Getting a new home alarm system is a great way to provide for your family's protection. You will be able to rely on advanced technology to keep an eye on things when you are not around, or in some cases to let you see everything when you are at home. Home security companies are always coming up with new tools to let homeowners monitor their own safety. Nonetheless, you can't always rely on technology alone to keep things safe at home. There are certain things that will work against you in the struggle against thieves, even with an excellent home alarm system. Take these precautions before you sit back and let the technology work for you.

1. Go with the top monitoring service. You can't consider your home alarm installation complete until you have the right monitoring service watching over you. Services vary, but you should be able to depend on an immediate response and perhaps a visit from a patrolling guard in the area. Otherwise, you want to memorize the procedure for what happens once an alarm sounds and help is required.

2. Upgrade the volume on your alarm siren. Most alarm systems arrive at your door with a less than intimidating siren, which can work against you when a thief is brazen enough to try and work on despite the alarm. When there is a loud wail coming from your alarm system, this possibility is far less likely. Changing the siren's capabilities is not a difficult task and shouldn't cost you much money either.

3. Utilize security cameras. The perfect complement to a wireless home alarm is some security cameras stashed around your property where no eyes can see. It may be impossible to always be near a computer when you want to look at the footage, but there are a variety of options regarding footage. You may be able to record dozens of hours of footage if you like, utilizing the capabilities of a DVR machine.

4. Work on a fire escape plan. Everyone in the family should know how to react when your smoke detectors signal the alarm that a fire has broken out. Whether you have small children or mostly grownups around, the moments of confusion and panic can lead people down the wrong path. Run a fire drill a couple of times with everyone so they know instinctively where to go, and have a meeting point outside where you'll gather afterwards.

5. Brief the family on dealing with strangers. Even with a great alarm system and techniques in place for dealing with burglars, the entire apparatus can be undermined by poor decisions you or other family members make. Don't allow a criminal to enter your home with the aid of some ruse - whether it be disguised as a repairman or appearing to be injured in an accident. Positively identify anyone you plan to let inside.