Three Things You Should Know About Burglar Alarms For Your Home
If you're looking for a home security system for your home, you are likely to be overwhelmed by the wide variety of alarm systems that are available. However, when you look at the basic function of these systems, there are only a few things you need to know.
They are often electric circuit systems.
These can be elaborate and extend throughout your house, or they can simply be used on a single entry point, such as your front door. Basically, there are two pieces that are attached so they are touching. This can be a door and the door frame, or perhaps a window and a window frame. Once the circuit is broken by an intruder, an alarm will sound. There are also circuits that are normally open, but when closed, will trigger an alarm. These circuits are usually found on the floor, so they set off an alarm when someone walks on the open circuit. You can install these systems yourself as long as the system does not become too complex.
They can consist of motion detectors.
Motion detectors are exactly what they sound like. Usually, a beam of light is turned on, and when this beam is broken, it will trip an alarm. These alarms have the advantage of being a surprise to a burglar that has somehow gotten past an electric circuit. However, if you have pets, this type of alarm may not be practical. They are often a good choice to be used in conjunction with an outdoor lighting system. Instead of an alarm, a motion detector can trigger a switch to turn on lights. This is often a good first line of defense against burglars.
They can be professionally monitored.
The problem with the systems above is that you can easily miss an entry point, so there will be no alarm. And secondly, if an intruder is inside your house and does not flee when the alarm goes off, what will you do? You can call the police, but you may not be able to. This is where a professionally installed and monitored system is the best system possible. All entry points will be covered, and if an alarm is tripped, you will be given a certain amount of time to enter a code if the alarm was triggered accidentally. If the code is not entered, a security company will call you, then dispatch a unit to your home or call the police.
Burglar alarms can be simple or complex, but the more complex they become, the more you will have a need for professional installation and monitoring. There are systems today that can be integrated with your smartphone, so you can monitor your alarm when you are not home. Ultimately, you will need to decide on the trade-off between cost and security for your home. Talk to a company like Sonitrol Security Systems to learn more.