After taking your family out to eat for a nice supper, you drive home and pull in the driveway, and the last thing you expected has happend. The glass picture window is smashed, and shards of glass lay all around. Your child's glass piggy bank lay smashed in the front yard. After carefully entering the house, you find all the guns are missing.

I still remember this night clearly since this was my family's home. Thankfully, we didn't come home during the burglary. However, not only were some of our possessions stolen, our peace of mind was stolen too. After that, my mom wanted to move. Unfortunately, this could happen to you too. According to the FBI, a home is broken into every 15.4 seconds. Fortunately, home security systems are known to deter burglars.

Before purchasing a wireless home security system, you should decide what features you need. Take the time weigh the benefits and costs of each feature. Commonly available features are:

• Door sensors
• Windown sensors
• Pet-sensitive infrared motion detectors
• Window decals and yard signs - This is important! Window decals warn potential burglars your home has a security system. If they see signs your home is protected, they will more than likely bypass it for another home.
• A loud alarm - This is another important feature. If the alarm is loud enough for the neighbors to hear, it will make the burglar more fearful of getting caught.
• Keypad control panels
• Keychain remote control activator
• A remote control to allow the system to be easily activated or inactivated
• Motion sensors with a home mode function so you do not set off the alarms.
• Cell phone notifications
• Cellular monitoring - With this feature, if the system does not detect a phone line, it will automatically switch over to a cellular transmitter and makes a phone call to the monitoring company. However, since the signal can be lost, it is not completely effective.
• Mass notification systems
• If it is a monitored system, Look for a policy of calling first before notifying the authorities
• A power source independent from the house in case the burglar cuts the power lines.
• A system which relies on internet access - This allows you to check the status of system on the internet when you're away from home.
• A cellular phone feature in case your landline is cut
• 2-way voice box
• Video surveillance cameras
• Surveillance monitors
• Digital video recorders
• Backup battery
• Gas detectors
• Water and freeze sensors
• Smoke detectors
• Programmable paging feature - Instantly notifies you when you're away from home of any problems.
• Panic/duress operation -
• Medical alert companions
• Nonvolatile memory - In the event the system is turned off or reset, the memory is stored.
• Three points of protection - At three different entryways in your home, an audible chirp will sound when the door is opened.

Unlike hardwired systems which are wired into your home's electricity system, wireless home security systems tansmit signals through radio waves rather than electrical wires. If you're in the process of building a home, a hardwired system might be more advantageous. However, if you are installing a security system in an existing home, the wireless system is probably your better bet. Some of the advantages of a wireless home security systems are:

• Easier to install in an existing house.
• Easier to install by homeowner
• Less expensive
• Can easily add and relocate monitoring sensors
• Can be more easily concealed from burglars
• You can take it with you if you move
• It can be activated or deactivated with a keychain remote.
• Outstanding range
• Usually state-of-the-art with the latest technology
• Celluar notification of problems
• Better protection and more peace of mind since you don't need to worry about burglars disabling the phone or electrical lines.

When you decide to add a home security system, you will also need to decide between a monitored or unmonitored system. A monitored system is run by a company for a monthly fee. When you choose a monitord service, unless your system is already installed, they will install it. When an alarm is triggered, usually the company tries to call beforehand and asks for a predermined password and whether it is is an emergeny. However, even if you are not available to verify the emergency, they still notify the authorities.  Furhermore, there is also an option for a medical emergency. By pressing a call button, you can speak hands-free, and the monitoring company will send medical help.

On the other hand, if you have an unmonitored security system, if an emergeny happens while you're away from home, you have to depend on your neighbors to call. Whether they call or not will partially depend on whether they hear the alarm and wheher they are home.

Hence, if you have young children or the elderly living with you, or your neighbors are not nearby, a monitored system may be better. It can give your greater peace of mind 24/7. However, unlike an unmonitored service, it does require a monthly fee of approximately $20 to $50 and is dependant upon a telephone line. Additionally, emergency personel can bill you for an unnecessary trip, and you are locked into a contract for a few years. Although another advantage of a monitored service is you usually recieve a greater discount on your homeowner's insurance.

Although homeowners may have a false confidence that it won't happen to them, according to the FBI, a home is burglarized every 15.4 seconds. Furthermore, it is estimated that 3 out of 4 homes will be burglarized in the next 20 years. Consequently, it is likely your home will be burglarized at some point time.

Considering these statistics, don't wait anothe day to protect your family's safety, security, and peace of mind. Not only are wireless home security systems more affordable than other systems, they can even help do other tasks like monitor your children and pets. Furthermore,  wireless home security systems can save you anywhere from 5% to 20% on your homeowner's insurance.

Since wireless home security systems have many different options, decide beforehand which features you want or need. Additonally, you will need to decide whether you want a monitored or unmonitored system. Your home and your family are priceless. Don't take anymore chances.