| So, you bought your first motion detector alarm. | | | | significant electrical work. If you're adding on a |
| It may even be the first one you've ever had a | | | | hard-wired motion detector to an already |
| chance to get familiar with, if your home didn't | | | | hard-wired overall system, then you will obviously |
| come with a default alarm system in place. You're | | | | need to route the wires appropriately. This is |
| all ready to get things set up so your home can | | | | commonly done by feeding them through holes in |
| be safe from evildoers... but how do you do it? | | | | the walls, but if you don't like the idea of |
| There's probably plenty that the little paper slip | | | | damaging your walls, you can run the cords |
| pretending to be an instruction manual isn't telling | | | | through the outside of the walls, using plastic |
| you! Well, just get a few simple rules of thumb in | | | | brackets or other means to affix them, and |
| mind, and you'll have a safer, more secure home | | | | placing them discreetly so they won't be obvious |
| in no time at all. | | | | to skulking burglars at night. However, most |
| The first step is to get into a would-be burglar's | | | | novices at alarm systems will opt to buy the |
| head, and think about where he would | | | | cheaper and far more common wireless alarm |
| theoretically break in from, and where he'd go | | | | systems. These don't really need anything except |
| from there. Motion-based security systems work | | | | to be screwed in place, with batteries popped in |
| best when placed into areas that will likely be | | | | them. It is worth keeping an eye on the batteries |
| moved through frequently. Hallways, staircases, | | | | every few months, mind you, as not all alarms |
| and central connecting rooms are ideal. You may | | | | have a visual notification of low batteries. And an |
| also want to place an alarm on every major | | | | alarm without any power in it obviously isn't going |
| possible entry to your home, such as in every | | | | to do you a whole lot of good, now is it? |
| room with a window, the front and back doors, | | | | For more specific directions, you'll have to look at |
| and the garage if your garage has direct access | | | | the instructions provided with your particular |
| to your home. While you're thinking about location, | | | | model of motion alarm. However, you can expect |
| also keep in mind that alarms work through | | | | to need a screwdriver and screws at the very |
| infrared or heat-based technology to detect | | | | least. If you're getting a hard-wired alarm system, |
| motion. That's why you need to place alarms so | | | | you'll also most likely want a power drill and a |
| that they're not aimed at hot spots, like heating | | | | straightened coat hanger or other tool to hook |
| vents or furnaces. Most alarm systems are | | | | wires and tug them through tight spaces. While it |
| accurate enough to not signal a false positive for | | | | can be intimidating if you've never done it before, |
| reasons like these, but the less excuses you give | | | | installing a motion alarm is part of almost |
| it to act up, the better. | | | | everyone's life sooner or later, and the sooner |
| Installing your alarm may or may not involve | | | | you do it, the sooner you can get used to it. |