If you’re looking for a home security system, the choices are wide and expansive. Frankly, though, the choices are not that clear.
When seeking out home security, look first at your comfort level and consider the crime rate in your neighborhood.
Is your home safe enough? One place to look is www.homefair.com, operated by the National Association of Realtors.
Here (at www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/crime.html), you’ll be able to compare your city’s crime report with those of other cities across the country through the site’s Relocation Crime Lab.
This tool provides an unemotional look at where you live and where you’re considering moving.
“The Relocation Crime Lab Index gives the city’s crime rate relative to the national average of all the cities in our database,” the site says. “A value of 100 means that the city is exactly average. A value of 200 means that the city has twice the crime rate as the average city. A value of 50 means that the city has half the crime rate of the average city.”
Compare crime scores for Washington and Los Angeles, for instance. Washington’s Relocation Crime Lab Index is 508, while the L.A. number stands at 296.
Unfortunately, the crime rates have not been updated with the latest data. The site says the figures date from 2001.
If you’re in the market for a home security system, you may want to consider these tips from the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association in choosing a system — and more important, in choosing a professional installer:
• Contact the NBFAA (www.alarm.org) or your state burglar- and fire-alarm association for a list of member companies in your area. The association’s members agree to maintain a high level of conduct under its National Code of Ethics and render services at the highest level of quality.
• Call several companies. Ask if their employees are trained or certified by the NBFAA.
• Ask the companies if they have appropriate state and local licenses.
• Ask the companies if they conduct any pre-employment screening.
• Contact your local police department’s Crime Prevention Department, state licensing agencies, Consumer Protection Agencies and the Better Business Bureau.
• Ask your insurance agent, friends, family and neighbors for referrals.
• After you’ve narrowed the field to three or four alarm companies, consider planning the appointment time when all members of your household are present.
• Ask any representatives who visit to show some company identification.
• Ask each alarm company representative for an inspection, a recommendation and a quote in writing. Use a checklist to compare packages and price quotes.
• To learn more about home security systems, call the NBFAA marketing department at 301/585-1855 for a free consumer brochure.
• M. Anthony Carr has written about real estate for more than 15 years. Contact him by e-mail (manthonycarr@erols.com).
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