Are DIY Home Security Systems Worth the Risk?
May 18, 2021
DIY projects have their place. Updating a piece of furniture or attempting to make your own sourdough bread are prime examples. But, just as you wouldn’t DIY your dentist appointment or install your own cable TV, security systems should be left to the professionals.
Don’t cut corners when installing a home security system to protect your family and property from the worst-case scenarios, hire a professional; below are the top reasons why.
Lack of 24/7 Monitoring
A burglar alarm is only as good as its monitoring center. Sure, you can call the cops yourself if you happen to see a burglary from your smartphone while away from home. But, what if you or your loved ones are in the home during a break-in? Who will call the police in a timely fashion? A 24/7 monitoring center will.
Environmental monitoring. If a pipe bursts and water is unknowingly flooding your home or a fire sparks, you want 24/7 alarm monitoring on your side. Time is of the essence and, in all of these scenarios, there are only moments to spare.
DIY Alarms are Hackable
While there are many advantages to wireless technology, it can oftentimes be easily hacked, as evidenced by the video below. DIY systems tend to run on the same frequencies as many other electronic consumer products, leaving them vulnerable to hackers. To boot, the cost to do so can be as little as $5 for a simple remote control jamming device. Wireless systems are also vulnerable to power and internet outages. With professionally installed security systems, you end up with dual-frequency, cellular transmission equipment to complement your wireless technology (which is vulnerable to accidental and intentional interruptions). Running on a secure cellular transmission means being up and running as close to 100% of the time as you can get.
Installation Confusion
DIY security system layout and design plans are often made using confusing instruction manuals or maybe a quick Google search. There is no replacement, however, for years of experience in knowing glass break sensor, smoke/fire sensor, CO detector, motion detector, and security camera placement. Not only that, but criminals are also savvy and will know a DIY job when they see one. They’ll find the vulnerable spots and avoid being detected. This is why “they” always say, if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time!
The Rise in False Alarms
The security industry has seen a trend in rising false alarms. That trend coincides with the purchase of DIY security systems. This could be because they haven’t been properly installed or due to weak wifi signals. Either way, you don’t want to be the house that cried wolf in case a true emergency occurs.
The bottom line is that your peace of mind is extremely important but it’s also important that it’s warranted. Having a DIY security system means having a DIY response to an emergency and a DIY installation job. Not to mention being more vulnerable to system hacking, power outages and false alarms. There isn’t much peace of mind in that! Contact us for a free alarm system quote for your home and loved ones.