Burglar Alarm Systems: How They Work and What They Do

Since our homes are not guarded by moats and drawbridges which used to serve as one’s primary defense against intruders, we have to develop and install something that conveniently serves the same purpose. The best home security systems used today can do the same thing, without the ancient dramatics and with more efficiency.

A home alarm system is a series of sensors that do something. They can tell when a door has been opened, they can tell when a pane of glass has been broken or when a window has been opened. They can see, hear and sense intruders. And when all these elements are put together and connected to a control panel, which in turn is connected to a central monitoring station, you have the ideal system. When you are in the process of building a new home, the ideal security products will be hard wired. If the system is being installed as a retrofit, wireless sensors are best. Regardless of whether the system is wired or wireless, the end result is the same – A signal that announces an attempted break in.

The best home alarm systems are dedicated to the detection of an intrusion and usually consist of door and window sensors, motion detectors, and in advanced systems, CCTV cameras. It is not necessary to stop at protecting your home, your family and your possessions from burglars; you can also protect them from fire and flooding.

Burglar alarms usually work within a zone and their efficiency depends on the zone, the time of day and other aspects which are considered to be important during installation. The system will initiate specific actions depending on the zone and time and can be instructed to do a number of different things – anything from ringing a local alarm to calling the police, fire department or other emergency numbers.

A typical example of a zone alarm is flooding. The sensor can indicate to the control panel that it is to be the homeowner that is called rather than the police. The homeowner is then at liberty to return home or immediately contact a plumber. All alarms are valid and the actions that are required from responders are different. The alarm system must know when to call the police, the fire department or the homeowner. The best security systems will understand what is required and will communicate effectively.

Monitoring Your Security

In an effort to deter thieves, investing in a proven system from one of the best home alarm companies will certainly give you peace of mind. Before you make the investment though, it's best to take some time to study and understand the different types of systems, what they do, how they do it, how they can be tailored to your needs and fit within your budget. The choices are varied – the system can be wired, wireless, installed by a contractor or installed by the homeowner.

Most home security reviews that you will read suggest the monitored system to be superior over a system which only rings an alarm in and around the home. A monitored system provides a watchful eye 24 hours a day, every day of the year, whether you're in the home or away on vacation. If an alarm goes off and the monitoring service cannot contact you, they will immediately dispatch the police to your home. An unmonitored system relies on someone hearing the alarm and then contacting the police on the owner's behalf. Constant monitoring and constant vigilance is best.

Frontpoint security reviews go through the basics of the operation. The system typically functions as follows:

·                     A trigger sets the alarm off; this can be a broken window, a door movement or the detection of motion in the home.

·                     The system goes off but waits about 30-45 seconds for the homeowner to deactivate the alarm. The time period will save on false alarms, some of which cost the homeowner a fine from the authorities.

·                     If the system is not deactivated, it sends an alert to the monitoring station either by telephone or a wireless device.

·                     Once the monitoring station receives the alarm, they attempt to get in touch with the homeowner by mobile phone so they can verify the alarm. If they fail to get a response or the proper password, the authorities are alerted immediately.

What Are the Best Home Alarm Systems If You Live in An Apartment?

It may come as a surprise but two thirds of Americans rent an apartment rather than owning their own home. Even with such statistics, up until recently, the best home alarm systems were dedicated to houses rather than apartments or condos. Living in an apartment does not mean you are safe from intruders, but the lack of acceptable systems make securing an apartment difficult and expensive.

The main problem with attempting to secure an apartment is that most alarm companies that provide system monitoring demand a multiyear contract, and apartment leases are only a year. Signing a multiyear contract makes little sense if you expect to move before the term is up and paying up front a large amount for protection may not be economically feasible. When a study of home security reviews is made, one sees that the deals are similar to purchasing a cell phone and service. If you take a 2 or 3 year contract for cell phone services, the company will probably give you the phone. This arrangement is good for the service provider and makes sense for a phone which is portable in its own right – security systems use hardware and electronics which are fixed.

Good thing there are home security systems now which are portable. The entire set up is wireless including the alert which is done via a cell phone. The sensors are affixed with double sided tape as is the controller. When you move before the monitoring term is up, just peel the sensors off the doors and windows and take them with you. The service provider will reset the system for your new location, often at no charge.

There are features that make sense when the system is used for a house, but not for apartments. Home automation and the management of small appliances does not make sense as hooking up a management system to a stove or oven that you do not own is a waste. Other providers of home security systems have introduced short contracts of a year that require no qualifications.

Now that the electronics are wireless and portable, the needs of the landlord no longer need be considered although it is recommended even out of common courtesy to advise them of your intentions. Apartments can be secured now, just as a house can be, and apartment dwellers are well advised to secure their units. As the number of people coming and going in an apartment building is difficult to monitor, anyone could target your unit for a burglary. Read on Vivint reviews for more information on wireless, portable security systems.

Frost and Sullivan’s Company of the Year for Four Consecutive Years

Praised for providing their clients with maximum value by expanding their customer service and streamlining their internal procedures, Frost and Sullivan once again named Monitronics their choice as Company of the Year – This is the third time in the last four years that Monitronics gathered this prestigious award. For being one of the nation's best home alarm companies, they’ve truly earned it.

Aside from this award, Greg Hurst from Monitronics was named the CSAA Central Station Manager of the Year for 2010 and for the fifth year in a row, they have been awarded diamond status by CSSA and have been nominated for the yet to be awarded 2012 Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service.

Monitronics is no stranger to awards. They have been winning trophies and certificates from within and outside the industry for years. As a result of major internal programs dedicated to reducing the number of false alarms within the industry, they were recognized by FARA, the False Alarm Reduction Association. This award is of particular significance as the members of FARA are public safety officials, peers within the industry and representatives from various security-related industries which have a stake in this challenge.

Monitronics stands tall in all home security reviews, receiving accolades for their outstanding products and customer service. They are particularly proud of their response time to any emergency – attending to the situation in less than 23 seconds, day in and day out – an industry record. Perhaps their response time is one of the reasons why having a Monitronics home security system may save you as much as 20% on your home insurance premium. As Monitronics reviews their product offering, they are always searching for new and innovative ways of enhancing security and home automation, in co-operation with industry leaders 2Gig, Interlogix and Honeywell.

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Home Security Should Be a Family Affair

The best home security systems in the world can get better if security becomes a family affair.

It may be a sound assumption that most, if not all, homeowners are concerned about the safety of their families. Using readily available security equipment and support services that prevent unwanted intrusion and rapid response in the event a breach does occur is becoming a norm among American families.

There are many home security reviews that focus on the equipment and the companies that provide it, but very little is said about the common sense security steps that can be taken, but are often overlooked. It could be that once a home security system is installed, levels of complacency set in, making the occupants believe that all is well. To enhance the security of your home, a few minutes of quality family time should be set aside to explore and discuss the missing angles of home security that cannot be handled with automation.

Most people believe that home invasion crimes only occur when the home is forcibly entered through doors or windows. This assumption is not true. Not only are burglars simply finding and entering unlocked doors these days; many crimes actually happen after the perpetrator has actually been invited into the home. Someone who is bent on robbing you in your own home is often bold enough to ring the bell and pose as a sales agent promoting a service, or even as a person in distress asking for help. Most people are trusting and don't think twice about opening the door to talk to strangers or offer assistance. A family discussion on when a door should be opened and when a person should be allowed in the home is something that may stop a crime. Often, people have different ideas about strangers. But by developing a common approach to handling certain situations involving strangers builds another layer of defense.

Family members should be involved with what goes on in the neighborhood and they should be taught about certain things to look out for that could pose as a threat. There are Vivintreviews that point this out and suggest what might be considered normal and what might be suspicious. Young people in particular may feel reluctant to call the police, but they must feel free to bring things to the attention of older family members who can make the necessary assessment.

Although it is hoped that a home invasion will never take place, it is best to discuss such possibility in advance – What actions should be taken in the event of an intrusion? Being aware of exit routes, instructions of what phone to use when calling for help and how to remain calm will increase your chances of escaping or counter attacking. When all members of the household are prepared to face danger, they are more likely to act effectively, thereby contributing to lower potential loss or injury.

ADT: Home Automation for People on-The-Go

Security and safety is a growing concern in today’s society. As much as people want to ensure that their families are well-protected at all times, there will be tiny opportunities that lurking wrongdoers can take advantage of, especially with today’s economic crisis. But insecurity grows more for people who are always on the go, such as working mothers. Good thing home automation is now made available by the best home alarm companies to provide homeowners with their much-deserved peace of mind.

Technology is advancing at a record pace, and innovations become inevitable. These innovations commonly arise from demands of consumers. For professionals who travel a lot, securing their homes is already a big undertaking. If only their abodes were pocket-sized, then people will no longer have to worry about leaving. Here are some elements that one should be watchful of when scouting for home automation solutions.

·                     Mobile connectivity and compatibility to your smartphone

·                     Power supply in case of power outage

·                     Pricing, installation fees and other charges

·                     Warranty contract that serves as your satisfaction guarantee

·                     Easy to use product

·                     Easy to navigate website

·                     Reliability of customer support hotlines and representatives

This is what industry pioneer in home automation solutions, ADT, brings to the plate. Their newest product, ADT Pulse, allows you to control not just your security system, but even small appliances as well. The system is equipped with the capability of automatically turning off your lights as soon as you leave the house, and lets you disarm your home to let your children in after school. More importantly, you can do all these things even when you’re at work or out on an errand. The mobile connectivity makes these things happen. No wonder so many ADT reviews are raving about this system.