Features That Enhance Home Security

Home security systems offer several ways to protect your beyond basic perimeter monitoring. They can guard against disasters and offer residents personal emergency protection as well. When getting a home security system, consider a few key features that can add to your overall protection.

• Smoke Detectors – Add another layer of protection to your home, especially when they are integrated into the home security system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give you time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems even integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors. That means you will not have to ever replace the batteries.
• Back-Up Power Supply – Is important in maintaining home security even during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. Your home alarm should be effective even when your power is not. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. Look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower your maintenance costs.
• GSM Control Panel – Is vital to any home security system. The heart of the home security system, the master alarm control panel is typically installed on a wall in a location with easy access. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If you choose to arm the system from the panel when you leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when you return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone.
• Talking Devices – Make it easy for you to comprehend the status of your home security system and also make programming your system simple and quick. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes.
• Key Pads – May not always be enough to keep burglars out. Magnetic sensors on windows and doors decrease the chance of a home invader entering undetected and are a vital component of a residential security system. The degree of security protection is elevated when motion detectors are installed within the residence. The most sophisticated security motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets’ movement to avoid false alarms.
• Extra Key Pads – Are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure keyless entry. Some security systems also offer remote control key pads which are lightweight and portable. A home security system that features a code with a key pad increases the security of your home. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry which indicate a possible break-in attempt.
• Extra Key Fobs and Remotes – Some home security systems include extras like key fobs and remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a car’s key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate a home security system. Some even include a “panic” button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary greatly and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button as well. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help you understand your system a little better.