The Ultimate Home Security System?

When my alarm system was installed, I initially wanted ALL the bells and whistles until I learned how much each bell and whistle was going to cost me. So I opted for a solid system with the most useful features figuring that I would add components and upgrade later. I opted to have two keypads installed.. one in the entry near the garage where we commonly enter the house, and another in the master bedroom. They installed door sensors on every exterior door and motion detectors and windows sensors on the ground floors. A motion detector upstairs along with smoke/heat sensors on each level were also installed.

I plan to add additional siren upstairs and in the basement to ensure neighbors can hear the racket when we're away, along with an outdoor strobelight visible to neighbors/police and fire personnel to help them find the home more quickly. I also want to add additional security floodlights outside and integrate it all with a video surveillance system so I can see what's going on all around the perimeter of my home.

I've added multiple "how-to" links in the sidebar that will allows others to add additional features to their own security systems, or if you don't have one, there's articles on how you can install a system yourself if you don't want to have a system professionally installed or monitored.