Is a home security system something I should consider if I live in Fort Worth?

When you live in a larger city like Fort Worth, Texas – where the population of nearly 800k and the 13th largest city in the entire country – you’re bound to hear news of crime in the area on a daily basis. Your hope is to never find yourself involved in such a situation, and you take every measure to make sure you don’t. If you live in Fort Worth, where there were 28,072 property crimes reported in just one year, a home security system is a must for your personal safety. 

Can home security systems really reduce crime?

If you’re a criminal, you want to commit the act as quickly and easily as possible to minimize the chances of getting caught. Burglars tend to look for the easiest targets, which is why your home is more vulnerable when you’re on vacation or if you have a reliable pattern of being away for long periods of time during the day. Anything that makes it more difficult to make a quick entrance and exit into your home is going to reduce your risk of becoming a victim to a home invasion crime. The presence of a home security system is often enough to send a criminal away from your home and on towards an easier target. 

What type of home security system is going to offer the most protection for my home?

This of course depends on the type of home you live in, the size of your residence, whether you want indoor and outdoor surveillance, and what types of features are most important to you. There are certainly plenty of options on the market, but wireless home security systems seem to be the top choice today. Wireless home security systems offer exceptional reliability and are equipped with automated home security features that matter for people on the go. 

Should I plan on having a professional come and install my home security system?

Not if you choose a wireless system to protect your home. Wireless home security systems are simple enough to install that they can easily be tackled as a DIY project for most people. Wireless systems typically don’t take more than an hour or so to install from start to finish. If you choose to go with a wired system instead, the installation is far too complex – and potentially dangerous – for the average person to handle. For this reason, you should plan on contacting a professional installer, and factoring in the expense of the installation, if you choose a wired system. 

Aside from ease of installation, are there other advantages to choosing a wireless system?

Wireless systems now match, if not exceed the reliability of wired systems. Because they don’t depend on wiring and electrical components, wireless system can maintain their reliability during times that might shut a wired system down. For instance, a storm that knocks out the power, construction that interferes with the wiring of your home, wire chewing invasive rodents, and clever criminals that know exactly which wires to cut. Additionally, wireless systems are equipped with automated home security features, which is something hardwired systems can’t provide. 

Is it costly to maintain a home security system in Fort Worth?

“Costly” is a relative term but generally speaking, home security is something that can be fit into most household budgets in Fort Worth. The initial cost of a system starts at about $200 and can go up by several hundred dollars depending on which system you choose. If you opt for a wired system, plan on adding upwards of $200 to this total for installation. With wireless systems, you’re only paying for the cost of the system itself. Alarm monitoring services in the Fort Worth area range from about $20-$50 per month depending on the service you choose.