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What You Need to Know about Home Security Alarm Systems

With the increase in home intrusion and child abduction, the security of our home should be the number one concern. We spend a large amount of time to earn enough income to provide for our family and it only takes a moment for everything we have worked so hard for to be taken away or destroyed.

Installing a home security system is a choice that every homeowner makes for different reasons and should be researched carefully. You home security system is going to be responsible for securing your possessions and providing safety to your loved ones. This is a decision that shouldn’t be entered into without fully understanding the technology.

The first question you need to ask yourself is, ‘Why do I need a personal home security system?’ Is your house a natural target to thieves because of the value, size or location? Do you live in a neighborhood with a lot of crime? Are you a high-profile person that could be considered a target? Do you leave your home for extended periods of time unattended? Don’t assume that just because you didn’t answer yes to any of these questions that an intrusion won’t happen to you. Home burglary occurs in every neighborhood regardless of the demographics.

A monitored home security system consists of several components. There is a keypad, usually located by the main entry, this allows you to activate and deactivate the alarm system. A control panel, usually located in the basement or a closet, is the brains behind your alarm system where all the wires meet up with the computer boards. A motion detector will be located in the central area of your home and look for any motion through the room when the alarm is activated. Alarm contacts will detect if a door or window is being opened when the alarm system is monitoring.

Companies generally offer starter packages including one of each of these components. Some companies will include additional keypads or contacts for free as a signing incentive. Once your home security system is installed, there is a small monthly monitoring fee that pays for a monitoring company to respond to alarms at the residence. These fees range from ten to twenty dollars per month and ensure that your home security system is monitored twenty-four hours a day for any alarms.

When you begin your alarm monitoring, you will create a list of phone numbers that the monitoring company will attempt to call if an alarm occurs. They can either call the police directly, or attempt to call you first to confirm that it is a valid alarm.

Some of the services that you want to inquire about when decided on an alarm company are: What is your alarm response time? What kind of warranty comes with the system? How much will I pay for service if there is a problem with my system in the future? How much are your monitoring fees? Are there any hidden fees with the initial installation and configuration? Do you have 24 hour service response time? What is your experience in residential alarm installation and service? There are additional components that can be added to an alarm system to further protect your family. Most alarm panels are able to accept inputs from carbon monoxide detectors, fire sensors, glass break detectors and medical alert sensors. If you have an elderly or incapacitated family member at your home, they can wear a wireless bracelet or necklace that can alert the monitoring company if they fall or need emergency help.

Your family and home security is not a decision that should be made lightly. Before signing a contract, call several local companies, compare features, and ask for referrals. Don’t allow price to be the primary factor of your decision.

James Edel has been in the security industry for over 10 years. James currently works for SecurAlarm Systems Inc. where you can find premium home security services for the State of Michigan.