Home Security Solutions Bring Safety Through Technology

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — When it comes to home security, it can be difficult to choose what kind of system works best to keep your family safe, so we went to experts to find the best options.

A home burglary happens in the United States every 13 seconds. The average person loses between $600 and $2,100 worth of property, as well as a sense of security.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says one in three homes without a security system are burglarized. With numbers like that, many people are turning to technology to keep their families safe.

We asked Placer County Sheriff's Det. Andrew Lyssand if the new technology works.

"It does work, it's a deterrent. It's gonna help you out," he said.

Studies show that 90 percent of home burglaries happen in the daytime.

"What they'll do is knock on the door and you might think it's a solicitor so you don't want to answer; who does? What they could be doing is casing your house," he said. "I'm not condoning opening the door but at least let them know you're there. To let them know to move on to another house."

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One way around answering the door is a video doorbell like the Ring doorbell. When someone pushes the doorbell button, video streams to your phone and computer allowing you see them or even talk to them.

It's technology like that that's helping land crooks behind bars. Lyssand says with cameras inside the home that connect to your phone, it's changing the way law enforcement is able to track the bad guys.

"Lately, the homeowners have been able to tell us, 'Hey I see a suspect in the house.' We had one recently where they were reporting to dispatchers live information about a suspect in their house and we were able to apprehend those people," he said.

But what happens if that suspect is wearing a mask?

"They have clothing on; a lot of time these crooks change their clothing, very common, but at least that gives some information to responding officers, and detectives whoever is responding," he said.

That information can help make or break an investigation.

"One little lead like that with a camera or even a shot, it can come down to a shoe on these cases—literally a tennis shoe, a print we can pull off from scene, found more reliable than fingerprints sometimes," he said.

But there could be problems with the technology.

"My main concern is that it may fail, the wifi might reset, you're relying on technology," he said.

But he says there is one simple way to get peace of mind and keep your family safe without having to buy anything at all.

"Get out and meet your neighbors," he said. "A sense of community would be the best tip."