IOT Today Logo

Why You Should Get a Home Security System for Seniors

Owning a home security system is vital to keeping your home safe. More than being safe, it means feeling safe. The sense of security and comfort to be gained from alarm systems is priceless. This is true for everyone.

One priority as we get older is our safety and security. A system focused on home security for seniors may help protect you and your property from criminals. Sadly, seniors are seen as easy targets for robbers, whether or not this is true. Plus, a home security system is a great crime deterrent because criminals tend to go for less risky targets. 

Why do seniors need a home security system?

Protection from burglars is just one of the advantages of a home security system. From fire and flooding to carbon monoxide, there are many things that a home security system can warn you about.

Alarm systems can also make your daily life easier. A smart thermostat can save you money, smart locks unlock when you get home, and smart lights make it easier and safer to get a glass of water in the middle of the night.

Having an alarm system can reassure your family members that you’re safe. Allowing you some independence.

Features to Look for in Home Security Systems for Seniors

DIY home security systems are made up of many components, and apart from the basic ones, you can get a few add ons. Usually, it will include

  • A base station connects the different components of your home security system. Think of it as the brain of your system. With a smart home security system, it also serves as the bridge between your alarm system and your other devices.
  • Contact and motion detectors alert you if they detect anyone in your home who shouldn't be there.
  • A keypad, touch screen, or standard control panel, where you can key in your code to arm or disarm the alarms.
  • And key fobs and tags. A little like your car keys, you can arm or disarm your alarm system without having to go to your keypad.

Apart from these, there are a few extra components you should look for, especially if you are looking at alarm systems for seniors, such as:

  • Security cameras and video doorbells. This allows for video monitoring through which you can keep track of what is happening in your home. With a video doorbell, you can check to see who is outside before you open the door, plus it can provide valuable footage. How many cameras you should have depends on the size and layout of your home.
  • Environmental sensors and alarms to monitor your home for dangers. These are fire and carbon monoxide alarms and flood sensors. These let you know the moment there is a safety hazard in your home so you can get to safety.
  • Glass-break sensors and garage-door-tilt sensors. The first alerts you when your windows have been broken. The second lets you know whether your garage door is opened or closed. This is useful even if you simply forgot to close it.
  • Panic buttons and pendants. These allow you to call for help quickly in case of an emergency. The pendant in particular can be extremely useful if the person in question is at risk of falling.
  • And, if you have a larger home, a range extender, to make sure your entire property is secure and multiple standalone sirens.

More About Motion Detectors, Glass-break, and Entryway Sensors.

Are motion detectors necessary? Only as much as home security systems. If you want your home to be safe, then yes. And, as part of a home security system, it works in tandem with the other components to protect you and your property.

A motion detector, however, protects you once an intruder is already inside. To provide an extra layer of protection you could consider a glass-break sensor. This is typically the only component found in home security systems that detects sound. It alerts you as soon as your window is smashed, to prevent any further damage.

And, to protect your doors and windows from being opened without you knowing about it, there are entryway or door and window sensors. These simple devices are incredibly useful. They consist of two pieces, one attached to the door or window, and the other one to the frame. You're alerted when the two pieces separate. 

Apart from doors and windows, you can also install them in patio doors, medicine cabinets, safes, mailboxes, etc. They are useful not only to keep unwanted people out but also to keep people in, like children or someone at risk of wandering off.

home security

Remote Control, Cellular Monitoring, and Mobile Alerts

As for cellular monitoring in a security system, the fact is that landlines are fast becoming obsolete. Cellular monitoring has plenty of advantages: 

  • It's more secure, 
  • It’s more reliable, 
  • It has better coverage, 
  • It's easier to install, 
  • It sends alerts faster than landlines, 
  • It allows for remote control, and 
  • It can be cheaper in the long run since it means your security system is not dependent on a landline. if you don't have a home phone, you could even get rid of it altogether. 

The fast alert time allows you to remotely lock or unlock your doors and arm or disarm your alarm through a mobile app. Plus it lets you know if anybody unlocks your doors and if anything does happen, you'll be alerted instantly with a mobile alert so that you can monitor the situation.

pexels oleg magni

Wireless or Hardwired Systems

Both systems operate on sensors, but there are a few key differences that distinguish them from each other. You need to know the pros and cons of each one before you make a choice.

On the good side, a hardwired system has fewer components, it's less likely to run out of power, it will keep working even if your Wi-Fi went down and it's less likely to experience electrical interference.

However, a hardwired system also has some downsides. It can accommodate a limited number of cameras, it does require professional installation since it is difficult, and therefore more likely to have an error, there is a higher possibility of home damage after the installation, making some repairs necessary and it is far less flexible in case you move.

When it comes to wireless systems, the installation is easy and it's very flexible in case you move. It's battery-operated, once installed, it can easily be upgraded and the integration of a smart home security system with any other smart home devices you may own is very simple.

But again, a wireless system does have some drawbacks. It's Wi-Fi-dependent, so if your Wi-Fi goes down, so does the system. It could potentially be vulnerable to hacking and other cyberattacks, the signal can be intercepted and they can experience interference from other devices or obstacles, such as walls.

24/7 monitoring

Appropriate professional monitoring services are vital to home safety. Home security companies have systems in charge of notifying the central monitoring station and securing a property. In the event of an emergency, it should be able to communicate with the main monitoring center at all times. The main monitoring station is always operational and responds to home alarm signals, transmitting the information to the local authorities.

With round-the-clock, professional monitoring services, you can feel secure in the knowledge that someone is always on hand to respond if there's a security, health, or other major crisis in your house. Emergency services can be contacted at any time no matter where you are.

In case of a fire, a break-in, or any other event in which the authorities should be involved, 24/7 monitoring ensures that there is always someone on hand to help. It protects you when you're home, and protects your home when you're away. This service can be included in security packages.

monitoring

How can I avoid setting off false alarms from my home security system?

False alarms can have a variety of causes behind them. A flaw in the equipment,  dead batteries, installation errors, or, most commonly, simple user error. False alarms in home security systems present a big issue for police and first responders, as they dedicate significant resources to responding to alarms, false alarms mean waste in assets. Here are some tips to avoid setting off your home security system alarm accidentally:

  • Double-check your doors and windows are securely closed. It's easy not to notice a small gap in your doors and window, and these can trigger alarms.
  • Make sure anyone who needs to be able to disarm the system knows the code well enough to key it into the keypad or control panel. Entering the wrong code can trigger the alarm.
  • Try to keep the area around your motion sensors free of clutter, as stray objects like balls rolling past sensors or balloons floating by can trigger the alarm. Stray balloons are frequently the culprits of false alarms.
  • If you have a pet, make sure you use pet-immune motion sensors, since alarms can be triggered by a cat or a dog running past, for example, a motion sensor.
  • Change the batteries regularly. Typically, the system will let you know if the batteries need to be changed, but it's always good to be safe and a system running low on batteries can easily malfunction.
  • Make sure your equipment is in good shape. This may mean regular maintenance or taking care of any flaws you notice in the components of your system taken care of right away.
pexels jimmy chan

A home security system for seniors allows you to keep your independence. If you're living on your own, not only will it give your family members some peace of mind, but it will also make you be and feel safer.

A home security system, simply defined, is an important method to secure your property and those who dwell inside it from burglary, house invasion, fire, and other environmental calamities such as burst pipes or floods. With an alarm system, you'll feel safer and more secure knowing that your house is protected even if you're away or sleeping soundly.

cell monitoring
Say Hello

Get Free Quote

Whether you're trying to secure or automate  your home or business, we're able to do the job better than anyone else.