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Additionally, your security system can be
connected to a central monitoring station
over a telephone line. This will enable your system to
automatically inform the relevant authority. In the event of an
alarm, the control panel sends a message over a telephone line
to a central monitoring station, which is manned 24 hours a day.
After attempting to contact the homeowner, the central
monitoring station will contact the police, fire department, or
medics. There is usually a monthly fee for this service.
Unmonitored systems
typically have on-site alarms and/or flashing lights that
indicate the security system has been breached. It relies on
neighbors as the eyes and ears to see or hear the alarms and
then to call police. Neighbors or passersby should never
investigate an alarm themselves. With an unmonitored system, it
is best to have a combination of strobe lights and alarms. They
should be located on the street side of the house and in an
as-inaccessible spot as possible. Because it can be difficult to
determine the location of a siren, it is best to discuss this
with your neighbors and to place the siren and flashing light on
the house where it can be easily seen.
The advantage of this type of system is
that a burglar's primary goal is to gain entrance to the house,
remove property, and do so without being noticed. Many burglars
will leave once alarms and strobes are activated. The
disadvantage to an unmonitored system is it relies on neighbors
who may not be at home or may not want to become involved. This
system is appropriate for a typical suburban setting but might
not work as well for a home out in the country without close
neighbors.
Monitored Systems
contact a monitoring company by telephone. The typical sequence
of events is as follows: The security system senses intruder.
The security system waits for 30 to 45 seconds before going into
alarm allowing the homeowner a chance to deactivate the system
to prevent false alarms. If not deactivated, the security system
goes into alarm and sends a message to the monitoring company
over telephone lines. The monitoring company receives the
message, determines the nature of the alarm and verifies the
alarm, generally by placing a phone call to the home. If they do
not receive the proper password or do not receive an answer,
they call the police. The police receive the monitoring
company's call and respond.
Caution: If personal safety is at
risk when the alarm sounds, a homeowner will be unable to call
911 or call for help through phone while the security system is
communicating through the phone line with the monitoring
company. Even so, the communication period between the control
panel and the monitoring station is very short as it only
involves the sending of a short message to the monitoring
station. A solution to this would be to have more than one
telephone line into the house or have a cellular phone
available.
A monitored alarm system may also have a
compatibility problem with digital subscriber line (DSL)
high-speed Internet service. The DSL Internet service, because
it transmits over the same telephone lines, may prevent the
security panel and monitoring service from properly
communicating with one another. Normally this compatibility
problem can be solved with a special filter or by using a DSL
splitter system. Contact your central monitoring service to find
out if you have a problem and how to remedy it.
How to Choose an Alarm
Company
Choosing an alarm company can be confusing and the technology
complicated. Here are some suggestions:
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Check with friends or neighbors for
recommendations on reliable companies.
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Find out how quickly the alarm company
will install your system after purchase. See if the company
sells systems faster than they can install them.
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Determine how quickly they respond to
requests for service after installation. Ask for references
from some of their customers who have required service and
call and talk to these people.
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Ask about warranties.
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Obtain quotes from at least three
different companies.
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Ask the alarm company what screening they
do when hiring their alarm installers and salespeople. You
want a company that screens for criminal backgrounds/records,
etc.
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Call your local police department and ask
how long it takes them to respond to a home security system
alarm. Don't be surprised if the estimated response time is as
long as an hour. Also ask if there are any fines for false
alarms.
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Lastly, when comparing prices remember to
compare detection coverage and features, the least expensive
system could be all you need, or a waste of money. Not all
alarms are created equal.
Alarm Monitoring Service Providers:
GreatAlarms.com
Homesecuritystore.com
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