Home Security Sensors

If you own a small condo or townhome, the boxed security systems available at your local big-box store just might meet your needs. However, before you decide that a single camera and alarm pad will suffice, it’s a good time to review where security experts recommend that you position all your home security sensors, including cameras, motion-activated lights, and alarm panels.

Alarm Panel

You need to place your alarm panel near the door you use daily. It is also ideal to have a second one at the back door and perhaps a third in the master suite in large homes. That way, you can monitor and acknowledge the system more quickly.

Security Cameras

Many home security systems start with a few closed-circuit cameras that record moving objects around your most vulnerable entrances. It is always best to position your cameras at the:

• Front door

• Back door

• Off-road windows

• Garage door

• Basement stairs

A Senior Security Consultant from Brinks Home™ can help take inventory of your home to suggest additional locations to secure the perimeter of your entire property.

Security camera options may include color, black and white, or night-vision systems to capture someone’s precise detail moving through the shadows.

Motion Sensors

Cameras are only part of a quality home security system. Motion-activated sensors can send a signal to your professional monitoring center to check the live video feed and set off your in-home alarm system, even if your window and door sensors were never tripped. Place motion sensors in:

• Main hallways that connect all the rooms on a single floor.

• High-value areas such as the entertainment room, office, and outside a master bedroom.

While motion-activated lights can be a great addition to the exterior of your home, it is not always advisable to connect them to the alarm system since animals, guests, and vendors may have access to your yard while you are away.

Door and Window Sensors

These sensors are placed at the top of your doors and on all your windows. If the door or window is opened, a signal gets sent to your alarm panel and to the monitoring center to determine whether authorities should be contacted. Many home security systems allow you to exclude window and door sensors during the day and set up a schedule at night to rearm those points. Window and door sensors may require wiring, but they are very low voltage and shouldn’t pose a safety hazard to your family.

When you want to make sure you purchase the right equipment for your home security system, reach out to the qualified Senior Security Consultants at Brinks Home.

Jason Stevens is a senior writer for Brinks Home. He is a "tech guy" who enjoys sharing home security and automation tips with others.