Millions of people around the world protect themselves and their properties with home security systems. Millions more businesses do the same. Some of them pay for monitored security well others either handle monitoring themselves or do not worry about it.
What is the best way to go? Every property owner needs to determine that for himself. For my money however, paying for monitored security is worth it. Monthly subscription fees do not tend to be prohibitively expensive. In addition, you get a lot for your money.
Peace of Mind Is Important to Me
Why do I believe that paying for monitored home security is worthwhile? In a phrase, peace of mind. I would rest more easily knowing that I am not the only one paying attention to my security system and property. I say ‘would’ because I don’t yet have a monitored security system installed.
I am currently in the process of building my own system piece-by-piece. When it’s finally complete, I plan on subscribing to a monitoring service. I will continue monitoring my system via my phone. Why? Because two sets of eyes are better than one.
To me, there is peace in numbers. It is a lot like when I was a kid growing in a very rough neighborhood where fights were common. I have seven brothers and three sisters. When I was out and about with my older brothers, we were a large enough group that other kids left us alone. But if I ever had to go out on my own, I was an easy target.
In the home security game, monitoring acts as a deterrent to crime. Criminals aware that a house is being watched are more cautious about trying to break in. If I and my monitoring company are both keeping an eye on things simultaneously, we become a more formidable foe for keeping burgers away.
How Professional Monitoring Works
Professional home security monitoring is a pretty simple concept to grasp. There are couple of ways to approach it. First, a homeowner can purchase a system that is professionally installed and monitored by the same company. Vivint Smart Home comes to mind. They are well known around the country for their monitored security.
Of course, you can purchase a home with a security system already installed. Just transfer the system into your name and sign up for monitoring. Most home security companies make it pretty easy.
The other option is to either purchase a prepackaged DIY system or build your own system piecemeal. In either case, sticking with the latest equipment virtually guarantees that a professional monitoring company can service your system.
Systems are serviced by a direct connection between home and remote monitoring center. These days, the connection is usually internet-based. Security companies relied on landline phone lines back in the day. Regardless, anything that triggers a home security system results in an alert being sent to the monitoring company. Monitoring personnel respond accordingly.
Numerous Benefits to Monitoring
There are numerous benefits to monitoring a home security system, whether it is done professionally or by a homeowner himself. Chief among them is a faster response. When a homeowner or monitoring company is alerted to an emergency in real time, a response can be activated immediately. That can make an enormous difference in the outcome.
For me, monitoring is all about peace of mind. It is worth it to me to pay extra for professional monitoring because I get extra eyes and ears on my home. For the little bit it costs me, professional monitoring just makes me feel more comfortable.