General Safety and Home Security—Frequently Asked Questions
What You Should Know to Keep Your Family Safe
The Basics of Home Security
- How Much Does a Security System Cost?
- What Is Home Automation and How Does it Work?
- What Is a Security System and How Does it Work?
- My House Was Broken Into. What Do I Do?
- Do I Really Need a Security System?
- Are Home Security Systems and Alarm Monitoring Worth It?
- What’s the Initial Cost for a Home Security System?
- Do I Need an Alarm Permit to Install a Security System in My Home?
- I Rent an Apartment. Should I Still Consider a Home Security System?
- What Is Alarm Monitoring and How Does it Work?
- Can Purchasing a Home Security System Decrease My Homeowners Insurance?
- Are Home Security Systems and Alarm Monitoring Tax Deductible?
- How Much Is Alarm Monitoring Each Month?
- How Long Does it Take for My Security System to Notify My Provider of an Intrusion?
- What Are Common Electrical Hazards and How Do I Fix Them?
- How Can I Prepare for an Earthquake?
- How Can I Prevent My Home from Flooding?
- How Can I Prevent a House Fire?
- How Can I Keep My Home Safe While I’m Away?
- How Do I Create an Emergency Plan for My Family?
- How Can I Make My Home Energy Efficient?
- What Is a Neighborhood Crime Watch?
- Do Home Security Systems Deter Crime?
- Is a DIY Security System Better Than a Professionally Installed One?
- What Are the Advantages of Installing a Do-It-Yourself Security System?
- What Happens to My Alarm Monitoring If My Phone Line Is Cut?
- What Organization Regulates Home Security Companies?
- Who Does Home Safety Assessments?
- Are Guard Dogs Effective for Preventing Break-Ins?
- How Do Home Security Systems Protect Against Fire and Floods?
Choosing a Security System
- Are Wired or Wireless Home Security Systems Better?
- What Type of Contract Length Can I Expect from Security Providers?
- What Is the Best Security System?
- Can I Take My Security System With Me When I Move?
- I Live in a Relatively Nice Neighborhood. Can I Still Benefit from a Home Security System?
- Why Should I Get a Home Security System?
- Why Should I Want Video Surveillance?
- Why Should I Choose a Company With Professional Monitoring Services?
- Should I Have My System Professionally Installed?
- What Should I Consider Before Having an Alarm System Installed?
Home Security Equipment
- What Does a Carbon Monoxide Detector Do and How Does it Work?
- What Types of Security Cameras Are Available and What Are the Differences Between Them?
- What Are Electric Door Locks and How Do They Work?
- Can I Have My Existing Security System Equipment Monitored?
- Do Home Security Systems Work With VoIP?
- Will My Pet Trigger a False Alarm on My Home Security System?
- What Is a Security System Key Fob and How Does it Work?
- What’s the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cameras?
- Can I Get a Home Security System Without a Phone Line?
- What Are Pet Immune Motion Detectors and How Do They Work?
- What Is a Panic Pendant and How Does it Work?
- If the Internet Goes Out, Does My Wireless Security System Still Work?
- If the Power Goes Out, Does My Security System Still Work?
- What Is the Difference Between Monitored and Unmonitored Security Systems?
- Can I Control My Home Security from My Phone?
- How Can I Avoid Setting False Alarms?
- How Can I Control My Security System If I’m Not Home?
- How Often Should My Alarm System Be Tested?
- If I Have an Emergency, Who Should I Call First?
- What Are Common Components of a Security System?
- What Are the Smart Home or Home Automation Features of Security Systems?
- Are Wireless Home Security Systems Reliable?
- How Do Wireless Security Cameras Work?
- How Does a Glass Break Detector Work?
- How Does a Door Sensor Work?
- How Does the Fire Response Work?
- How Does a Motion Detector Work?
- How Does the Police Response Work?
- How Does a Window Sensor Work?
Home Security Service Features
- What Are the Best Features to Include in a Security System?
- What Is Safewatch Cellguard and How Does it Work?
- What Is ADT’s 2-way Voice and How Does it Work?
- Where Can I Buy Home Security Batteries?
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Wired and Wireless Home Security Systems?
- Are Wireless Alarm Systems Reliable?
- What Additional Fees or Charges Will I Need to Keep in Mind with Security Systems?
Home Safety and Maintenance
- What Do I Do If My House Floods?
- What Should I Do in the Event of a House Fire?
- What Is a Home Safety Evaluation and How Do I Do One?
- What Are Some General Home Safety Tips?
- What Basic Steps Can I Take to Prevent My House from Being Burgled?
- What Should I Do If There Is an Intruder?
- Where Should Home Security Cameras Be Installed?
- Where Should I Install Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms?
- Where Should I Install CO Monitors?