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Security Equipment
Your home security system will include many different pieces of hardware. A representative from Alert Alarm security company will come to your home or business and do a security evaluation, then give you a recommendation on what types of equipment you'll need. Here are some of the most common components:
Control Panel | Keypad
The control panel is the brains of the whole setup. The keypad arm and disarm the system. Many systems are set up with one control panel near the main entrance, and one in a more secure location, like the master bedroom. This makes it easy to arm the system when you go to bed.
Secondary keypads let you come and go through other doors or the garage, but not reprogram the whole system. Exterior keypads, when combined with electronic locks, allow keyless entry to anyone who enters the right code. Add-on keypads are relatively inexpensive and a good way to make the whole alarm system easy to use.
Sensors/Contacts
Various kinds of sensors do the actual "security" for an alarm system. Window and door sensors use magnetic contacts to tell if one is open. Infrared and microwave sensors detect body heat or motion if someone's inside. There are even sensors that listen for the sound of glass breaking. Alert Alarm security Representative will be able to describe exactly what type of sensors you need for optimal security.
Sirens and Lights
Alert Alarm's security systems include audible and visible indicators of trouble. Sirens, horns, or bells will be loud enough to be heard throughout the house and at the street - larger homes may need more than one. For most amateur crooks, a loud alarm means "time to run" and will get them out of your home in a panic.
Flashing lights (strobes or rotating beacons) are more commonly used in businesses, but can also help police confirm where the trouble is in an emergency. If your house is hard to pick out from the street, this might be a good addition.
Remote Control | Key Fob
Much like a key fob that lets you lock and alarm your car, a key fob for your alarm system works like a remote control for the entire system. Typically they only offer a few basic functions — arming or disarming the entire system, and a panic button — but they can be real time savers.
Backup Battery
No matter how sophisticated your alarm system is, it can't work without power. If you don't want a burglar to be able to disable your entire system by cutting the power, investing in a backup battery is critical. These batteries automatically provide power to your burglar alarm if the power goes out — some for up to 24 hours.
Yard Signs | Window Decals
It's amazing how the simple "Protected by ..." signs you see on Alert Alarm homes are among the most trivial yet important parts of a home security system. Simply put, if the bad guys don't know a system is in place, why would they avoid your house? An Alert Alarm can still scare them off once they're in, but if you're home at the time and a criminal get spooked by a siren, a dangerous situation could develop.
Better to advertise! There are so many houses out there without alarm systems that in most cases, a burglar will simply move on to the next likely target, rather than try to defeat a monitored alarm.
Of course, the cheapest home security system of all is the 'signs but no system' approach. It is certainly a cheap way to deter some potential criminals - but it can also give you a false sense of security. Home Security Comparison - along with most law enforcement and safety experts — does not recommend this approach.
Click here to contact Alert Alarm or call us directly at 1-888-99-ALERT.
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