Life events and local news stories can push homeowners into quick decisions about buying or expanding a home security system. “You’re more interested when things hit closer to home,” says Rob Gabriele, home security expert and editorial director at SafeHome.org, a consumer-focused research and review website focused on home and personal safety. He bought his first system the day his first child was born.
Instead of buying under pressure, a more effective approach is to do research and make a thoughtful decision. In the following, Gabriele answers questions about how to choose wisely based on budget and improved technology. His answers have been edited for length and clarity.
What kind of outside security do homeowners need?
RG: Protecting the perimeter of your home is crucial. If someone is creeping up at night, an outdoor security camera will detect their motion, and you’ll get an alert on your phone. Exterior cameras are available for as little as $50, but you’ll typically spend between $150 and $200 for a quality camera. It’s best not to skimp on them.
Intruders don’t like to be exposed by lighting, so you want an exterior light on at all times. Place lights at every entrance to your home, even the back door and side windows. I recommend installing floodlights on your garage that cover the whole driveway leading up to the walkway. They’re motion activated, shedding a blinding light across the driveway or wherever they detect movement.
What about the entryway?
RG: Criminals are usually opportunists who don’t have elaborate strategies. Most burglars and home invaders come right through the front door, so focus on security there. First, get in the habit of locking your front door. And a doorbell camera will send motion-activated alerts to your phone if anyone’s coming up to the door. You can use the camera’s two-way talk feature to tell them to scram, or if needed, you can call the police.
What security do homeowners need inside?
RG: You want to have door and window sensors all around your home. If someone comes through a window, they’re going to hear that loud siren; typically, it’s enough to send someone running. Interior cameras, or nanny cams, can help you keep an eye on contractors and other service providers in your home. You can pick one up for $25 or $50.
How are security products packaged and priced?
RG: Websites for popular brands like SimpliSafe, ADT and Vivint sell kits categorized by home size. Price points correspond to how many pieces of equipment you get. A SimpliSafe kit for a small, two-bedroom home might cost $250 or $300.
If you live in a larger home, the core system doesn’t change much. You’ll just buy more door and window sensors, a couple of extra cameras, and motion sensors.
What are monitoring options?
RG: Self-monitoring doesn’t require a subscription or monthly fee, and professional monitoring typically costs $20 to $60 per month. You self-monitor through an app, so, if you’re notified that someone is breaking in, you’ll need to call the police. With paid monitoring, an emergency response team monitors your home. When a sensor trips or the camera records someone, the monitoring center can tap into that as it’s happening and dispatch police if necessary.
In the Nancy Guthrie case, if her camera had used monthly monitoring, it would have provided critical evidence. Investigators were able to get some of that footage through forensic science, but most people won’t have that backup.
If you have a Ring doorbell camera, monitoring costs only $5 per month, so at least get that in place.
What should homeowners know about installation?
RG: Whether it’s a DIY or professional installation depends on the company. For instance, ADT offers both. With their professional installation, someone gives you a full consultation and sets up the system for you. The fee is typically $100 to $200.
If you want a DIY-driven brand like Ring or SimpliSafe, you buy the kit and set it up yourself. That way, you can set things up where you want. The app walks you through the setup and is user friendly.
What are some developments in AI home security?
RG: Biometric controls use unique human characteristics — for example, fingerprints, facial features and iris patterns — to recognize individuals and automatically grant or deny them access to a home or secured property like safes. A subset is Facial Recognition technology, which distinguishes between people who come over frequently and people who aren’t recognized. You can program in the frequent visitors — say, the FedEx delivery person. The alert may say something like “unrecognized person” or “potential threat.”
Geofencing creates an invisible virtual boundary around your home using your phone’s location. It can automatically lock exterior doors or unlock them when you reach a certain distance from the door. It can also automatically arm your security system when you leave home and disarm it when you return.
With Smash and Crash Protection, there’s a 10- to 20-second countdown before the alarm sounds to give you time to get to the alarm panel and disarm the alarm. If an intruder breaks in, hears the beeping counting down and tries to smash the control panel before the alarm goes off, a signal will be sent to the monitoring center if you have professional monitoring. The monitoring center will know something’s awry and dispatch the police.
How can homeowners improve home security?
RG: Homeowners who have a home security system don’t always arm the system at night or when they leave home, even though they only need to open the app and hit “arm system.” It’s as simple as flipping a switch. That same complacency causes some homeowners to leave their door unlocked when they go inside. Both lapses are avoidable.
The first step in improving home security is finding a system that covers the basic risk areas, deters or blocks intruders and is easy for you to use regularly. Technology advances, including AI, and accessible research have simplified that step.
Interview conducted by Lynn Ettinger.
