Home security equipment seems to be a mystery to many, but with a little basic knowledge it doesn't have to be. In order to determine the best options for your home you must identify your specific needs, because there is not a one size fits all solution. Does your home have multiple doors and windows that are easily accessible, or possible entry points that are not easily visible from the road or your neighbors?
There are three basic types of security equipment: lights, sirens and locks. Lights can assist in illuminating your house to deter would be intruders. Lights are generally triggered by one of three things: timers, motion, and direct human interaction. Timers can be set to come on sporadically to make it appear that someone is home or to avoid someone being able to determine a schedule. A timer can be effective in this manner; however, if the lights are not on and there is no back up then they will not be effective. Motion detectors can help solve this problem, but depending on the sensitivity of the motion detector animals could set it off or slow movement could avoid setting off the detector. Finally you could leave the lights on all the time and that should provide adequate lighting to deter intruders but that may increase your electric bill to an unacceptable level.
Sirens are an effective deterrent also, but typically are only triggered once someone has already broken into your home. Sirens are typically attached to several types of detectors such as contact, glass break, or motion sensors. Contact sensors are some of the simplest and most common. Two sensors are placed in "contact" with each other. One sensor is placed on the door or window and the other is placed next to it on the wall. Once the door or window is opened, the sensors "break contact" and that triggers the siren, or the delay for the siren if one is built in. One may try to get around the contact sensor by breaking a window so security companies designed the glass break sensor. The glass break sensor is placed on or near windows. The sensor "listens" for the sound of breaking glass. Breaking glass obviously will trigger this sensor, but shaking keys around the sensor could also trigger it. Depending on the size of the room it may only require one sensor. A typical glass break sensor has a range 15ft. So if you have a room that is 12ft x 12 ft and a window on each wall you may be able to only use one glass break sensor in that room. Just as with the contact, the glass break sensor will trigger the siren.
If you do not want to place a sensor on every possible entrance you might consider a motion detector. A motion detector can be placed in key areas of the house where an intruder is likely to walk past. Motion detectors sensitivity can be set to "ignore" small animals and can be defeated with slow movement. A motion detector can significantly reduce the amount of sensors required in the house and with the cost of each sensor typically around $100, the fewer the sensors the more cost effective.
No home security system is complete without locks. A simple, and often neglected part of the home security equipment. Locks fall into two categories: dead bolts and locking door knobs. Dead bolts are the most important type of lock because they are the most secure. A dead bolt is more effective than the door knob lock because it is much larger and goes deeper into the door frame which makes it more difficult to break. Every exterior door should have a dead bolt on it. Although glass doors, or antique doors may be attractive and add "character" to a house, it is detrimental to the security. In addition to the dead bolts you should make sure to lock the door knob also. It will add additional security and increase home security.
Now that you have an understanding of basic home security equipment you should determine what you need for your home. If you decide that you need additional security for your home contact a reputable security company, such as ADT, Broadway (formally Brinks), or a local company and speak with the expert. They will come to your house, look at the layout and ask you what your needs are. After a walk-through and talking with you a determination will be made of what you need. A basic security system could cost you $100 to install and then $20 a month, or you can get a top end system for several thousand and have additional monitoring that could cost $60 a month. There are systems in between, but the question remains, which one, if any, are right for you. Visit home security system equipment or home security warning signs for further information.