Your home should be a place where you feel safest, but unfortunately, there are criminals in the world who break into homes and steal belongings and may harm the occupants of the residence. One way to make your home safer and protect your family and belongings is by installing a residential alarm system. An alarm system can protect your home both when you're there and when you are not. Having a home alarm system can also provide much-needed peace of mind. If you're interested in getting a home alarm system, use the following tips to select the right home alarm company to work with.

Know the Cost of Equipment Installation 

Before an alarm system can monitor your home, you will need to have the right equipment in place. When contacting different home alarm companies in your area, make sure you ask what the total charge will be for the equipment and installation. It is also important to know what equipment is included; ideally, all of the doors and windows in your homes should have sensors that will recognize when a door or window is tampered with while the alarm system is turned on.

Ask About Monitoring Fees

After the proper equipment is installed in your home, you will need to set up monitoring. A monitored alarm system is typically preferred over an unmonitored system because a monitored system will contact the police department if your alarm goes off and is not unarmed within a minute or two. Monthly monitoring fees should be affordable -- get quotes from several different alarm companies before deciding which one to work with.

Look for Extra Options

If you're going to have an alarm system in your home, it makes sense to get one that can protect your family and home in a variety of ways. Some of the most popular alarm systems available alert the alarm system when someone is breaking into a home, but will also send a signal for help if there is a CO2 leak or smoke is detected in the home. This extra level of protection is typically very affordable and can make a big difference.

Beware of Long Contracts

A lot of alarm companies require some sort of contract when setting up new monitored service. However, you should be wary of alarm companies that require multi-year contracts; an alarm company that provides great service at an affordable rate typically does not require a new customer to sign a long-term contract that requires a fee to break.  

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