Door sensors on all main entryways; flood/water detectors in bathrooms, kitchens and basements; and glass break detectors on windows, especially large ground-floor ones. The more sensor coverage you have, the better informed you can stay about your surroundings.
Understanding Home Security Systems
To start, it helps to understand the standard components and functions of a home security system. At their most basic, they usually include a hub or keypad to arm, disarm and configure the system, in addition to a number of sensors depending on the provider and package. These can include door and window sensors, glass break sensors, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and/or flood or water leak sensors. Most systems are scalable, so you can always add on more peripherals if necessary, such as additional sensor or cameras.
If the system is professionally monitored – which requires a subscription to a paid monitoring plan – then a triggered sensor issues a signal to a monitoring center. The monitoring center will then call the homeowner and/or emergency services depending on the nature of the alarm and whether or not the homeowner answers the call. If the system is self-monitored (i.e. you’re not paying for a monitoring service) then the homeowner is usually alerted via smartphone app.
Compare Home Security Systems
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Best Choice
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors available | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Siren type | Audio – strobe light upon request | Audio | Audio | Internal | Audio |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Professional installation | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Voice control | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
Smart & Remotely Monitored Security Cameras
Security cameras are more popular than ever, but they have limitations, especially for people who are blind, deaf or hard of hearing. First of all, most home security cameras work on a self-monitored basis, meaning that it’s up to the owner to watch them. These cameras provide footage to help find and prosecute criminals or intruders after the fact, but they don’t do much to prevent incidents in the first place (apart from their presence deterring would-be intruders).
For maximum impact, deaf people should select cameras with artificially intelligent features like motion detection, people detection and even facial recognition. Wireless cameras with these features issue smartphone alerts via their accompanying apps. Even if you can’t hear a bang on the door or someone rummaging in the garage, the camera will detect activity and you’ll receive a notification on your phone. Then, you can tune into the live feed to see exactly what’s going on. Here is a roundup of several great cameras to choose from.
It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s possible for people who are blind to benefit from security cameras as well. Today’s best wireless cameras have mobile apps that make it easy to grant access to someone you trust. You set up a camera or video doorbell, allow a trusted friend or loved one to opt into mobile alerts, and then they can tune in if there’s activity detected. Thanks to motion detection and person detection features, a camera can also help you independently determine details like when cleaners, dog walkers, maintenance people or other service professionals arrive and leave, or if someone is intruding in your yard. It also may gather evidence of crimes. Even if you miss the alerts or can’t see the activity, the camera will catch it, and law enforcement or loved ones will be able to review what happened after the fact.
It’s also possible to outsource this task to a security company that provides remote monitoring of security cameras. Install a camera on the outside of your home, and trained professionals respond to any activity by issuing verbal warnings or calling the authorities. “Remote CCTV monitoring technology features a PA system that allows for verbal warnings to ward off criminals that may be stepping onto the property,” explains John MacMahon, Managing Director of the UK-based remote monitoring company Re:Sure. “With this, the operators assigned to your home will be able to call the police as soon as there’s a threat.”
There is a privacy concern here – after all, a remote professional will be able to check in and see the outside of your house. For this reason, we only suggest remote camera monitoring for the external, non-private parts of your home.
Note that camera monitoring is different than the 24/7 system monitoring described earlier in the discussion of home security systems. Home security monitoring centers receive signals from the system’s collections of sensors, but do not have access to your video feed. This helps protect your privacy, but it does mean that your cameras have to be self-monitored (or monitored by a loved one) even if you have a monitored home security system.
