So you're interested in buying an alarm system for your home, but you don't know where to start. When more than 2.1 million burglaries occurred in the United States in 2011 alone, according to the FBI, it's important to ensure your home, your family, and most importantly your stuff is safe. When it comes to your security, considering the logistics of your system will help you make an informed decision.

Having a secure house is all well and good, but if you're unsure you can reach your system's control box before the alarm goes off, consider the locations available to you in your home. Make sure you can get to the center of your system in time to shut it off.

It's also smart to think outside the box when you're locking it up. If you own expensive jewelry, take important prescription medication, or have a gun case, placing alarms on their locations can add protection. Why only focus on your doors when they're not the only things you need to secure?

Consider hooking the alarm system up to a mobile device, like your smartphone, via either an app or your mobile phone number. The added layer of security can give extra warning, enough to protect yourself or call the authorities.