With crime up in most cities across the country and a struggling economy, it makes sense that more and more people are turning to alarms to secure their homes.
However, there are a number of things to remember long after you are deciding which company provides the best system for you.
After all, the only thing that's more important than doing research before investing in protection for your home is remember to keep taking care of it so that it works to its fullest potential.
Whether you have the fanciest bells and whistles around or just a basic system that protects your home and gets the job done, here's how to make sure that things are up-to-date and at the optimal potential with your home alarm system.
The batteries - When your alarm was installed, you should have taken care to pay attention to whether or not the alarm panels included batteries that could be easily purchased at a store and changed by the owner, not a technician from the company.
In case you didn't, a quick phone call to the company should clear things up.
If it's possible to change them yourself, it's an excellent way to save money.
The reason that batteries are so important is that without them, your alarm panel isn't actually functioning, meaning that you cannot actually set your alarm.
The light bulbs - Many home alarm systems come with lighting timers for outside, many of which are motion-sensitive.
This can be a huge deterrent to any burglars who revel in lurking in the shadows or trying to hide behind the bushes.
But they can't do their job if the bulbs are burnt out.
Invest in the sort of light bulbs that have a longer life, and consider changing them out on your own rather than having someone come from the alarm company, if you have a ladder.
It's a great way to save yourself money on some maintenance that is easy to complete.
The sensors themselves - Sometimes sensors in particular rooms stop working, or aren't working to their optimal potential, but unless there is a break-in, you're likely not going to notice.
The purpose of those annual checkups from your security company? It's not just an attempt to fleece you out of money; it's a legitimate concern to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment.
Be sure to have someone from the alarm company come out and make sure that all sensors are still doing their job, so that you know that your home alarm system is actually operable.
Otherwise, things aren't quite up to par, and a break-in might be more likely or possible.
The latest developments - If you never check in for maintenance, you might miss out on something huge that could be more beneficial for your house--often at a much friendlier price.
By making sure that someone from the home alarm system company comes out and checks up on things once a year, you can find out about the latest additions.
Best of all, if you're already a customer, you're way more likely to enjoy a generous discount on adding features to your already-existing alarm.