There is a lot to take into account when buying a home security system.
They can be expensive, so making sure to compare home security systems against one another and against your home security needs rigorously is good common sense.
With a world of choice online and in stores, this guide aims to inform you of things you should be aware of when comparing home security systems.
The first thing to consider is your own needs.
How much do you have to protect? What kind of area do you live in? What is the crime rate like? If you live in a gated community in a leafy suburb, you will be less at risk than someone living in an expensive town house in the heart of a busy city.
Make a calm, objective assessment of your individual needs.
Walk around and through your home and try to work out where the weak points are which could be exploited by opportunistic criminals.
Try maintain a level head while doing this.
As far as I know, Spider-man fights for good, not evil and thieves will go for the path of least resistance - not a tiny window 30 feet off the ground.
When comparing home security systems, try not to be too dazzled by sales pitches.
Most people will never need a panic room.
Another thing to take into account is your neighbors.
In all likelihood, some of them will have lived in the area a lot longer than you and know what kind of threat burglary or home invasion poses.
Compare security systems with them.
How do they find theirs? Is it easy to use? Dependable? Expensive? Unnecessary? These first-hand reviews will be a lot more useful to you than rave reviews online which may have been posted by the company themselves.
As an aside, for the sake of your neighbors, don't fortify your home if you live in a quiet suburban neighborhood.
It's weird and you will stop getting invited to parties.
Thirdly, ask for the advice and opinions of store assistants.
Obviously, in many chain stores they will try to up-sell.
Ask them how the home security systems compare to one another and also which brand, if any, has the greatest number of complaints or returns.
Just be aware that many sales assistants have targets to meet and few scruples about how they reach them.
'Mom and pop' stores are less likely to have as good a range of products, but are also less likely to hit you with a high-pressure sales pitch.
Lastly, when you compare home security systems, apply the same criteria you would to any other product.
Is this a reputable brand? Is there a guarantee? Do they offer any additional incentives like free service call-outs? If an alarm malfunctions in the middle of the night, good support will be invaluable.
Remember, you are trying to protect your home, your worldly possessions and your family.
Be shrewd, don't cheap out and always go for quality.