DIY Don't: Why Do-It-Yourself Home Security Products Aren't As Secure As They Seem

Wander through your local hardware store and chances are you'll see dozens of different home security products marketed to homeowners who want to beef up their home security without calling in a professional. Many of these are aimed at homeowners who want a more connected, secure home, but not every DIY security product is as secure enough to protect your home. Here are some reasons why do-it-yourself home security products aren't always the best solution for your family's needs.

They aren't all made to the same quality standards

As technology changes, people are demanding more from their home alarm systems. They want security, automation, safety, and convenience, but rarely will you get all of these in one inexpensive "store bought" product. When consumer electronics companies decide to take on home security, they have to do more than just create a flashy little box with bells and whistles. The result of a poorly designed security system isn't just an inconvenience for the consumer; it puts your home and family at risk from fire, break-ins, and theft.

Professional security systems are created to much higher standards than the ones you'll find in hardware stores. You may balk at the price difference since those DIY units are typically a relatively low one-time cost vs. monthly commitment with a professional service, but when it comes to the security system you put in your home, you get what you pay for. Do you really want to save money at the expense of your home security?

Some require a lot of tech savvy

Of course, there are some well-made DIY security systems available, but if you're looking for one that can be connected to the internet for remote monitoring, you'd better be pretty tech savvy or you could end up not being able to use the system's most attractive features. If you set it up wrong, you might not get the full level of protection that you expect from the system.

With home security systems that connect to the Internet, you need to also keep cybersecurity in mind. Hackers can take advantage of poorly designed systems and can take control of your hardware, locking you out of your home or interfering with the system so they can get into your house without being detected. Plus, many of the systems use apps that allow you to access features of your home security system remotely. If the apps store your personal information, they could be putting you at risk from identity thieves and other cyber criminals.

You may not know the most vulnerable points in your home

Do you know which areas of your home thieves are most likely to target? You could guess, but if you don't guess correctly, you could leave your home vulnerable to burglars. A professional home security systems installer can make sure that your system is set up for optimal security with no guessing.

Since every home is different, it takes more than just a generic alarm system to provide adequate home security. If you have pets that stay inside during the hours that the system is activated, you'll need to know how to prevent them from setting the alarms off. If you have children who need to access the alarm controls to let themselves in the house after school, you'll need to take that into consideration, too. Trying to account for everything on your own with a DIY system may result in lots of stress for you, and not nearly as much security as you need.

If you're trying to decide whether a professional or a DIY home security system is better for your needs, ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the products available in stores or if you'd rather have the peace of mind that a professionally installed system provides. For more information about your options, contact a company like Tele-Plus.