How to Choose the Right Home Security System

With over 315.000 burglaries happening in Australia in 2017, it's only natural to try and protect yourself. By adding an alarm system to your home, it can both prevent theft and help you keep a peaceful mind. But taking the time to understand what an alarm system is and what types there are, can be crucial in picking the right one and improving your overall home security.

Monitored or Unmonitored System

A monitored system is where your house is under surveillance from a security company 24/7. These systems are usually more expensive and they give you no control. If anything is suspected by the surveillance company, they will alert the police, without your approval.

Unmonitored systems on the other hand are comprised of home alarm sirens and lights, that will sound off and alert your neighbours and passers-by of the intrusion. By using this system you depend on the good will of others and their judgement to call the police. In the process the loud noise of the home alarm sirens will scare off most burglars.

How They Work

1. The system sensor gets triggered; e.g. Door opening. 
2. The system waits a tuned amount of time; usually 30-40 sec. (In order for the owner to deactivate it, if it's a false alarm)
3. If the alarm fails to be deactivated, it will sound the alarms.

• (If a monitored company is watching your home) They will receive a message that your house has been broken into.
• Otherwise you will depend on someone around, or worse case scenario you coming home, to notice the break-in.

      4. The police responds.
False alarms are actually quite common, especially for new users, who are still getting used to the system. But be cautious because they are punishable by fines.

Components of a Home Security System

Both the modern and traditional systems use these components (with the modern having a few add-ons):

• Control panel – one of the most important things in an alarm system, this panel holds all the functions for the system. Most require a phone line.
• Central monitoring station - This is where the distress message is received if the system gets triggered.
• Touchpad – This is where you can arm and disarm the system from, by using a passcode. This should be placed near doors for easier use and minimisation of false alarms.
• Key fob – Much like the remote key fob your car uses for locking/unlocking. This fob allows you to remotely arm/disarm your alarm without a passcode.
• Home alarm sirens – Used to scare off the burglar and alert anyone around of the break in.
• Video monitoring – CCTV cameras allow for videos and pictures to be stored from the mounted area where they look upon.

Choose Your System Wisely

When choosing a security system the first thing you should do is pay a visit to your local police station. You should ask how long it takes them to respond to an alarm system report and get to your home. It is also important to know what the fine penalty is for false alarms.

Then review all the security companies you have in mind of hiring. Look for reach distance, product efficiency, cost, maintenance and overall security factor. Once you've selected your device, you should consider if you're going to mount it yourself or if you're going to hire a professional company (some types of security systems require mandatory professional mounting).