Alarm System Monitoring Helps Deter CrimeMonitoring

Can you afford to lose nearly $1,800? That’s the average loss reported in home burglaries around the country. There are ways that you can protect yourself from burglary losses, and one of the most effective is a burglar alarm with alarm system monitoring. These systems can be especially effective in cities like Houston, where the burglary rate is high and home security is an important part of protecting your family. How effective is alarm system monitoring? Safeguard Home Security, a Houston home security company, offers statistics that make it obvious how a burglar alarm with alarm system monitoring can reduce the risk of being targeted by burglars.

An unprotected home is 2 to 3 times more likely to be burglarized than one with a home security system. According to statistics compiled by insurance companies, homes with burglar alarms are much less likely to be the targets of burglary than those with no home security system. Burglars actively avoid homes that are outfitted with burglar alarms and home security systems – it only makes sense, after all. Why break into a home where you risk being caught by an alarm monitoring company?

About 85% of home burglaries take place in residences and other buildings not protected by burglar alarms. Wouldn’t you rather put your home in the 15% of homes that are statistically less likely to be targeted by burglars? It’s as easy as making sure that your home is protected by a home security system.

Contrary to popular belief, most burglaries do not take place at night. The overwhelming majority of home burglaries happen between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. when people are most likely to be away from home. This also means that a basic burglar alarm system, which is intended to alert homeowners and nearby neighbors that an intruder has broken in, are less likely to be effective for one simple reason – your neighbors are likely to not be home to call the police if your alarm goes off. A monitored alarm system doesn’t rely on neighbors’ availability to notify the authorities if your home is broken into. Instead, your home’s alarm system is monitored 24/7 by professional alarm system monitors. Whether your neighbors are home or not, there will be someone to notice that your alarm is going off.

Alarm system monitoring is a valuable addition to any home security system. When you choose an alarm system with monitoring, you’re making an investment that pays off in security for your family and your property.

Don’t Leave Home Security to Chance

Even home security systems and burglar alarms need some help to be effective deterrents to crime and burglary. Many people believe that they’ve done everything they have to do once they install a home security system with alarm system monitoring. While alarm systems have a definite place in protecting your home and your family from harm, they’re only one part of a comprehensive home security plan. Instead of relying completely on a burglar alarm and alarm system monitoring, make sure that you’ve covered all of these important bases in addition to installing the best home security system you can afford.

Doors Need Locks in Addition to Alarms

Every door into your house should be included in the alarm system, of course. Even ore importantly, every door that provides entry into your home should be fitted with a heavy-duty deadbolt lock. The Houston Police recommend that the bolt extend at least one inch into the door jamb with a metal strike plate installed with three inch screws.

Block Patio Sliders

Nearly every house in Houston has a major security flaw – glass sliding patio doors out to the deck or back yard. The latches on most patio doors are woefully inadequate. You should always use a track blocker to prevent the patio doors from being forced open. A wooden dowel in the track is a simple, inexpensive security tool for patio doors.

Make It Hard to Open Accessible Windows

Ground floor windows and windows that are accessible via trees, balconies and stairways are attractive targets for burglars. Make sure that any accessible windows are wired into your home security system. Use screws or other devices to prevent the windows from being opened more than six inches, and make sure that burglars can’t reach window latches through the open window. Finally, use a little creative deterrence – place burglar alarm decals prominently on ground floor windows.

Light Up Your House

Lighting is an essential part of your home security plan – both interior and exterior. Place lights where they’ll illuminate dark corners and any windows or doors that give access to the house, and put interior lights on a timer so that there’s always a visible “someone’s home” signal. Don’t just use the timers when you’re on vacation – that’s a dead giveaway to burglars who may have been watching your home.

The Place for Burglar Alarms

Any home security system must be installed and maintained properly. The most effective home security systems include a loud horn or bell that goes off when the security is breached – and that resets after a few minutes. Choose a security system with alarm system monitoring, and make sure that you keep your contact list up to date.

Your home security system is a valuable part of protecting your home and family, but it can’t do the job on its own. Making sure that you always keep your doors locked and take steps to discourage burglars from targeting your home are important factors in keeping your family safe.

The Importance of Alarm System Monitoring

Home security systems are an important tool to help keep your family safe, but many people put far more time and energy into choosing the latest equipment than they do in choosing the most important part of their home security system – alarm system monitoring. A home security system is only as good as the company that provides the monitoring for it. The best state of the art home security equipment may alert you when there’s a problem at home, but your alarm system monitoring company is an essential part of keeping your family safe.

What happens when an alarm system detects an intruder? That depends on the type of home security system you’ve installed and the services for which you’ve contracted. The most basic alarm system simply makes a lot of noise and counts on the homeowner or a neighbor to alert the police that there’s a problem. While it’s better than nothing, you can’t count on a basic burglar alarm to protect your home and family because it relies on someone else taking an action.

More advanced home security systems are programmed to dial a number when the security is breached. You choose the numbers -- often, the system is set to alert you at work during the day, but some will alert the authorities directly. The biggest problem with these systems is the possibility of false alarms, which is so high in some areas that police departments have started charging homeowners for the cost of rolling a police car to check out the alarm.

Home security systems with home alarm monitoring are the preferred type of Houston home alarm system. When you add home alarm monitoring to a security system, you’re adding in a human element. Alarm monitoring companies have people manning their monitoring stations 24/7, 365 days a year. When your home security system detects an intrusion, it sends a signal to the alarm monitoring company. The operators on duty will attempt to contact you and determine if you need assistance or if the alarm was sent accidentally. If you don’t respond, the alarm system monitoring company will alert emergency services and send them to your home.

When you’re faced with a burglary, minutes are important. When you or someone you love is in the home with intruders – or any other emergency – an immediate response can literally save lives. When you choose a home security system with alarm system monitoring, help can be on the way within seconds, minimizing damage to your property and injury to the people you love.