Getting Your Money’s Worth – Must Have Security System Features

No one wants another monthly bill. Security system monitoring adds another $24-$45 a month onto your already plentiful bills. You might wonder if it’s worth it, or can the security system’s alarm features stand alone in providing theft deterrence.

A proper home security system should feature a loud and distinct signal on the premises – both inside and outside. The occupants, intruder, neighbors – everyone – should hear it loud and clear. The security system can sound like a loud bell, buzzer, siren or horn. Some security systems go the next step with various automatic lighting features to turn on the household electric lights or activate special emergency signal lights. Warning decals or emblems affixed to the home’s point of entry are also useful in deterring intruders.

It’s true that the existence of a security system is often enough deterrent to discourage a burglar even before he tries to force an entry. In addition, the local alarm signal is generally enough to scare off most intruders once they sound. Law enforcement authorities do not recommend silent alarms – which do not sound on the premises, but instead alert a monitoring company – for residences, since they allow the intruder inside where he may be in a position to threaten an occupant while police respond to the silent signal.

However, alarm monitoring has definite benefits. Mainly, it ensures help will be on its way. Not only do security system companies dispatch police, but they notify you or anyone you designate so that you are aware and can take action on anything happening in your home.

To get the very most from your security system, make sure it is capable of pinpointing the location of an intrusion within your home. This feature is an advantage to the police officer responding to a security system alarm or to a technician trying to locate a problem sensor. The central station employs trained personnel whose sole function is to remain alert for alarm signals and act upon them – which usually results in dispatching alarm company personnel, a private guard service, or local police officers to the scene.

If you want absolute certainty that when your home or family are at risk, you have resources – then a security system monitoring service is the smart choice. Choose a quality one with a longstanding, good reputation. Companies like GE Security and Broadview Security are national providers with respected names.