes less tempting targets for thieves.
But before erecting obstacles for would-be burglars, they must get past hurdles of their own: Determining just how much security they need and how much they can afford.
At the top of the security wish list is a comprehensive home security system with remote monitoring, because thieves are more likely to target a house that appears not to have an alarm rather than risk breaking into one that does, said Frank Santamorena, a principal at Security Experts, Consulting and Design in Rhinebeck, N.Y.
"Make sure you do have an alarm system," he said. "Burglary is a crime of opportunity."
Affordability is key, because top-end home security systems for large homes can easily run several thousand dollars when you add in monthly monitoring costs.
Still, the advent of wireless technology has helped bring down installation costs, eliminating the need and expense to run wires throughout a home from every door and window sensor. That's brought many alarm systems within range of budgets for single-family homeowners.
One example on an entry-level to midrange alarm system is GE Security's Simon XT for around $200 (higher for a deluxe version) plus $30 to $50 a month for monitoring by a separate central monitoring station.
Out of the box, the unit can track activity in 40 zones, or areas of a home such as windows or doors equipped with remote sensors.
Like many systems, it can be programmed to alert homeowners over their cellphone when a sensor is triggered.
Connect a digital video camera and the system can also relay images, such as of the front door, over the Internet.
"Homeowners want to be able to know not only what's happening in their home when they're not there, they also want to know if someone's gotten in their liquor cabinet," said Kirk MacDowell, residential business leader for GE Security, a unit of General Electric.
When shopping for an alarm system, experts say to look for one that includes sensors for all the perimeter doors, interior doors leading to a garage or mud room, several passive infrared motion detectors inside the home and glass-break sensors.
