Congratulations! You have a Ring doorbell. You've watched seven package thieves in stunning 1080p. You've joined three neighborhood watch Facebook groups. You feel secure.

But here's the thing: A doorbell camera is to home security what a Band-Aid is to surgery. It's a start, but maybe we should talk about the rest of your home.

The "Are You Paranoid or Prepared?" Spectrum

Let's figure out where you fall:

Level 1: Blissfully Unaware

• Front door: Unlocked
• Alarm: The dog (unreliable)
• Strategy: "Who would rob ME?"

Level 2: Casually Cautious

• Doorbell camera installed
• Sometimes remember to lock doors
• Motion-activated porch light from Home Depot

Level 3: Reasonably Protected

• Full security system with monitoring
• Cameras covering entry points
• Knows where the fire extinguisher is

Level 4: Professionally Paranoid

• Multiple layers of security
• Backup power for cameras
• Has read every statistic about burglary patterns
• Neighbors think you're preparing for something

Most people should aim for Level 3. Let's get you there.

The Building Blocks of Home Security

Think of home security like an onion (or an ogre, for you Shrek fans). Layers matter.

Layer 1: Deterrence

The goal: Make burglars choose someone else's house.

What works:

• Visible security cameras (even fake ones deter)
• Security system signs and stickers
• Motion-activated lights
• Well-maintained landscaping (overgrown = no one's watching)
• A large dog's water bowl on the porch (dog optional)

What doesn't work:

• Hiding a key under the mat (everyone checks there)
• Leaving lights on 24/7 (screams "I'm not home")
• That "Protected by Smith & Wesson" sign (just announces valuables inside)

Layer 2: Detection

The goal: Know immediately when something's wrong.

Entry sensors: Detect when doors and windows open. These are your bread and butter.

Motion sensors: Detect movement inside your home. Great for when you're away.

Glass break sensors: Hear that specific frequency of shattering glass. Because sometimes they don't bother with the door.

Cameras: See what's happening in real-time and have evidence later.

Layer 3: Response

The goal: Do something about it when detection happens.

Self-monitoring: You get an alert. You call 911. You hope you have cell service.

Professional monitoring: A monitoring center gets the alert. They verify it's real. They dispatch police. They do this 24/7, even at 3 AM when you're in a different time zone.

DIY vs. Professional Systems: The Showdown

The Real Cost Breakdown

Let's talk money, because security systems have more hidden costs than a Vegas vacation.

DIY System (Example)

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Base station | $100-200 | | Door sensors (4) | $60-120 | | Motion sensor | $25-40 | | Outdoor camera (2) | $100-300 | | Doorbell camera | $100-250 | | Upfront total | $385-910 | | Monthly monitoring (optional) | $10-25/mo |

Professional System (Example)

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Equipment | "$0" (built into contract) | | Installation | $0-200 | | Monthly monitoring | $40-60/mo | | 3-year contract total | $1,440-2,160 | | Early termination fee | 75% of remaining contract |

What You Actually Need (And What's Overkill)

Essential:

• Entry sensors on all exterior doors
• Motion sensor in main hallway
• Loud siren
• Monitoring (professional or self)
• Smoke/CO detector integration

Highly Recommended:

• Doorbell camera (yes, despite my earlier joke, these are useful)
• At least one outdoor camera covering entry points
• Entry sensors on accessible windows
• Backup cellular connection

Nice to Have:

• Indoor cameras (controversial - privacy trade-off)
• Glass break sensors
• Water leak sensors
• Smart locks integration
• Video storage subscription

Probably Overkill:

• Cameras in every room
• Military-grade encryption
• Panic room
• Alligator moat

The Insurance Angle

Here's where security systems can pay for themselves:

Most insurance companies offer 5-20% discounts on homeowners insurance for:

• Monitored security systems (biggest discount)
• Smoke and fire monitoring
• Water leak detection
• Deadbolts and secure locks

Do the math: If your insurance is $2,000/year and you get a 15% discount, that's $300 saved annually. A $10/month monitoring service costs $120/year. Net savings: $180/year PLUS actual security.

Common Security Mistakes

Mistake 1: All cameras, no sensors Cameras show you what happened. Sensors stop it from happening (by triggering alarms immediately).

Mistake 2: Forgetting the back door Guess where most break-ins happen? Not the front door that's visible from the street.

Mistake 3: Skipping the monitoring An alarm that only you hear isn't much of an alarm if you're not home.

Mistake 4: Leaving the security sign but canceling service Burglars know which companies are active. An outdated sign might as well say "bluffing."

Mistake 5: Relying on WiFi alone Power goes out. WiFi goes down. Cellular backup keeps you protected.

Smart Home Integration: Cool or Risky?

Connecting your security system to smart home devices has pros and cons:

The Good:

• "Alexa, I'm leaving" arms the system
• Lights turn on when motion detected
• Locks auto-engage when system arms
• Thermostats adjust when you're away

The Concerning:

• More connection points = more vulnerabilities
• Voice assistants can be tricked
• Software updates can break integrations
• If cloud goes down, features may fail

Best practice: Keep security on a separate network, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication.

The Bottom Line

Home security doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. At minimum:

1. Lock your doors (seriously, most break-ins are through unlocked entry points)
2. Add entry sensors on exterior doors
3. Get a loud siren that alerts neighbors
4. Consider monitoring for peace of mind
5. Tell your insurance and get that discount

You don't need to turn your home into Fort Knox. You just need to be a harder target than the house next door.

One Last Thing

Remember: The goal isn't to be completely impenetrable. It's to make breaking in annoying enough that criminals move on to an easier target.

And maybe, just maybe, actually watch those Ring videos occasionally instead of just letting them pile up. That porch pirate footage isn't going to share itself on Nextdoor.