Home invasions are three times more likely for homes that are not protected by security alarms that those that are. This is from a recent study. It is no wonder that there is more than $20 billion in annual sales for the security alarm industry. Below we discuss the various components of a security system for your home.
The First Line of Defense - Entry Detection A system of sensors on windows and doors is the first line of defense. Burglars enter through doors on the ground floor in three quarters of all home intrusions. As a first step Willie Stargell Jersey , your basic system should protect all entry doors, front and back. To further improve security, have sensors installed on windows a burglar would likely target. Residential security system sensors are normally hard wired to the system control panel in new construction homes. For existing homes a wireless set up is the preferred connection.
The Second Line of Defense - Motion Detection If an intruder penetrates your home without tripping your first line of defense Pittsburgh Pirates Jersey , motion sensors step in to assist. Passive infrared sensors detect body heat and the motion of that heat. At least one motion sensor should be installed in an area or room a burglar is likely to traverse. More expensive and effective systems include sensors on each floor of the home, basement included. There are systems with motion detectors that differentiate sizemass. These pet immune systems ignore smaller sources of heat emitted by small and even medium sized dogs.
Protection from and Warning of Accidents The second most common reason homeowners install security systems is to provide fire detection. Heat and smoke detectors sense the components of a fire and trip the alarm. This alerts the occupants and monitoring company real time. Secondarily, the fire department is notified. For those wanting protection and warning from other calamities Jake Arrieta Jersey , there are water sensors and temperature detectors. Water sensors detect excess water in an area. A ruptured supply line to the washing machine or other system may have caused this. Freeze detectors are available to signal if the house is unusually cold. This could signify that the heating system has failed and pipes are in danger of freezing. There are other sensors that alarm upon high levels of carbon monoxide or natural gas.
Controlling the Security System Control of the system is done through the use of a keypad. This is predominantly used to arm and disarm your home security system. It should be installed in a location that is convenient but also where perpetrators will not be able to determine if the system is armed. An alphanumeric LCU screen displays the system status. This will show armed status, which sensors are active, whether is set for perimeter only Aaron Nola Jersey , etc. Entering your personal security code disarms the system. More expensive systems provide touch screens. Options include card and proximity readers of key fobs disarm the system in a flash. Daily use of installed residential security systems is not the norm. People tend to ignore setting the alarm if it is inconvenient or a threat of not envisioned. The control panel and the attitude towards arming it must be normal and convenient!
Security Control Panel The security control panel controls the system's various elements. This includes keypad, audible alarm functions, sensors Andrew McCutchen Jersey , and communication with the monitoring station. Underwriters Laboratories (an independent product certification company) considers those systems with a battery backup for power failures. Self-contained systems combine panel, keypad and audible alarms all in one physical unit. This system is easy to install, but a determined intruder can defeat it. Separation or the control panel from the keypad Rhys Hoskins Jersey , complete with an out of sight installation is much better.
Upper end systems can be controlled and monitored by the Internet or smart phone. While away, you can verify the system armed. Similarly you can disable the residential security system to allow a friend or contractor gain entrance. Following this, you can re-enable the system. Higher end systems can be set up to provide notification of routine entries and exits. This goes as far as watching your kids come home from school on video. Some of these upper end systems allow you to vary the thermostat remotely.
Security Alarm Monitoring Service A 24-hour monitoring service is the only way to allow your residential security system to provide you the full benefits. Upon any sensor being triggered J. T. Realmuto Jersey , a good home security system signals a monitoring service, staffed continuously. This provides you protection around the clock, every day of the year. Upon alert Maikel Franco Jersey , the monitoring service will try to contact the occupants to verify the alarm before calling police (using a password). About 98% of all alerts are false or spurious alarms. That is one reason for the phone call. The other is to get more information to help assist.
Considerations Hard phone lines can be cut. This may notify your monitoring service of an "outage", but it will not notify them of a problem. Getting your residential security system set up to use your cellular phone as a primary or back-up is the only way to assure you of the best protection. On the financial side, my monitoring service used to charge me monthly. I contacted them and got a large rebate by paying a year in advance.
Bottom Line Most likely the reduction in your homeowner's insurance annual bill upon installation of a residential security system with fire detection system will save you money. Even if you get no rate reduction from your insurance company (unlikely) Bryce Harper Jersey , you will live your day free from worries of intrusion and sleep your night soundly. XenFax + DropBox 鈥楴OW鈥?. Who Needs A Machine to Fax?