Stop Burglars In Their Tracks – How To Choose A Home Alarm System

If you think technology is a blessing then think again! Although we are in the age of the advanced computers, internet, leaner and powerful machines etc., we are also in the age where guns have improved and are more easily available. The result is the increase in the crime rate. Burglary is one such crime that is being committed randomly. So is there a solution that can prevent burglary?

The solution is installing a home alarm system. There was a time when those who had the money would employ a home security guard or personnel but today you can do better with a home alarm system. In fact in the recent times, the home alarm system has become one of the most popular methods of safeguarding homes.

There are different types of home alarm systems available in the market and they can cater to various types of residential properties from condos to villas to apartments. You can have home alarm systems for fire, smoke, and burglary. Off late, more and more people have been installing home alarm systems for preventing burglary.

The use and application of home alarm systems for preventing burglary has changed or rather evolved over a period of time. Today, you will find home alarm systems that have multiple features and some of them are quite advanced. Some of the features of a complete home alarm system include enabling you or the homeowner to contact the nearest hospital or police. Most of the home alarm systems have a working mechanism that is dependent on the combination of motion sensors placed on your windows or at your door and certain contact points.

Choosing a home alarm system can be quite a difficult task but you can follow the tips mentioned below while shopping for one:

Identify Your Requirement
First things first: Identify the number of windows and exit doors your home has so that you can have them connected to the home alarm system. Then determine the different locations where you will install the keypad and the control panel. Some people would prefer to have it installed near the front door while others might find it convenient to install at the exit door at the back of the house or in a more central location within the house.

Once this process is complete, you need to determine the distance from the control panel to the doors and windows so that you are able to get a fair idea regarding the length and placement of wires routed through the home alarm system.

The next step is to decide if you really require a monitored home alarm system, which has the ability to monitor all events and movements 24-hours a day. A monitored home alarm system will comprise of a central monitoring station that can watch your home but you will be required to pay a monthly fee to the home security company. There is a less expensive alternative too, which is in the form of a basic sensor driven home alarm system. This system has a dialer accessory, which can connect your home alarm system directly to the phone lines within your home and automatically dial a preselected set of numbers if and when the security of your home is breached.

Choosing the System
There are different types of home alarm systems in the market for preventing burglary and then there are companies who provide home security. The latter option is expensive. So if you have identified your requirement then the next best thing is to consult a reputable home alarm system adviser. You can even talk to a home security adviser and get ample information on the different advantages and disadvantages of the various home alarm systems available in the market.

The next step is to choose a home alarm system, which has a control panel that will enhance monitoring of the premises or zones. A basic home alarm system for preventing burglary will be able to monitor a maximum of eight zones. The more advanced the home security system is, the more zones it can monitor to a maximum of 32 zones. You need to make sure while choosing the home alarm system that it can perform even in the farthest zone.

Be certain that the system you choose can accept fire-protection sensors, carbon monoxide sensors and combustible-gas detectors, anti-freeze-up low-temperature switches (especially in cold climates) and water detectors. Make sure that panic buttons are or can be included.

Make sure that the home alarm system that you choose is user-friendly and working with codes integrated into the keypad should not be a cumbersome and confusing process.

Lastly, look for an anti-burglary home alarm system that has a built-in alarm noisemaker. Some of the home alarm systems produce a siren that will alert the nearest police station as well as the neighbors and this can help to protect your home.