Crime will never go away. There will always be crime and one of the constant problems that homeowners worry about is the ability to protect their property and keep it safe from harm. So many homeowners these days think that a burglary will not happen to them - but in today's climate of uncertainty and recession, burglary is more prevalent than ever.

So what steps can be taken to protect our homes and make them secure and safe from harm? By installing a burglar alarm system you will vastly reduce the chances of burglary and have peace of mind both when you are not in your house and when you are asleep at night.

There are two mains types of burglar alarm system and these are wired and wireless. A wired burglar alarm is the one we traditionally think of as the most common type and uses wires to connect the alarm sensors to the main control panel. They are generally more reliable than wireless systems as they don't suffer from interference in the same way. They should give many years of trouble free service. Wired systems are often used in the commercial sector more so for their reliability.

However, there are some disadvantages to be aware of. There will be an awful lot of upheaval during the installation. In order to run the cables, floors will need to be lifted, walls channelled and skirting's removed. As this work could run into days, be prepared for a lot of disruption for this time. Also, if in a couple of year's time you decide to fit additional sensors, maybe because of a house extension, you will have to go through similar disruption.

On the other hand, a wireless alarm system is a breeze to install - in fact, most DIY'ers can install a complete wireless alarm system within an hour or so. The control panel will need a power feed and possibly the alarm bell box but the bulk of the installation work (ie alarm sensors) just simply needs to be screwed to the wall and you're done. It's a very easy installation - most homeowners should be able to install a wireless system. So, you might think a wireless alarm system is expensive? Absolutely not! With the advancement of technology and due to high demand for this type of product, the price of these systems is surprisingly affordable. Shop around on the internet to get an idea of prices. Interference too is virtually a thing of the past as these systems are more reliable than they once were a few years ago.

Whatever system you decide on and if you don't want to be the next victim of crime and burglary, act now rather than waiting until the unthinkable happens.