There are a lot of things you can do to raise the security of your home from installing better locks to defensive landscaping. A more active approach is to install an alarm system. There are a few companies that offer an actively monitored home security systems such ADT. The real benefit is the piece of mind with a security system. You have to remember that an alarm system will not keep someone out of your home, but it does act as a deterrent. The signs and stickers that are provided with the systems actually can help deter a break in passively. This is a viable option for those who do not want to spend the monthly fee. The job of the alarm system is to do one thing: alert. When on vacation, a business trip, at work, or even out to the store your home gains a certain level of protection. You can be alerted while away by a phone call from the provider or by the alarm when you are sleeping at night. Sounds pretty good so far right? The cost should be the next topic then. You have to pay for a service, after all there has to be someone to call you 24/7 /365 and they have to gather information from you very quickly when needed. Outside of any one time installation fees if they apply, the monthly cost is around $30-50 and the price can go higher. There is one more thing to keep in mind while in consideration of this purchase, a discount on homeowners insurance. You can save to the upwards of 20%. Assuming insurance is around $800 a year, you could save $160 of that and bring a $360 a year security bill closer to a $200 annual piece of mind.]]>