Alarm systems discourage crime in general and offer homeowners protection against other threats. Many systems come equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to alert emergency services to help prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Protect Your Property
The primary purpose of home alarm systems is to protect your valuables, and they do so in a variety of ways. Burglar alarms deter criminal activity by making potential burglars think twice about targeting your home, and many systems include outdoor lighting for visual deterrence. Your alarm system can also alert authorities of a carbon monoxide leak or fire, reducing response time and saving lives. Dual signaling, which combines a telephone line and a cellular network (GSM or GPRS) to transmit intruder and fire signals, is also available for an even greater level of security. In addition to the peace of mind with an alarm system, some homeowners insurance companies offer discounts on premiums for homes with security systems. This makes them an excellent investment for your financial health.
Protect Your Family
An alarm security system in Huntsville gives you and your family peace of mind, even when you’re away from home. It also provides a deterrent for burglars, who may decide against breaking into a house with a security system and instead move on to another dwelling. These systems can detect more than burglaries, such as fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and flood damage. They can help alert homeowners of potential hazards early so they can seek assistance before the problem worsens, like in the case of carbon monoxide poisoning, which often doesn’t cause any symptoms until it is too late. Some systems are monitored, meaning that if the alarm is triggered, a representative from the security company will contact you and then dispatch emergency first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. This feature is especially useful for those worried about leaving their children home alone during the day or when they go out for an evening.
Protect Your Valuables
Whether you own a store full of merchandise or just a garage full of tools, alarm systems help protect valuables from theft. Heirloom jewelry and personal documents are some of the most common items burglars steal, but home alarms protect electronics, expensive furniture and even old family photos. Most alarm systems have sensors that detect intrusion, fire or environmental problems. Sensors may include door and window contacts, motion detectors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flood sensors and cameras. When the alarm is triggered, it sends a signal to the panel that immediately notifies you and the appropriate authorities. Some systems offer video verification technology to confirm a threat before dispatching police. This technology reduces the risk of false alarms.
Protect Your Pets
The advantages of a home alarm system extend to everyone you love, including pets. Many systems allow you to connect cameras to the monitor to see what’s happening in your house when you aren’t there. That gives peace of mind if you are leaving your pet with a dog walker or pet sitter or you’re on vacation and worried about your kitty running loose. Many systems also offer door and window contacts that trigger the monitor if someone tries to break in by opening or breaking them. If you have a monitored system, your monitoring company will be notified if an alarm is triggered and alert the authorities. This will minimize false alarms and reduce the risk of police dispatching your address unnecessarily.
Protect Yourself
Besides protecting against burglary, alarm systems can detect home intrusion, smoke and fire, and even carbon monoxide. They can alert you and first responders to these dangers to fix them before they cause major damage or, even worse, save lives. Opting for a monitored security system will notify the monitoring center when the alarm is triggered. Then, they can contact you and the proper authorities if necessary or even stay on the phone until help arrives. In addition, a wired system can include a backup communication path that bypasses the PSTN (traditional telephone line) and uses a cellular or radio signal. This method is often called Enhanced Call Verification (ECV). It helps reduce false dispatches by requiring that central station personnel attempt to contact two responsible parties on the phone (preferably a cellular number) before dispatching law enforcement.
