An electronic home-security system can be the source of great peace of mind — or great financial headache. The latter may occur because buying a system, and the alarm-monitoring service that often goes along with it, can be a thorny purchase, fraught with such perils as high-pressure sales tactics and unfriendly contracts. Do you need a home-security system?
“I think the most important advice is to think twice before even bothering with a system,” said Robert Krughoff, president of Consumers’ Checkbook, which rates home-security companies. “There are a lot of things you can do that would probably be more powerful than any home-security system.”
Burglars usually aren’t sophisticated. They often take advantage of unlocked doors or windows that are easily jarred open.
“Most of the time, they get in through very unartful means,” said Kevin Brasler, executive editor of Consumers’ Checkbook.
Cheap and effective alternatives are quality deadbolts on doors, substantial window locks and motion-sensor lighting outside. You could get a dog, although its care might turn it into a pricey option. You could bluff by posting a Beware of Dog sign or the window stickers from alarm companies.
If you do opt for a system, get several price quotes for system installation and monitoring, perhaps starting with companies rated highly by Consumers’ Checkbook or Angie’s List.
80%
Homeowners with alarms who rated their systems as effective in protecting their homes, according to a survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center
