Safeguard Your Inventory! 5 Best Security Systems When You Work From Home

Have you ever caught someone lurking in the shadows? Are you worried about all your hard work being stolen by an intruder? Are you sick of people telling you to get a dog when you already have one or to get a gun when you don't really want one?

When you have a business and work from home it can be a bit nerve-racking to have your inventory at your home even when you think it's completely secured you might be surprised with how easy it can be for someone on the prowl. Random security breaches happen more than the statistics like to report. In this post, I am going to share my insights on 5 of the best security options.
I will be really honest, security systems professionally installed that are monitored 24/7 are expensive. The DIY options I will go over towards the end are better if you are on a budget.


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Vivint

Vivint Smart Home marketed as an automated smart home system this is the security system that I currently have. They have a variety of different packages to choose from depending on what your security and home automation needs are. Security-wise I would recommend at least one indoor ping camera, one outdoor camera, a few door monitors which are the same as the window monitors and similar to the noisemakers you can get from the dollar store, however, the ones from the dollar store won't be monitored by the system so its important to get a few of these just in case. Of course, with any security package that you get you'll have the main panel which you might want to hide behind something other than your front door as the indicator lights on the front are a dead give away if the system is armed or not.

The system runs on your internet so you will need to have wifi in order for it to be monitored. The motion sensors are exactly just that they detect motion. They do not light up or record video if there is motion about a foot in front of it. I wouldn't recommend the motion sensors as they don't offer much protection unless the system is armed (away). The indoor ping cameras are similar they record a 20-second video when motion is detected but if you're standing in front of the camera its cooldown is almost 5 minutes before it will record motion again as the videos will not be continuous. If you opt for the cameras that do record video for DVR playback with cloud storage your monthly payment almost doubles.

Additionally, this company offers a discounted package for any family with a child who has the diagnosis of autism in order to prevent wandering. Vivint Gives Back gives families the choices of receiving a bundle of equipment at no cost and a discounted monthly payment depending on your income.

FLIR

If for some reason your intruders are good enough to bypass the main security system.....FLIR is the company that you need to invest in next! They offer indoor and outdoor security cameras that are infrared aka thermal vision. I didn't say that this was going to be cheap though or easy to figure out! Thermal vision if not paired with a device that also uses night vision can be tricky to watch and know what you are looking for as this is not your typical camera that uses an optical viewer. There security options a pretty heavy duty however, they are not monitored by anyone other than if you do the monitoring or hire someone to do the monitoring.

ADT

ADT is a reputable company that has been around forever, if you are looking for a monitored system with professional installation and many different package choices this would be a good place to start researching. I've personally never tried them, however, I did set off a friend's alarm accidentally and it was ear piercing loud! Instead of numbering each monitor on the windows and doors within the system each sensor is given a description of exactly where its at which can be located very quickly when an alarm is triggered. Similar to Vivint Smart Home, this company offers automation also linked to the thermostat, lights, and other appliances. You have to use either Amazon Alexa, Z Wave, or Kwikset for automating your home which is really cool but pricey if you don't already have anything linked to those brands. Easy enough though to control your home from their app for your phone called Pulse.

SimpliSafe

If you want a security system with monitoring but without the professional installation SimpliSafe is a great option! They offer wireless DYI systems that are monitored 24/7 with no contracts. The only downsides that I saw with this route is that the system does not offer outdoor video cameras or home automation. They do have an indoor camera that is similar to Vivint's ping camera and when an alarm is triggered the dispatchers will alert needed help for you (police, fire dept. etc).

DIY/On A Budget

Before I had a security system, there were a few weeks when my suburban neighborhood was being targeted by a string of break-ins. I hadn't made any sales yet and couldn't just sit around and watch the premises 24/7. Before investing in absolutely anything, I tried sitting by the door all night with a Star Wars glowing lightsaber and I set up my son's stuffed animals around the dining room table as decoys with all the inside and outside lights on all night. I was tired of not being able to sleep soundly after a few nights of this, I first purchased the magnetic door/window alarms from Home Depot just like in this picture on the left (linked to Amazon if clicked which is cheaper than what I originally paid).

As the cost of putting these on every door and window in the house began to increase and when they're triggered they just make noise and you have to locate where the noise is coming from on your own. I found another option similar to a monitored system but without the monthly fee and an increase in the security other than a magnet that can be easily removed and turned off if the intruder were to get past the front door. Digoo Wireless security system does not provide 24/7 live monitoring however, the package is $65 one time cost and you can control your home from an app right on your phone. Even better is if you decide to add more devices to the system in the future they do not cost that much and they are just a one time cost rather than a monthly payment. When an alarm is triggered you do not have to go searching the entire house with ear muffs on as the main panel tells you which alarm was set off.

As I've read many security system articles and asked around, the most overlooked of any security was locking your doors at night and double checking if they're locked. Not leaving a key under the doormat outside your door, and closing the curtains in the evening if you're going to have the lights on indoors were two other answers I heard from many. If you've done the obvious, its worth the piece of mind that having a monitored security system gives you and your precious inventory!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Look out for Mixed Media Artist's Who Want To Make Money Series 2: Part 1 debut tomorrow evening! In the meantime, visit my website or follow me on Instagram!