by Eric J. Martin
Protect your family by choosing easy-to-install smart security products
According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, a burglary occurs once ever 13 seconds, yet 87 percent of homes don’t have a security system – making them 300 percent more likely to be burglarized.
Many residences lack security systems for a big reason: Traditionally, this hardware has been costly and difficult to self-install; plus, systems that offer professional monitoring often charge $30 or more per month.
But recently, several brands have rolled out do-it-yourself Wi-Fi security products designed to protect you and your family, without the exorbitant expense and installation headaches. Examples include the Arlo Pro 2 Wi-Fi HD Wire-Free Camera Security System Bundle and the Ring Alarm Security Kit.
Cutting the wires and the middleman
Jeff Zisner, a Costco member and CEO of AEGIS Security & Investigations in Los Angeles, says consumers are gravitating toward these DIY systems today “because it’s easier and cheaper than ever to implement them. A few years ago, you’d need to hire a company to come out and sell you an expensive wired system. Now, with Wi-Fi and smart-home-enabled systems, the middleman is eliminated. You can buy hardware from the manufacturer, install it easily yourself and self-monitor it or have it monitored by a reputable company for a reasonable price.”
The DIY part represents a sea change in the industry, according to Costco member member Jamie Siminoff, founder and chief inventor of Ring, a Costco Supplier. “You can save a massive amount otherwise spent on installation and avoid the hassle of scheduling the installers. Doing it yourself also better acquaints you with how the system works,” he says.
Costco member Victoria Guyton says the Ring home security system she installed herself, with 24/7 professional monitoring (an optional $10-per-month service), is worth every penny. “An armed intruder broke into the back of my home while I was at work. The professional monitoring service alerted me, had the police at my home before I got there and was instrumental in the apprehension and conviction of this perpetrator,” says Guyton, whose system includes a video doorbell, door and window sensors, and motion detectors. “My husband has a job that takes him away from home a lot, so this security system gives me an extra sense of safety.”
It’s time to untether
What took so long for DIY smart security solutions to arrive? First, consider that they’re commonly managed via a mobile app. “All of these devices rely on the smartphone as one-half of the system,” Siminoff notes. “That means they were delayed from mainstream production until the recent wider adoption of smartphones.”
Second, the emergence of innovative tech makes these gadgets more affordable to produce and purchase. “Brands like Arlo have brought technology to the market that enabled smart security cameras to be battery-powered and weather-resistant and run wirelessly via Wi-Fi – which allows them to be placed nearly anywhere,” says Greg Falgiano, a Costco member and senior manager of software and services at Costco supplier Arlo Technologies. “Wire-free systems don’t have wires that can be cut by intruders, and they have their own power source.”
Also helping matters is the fact that many of these brands offer a 24/7 monitoring service with no strings attached. “We’ve been able to democratize professional monitoring and bring it to a price that doesn’t break the bank, without being tied to a long-term security contract,” says Siminoff.
Key ingredients
At a minimum, Zisner says, your comprehensive home security system should send alerts triggered by:
- A video doorbell with recording capability for your front door.
- One outdoor camera near the back door.
- One indoor camera in a central location.
- An alarm system with an audible siren and sensors installed on every exterior door and window.
Additionally, experts say opting for 24/7 professional monitoring, if the product offers it, is worth it.
“How many times have you heard a car alarm go off in your neighborhood? We’re preconditioned to dismiss these alarms. Professional monitoring helps watch your property when you’re not there, without relying on neighbors to call the police,” says Zisner.
Note that many brands store video recordings free to the cloud for only a few hours or days; opt for a storage subscription plan ($3 a month and up) if you value longer recorded clips and longer storage.
Erik J. Martin is a Chicago-area freelance writer. Read his blog at martinspiration.blogspot.com
This article first appeared in Costco Connection February 2019 costco.com