According to a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, burglaries of residences topped more than 1.2 million in 2008 alone. While most of these burglaries occurred during the day, usually while the occupants were at work or school, a large number of them occurred during the evening hours when families were more likely to be inside the home. Monitored alarm systems can help protect home-owners from property damage or loss during daytime burglaries when occupants are absent and also protect occupants from personal injury or loss of life should they be in the home when the burglary occurs.
How Monitored Alarm Systems Work
Monitored alarm systems work by using a network of sensors installed throughout the home. There are different types of sensors including:
- Glass break sensors - Glass break sensors respond to the frequencies of sound produced by breaking glass. Burglars will set off these sensors if they break open a glass patio door or window in an attempt to burglarize the home.
- Door and Window sensors - These sensors respond to movement. When the home is secured and the monitored alarm system enabled, these sensors will send a signal to the monitoring company if a door or window with a sensor installed is opened.
- Motion sensors - These sensors detect movement in the rooms of the house where they are installed. If a burglar manages to bypass other sensors and gains access to the home, motion sensors set up in key rooms will trigger the alarm.
When the alarm is triggered, the monitoring company receives a signal that indicates that a possible break-in has occurred. Though procedure can vary from company to company, usually this starts a chain reaction of telephone calls to the residence, any cell phone numbers on file, and key contacts the home-owner has designated in his account. If the alarm monitoring company is unable to verify a false alarm, police (or security, depending upon the neighborhood) are usually contacted within minutes.
There are two ways that the monitored alarm system uses to contact the alarm monitoring company:
- Plain Old Telephone System (POTS): This is a standard land telephone line.
- Cell Service: Specially modified devices allow the monitored alarm system to use the cell phone network to send its signal.
Other Advantages of Monitored Alarm Systems
Aside from alerting the police in the event of a break-in, monitored alarm systems can help protect homes and families in other ways. Though features and price will vary from one company to another, these are some of the additional ways that monitored alarm systems can help protect home-owners and their families:
- Monitored smoke detectors and heat sensors in some monitored alarm systems enable the monitoring company to detect and alert the fire department in the event of a fire. This service can decrease response times, helping to protect the lives of the occupants and helping to reduce property damage that may be incurred as a result of a house fire.
- Carbon monoxide sensors in some monitored alarm systems help to protect families from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Some monitored alarm systems have a latch key service, which pages working parents when their children return from school in the afternoons.
- Remotely activated pendants that allow injured or disabled persons to access the alarm in the event of an emergency.
Testing of Monitored Alarm Systems
Home-owners should contact their alarm monitoring companies at least once a month to test the integrity of their monitored alarm system. Since the monitored alarm system relies on the perfect functioning of many small parts for it to work as intended, there are a lot of opportunities for a monitored alarm system to fail. Though home-owners may invest in the protection of a monitored alarm system, it will be completely ineffective if not tested regularly and maintenance performed when necessary.
Why Invest in a Monitored Alarm System?
Even homes in great neighborhoods aren't immune to burglary, fire and other hazards that can result in loss of life or significant property damage. Home-owners that choose to invest in a monitored alarm system not only reap the obvious benefits of increased protection for their family and property, but they may also be eligible for deep discounts from popular home insurance policy providers like Geico, All State and others.
Resources for Further Reading on Monitored Alarm Systems
- USDOJ - FBI, (September 2009). Crime in the United States, 2008. Accessed: July 27, 2010.
Amber Hunter - Amber Hunter is a graduate of SMU Richardson's Networking Technologies Program. She is A+ Certified, Net+ Certified, and MCSA Certified. ...
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