Crime seems on the rise everywhere, with shootings, home invasions, kidnappings and burglaries reported daily in the news. The first thing that comes to mind is security, how to protect your home or business from the derelicts of society.  

Another simple fact of life today is cell phone technology, and the newest innovations in home and business security revolve around wireless systems. But how safe and efficient are they? Following is a list of pros and cons of wireless systems: 

Pro – Many homes and businesses are already fully wireless, so it is easy to coordinate a wireless security system with existing wireless facilities. 

Pro – If  you use a wireless system as your primary security, you forgo the need for a landline phone, thus saving you the cost of a monthly phone bill. 

Pro – Wireless systems take up less physical space. There are not as many wires or boxes as there are with telephone-based systems. Plus, the components can be spaced out around the location for less clutter and to make it more difficult for criminals to deaden the system. 

Con – Wireless systems generally rely on batteries to some degree, and battery packs will only last a couple hours. It’s best to have a system that plugs into the wall, and has a battery backup. 

Con –  Signal strength can be weak sometimes, especially with cheaper wireless systems. Signals can also be weakened by solar flares and stormy weather. 

Con – It is possible for an intruder to jam the signal on a wireless system, although most criminals do not carry jamming devices with them.