The Fundamentals of Home Security Systems
Home security is a major component of homeowners’ protection against potential danger. It comprises both the physical security hardware installed in a property (such as burglar alarms, security lights, security shutters) and people’s personal security practices (such as living cautiously, having an emergency plan for theft and other emergencies, keeping keys and house keys properly stored, and so on). Home security hardware includes outdoor security lights, outdoor motion detectors, alarm systems, and closed-circuit television systems. Home security experts note that even the most extensive security system will be rendered ineffective if people fail to use them properly, follow the stipulated installation procedures, and/or neglect to maintain them. Thus, for optimum home security it is necessary to develop a comprehensive security plan involving these three aspects – behavior modification, physical security, and personal habits / precautions.
Behavior modification refers to people’s ability to alter their way of reacting to specific situations (such as breaking and entering, storing money or valuables out of sight, skipping the exit door when the house’s security system is activated, making improper use of a fire extinguisher, leaving lights on when leaving a room, etc. ), as well as their propensity to refrain from behaviors that indicate they are amateurs (such as repeatedly touching doors and windows with their hands, ignoring a barking dog, ignoring a moving door alarm, using profanity, or other inappropriate or prohibited actions). Physical security consists of various types of physical barriers such as locks, window bars, floor alarms, “panic” buttons, motion detectors, video surveillance equipment, and various other means of interlocking doors and windows. Such home devices are designed to protect the property, occupants, and guests from intrusion; however, without proper installation and use, they may not serve their purposes.
The third component is personal habit / habits, which refers to people’s reliance on security systems and their operation (e.g. whether breaking glass is left on garage doors or not, whether smoke detectors should be armed when vehicle doors open, whether an emergency exit should be immediately designated when exiting the building, etc. ). Finally, burglary protection can be further classified into burglarious behavior, or the actual physical act of breaking and entering, versus perceived risks or possibilities of burglary, such as the placement of an unlocked home security system (which may also include the possibility of a keypad being left inside a home).