It is important to have practical, effective security systems to protect your home or office. After all, these are probably the largest investments you will ever make, so it makes sense to protect them.

Some of the items you may want to include in the security systems you install are:

• Motion detectors - The basic way that a motion detector works is that it is able to pick up any kind of motion going on in a 180-degree range in a room. These are best used in large and open rooms. If the room has large openings into other rooms, these detectors can work to scan other rooms as well.

  One of the concerns that some people have about these detectors is that their dog or cat may accidentally set the detector off. The most sophisticated detectors are able to measure the steps of somebody walking in a room. Because the stride of a cat or dog is much different from the stride of a human, the security systems are preset to be able to distinguish between these strides.

• Door and window sensors - In all actuality, door sensors and window sensors are exactly the same. When security systems are installed, these sensors are installed in two parts. One part goes on the door frame while the other part goes on the door itself. The same is true for windows. The sensor has charge that is sent from the part on the frame to the part on the door or window. When this charge is broken by the opening of a door or a window, the alarm sounds.
• Smoke alarms - No hallway should be without them. These detect smoke before a fire begins, which gives your family vital escape time if there is a catastrophic fire happening.
• Glass break alarms - In some ways, glass break alarms are pretty similar to motion detectors. They look similar and are similar in size. Instead of detecting movement, these alarms actually detect noise - specifically, they detect the noise made when glass shatters.

  These alarms can be advantageous in areas of the home where there may be many windows. The reason why is because you would not need to place several motion detectors. These glass break alarms are sensitive, so they can actually pick up glass shattering in a wide range.

These are a few of the items above included in many security systems, but the fact is that new innovations are constantly being made. There are many security companies and each one is trying to remain competitive in the market by making new and superior advances.

It is always a good idea to study up on the items included in security systems and then try to get a good idea of the most cost-effective way to protect your home or business. If you have these ideas in your head, a security salesperson will not be able to enter your home and sell you things that you very well may not need. A little bit of research can save you a lot of money.