Consumer Services

Home Security Systems: Tricks of the Trade

Every 15 seconds, a home in the U.S. is burglarized. Crimes to property, such as homes, represent over 75 percent of all crimes reported. In 2007, burglary offenses cost victims an estimated $4.3 billion in lost property. Overall, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $1,991. The FBI-reported data shows just how important it is for consumers to secure their homes. Because most people take their vacations during the summer, home security becomes especially important if you are planning an out-of-town trip.

However, securing your home does not necessarily mean you have to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a top-notch alarm system. There are other more affordable security options that can be implemented using ordinary household items and a little common sense.

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department tells you what you can do and what you should look out for, such as potential rip-offs involving companies who promise security services but do not deliver quality work and leave clients disappointed and shortchanged.

Common Rip-offs
*From ConsumerReports.org

• Door-to-door salesmen. The scenario: A representative from a home-security company knocks on your door and offers you a free alarm system in exchange for displaying his company's sign on your lawn. Swayed by the prospect of getting a free security setup, you sign a long-term monitoring contact and end up stuck with a shoddy installation and substandard equipment and service.

• Misleading representatives. Be cautious if a salesman says he represents, or wears clothing with logos from, manufacturers like GE and Honeywell. These firms don't sell directly to consumers and don't allow their logos to be used by others. Also be wary if the rep does not take time to assess your home's vulnerabilities or does not discuss alarm system details, alarm notification procedures, and the company's call center. Companies with “vans ready to install your system today†are another tip-off.

Consumer Smarts

• You get what you pay for. Expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot of your home for a complete system and about $25 per month for monitoring. Cheaper systems may use less-sophisticated sensors, which don't recognize the difference between animals and humans.

• Meet standards. Look for sensors that meet American National Standards Institute and Security Industry Alarm Coalition standards. The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association certifies installers through its National Training School. Some states license alarm companies and installers.

• Do the job right. Quality alarm systems combine audible and silent alarms triggered by sensors placed throughout the home, not just on doors and windows. Use a combination of sensor technologies for fewer false alarms and better accuracy. Silent alarms notify the monitoring station, which contacts the police. Audible alarms prompt the burglar to flee.

In addition to or in substitution of alarm systems:

• Place a sturdy bar in the track of any sliding door in your home to make it more difficult to force open.

• Reinforce windows and glass doors with transparent window-security film, security glazing, or roll-down security panels, or install burglar-resistant glass. Never leave doors or windows unlocked.

• Make sure the door from your home to the garage is equipped with a good lock. To reduce the odds that a burglar can get into the garage by stealing the signal code off your garage-door opener, install an opener that uses rolling-code technology to change the code after each use.

• Use landscaping as part of your defenses. Prune shrubs so they won't shield intruders from neighbors' view. Trim trees so they don't provide access to second-floor windows. And never leave a ladder outside -- a crook could use them to gain access to an upper floor or onto a section of roof.

• Install motion-detecting lights outdoors to ward off nighttime intruders.

• Put timers on lights and radios (tuned to an all-talk station) to give the impression that someone is home. The best electronic timers have battery backup in case power is lost and provide several on/off cycles.

• Make it look like someone is home. When you'll be away from home for an extended period, arrange to have your lawn mowed. Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspaper or cancel delivery. If possible, leave a car parked in the driveway.

For more consumer tips, or to check the complaint history of a company, file a complaint or ask consumer-related questions, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website at www.miamidade.gov/csd or call (305) 375-3677.

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Back to Top Page Last Edited: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:57:33 PM