Get A Security Alarm You Can Be Proud Of

Getting  an effective security alarm is one one the wisest things you can do. Even if it does not stop an intruder from breaking in, they will certainly stay a lot shorter and will be more prone to making mistakes. A research in 2009. conducted by School of Criminal Justice showed that over 40% of burglars avoid homes which have installed security alarm making it less appealing. Not only does it protect the very home, it protects the whole surrounding area. Meaning the more home alarm systems, the more safe the neighbourhood is.

Most security alarms depend on cross between contacts installed on motion sensors, windows and doors. It is advised that all outdoor potential entries have contacts that detect when they are being opened. Glass break sensors are highly welcomed and recommended. You should not rely on motion detectors as your main tool of detection because they will not detect a burglar until he is already in the house meaning they do not stop them from breaking in.

These are the standard components of a security alarm:

• Control panel – the brain of your whole alarm system, contains a back up battery, and if it is a monitored system this is where it is connected to the telephone line.

• Keypad – by entering a code this is where you activate and deactivate a security alarm

• Siren – no need for explaining here. Just make sure to install a 30 watt siren so it can be heard even if all the doors and windows are shut in in the house. Because most alarm companies install a 15-20 watt siren.

• Indoor motion sensor – as you already presumed, they sense motion inside a room. How? They send radio energy and then monitor the reflection pattern. If a burglar is entering a room, the reflection pattern will be disturbed and the security alarm will activate and send a signal to the control box. For those of you that have pets or any kind of animal inside the house, you do not have to worry. There are available special alarms today on the market that will fit your and your pets needs. And you will not have to get up in the middle of the night because your dog accidentally triggered the security alarm.

• Window contacts/door contacts – they both use a magnetic contact which tells you if a door or a window is opened. The magnet is placed on the very door or window, and the sensor is placed on the frame door or window. When the contact between the magnet and sensor is being broken, the alarm is activated.

• Central monitoring station (company) – if you have installed a security alarm that is being monitored then if the alarm is set off, the previously mentioned control panel will send a message to central monitoring station which is alert 24 hours a day. Then the central station tries to contact the homeowner, and if the do not succeed, they contact the police, medics or fire department. Usually you have to pay a fee for this kind of service.

Elements you can add to your basic security alarm:

• Glass break detectors

• Panic buttons

• Smoke detectors

• Pressure mats for rugs

• Closed circuit TV to allow monitoring and/or recording inside or outside a house

The expenses vary from model to model, from company to company. Many of the companies even offer the whole security system for free in exchange for a long monitoring contract.

Unmonitored security systems usually have on-site alarms or/and flashing lights. It depends on neighbours to place a phone call to the police. But neighbours and accidental passers should never go check out the alarm themselves. If you get an unmonitored system it would be wise to utilize a combination between alarms and strobe lights. And they should be installed in an unreachable spot and on street side of the home. You should talk this over with your neighbours and place the lights and the siren somewhere on the house itself where the burglars can easily see it and prevent the burglary from even happening.

Monitored system work like this:

1.The security alarm detects something.

2.Then the security alarm itself gives time (30 to 45 seconds) for the homeowner to disarm the system to stop false alarms.

3. If the security alarm is not deactivated, it sends a message to the monitoring station through phone lines.

4.The monitoring station gets the message, checks the alarm by calling the homeowner. If the station does not get an answer or the right password, they call the police/fire department or the medics. But usually the police first.

5.The police reacts.

Thieves are aware that most security systems sound in the house and then the security alarm is transferred by phone lines to remote locations. Majority of the telephone lines are exposed on the outdoor of the home and therefore is easy accessible if someone want to cut the phone line. Why would they want to do that? Because if the phone line is cut, the security alarm is not able to send a message of break-in to the monitoring station. All in all, protecting your phone line would be a really good thing for you and your family, whether you have a security alarm or not. A good security plan includes not only security alarm but also good security habits.

Are you aware that most burglaries happened during day because houses are more vacant then? So make sure that your house looks the same whether you are home or away. Never leave notes on your front door which can tip off a burglar. Reduce the sound of your answering machine and phone itself so that a burglar ca not hear them from outside. If you are away for a longer period, pay a kid next door to mow the lawn every not and then, or shovel the snow. But rest assure, over 90% of alarm system owners are happy with their monitoring service and security alarm.