There is a lot of emphasis placed on security these days. With the amount of concern that appears on a regular basis in the media and in advertising, it would appear as if the public was under regular assault from a wide range of sources, from terrorists to murderers and thieves. The result is that companies that specialize in providing some sort of security measures for clients are making a bigger profits than ever before. The alarm industry in particular has seen massive growth in sales, on products that range from home alarms to burglar alarms. Just like any purchase, though, potential buyers of home alarm systems need to decide whether the investment is worth the expense. In other words, will a home alarm system really be of help when it comes to an emergency situation?

Reasons for purchasing home alarms

The first thought that probably comes to your mind when you consider home alarms is that of the device as a theft prevention measure. There are several reasons that a home alarm might seem appealing for an individual’s needs aside from theft prevention. Here are a few of them.

• Personal protection. A lot of people purchase a home alarm with the idea that it will serve not only to protect their house from theft while they are away, but also as an early warning system in case of intruders while they are at home.
• Theft deterrent. Theft deterrent differs from prevention in that the criminal does not enter the house in the first place. This is part of the reason why many people who have purchased home alarms display the company logo in a visible place.
• Monitoring system. A lot of people will also use their home alarms as a system of monitoring those inside the home. This purpose is commonly seen in homes with teenagers as well as homes where a person who is prone to wandering off through circumstances having to do with mental illness is present.

Types of home alarms

Most home alarms work along the principle of a warning system. They detect when an individual has entered the premises but does not know the code to shut the alarm down. How they react afterwards is usually where the different types of alarms are unique to the company.

• Noise alarms will send off a siren like sound that can be heard for a long way. The intention is to attract attention to the house, and scare off the intruder through unwanted surveillance.
• Some alarms are silent, and will send a signal over a phone line or other type of line to the office of the monitoring company. The company will then either phone the police or the home in which the alarm is installed.
• Many alarms work with a combination of these two measures. Some will also let off a quieter signal whenever anyone enters the premises, to let those inside know that someone came through the door.

 

Are they worth it?

The main strength of the home alarm, as far as personal security, lies in its manifestation as a deterrent. Burglary and other types of home invasion need secrecy in order to be successful, and just placing a sign on the door is usually sufficient in discouraging potential thieves. When it comes to a determined or skilled crook, though, the home alarm system can be beat. They know how long they have to carry out their deeds before someone in authority arrives, and it is more than enough time to quickly take some of the most valuable things in the house and get away clean.

For other purposes, though, home alarms do serve a purpose. They are very effective monitoring systems, and as mentioned are successful in deterring criminals most of the time. They are also effective warning systems in a case where a home is entered at a time when people are home but may not be aware of the entry.

Purchasing a home alarm

If you do decide to purchase a home alarm, make sure to check the following criteria.

• It should be certified by a reliable third party. There are many companies that verify the function of home alarm systems, and their seal will be affixed to valid models.
• Check with your insurance company to see if they offer a discount on your home’s policy if you have a security system such as an alarm installed. Many will, and the savings can offset some of the costs of the alarm system.
• Don’t lose your code, and make sure everyone in your family knows how to disarm it! Almost everyone who gets an alarm will set it off accidentally once in a while, and the cost of the response can sometimes be expensive.

Don’t think of your home alarm as a shield of protection around your house. Instead, think of it as a measure by which you gain a little added protection. By no means does an alarm ensure total safety, but it may give you a little more time to prepare in case of an emergency.