The Best Home Security for Your Virginia Home

Virginia is for lovers. It’s one of the best-known state mottos, and if you live there, you’ll probably agree that no matter what you love, you’ll find it in Virginia.

Whether you’re planning a move to Virginia or you already live there, keeping your home and family safe is a top priority. And there’s no better way to do that than with a home security system.

There are a lot of systems on the market, but choosing the best system for your home doesn’t have to be difficult. Vivint provides everything you need to make your home safe and smart.

Home security systems for Virginia residents

If you’re shopping for alarm systems, it’s important to understand the basic components that make up a system.

You can always customize your security system based on your home’s size, location, and your individual needs, but for the most part, you system will probably include the following:

Security sensors

A variety of sensors will trigger your home’s burglar alarm, alerting those at home and the monitoring services to unauthorized access. Sensors are placed throughout the home and typically include:

• Door and window sensors that are triggered if anyone opens a door or window when the alarm is set
• Motion detectors that can detect motion in the sensor’s field of view, activating the alarm
• Glass break detectors that are triggered by the sound or vibration of breaking glass

Safety sensors

Safety sensors are designed to detect threats or dangers other than intruders. These sensors are crucial to any system and include:

• Smoke alarms placed throughout the home. Your security company should follow Virginia’s requirements on the number and placement of smoke detectors.
• CO detectors, which are the only way to detect the presence of deadly carbon monoxide.
• Water sensors, which are small devices that alert you to water leaks in the house. While not deadly, water leaks can lead to expensive water damage.
• Emergency pendants, also known as senior alert devices, are small devices usually worn on a pendant around the neck or on the wrist. If there’s an emergency, the wearer can press a button and alert the monitoring center.

24/7 monitoring

Professional monitoring is one of the most important parts of your security system. When an alarm in your home goes off, it alerts the monitoring company, who in turn attempt to contact you to verify there is an emergency. If they’re unable to, or if there is in fact an emergency in your home, they’ll contact emergency services on your behalf.

Security monitoring is particularly crucial for those who travel or are away from home during the day, ensuring your home is protected no matter where you are. And if you are home, they’ll contact authorities for you so you can focus on the most important thing—getting your family to safety.

Home automation any Virginian can use

Security systems and home automation often go hand-in-hand. Smart home automation lets you automate many of the systems and devices around your home, or control them remotely.

Automated technology also makes life convenient and safer. So if you forget to lock up on the way out or want to set your alarm for the night from the comfort of your bed, tackling those tasks is as easy as pushing a button.

There are hundreds of smart home devices on the market. Some of the most common ones you might want for your home include:

• Smart thermostat. If you want to save money and energy, a smart thermostat can help you make that happen. It learns your temperature preferences, then automatically adjusts the thermostat so your home is always the temperature you want. It can also sense when you’re away, and will adjust the thermostat to save energy when no one’s home.
• Smart locks. Both secure and convenient, smart locks use a numeric keypad rather than a physical key. You can assign unique codes for kids, family members, or household help to know who’s coming and going. You can also use your smartphone to unlock and lock your door.
• Smart lighting. Your lights can do more than you probably realized. Whether you want to turn them on and off remotely from your phone, set specific lights to turn on at certain times, or set your lights to turn on automatically when you unlock your door, smart lighting can make it happen.
• Garage door control. Leaving the garage door open when you’re in a hurry is easy to do, but it can leave your home and garage vulnerable to theft or other risks. A smart garage will send you notifications you if the door is open, and you can close it from your phone.
• Security cameras. Surveillance cameras are popular in home security systems, with cameras made specifically for different locations. The main types of security cameras for homes include:
  • Doorbell cameras, or video camera, allows you to answer your door remotely via your phone or security system panel. They’re equipped with one-way cameras and two-way voice that allow you to see and speak to whoever comes to the door. Doorbell cameras are also equipped with motion sensors, so even if the person doesn’t ring the bell, you’ll still know whenever someone comes to your door.
  • Outdoor cameras are made specifically for outdoor locations and have features like weatherproof casing or night vision. Some go above and beyond to provide advanced protection for your home; Vivint’s Outdoor Camera Pro, for example, is equipped can identify lurkers on your property. The camera automatically begins recording and will play a warning tone and light to let the lurker know they’ve been spotted.
  • Indoor cameras can be used to keep an eye on kids, pets, or specific areas of your home. Some indoor cameras, like the Vivint Indoor Camera, also include communication features, like two-way voice, so you can listen and speak to people (or pets) in the home, and one-touch callout that lets family members call your phone right through the camera.
• Smart control. You should be able to access control of your smart home both remotely and at home. Vivint offers a top-rated app that allows you to control your entire smart home and security system from a single app. Additionally, the wall-mounted Smart Hub lets you view camera footage, arm and disarm your system, control your thermostat, and speak to the monitoring center. Additionally, one-touch emergency callouts let you get help quickly.
• Smart speakers. With smart speakers, you can control your lights, thermostat, and other smart devices with a voice command.

If you already have a few smart devices, like a smart speaker or thermostat, look for home security companies that integrate with your existing devices. Vivint systems integrate with some of the most popular smart home devices on the market, including Nest thermostat, Amazon Echo, and Google Home.

Security systems near me

No matter where you live in Virginia, you can find a security system that fits your needs.

Virginia Beach

With nearly 3 million visitors each year, Virginia Beach is a popular tourist destination. And if you’re lucky enough to live there, you have access to beaches, parks, and museums year-round. While you’re out exploring all your city has to offer, you can ensure your home is safe with a security system that lets you keep an eye on your home no matter where you are.

Chesapeake

Chesapeake is the second most populous city in Virginia, and homeowners consider it a great place to raise a family, often citing great schools and overall suburban atmosphere.

With that comes a higher-than-average cost of living when compared to other states. If you own a home in Chesapeake, you can protect your investment with a security system.

Arlington

Although it’s actually a county, Arlington, Virginia is known for a lot of things. Many government agencies and major corporations are headquartered in Arlington. And thanks to its standings as one of the most educated cities in the country, high median household incomes, and low unemployment, Arlington was recently named the second-best place to live in America.

There is a downside to Arlington for many people though, and that’s the commute—at an average of one hour roundtrip, it ranks among the worst. So while you may not be able to run home for lunch every day, you can still stay connected to your home with a security system that features smart home automation.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a beautiful place to call home. This waterfront city has also been recognized as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation, boasting beautiful tree-lined streets, parks, and neighborhoods.

While there’s a lot to love about Norfolk, the crime rate isn’t one of them. When compared to the rest of the state, you’re three times more likely to be the victim of a crime in Norfolk, with a 1 in 35 change of being the victim of a property crime. A security system will give you the peace of mind that your home is being protected.

Newport News

Living in Newport News means close proximity to lots to see and do. Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement are a quick drive away, Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach are close enough for a weekend beach trip, and there are museums and parks aplenty inside the city.

Like any city, there are good areas and bad areas. No matter where you live, you can keep your home safe with a security system.

Suffolk

In terms of land area, Suffolk ranks at the top. Living in Suffolk means you can choose between living in the city or the country, and residents often say it has everything you could want—affordable cost of living, decent schools, and close proximity to beaches, work, and shopping.

Whether you live in the city or the country, a security system will keep your home Suffolk home safe and sound.

Richmond

With a growth rate of 10%, Richmond, Virginia has been growing at a faster rate than most cities in the US. A diverse city with plenty of job opportunities and a low cost of living, it’s especially popular for young professionals.

Unfortunately, crime has grown too—it has a 60% higher crime rate than the national average. You can take steps to secure your home and give you peace of mind with a security system.

Why you need a Vivint system for your Virginia home

As you look for a security provider in Virginia, Vivint has the security services you need to keep your home safe, along with home automation to make it more convenient than ever.

In addition to a wide range of devices you can customize your smart security system with, Vivint stands out from the rest by providing:

• Professional installation included with every system, so you don’t have to DIY or spend your weekend trying to piece everything together. Our trained technicians are licensed pros who will have your system up and running in no time.
• 24/7 monthly monitoring, so you have peace of mind that your home is protected around the clock
• Customer support that includes a dedicated customer service team and resources you can access online anytime

Whether you live in a condo on the beach, high rise in the city, or home in the suburbs, Vivint can help make your home a safer, more comfortable place to live for your family.

Ready to get started? Contact us today at 855.822.1220 for a free quote and let us help you start building a smart home security system today.