Protecting Your Home with an Alarm System

Deciding which alarm system is right for your home can be a confusing and frustrating task, but the installation of a residential alarm system (including burglar and fire alarm components) is one of the most prudent steps you can take to help protect you, your property and your loved ones. Here are some tips to consider when deciding how to secure your home:

• Speak to the local police department or Better Business Bureau to determine if they have any knowledge of or have ever received complaints.
  
  
• Check if the company has appropriate state and local licensing, where required.
  
  
• Ask if the company conducts pre-employment screening.
  
  
• Make sure the company is listed with UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
  
  
• Ask the company to provide you with references of existing clients to speak with.
  
  
• After you've agreed to an inspection and a quote, request the name of the company representative who will visit your home and require that the representative show proper identification when they arrive.
  
  

• Motion detectors: these sensors use infrared beams to detect any motion inside the house and should be placed in central areas like main hallways and stairwells.
  
  
• Door and window contacts: these magnetic contacts create an electrical current between adjoining magnets located on a door and a doorframe or a window and a windowsill. If the door or window is opened, the current is broken and the alarm is tripped. They should be located on every door and window large enough to grant access to your home.
  
  
• Window or door screen wires: these components activate if the screen is removed from the frame or if the screen is cut away from its frame.
  
  
• Panic buttons: these buttons can be manually activated if you detect or suspect an intruder and can be placed near beds or doorways. Sometimes these buttons can consist of a wireless unit that can be worn as a necklace.
  
  
• Glass breakage sensors: components placed on windows which can detect vibrations when glass is broken to gain entry to your home.
  
  
• Stress sensors: sensors placed under rugs, carpets, or floor joists that activate when stepped upon. These sensors are oftentimes used in front of safes or valuable pieces of art.
  
  
• Closed-circuit TV: an internal television system that allows you to view remotely a particular area of your house or property.
  
  

• Smoke detectors: there are two types of smoke detectors, ionization and photoelectronic. Ionization units use chemical reactions to detect the presence of smoke and respond well to fast-flaming fires, such as paper. Photoelectronic detectors work best for slower, smoldering fires, which are more common in typical residences. Photoelectronic detectors may also come equipped with an internal heat detector.
  
  
• Heat detectors: there are also two types of heat detectors, fixed temperature and rate-of-rise. Fixed temperature components activate once a room reaches a predetermined temperature, usually 135° F or 190° F. Rate-of-rise heat detectors have fixed temperature sensors but they can also detect rapid increases in temperature.
  
  

• Cellular or radio back-up: alarm systems are monitored through your phone line. Besides the threat of burglars cutting your phone line before they even enter your home, your phone service can be disabled due to inclement weather, accidents, equipment failures and various other reasons. A back-up system, using either cellular or radio technology, provides constant monitoring of your service and can alert the security company when the standard phone system is disabled.
  
  
• System testing: many security companies have testing capability for your home system. Signals are sent on an interval basis (usually once daily) to verify that the system is enabled and the phone line is operable. Ask your company what type of testing they provide and what steps are taken if the test detects a system failure.
  
  
• Maintenance: look for a company that offers annual maintenance. Your security system should be tested and cleaned once a year to ensure optimal performance.
  
  

• Knowing how your system works.
  
  
• Knowing the cancellation code.
  
  
• Ensuring that all users are trained with the system.
  
  
• Calling your alarm company before you move, start any renovations, purchase a pet or change your phone number.
  
  
• Knowing how to clear an incorrect code if you make a mistake with the keypad.
  
  
• Knowing how to "bypass"(shut off) the motion detector when you are at home.
  
  
• Having your alarm company replace batteries as needed; wireless systems generally require this more often.
  
  
• Keeping any smoke detectors covered during construction and renovation projects.
  
  
• Have the system inspected and cleaned annually.
  
  

• Consider placing individual contacts on any home safes and valued personal belongings, such as paintings. These contacts will activate the alarm if your safe is opened without authorization or if a painting is removed from the wall.
  
  
• If you own a vacation or secondary home in a northern climate, have a low temperature sensor installed. This sensor can help to prevent frozen pipes and resulting water damage.
  
  
• Depending upon your home and its location, consider the following additional components on your home security system: a gas leakage detector, a sprinkler system flow alarm and a seismic shut off valve system, which shuts off your natural gas in the event of an earthquake.