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Alarm Systems Info
Alarms systems of one type or another have almost become a necessity for safety and security at home. THere are many different kinds of alarm systems to choose from. Which alarm system you choose depends on what your biggest fear is or what the largest danger to your safety or security is. You can also get vehicle alarms that work very well.
Alarms systems can be either wireless or hard wired. If you're building a new house you should consider having the alarm systems be hard wired. However be aware that you will need a battery backup for the wired systems. If the power goes off for some reason and you don't have a battery backup for the alarms you won't be protected. That's the biggest drawback with wired systems and the one thing most people don't do. Always, always have a battery backup.
Wireless alarm systems also have their drawbacks. The biggest two being you need to keep the batteries fresh so the system works and if some of the wireless alarms are to far from the receiving source you may need a repeater in between. The repeater is a good thing but it does mean more batteries you have to replace or keep fresh. Of course it works even when the electricity is off. You also need to hide the outside parts of the wireless alarm so burglars and thieves can't just come along and simply disable it.
After deciding on wireless or wired systems you need to make the next decision. Do you want a monitored alarm system or unmonitored alarms that you take care of yourself. Most of the commercials for alarm systems you see on TV are monitored alarm systems. ADT, Brinks and many other companies sell and install monitored systems. The drawback to monitored systems is the monthly cost for the monitoring but for the small amounts of money involved many believe the added protection is worth the money. So do I.
An unmonitored system usually hooks up to your computer and it's up to you to check it when something happens. THere are unmonitored systems where your computer will automatically call the fire dept if the sensors detect high heat or smoke. These systems are a good way to protect your home if you travel a lot. You can login to your own system using the internet and see what's happening. The camera's will also keep a record that you can review online to be sure your house is safe and secure.
Now that you've made the choice for wired or unwired and monitored or unmonitored you need to decide what kinds of alarms you want. You can get medical alert alarms, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" and these types are very valuable for senior citizens or the infirm or disabled. You can get help very quickly with these types of medical alarms.
Then there are systems that monitor for fires. A very simple alarm system in this category is the one you are probably most familiar with. The fire or smoke detectors you have in your house are very good at what they do but you have to wake up if you are sleeping. You also need to change the batteries at least twice a year to keep them working and to keep you and your family safe. CO2 detectors also work the same way.
State laws in most states require smoke or fire detectors in all new housing. It's a good idea to get one and install it if you don't have any. They are cheap and easy to install. Ideally you should have them in the kitchen, outside of all bedrooms and where ever your furnace is. Because we are building houses tighter and tighter to keep outside air from getting in a carbon monoxide alarm is also a high priority. These simple and cheap alarms can save your life and are a very small investment to protect your family. It is important to also know that there are performance standards for both photoelectric and ionized smoke alarms so make sure it has been approved by Underwriters Laboratories.
Security products such as basic wireless glass break sensors, a window alarm that sets off a siren when the magnetic contact is broken, and a couple of indoor and outdoor motion detectors could deter potential intruders. All of this if you do it yourself for possibly just under $200.
Installation of most alarm systems can take as little as a few hours. The instructions explain how the systems work and the installation instructions are easy to understand even if you have no experience. If you have a friend who knows computers well you might ask them for help if you run into something you don't understand.
Before getting any type of alarms system figure out what you need it for, why you want it and how much you are prepared to pay for it. This short overview of alarms systems should give you some things to think about. More on alarms and more in depth coverage of each type will be added in the coming weeks.
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