I have been in the security business for a long time owning a small firm in Bend, Oregon, and I get asked this question all the time. Most people think about home security based on the fear that someone will break into their house, causing damage and taking all their (what they perceive as) valuable stuff.

I want to change the language and priority of the DIY home security conversation to focus on life safety. What does that mean you might ask? Almost all security systems are built to detect not only intruders, but can also detect carbon monoxide, smoke, heat, and even combustible gas when you get the appropriate sensors. These devices are where I direct my clients to allocate their resources first. The smoke and carbon detectors that most homeowners have on their walls or in their outlets do not dispatch the fire department. Monitored life safety devices are designed to contact the responding authorities through communication with the central station. Noisemakers are not good enough in some circumstances.

Unfortunately, I know this first hand. My brother-in law died from carbon monoxide gas. There is another valuable piece of information that everyone should know about these monitoring sensors. When you try to take the battery out or mess with the device, the central station and the main panel on the wall are notified with what called a “tamper”, which in turn calls your attention to acknowledging and addressing the problem.

I have been in hundreds of houses to find the battery removed in the non-monitored smoke/ carbon monoxide sensor or the device practically hanging off the wall, completely inoperable. Every time I see this, it reminds me that my industry needs to do a better job of helping people understand how essential the monitoring services we offer are, and to keep sending out the message to please monitor for life safety first. Visit our shop and check out our variety of carbon monoxide detectors  Here

So when you are thinking about what is most valuable in your home and are making the decision to purchase a DIY security system, think about the life safety of your family and friends first, then move to the discussion about your stuff and the doorbell camera for your front door. I hope my first-hand experience with losing a family member will help prevent many of useless tragedies that happen every day to those who didn’t have all the information or understand how this technology works. But even if I just save one life, that is enough.

Sincerely,

Graham Hausler