Citiguard Protection Service observe that homes today do not feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a house alarm and preferably a managed home security system are needed to ensure security. Installing a home security system improves the safety of the family and possessions, and also decreases home insurance costs. The top ten house alarm and home security devices highlights features of home security systems.
Talking devices help users to understand the status of homes and monitoring as well as programming the system. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help users to understand their system better.
Some home alarm systems include extras like key fobs and remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a car’s key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate the house alarm system. Some home alarm systems include a “panic” button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button.
Yard signs and house or window decals advertise home protection. The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarised, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company’s yard sign (SIA Research Update, Security Industry Association, October 2001). Some choose to post the signs to deter possible break-ins without actually installing a home alarm system. While this effort lowers the odds of an attempted burglary, yard signs alone cannot fully protect homes.
A back-up power supply is important in maintaining home security during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. The home alarm should be effective even when there is no power. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. The users can look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower their maintenance costs.
Smoke detectors add another layer of protection to homes, especially when they are integrated into the home alarm system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give the time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors that can eliminate the replacement of batteries.
Wireless systems protect homes without adding extra cords to trip over or extensive installation of in-wall cords. In wireless house alarm systems, each sensor or keypad communicates with the master control panel through radio frequencies or existing wiring in homes. A burglar will not be able to disarm the system by snipping the wires. This ensures the system is fully integrated and monitoring all parts of the home without using up the outlets or creating an obstacle course of wires.
Extra key pads are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure keyless entry to the user’s family. Some systems also offer remote control key pads, which are lightweight and portable. A home alarm system that features a security code with a key pad increases the home security. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry, which indicate a possible break-in attempt.
Key pads may not always be enough to keep burglars out. Sensors on windows and doors reduce the risk of a burglar entering undetected and are a key part of a home alarm system. Motion detectors within the home also increase the level of security. Sophisticated motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets’ movement to avoid constantly setting the alarm off inadvertently.
Installation, monitoring, and repair services increase the level of safety. A house alarm alone cannot notify the police or fire department in the event of an emergency. Complete systems include buttons to notify police departments, fire departments and medical help instantly. Another advantage offered by monitoring companies is live customer support and full service installation and repair of the system by employees who have been background checked, licensed and drug tested to ensure safety. Some companies offer relocation services to keep users secure even when they are on move.
The classic master control panel is vital to any home alarm system. The central hub of the system, the control panel is usually wall-mounted in an easily accessible place. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If users choose to arm the system from the panel when they leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when they return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone.