Home Security Facts

Burglar alarms systems work by sending an electronic signal to the monitoring company “command center”, over some kind of phone line, when some kind of trigger mechanism sets off the alarm.

The main kinds of trigger mechanisms are:

1. Door or Window Contacts – These are either hard-wired or wireless contacts which are made up of two parts. One part is on the door or window itself, and the other part is on the door or window frame.

As long as the door or window is closed, the two parts of the contact have no “news” to report, but as soon as the door or window is opened, the separation of the two parts says, “Hey! Hey! Somebody opened the door! [or window]”

There might be a delay of maybe 30 seconds, depending on the mode the system is in, or it might be set on “no delay”. But either way, when any “delay” time is over, the siren is set off, and the burglar alarm send a signal in to the command center of the monitoring company.

2. The Motion Detector – Motion detectors are a vital part of a good security system, because you never know how a burglar might get into your home. They might come in a window, cut a hole in the side of your home, come in a heat duct, or some other oddball way.

The motion detector receives infra-red rays from a burglar, trips the alarm, sets off the siren, and sends a signal into the command center.

3. Glass Breakage Detectors – You may choose to have one or more glass breakage detectors installed in your home. They are small electronic devices that can “hear” the sound of glass breaking, as when someone breaks a window in your home.

This sound of breaking glass causes the detector to trip the burglar alarm, set off the siren, and send a signal to the command center.

So which parts are most important?

Well, you MUST have door contacts. That’s most important of all. Next in importance is the motion detector. You never know how a crook will enter your house.

I can’t stress how important it is to have at least a BASIC SYSTEM With door contacts and motion detector.

Don’t wait to get a basic burglar alarm system if you can’t afford “extras” like window contacts and glass breakage detectors! You can always get those later. But don’t go without security in the meantime. If you can afford the “extras”, by all means get them.

Window contacts might cost you from $65 to $150 each, depending on whether they are hard-wired or wireless, and depending on the company you deal with and where you’re located.

Glass breakage detectors might cost $150 each (they vary widely – check with various companies). But one detector may cover several windows, depending how close together they are.

The purpose of burglar alarm systems is obvious. When armed they detect if someone tries to enter your home, by sending a signal to a monitoring command center.

The command center has “operators” standing by, similar to “911″ operators, typically 24 hours a day. When these operators receive infromation from your burglar alarm system, they typically call you on the phone. If there is no answer, they dispatch your local police.

Some Clarifications:

1. If you set your security system off accidentally, don’t worry. You normally have 30 seconds or so to disarm it before the command center calls you, and you never get their call.
If you don’t disarm it in time, and they call you, they will ask you for your “password” to prove you’re not the crook. Crisis over, except for the siren noise you had to endure for a few seconds.

2. Often you can get a system for little or no upfront cost, and just pay for monthly monitoring. This helps you avoid the big upfront cost of purchasing a system.

Check around with various companies to see what’s available at this time for your home.

3. Most burglar alarm systems now are quite user-friendly. There are typically two settings: “Stay” (for when you are staying in your home), and “Away” (for when you are leaving your home).

Your security system installer will show you how simple it is to operate your system.

4. If you are concerned about your phone line being cut by a burglar, you may want to opt for a “cell backup” system (where a sorta built-in cell phone sends the burglary signal if your main phone line is cut), or a “cell primary” system (where a sorta built-in cell phone sends the burglary signal even if you don’t have a landline).

Those “cell phone primary” systems are getting more and more popular, with many people not even owning a land line anymore.

5. Shop around for the alarm system and company best for you. Not only do some charge little or no upfront fee, but they even pay for your home owner’s insurance deductible if you have a break-in with the burglar alarm armed.