More than a million Australian homes experienced one or more household crimes between 2019 and 2020. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were:
- 238,100 households that experienced a break-in
- 185,800 households that experienced an attempted break-in
- 62,800 households that experienced motor vehicle theft
- 448,800 households that experienced malicious property damage
- 229,900 households that experienced other theft
While these numbers are lower compared to the victimisation rate from a decade ago, over a million cases of household crimes are still alarmingly high. This is why it’s helpful to have measures in place to deter burglars and other perpetrators from entering your property.
One of the best things you can do is to safeguard your property with a home security system. Installing it can give you the peace of mind that your loved ones are protected, and your home is still your safe space.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Security System
A proper home security system is an important investment, so you have to decide on it carefully. Below, we discuss the factors you need to consider before choosing a security system.
1. The size of the area you want to cover
Home security systems come in different configurations. There are individual burglar alarms, pairs of outdoor cameras and door sensors. The inclusions can depend on the size of the area you want to cover.
Do you want your whole house protected, with sensors and cameras at every entry point? Maybe you just want the front and back doors monitored. Or maybe you need security around your property’s fences.
Once you determine which parts of your property need securing and the size of the area you need to cover, you can choose the best home security configuration.
2. Home security features
As we mentioned above, home security systems come with different features. Your equipment package can come with just security cameras, just sensors, or a combination of both, plus digital locks.
Home security systems also do more than keep intruders out. Some allow you to communicate with anyone inside your house while you’re away, and others send alerts when you have packages delivered to your door.
This is why you need to consider your lifestyle on top of your security needs. Would you need CCTV cameras that offer live playback so you can watch over your kids even when you’re at work? Is your goal smart home automation?
With these considerations in mind, you can choose a home security system with features that suit them.
3. Cost
It can be tempting to put the price tag of security systems as your top priority when choosing. But you might find the cheapest options may not cover your specific home security needs, and expensive doesn’t always mean excellent either.
Still, the price is an important consideration, especially when you’re shopping around. Home security systems on the market come with different tiers of services, but plenty of providers offer similar ones. The difference often comes down to their price points.
When shopping for the perfect home security system, look at similar offers and the difference in their costs. If the steeper option provides functions that you don’t really need, hence the higher cost, you can opt for the more affordable option and still get the right protection your property needs.
Alternatively, if the difference is not that significant and the more expensive option has features that will help you secure your home better, it might be worth the few extra dollars.
Common Mistakes in Choosing a Home Security System
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Not checking local and national laws
There are several laws across Australia against recording private individuals without their consent. Make sure you read through these laws so you’ll know where to mount security cameras.
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Not planning the placement of CCTV and motion detectors
Motion detectors can be blocked by the very surface they’re monitoring if placed haphazardly. Similarly, regular household furniture can block the view of CCTVs if you don’t know the right home security camera placement.
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Installing an entire system by yourself
You can consult with home security experts like SMS Security to make sure your system is effective. With professional installation, you can have a more effective security system in place.
Get the Home Security System You Need
SMS Security is the premier provider of trusted residential and commercial security systems in Perth. From CCTV and home alarms to access control and system maintenance, we’ve got your security needs covered.
Get in touch with our security consultants for enquiries.
