I’ve had a lot of homeowners asking me if it’s really necessary to sign up for a home alarm system. Most people feel safe and secure in their neighborhood, and don’t really see the good that comes from a monthly payment of investing in a burglary prevention program. It’s great if you feel safe, but in order to really feel safe, you need to take active measures. Unfortunately, gone are the days when you could leave your door unlocked all day, and your windows open all summer. Nowadays, you’re not just afraid of getting robbed, but also petty theft from unsuspecting teenagers. But before you start looking for one, it’s important to first understand the purpose of having a security system in your home.
What a Security Alarm System Offers
There are three basic things which an alarm system does for your home – Deter, Detect and Report
For most burglars, it is enough to know that a home has an alarm system, to deter them. People who are committing small time crimes are not looking to get in any kind of trouble. And a sign on the door that shows there is an alarm system in place, is enough to get them backing away.
Although alarms do a great job of deterring burglars from approaching your home, they can’t stop somebody from breaking in. If a criminal wants in, they will find a way to get in, which makes it effective that your alarm system is equipped to detect unlawful entry. Once it’s in place, your security alarm will recognize when somebody has entered an area you have deemed to be off limits.
Once the system detects an intruder, it's job is to report that detection, and it can do this in two ways.
The simplest way is by sounding an alarm. When a siren sounds on the premises, it attracts attention from neighbours or people passing by, and gives people the opportunity to call 911. The second way an alarm system reports intrusion is through a monitoring station. All security alarm companies have monitoring stations which are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a signal comes in, the operator dispatches the appropriate authorities, as well as notifying the owners of the home.
Should you pay the price?
A monthly fee normally discourages people from keeping an alarm system in their home, but what’s important to know, is that having a security system installed, actually lowers your insurance. What you’re spending to protect your home could actually save you some money in insurance costs.
Choosing to install a home security alarm is a personal decision. Some families feel it’s a requirement, others don’t see the need. Although it comes with its list of advantages, sometimes that list isn’t enough to convince a homeowner if they really need the service or not. If you’re thinking of having a security system installed in your home, weigh out your needs, the location of your home, and other contributing factors that assess if your house is at risk for burglary. Certainly, a security system will buy you peace of mind, and help you sleep better at night, but it’s up to you to decide if it’s for you or not!
Bill Orr
What a Security Alarm System Offers
There are three basic things which an alarm system does for your home – Deter, Detect and Report
For most burglars, it is enough to know that a home has an alarm system, to deter them. People who are committing small time crimes are not looking to get in any kind of trouble. And a sign on the door that shows there is an alarm system in place, is enough to get them backing away.
Although alarms do a great job of deterring burglars from approaching your home, they can’t stop somebody from breaking in. If a criminal wants in, they will find a way to get in, which makes it effective that your alarm system is equipped to detect unlawful entry. Once it’s in place, your security alarm will recognize when somebody has entered an area you have deemed to be off limits.
Once the system detects an intruder, it's job is to report that detection, and it can do this in two ways.
The simplest way is by sounding an alarm. When a siren sounds on the premises, it attracts attention from neighbours or people passing by, and gives people the opportunity to call 911. The second way an alarm system reports intrusion is through a monitoring station. All security alarm companies have monitoring stations which are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a signal comes in, the operator dispatches the appropriate authorities, as well as notifying the owners of the home.
Should you pay the price?
A monthly fee normally discourages people from keeping an alarm system in their home, but what’s important to know, is that having a security system installed, actually lowers your insurance. What you’re spending to protect your home could actually save you some money in insurance costs.
Choosing to install a home security alarm is a personal decision. Some families feel it’s a requirement, others don’t see the need. Although it comes with its list of advantages, sometimes that list isn’t enough to convince a homeowner if they really need the service or not. If you’re thinking of having a security system installed in your home, weigh out your needs, the location of your home, and other contributing factors that assess if your house is at risk for burglary. Certainly, a security system will buy you peace of mind, and help you sleep better at night, but it’s up to you to decide if it’s for you or not!
Bill Orr