If you’ve ever experienced a home invasion, robbing or vandalism, you know that there’s nothing worse than feeling unsafe in your own home. Thankfully, these days it’s possible to feel safe and secure at home (and when you’re away) with a state-of-the-art home security system.
With the rising cost of living and increasing crime rates, it feels like nowhere is 100% safe but we don’t think that’s good enough! There’s plenty that can be done so that your home always feels like a safe haven.
At Frontline Security, we provide a range of security services including security patrol, event security, home security systems and alarm monitoring. Basically, we want you to feel safe wherever you go! So, what are your options to keep your home secure?
Monitored Vs. Unmonitored Home Security Systems: What’s the Difference?
If you want to make certain your home is secure, initiatives like neighbourhood watch can help, but ultimately, you need a home security system. Most systems these days are modular, so you can customise them for your needs. Add a security camera here, and a door alarm there, really, you can find a solution for whatever you need! And if you want to make the most of your security system, then you need to have it monitored by the professionals.
When it comes to monitored vs unmonitored home security systems, of course, there are pros and cons to both. Let us explain:
Monitored home security systems
Monitored home security systems are connected to a central monitoring station. When an alarm is triggered, your home security system sends a signal to the monitoring centre, where a trained professional assesses the situation.
With quick response times where precious minutes count and 24/7 availability, utilising a monitored home security system is the crème de la crème! With monitored security set up, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that a professional is looking out for your most valuable asset every second of the day. They’ll spring into action if anything seems fishy so you can be sure that your home will be secure no matter what!
Of course, on top of the cost of installing your security system, there are usually monthly fees for a monitoring service. For the knowledge that your home is safe and secure, it’s a small price to pay, but if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you might prefer to use an unmonitored home security system.
Unmonitored home security systems
Generally speaking, unmonitored and self-monitored security systems will cost you slightly less. This is because you won’t be paying a monthly fee for a monitoring service, and you won’t be paying call-out fees either. Once you’ve had your security system installed, that’s it! There are no extra costs, although some companies do charge a one-off fee to purchase their self-monitoring app.
With a self-monitored home security system, you can usually monitor your security notifications in real-time directly on your phone via an app. A self-monitored system is great if you want to be in control. If you want to know when someone steps on your property while you’re gone, or you want an alert if a door is opened while you’re in bed, just set your system up to send you custom notifications.
Unfortunately, on the flip side, DIY home security systems can be prone to spamming your phone with notifications and it can take a lot of time, and a lot of trial and error to get your notifications set up perfectly so that you don’t get notified about the neighbour’s cat crossing your lawn in the middle of your big presentation at work.
It’s worth noting that a self-monitored security system may as well be unmonitored if you are someone who travels a lot for work, doesn’t always have cell service, or you are too busy to check notifications as they pop up (and let’s be real, most of us are very busy these days). A few minutes is all thieves and vandals need to do damage and cost you thousands! If it’s important to you to have someone keeping track of your security system and monitoring it in real time, then a self-monitored system might not be the best option for you.
Having an unmonitored or self-monitored home security system is perfect if you’re on a budget, work from home, or have the flexibility to be able to keep track of your security yourself, through your phone.
Which home security system is right for you?
With so many great self-monitored home security systems on the market these days, if you’re someone who can monitor your own security, you might prefer that – any level of security is better than nothing, so what it all boils down to is personal preference. However, a professionally monitored home security system is always going to be the best way to keep your home secure!
How Frontline Security can help
At Frontline Security, we offer tailor-made alarm monitoring services, so that you have everything you need to feel secure, but you don’t have to pay for any of the things you don’t need.
If you want to know that your home is secure, and you don’t want to have to think about it on a daily basis, then let us know so that we can do the heavy lifting for you and get your home safe and secure!
Our alarm monitoring service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If a home security system alarm activates at one of your properties, we will alert you immediately and activate your alarm response plan. For unexplained alarms requiring further investigation, we can deploy local security guards who can stop by your property, evaluate the situation and determine the cause of the tripped alarm, so that you know exactly what is going on in your home.
Ready to up your home security game? Call us today or reach out through our contact form and we’ll help you to ensure your home is secure!