Security – Are YOU Safe?

Your home is your castle.  You want it to be safe at all times.  Is a security system right for you?  If so, which one?

In Case the Worst Happens

Have you found yourself worrying about security and safety lately?  If you have, you’re among the majority of people in the world, but especially if you are over the age of sixty.  As we age, we hear the horror stories of the elderly who are injured by falling, being burned or poisoned in their own homes.

Even more insidious, though, is the thought of someone breaking into your home – your sanctuary – and causing you harm or stealing your belongings.  Criminals see the elderly as “easy targets” and love to prey on them.  Whether you are home or not, you can protect yourself and your belongings from intruders.

A good security system is as important to your health and well-being as the health insurance you purchase.  Both give you peace of mind – that you’re protected in case something unusual happens.

Several questions may come to mind right away.  Which security system is the best?  Who would install it for you?  Who would monitor it?  And, probably the most important question, what can you afford?

Options

There are many options when it comes to home alarm systems.  They can be:

• Monitored.  You typically sign a contract and pay a monthly fee to have someone watch your back 24/7.  If an emergency occurs, they will be the ones to contact the authorities for help – police, fire or medical.  Some companies don’t require a contract, so you simple pay each month and can cancel at any time.
• Unmonitored.  There is no one sitting behind a computer screen monitoring your home’s health.  You are the one who will call for help should the need arise.  In most cases, you will receive some sort of notification from your home that there is an intruder or an unusual sound.  This usually comes via a text message and it’s up to you to call the authorities.  In most cases, this will be a system you have either installed yourself or one you’ve had someone not directly related to the company install for you.

Before we go any farther, consider these questions:

• Do you have internet at your home?  Are you proficient enough to log into an app?  Can you monitor your home while you are away by using a smart-phone?
• If you don’t want any “technical” or internet responsibilities can you afford a monthly monitoring fee for the security system?

Your answers to the questions above drive your decision to one of the models of security protection.  Generally, self-monitoring will be much less expensive than paid monitoring, but your needs, budget and abilities will dictate which is best for you.

Scope of this article

Just so we’re clear, this article is dedicated solely to self-installed, self-monitored security systems.  Most of my information came from articles on security systems, actual products we have used, ratings on Amazon and information from Consumer Reports.  Information provided in this report does not necessarily reflect my personal opinion except when discussing a product which we have actually used.

Some Things to Consider

Before making your decision, please consider the following:

1. Communication

If you plan to self-monitor your alarm, you are solely responsible for responding to any emergencies. It’s important that a self-monitored system can:

1. Send push or text notifications.
2. Let you know if your system is breached (i.e., doors or windows have been opened, human sounds can be heard in the home).
3. Notify others whom you designate, like friends or family members, who can contact authorities in your absence.

2. Control / Self-Service

The ability to self-service the alarm is also important. You should look for:

1. The ability to arm and disarm a system remotely
2. Customization – you should be able to customize your setup for “your” situation
3. Settings available to distinguish between modes like home, away, vacation, and sleep

3. Beyond Burglaries

“A self-monitored system should be smart. It should have the ability to follow rules with cause and effect relationships between different devices. For example, if carbon monoxide is detected, you can create a rule to turn your heating system off. Or you can create another rule that says if the front door is open, your security camera should automatically start recording footage. In doing so, it can potentially protect your home from flooding, fire, or even rapidly changing temperatures” – from an article by Home Alarms and Automation – see https://homealarmreport.com/the-best-self-monitored-alarm-systems/

NOTE:  With some of the systems, you are able to set up rules with cause and effect relationships.  Not all of the systems reviewed below have that capability.  You would need to check with the manufacturer to verify specific capabilities.

4. Visual Verification

If you choose to self-monitor, you will definitely want to add security camera(s) to your system.  There will be false alarms and having a way to determine if it’s a serious threat or not is a way to preserve your sanity and nerves.

Six Good Options

What are the options, then?  Below is a comparison of six of the best-selling self-installed, self-monitored systems available today.   You will see that the prices are all under $500.00, and when comparing the features in which we were interested, they are all “somewhat” comparable.  iSmartAlarm is the only option that does not provide an option for professional monitoring.  In most cases, you will end up purchasing additional door/window sensors, motion sensors or cameras – depending on your specific needs.   If you want a very detailed breakdown on each of these systems, you should check out the article I mentioned previously, https://homealarmreport.com/the-best-self-monitored-alarm-systems/.

And the winner is . . .

1. Most Comprehensive: abode
2. Easiest to Use: iSmartAlarm
3. Camera Based Approach: Arlo

After much research, we chose iSmartAlarm, even though the Amazon rating for some of the other options is higher.  For the money, it is one of the best values.  It was easy to install and provided all the options we needed.  The iSmartAlarm starter kit includes a siren, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, two key fobs, and access to their mobile app.  We purchased additional door/window sensors and cameras.  The key fob allows you to arm / unarm the system from outside the house.  There’s also a keypad mounted just inside the front door for anyone who doesn’t have a key fob.  You can provide a temporary 4-digit system code for a workman who might need to enter your house while you are away (i.e. A/C repair).

We currently have it installed both at our home and at our lake home.  I like the peace of mind in knowing if anyone tries to break in to either residence when we are not there, we will be notified immediately.

How can I get one of these systems?

I’m including links to each of the systems listed above in the table.  The links will take you to Amazon where you can purchase your system.  The links are affiliate links, so if you purchase from Amazon after clicking on the link I may receive some type of compensation.  This will in no way affect the price you pay for your items.

One last note

Anytime you are installing ANYTHING wireless in your home, please, please, please be aware that there are nutsos out there who would love nothing more than to hack into your security system, computer, even baby monitor (as you might have seen on the news lately).  Be sure your system is secure.  Password protect everything.  Honestly, as sophisticated as these nutjobs are getting, you can’t be too careful . . . that’s MY opinion.

Next Steps

What about it?  Do you feel safe or do you need a security system?  Have you had experience with security systems that contradict this review?  Leave me a comment if you have questions.