Home Security

You might have seen the commercial, in which a man tries to break into a house, but an alarm goes off and the burglar runs away. While the alarm is blaring, an operator from the home’s security system’s monitoring company calls the house to make sure everything is alright. That commercial communicates a powerful message about home security: an alarm isn’t always enough. You also need someone to monitor your alarm system.

Who needs alarm monitoring?

1) Seniors
2) Single parents
3) Kids home alone
4) Families
5) Small businesses

Benefits of security system monitoring:

1) Security alarm monitoring makes your home three to four times less likely to be burglarized. Why take the chance of not having security system monitoring?

2) You can save money. Not only will you prevent the costs associated with break-ins, but you can also save up to 20 percent on your homeowners insurance by having a security alarm monitor.

3) Security monitoring offers 24/7 peace of mind because it never takes a day off. Someone will always be watching over you and your family.

Make the most of your security monitor

Once you have a security system monitor, you will want to maximize its effectiveness. You might be surprised to find out how human error can flaw even the most reliable monitors.

Test them. Alarm system monitors should be tested regularly. You will want to test your system at least once a month but once a week is recommended.

Turn them on. What good is having a alarm system monitor if you never turn it on? Make sure your monitor is on at night and when you leave your house.

Tell people about your security system monitor. Lots of burglaries happen because neighbors and acquaintances know your habits and when you will be out of the house. By telling as many people as you can about your new system monitor, you reduce the chances of a break-in by someone you know.

Security system monitoring will give you the chance to relax and enjoy your vacation because you will know someone is carefully guarding your house and your possessions. You can be certain that you and your loved ones are safe from break-ins, fires, and medical emergencies because alarm system monitoring means you are never alone and help is just a phone call away.

By: Ralph Winn

About the Author:

While there are many benefits to home security alarm monitoring, there are some downsides as well. The ongoing cost of having such security can be quite substantial. The monitoring fee charged varies from company to company, but it typically ranges from around $10 at the low end to $50 per month.

You may also consider being locked into a contract to be another downside. Again, the length of a security alarm monitoring contract varies, 36 months being fairly typical.

When it comes to the cost of the equipment itself this is not too much of a problem for most people, as it is a one time cost. Prices vary widely, not only from alarm company to alarm company but between the different systems and what is included with them.

Then there are the deals where you are provided with a security alarm for “free” and what can be better than free? Except that we are told there is no such thing as a free breakfast. When you consider the monitoring cost over the contract term you can see that it does not hurt the alarm company too much to provide you with the equipment. Sometimes there is an activation/connection fee attached to these free deals, sometimes not.

Why then is security alarm monitoring so popular?

Because it works is the short answer. In effect having your home security monitored by an alarm company is like having someone standing watch and ready to summon help should the need arise. Should your alarm be triggered the equipment immediately informs the monitoring center. Steps are then swiftly taken to ascertain if it is a real emergency, and if so, to contact the authorities quickly in regards to the emergency. This takes place whether you or a member of your family are at home or not.

One benefit that very few people take into consideration is savings on homeowners insurance. By having extensive home security like this, you can save on your homeowners insurance cover. Because there is a constant lookout, insurance companies are more lenient, knowing that help is just around the corner should someone attempt to break in to your home.

With the seemingly ever increasing amount of burglaries and home invasions, the ongoing cost of home security monitoring may be worth it for your peace of mind alone. And this ongoing outlay not only protects your most financially valuable asset, your home, but also something even more precious, your family.

You do need to compare monitoring plans and deals, the most expensive may not be the best for you, and neither may the cheapest.

Home security alarm monitoring goes a long way in protecting your home, but you still need to back it up by being security minded. You still need to make sure that you lock your windows and doors when you go out, it is still wise to make your home look occupied even when you are out, you still need to be wary of who you invite in to your home. And, importantly, if you do have security alarm monitoring installed, it will do you no good at all unless you remember to activate it.

By: Martin Underwood

About the Author:

Alarm systems for home and business use have been available for many years, and they just keep getting better!

Yes we know that there have been some really suspect systems offered, systems that did not work as expected or as advertised. The good news is that recent advances in alarm technology, new alarm controls, components, power systems etc. have made extremely reliable systems affordable and available for anyone.

There is an old adage that has floated around the security industry for many years, it goes something like this, “Good locks will keep bad guys out, an alarm system only let’s you know that they got in.” There is some truth to that statement, however our position is that correctly designed security systems will include the correct locking hardware to protect against entry, coupled with an alarm system that will warn the property owner that the bad guys are there.

When you shop for an alarm system today, you have many choices; how it will operate, who will design and install your system, will it be wireless, will it be monitored?

Do you want a professionally installed system? This would be our recommendation. Professional alarm dealers make their living being sure that their systems work as they are supposed to, they continually upgrade their skills and products through education and exposure to new products and techniques that seem to arrive daily. They are the experts. Do you want a “do-it-yourself” system? If you are adept at running wire and hooking up components, have a good understanding of how those components work, and have access to good professional advice, this may be a way to save money. Do You need your system to be monitored? We would recommend that, if you can afford it monitoring is the only way to go, it covers you when you are not home and really is cheap insurance. Speaking of insurance…a correctly installed and monitored home alarm system, may get you a discount on your home owners insurance. Both monitoring and insurance discounts may be issues with a DIY system. Do you want a hardwired or wireless system? There have, in the past been a lot of issues with wireless equipment that did not work as billed, with new technologies and systems these issues have been put to rest, current wireless components are every-bit as reliable as their wired cousins. Hybrid systems, that are partly wired and partly wireless, offer solutions for hard to get to areas and special needs. If your home is an older existing structure, wireless may be the preferred way to go.
And finally a couple of of other considerations and recommendations.