ARLINGTON - The summer months are the perfect time for a vacation getaway. Unfortunately, they are also the perfect time for a home robbery. According to the FBI, the summer months of July and August have the highest rates of burglaries.
Better Business Bureau is advising homeowners, who are looking to secure their property this summer, to do their research when picking a home security system.
According to an Academic Study of Home and Business Security by Temple University, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) says that homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems. (Actual statistic ranges from 2.2 times to 3.1 times, depending on the value of the home.)
Losses due to burglary average $400 less in residences with security systems than homes without alarm systems.
Although no system makes your home completely burglar-proof, a home security system can reduce your chances of being burglarized and give you some peace of mind.
In 2010, BBB received nearly 25,000 inquiries from customers asking about burglar alarm systems.
“It’s important to investigate the purchase of a home security system with the same care you would any major purchase,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “There are too many door-to-door salespeople selling home security systems out there that don’t always have your best interest at heart.”
BBB advises consumers to do the following when looking to invest in a home security system:
– Choose a professional installer.
The best home security system will accommodate your lifestyle and specific valuables you want protected.
Carefully consider your security requirements and budget.
You may also get recommendation from the insurance company that covers your home. Deal only with reputable firms and check out the company with BBB first.
Contact at least three companies before selecting an installer. Find out if they are properly licensed in your state and if they screen employees before hiring.
Make sure to check with the ESA website for a list of member companies throughout the United States who have agreed to abide by the National Code of Ethics.
– Ask about all charges up front.
Prices for home security systems will vary, based on the level of protection and type of technology used, so be sure to compare apples-to-apples bids on similar systems. Do not forget to factor in the initial installation charge, as well as monthly monitoring charges. Also, talk to your insurance agent; some systems may qualify you for a discount on homeowner’s premiums.
– Know the ins and outs of your contract.
If your alarm system will be monitored, either by your installing company or by a third-party monitoring center, find out the length of the contract. Typically, monitoring contracts are between two to five years in length.
What is your recourse if you are not satisfied with the services provided? Can you cancel the contract? What are your rights if your monitoring company is purchased or acquired by another alarm company? These are the types of questions you need to consider before you obligate yourself to a long-term contract.
– Insist that the installer “walk” you through your system until you fully understand how it works. This will prevent the most common problem: false alarms.
False alarms are an indicator of the quality of the alarm installation and user education.