Home security systems growing in popularity

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Now, more than ever, people want to ensure their homes are a safe place where loved ones and possessions will be protected. One way to do so is to install a home security system. |ret||ret||tab|

"There's definitely an increase in the demand for home security systems. (Sept. 11) has had a huge impact, particularly on camera surveillance," said Greg Lynch, owner of Advantage Home Security, a local ADT authorized dealer.|ret||ret||tab|

Jim L. Morris, owner and president of American Detection Specialists Inc., agreed with Lynch's observation.|ret||ret||tab|

"Statistically, about five years ago less than 10 percent of homes in Greene County had security systems," Morris said. "Now it's approaching 20 percent. It's getting to the point where a security system is almost considered to be a home appliance."|ret||ret||tab|

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What's available|ret||ret||tab|

Home security systems aren't simple burglar alarms. Systems now have options including fire, moisture and carbon monoxide detectors, panic buttons and medical alert buttons.|ret||ret||tab|

"Something newer on the medical alert is that we can put a speaker in the home and talk with the customer until the ambulance gets there. For elderly that live alone, that's almost mandatory," Lynch said.|ret||ret||tab|

There's also a weather alert available.|ret||ret||tab|

"There is a sensor that is a glorified barometer. If the pressure drops so much in a certain amount of time, the only condition that produces that is if there is a tornado within five miles," Morris said.|ret||ret||tab|

Lynch said some customers are putting in camera systems "along the lines of what we see in Las Vegas. Instead of the old type of 24-hour time lapse VCR, these record on a computer's hard drive. It's great for nanny cams. |ret||ret||tab|

"If people are at work they can watch what's going on at home live over the Internet. Cameras can be covert and wired into the television, so if you are watching television and the door bell rings, you can see who is at the door."|ret||ret||tab|

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Wired or not|ret||ret||tab|

A big difference in system alternatives is between wired or wireless systems. |ret||ret||tab|

Jim Wade, president of Atlas Security Service Inc., agrees wireless systems are the coming thing.|ret||ret||tab|

"In technology there is a lot of movement toward wireless. But from our standpoint, I feel you can't beat running a wire from point to point," Wade said.|ret||ret||tab|

Morris, however, believes the future is in wireless systems.|ret||ret||tab|

"Wireless systems are becoming more popular," said Morris. "Wired systems are the time-honored technology. ," Morris said. "The wireless system is more reliable, dependable, installs quicker and cleaner, and, in most cases, is more user friendly."|ret||ret||tab|

Wired systems are typically more expensive than wireless systems.|ret||ret||tab|

However, Lynch favors wired systems. |ret||ret||tab|

"We like to get a wire from point A to point B rather than use a radio frequency. It's more work for us, but in our opinion it will last longer and be a better system."|ret||ret||tab|

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Installing a system|ret||ret||tab|

While the best time to install a security system in a house is during construction, many are installed in existing homes.|ret||ret||tab|

"If you're building a two-story home, I highly recommend you get it prewired. If you don't, go with a wireless system. The reason is we put wires through walls and up into the attic. With a two-story house, we can't do that if it is already built," Lynch said.|ret||ret||tab|

Costs vary according to the installation package and service plan. The monthly monitoring package varies by the type of system.|ret||ret||tab|

The biggest problem Wade sees is that homeowners wait too late to invest in a security system.|ret||ret||tab|

"Most people wait until they've been burglarized or their neighbors have been hit to put in an alarm system. Our point of view at Atlas is do something now to prevent it before it happens," Wade said.|ret||ret||tab|

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