By Susan M. Keenan
Home security systems come with a variety of sensors, including motion sensors, door switches, window switches, glass breaking sensors, smoke and heat sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. With such a variety of sensors to select from, homeowners have a bit of planning to do prior to their actual purchase of a home security system.
Fortunately, not every type of sensor is necessary for each room of the house. Moreover, fewer sensors will be needed if they are strategically placed. Homeowners can follow a few simple steps to help make the decision process easier.
First, an assessment of the interior and exterior of the home is necessary. Take notes for easy reference. Determine which windows are not visible from the road or by any of your neighbors. Windows that are covered by shrubbery, in the back of the home, or out of reach of any light fixtures are prime candidates for a sensor of some kind. A sensor should monitor every entry door.
Door switches are most commonly a type of magnet switch. This type of switch will trigger the security system once the opening of a door has broken the circuit.
Homeowners should make sure they have enough window switches to cover all of the windows that cannot be seen easily by neighbors. A typical window switch, a magnet sensor, will detect a window that has been opened. However, it does not detect the breaking of the window glass. Therefore, homeowners should consider glass breaking sensors as well.
A glass breaking sensor can be used for more than just a single window in the room. In fact, it covers all of the windows in a single room. Since most security systems limit the number of sensors that you can use before they tack on additional costs, using glass breaking sensors can save on the number of sensors used.
Motion sensors are good choices for stairways from the first floor to the second floor. They are also excellent choices to monitor hallways that lead to bedrooms. Don’t worry that a pet may trigger a motion sensor - simply avoid that scenario by installing the sensor higher up to prevent that possibility. Some motion sensors are so sophisticated that they can detect the difference between people and pets.
Keeping the keypad accessible to the person in the group who enjoys a midnight snack is also a good idea. Usually, a keypad is placed near the bedroom areas to allow for easy access in case of similar events.
Additionally, a keypad is usually placed by the front door. This allows someone arriving home after everyone else has gone to bed to turn the motion detector off upon arrival. The motion sensor can then be turned back on, if another keypad has been situated in the hallway near the bedrooms.
A carbon monoxide sensor is an excellent choice for homes with attached garages. Homes with gas utilities should also have carbon monoxide sensors placed in them. The common location for this type of sensor is near the bedrooms or gas furnace.
Whatever the security system, personal choice will dictate the type and number of sensors used for safety purposes. There are no right choices and wrong choices in selecting the combination of sensors - there are simply better choices. Any security system is better than no security.
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