It is a sad day and age when we can no longer leave our doors open and unlocked while we are out at the grocery store and always need to have one eye on our children even when they are just playing outside in the front yard.
Gone are the carefree days of safety and community and now everyone must be on the lookout in the neighborhood for potential crooks and criminals.
Protecting yourself with a home alarm system has never been more important.
With such a vital task at hand, it must be difficult and quite daunting for the new buyer to decide what alarm is best in which to secure their home.
There are dozens of companies to choose from in your neighborhood alone and to add to that, quite a few reputable national companies as well.
To begin to decide how best to make your home safe, take a look at these things all companies should bend backwards for you to provide:

• 1.
  A comprehensive home security plan.
  Not only should all systems be equipped with certain features (to be outlined below) in a basic package, but a provider should be willing to lay out a plan - step-by-step with you - should something actually happen to your home.
  It is completely natural to want to know what the provider will do for you if your home, or your family, is in danger after the alarm system sounds noting you of something potentially terribly wrong.
  How quickly will they respond? Who will respond? How will they help your family cope? These are all important questions to consider and ask when speaking with a provider.
  
• 2.
  All basic plans should include the following: a touch-pad alarm system with personalized access and key code to be placed at the door most often used in the home.
  It could be the front door or the back door, whichever one gives you the quickest access to your alarm system.
  It should also include alarms on key windows and doors like child's bedrooms, back doors, screen and sliding glass doors, dining room and living room windows, etc.
  Multiple motion sensors that will not be affected by pet motions are also generally included, as are flood, carbon monoxide, temperature control and smoke detectors.
  
• 3.
  Where is your home security system provider located? Chances are, a local branch of a national company is using satellite technology for its alarms.
  While the advances in technology are generally seen as a good thing, for the home this could be considered a double-edged sword.
  Make sure the company has an established, benevolent relationship with your local enforcement; from police officers to fire stations.
  Without this key ingredient, your home cannot be considered safe under a company's protection.
  Granted, most national companies are quite reputable, but having that local touch is sometimes the difference between a two-minute and 10-minute response time in an emergency.