Alarm Systems Offer Peace of Mind

The best alarm systems are easy to use, offer a variety of smart home integrations and fast response times. They also provide peace of mind, so you can rest at night knowing that your property and family are protected.

A burglar alarm system is normally monitored by a security company which will send a signal to you or the police when your alarm is triggered. They can also confirm if the alarm was genuine or not.

Security

An alarm system is an effective way to protect your business, home or apartment against break-ins. personal alarm device It can also help you prevent fires and avert costly equipment damage. If an entry point sensor or other device detects a problem, it will send a signal to the control panel that activates an alarm to scare off intruders. Some systems also include a siren or flashing lights to deter intruders and alert neighbors. A monitoring center verifies the triggered signal and then dispatches local police, fire or medical personnel.

Professional monitoring means you don’t have to be on the premises to respond to an alarm, making it ideal for people who travel often or live in apartments and condos. Most modern systems feature a mobile app that lets you check on your security at home or while away from home.

Most alarm systems feature a backup communication path to thwart intentional tampering or phone line outages. This can be a cellular transmission circuit (GPRS/GSM), an internet interface device or a broadband connection. Some alarm panels can support dual signaling using these technologies, bypassing the PSTN altogether.

Safety

Alarm systems can do more than just alert you of burglary. Many can also detect potentially fatal dangers like smoke, fires and carbon monoxide. This early detection can literally save lives.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are often non-negotiable features in a home security system. These life safety devices can alert you and the central station if smoke or deadly carbon monoxide is detected. Some systems are designed to automatically call the monitoring station if these devices are activated. The central station will then dispatch emergency services to your home or business.

Many physical systems come with a cellular or landline backup to overcome concerns about the internet and battery power. personal alarm These backups provide professional monitoring even during a power outage.

New alarm panel technology allows dual signaling. This utilizes a cellular path, most commonly using GPRS or GSM, with a traditional telephone line in addition. This helps to reduce false alarms by confirming the alarm signal from multiple sources (such as a door opening and closing, or a sensor being tripped) before sending an alarm to the monitoring station. This is known as cross-zoning and it provides a level of assurance that the signal coming from one area of the house has been confirmed by another zone before an alarm is triggered.

Enhanced call verification (ECV) is an optional feature that is now mandated in some jurisdictions. ECV prevents false dispatches by requiring that the monitoring station contact two different responsible parties by phone before dispatching law enforcement to your property.

Peace of Mind





While some people may consider alarm systems a hassle or expense, the fact is that they offer peace of mind. A quality home security system can have a monitoring center that is staffed 24 hours a day, ensuring that if any sensors are triggered, someone will always respond. This can include sending a text or call to occupants and even notifying local police if necessary.

Alarm systems can also be integrated with smart devices such as cameras, lights and door locks. Using an app on your smartphone, you can check in on the security of your property from anywhere. This can give you peace of mind if you’re worried about your kids home alone or whether the dog is still inside the house, as well as being able to monitor environmental threats such as smoke, fire, flooding and even carbon monoxide.

It is hoped that by discouraging burglary, home security systems can also help to deter other types of crime in general. This is because heavily alarmed neighborhoods are less attractive to thieves due to the possibility of a quick police response. Many insurance companies will also discount homeowners’ policies for homes that have an alarm system. This can easily offset the cost of a quality alarm system that includes central monitoring. It’s also possible to add smoke and CO detection to your alarm to qualify for a further homeowners’ insurance discount.

Reliability

A standard home alarm system includes sensors for windows and doors, and motion detectors that alert the control panel when someone or something tries to break in. When the control panel receives an unauthorized breach, it can sound a loud siren, which will scare off burglars and warn trespassers of a security threat.

The control panel also sends signals over the landline to a monitoring center, which verifies an alarm and calls you and your emergency contacts. It can also call police if the sensors report a break-in or a fire. Some systems include integrated cameras that allow you to see a clip of the incident and confirm that it’s an actual threat, which can help reduce false alarms that might lead to unnecessary police dispatches.

Wired alarm systems, which have physical wires connecting every sensor to the control panel, are more reliable than wireless models. Burglars are more likely to cut these wires in an attempt to disable the system, but with a wired system, professional installation is often required to run cables throughout the building.

Unmonitored alarm systems don’t have a monitoring service, so when they detect an issue, you will need to take action. These types of systems might be cheaper, but they won’t protect your property as well as a monitored system. They might also come with a long-term contract, which can be expensive.