| Let me start off by saying that my home has | | | | the phone. If they get no answer or the |
| been robbed. I was at work and got a call | | | | person who answers does not know the security |
| from my wife asking me if I had taken the VCR | | | | password, which you give to the company upon |
| to be repaired. I knew right away that we | | | | signing up, they send the police over.That is |
| had been robbed. That was the last time as | | | | pretty much the way an indoor monitoring |
| we have since had a home security system | | | | alarm system works.Now, you can get one of |
| installed.What I didn't know is, there are | | | | these alarms to install yourself and it will |
| different types of security systems and not | | | | go off if someone enters the house who |
| all security systems are created equally.Let | | | | doesn't know the bypass code but without a |
| me start with the type that I have | | | | monitoring service it's just a loud noise and |
| personally. Mine is a monitoring system | | | | may or may not be enough to scare off the |
| which is attached to an alarm built into your | | | | intruder. Considering monitoring is |
| doors and windows. The more areas in your | | | | relatively cheap, it doesn't make sense not |
| house you have the alarms installed in, the | | | | to get a monitoring service.But security |
| more expensive the installation, unless the | | | | systems don't end there. There are also |
| monitoring company has a special offer. In | | | | outdoor security systems where if an intruder |
| our case we got free installation of alarms | | | | approaches the grounds, flood lights will |
| on 2 doors and 1 window. Anything beyond | | | | first come on and then upon passing a certain |
| that we had to pay for. Fortunately we felt | | | | point without entering in a code into the |
| that that was all we needed so we went with | | | | outdoor device, an alarm will go off before |
| it.The way the system works is very simple. | | | | the intruder even enters the house. Needless |
| You have an alarm control box which they | | | | to say, these systems are much more |
| install by your front door or wherever you | | | | expensive.Then of course you have security |
| designate then to install it. You are then | | | | monitoring systems, closed circuit TV, and |
| instructed to program a code into the alarm. | | | | wireless intercom systems. While these can |
| This is to do 2 things. First, to actually | | | | be used for your home, especially if you have |
| be able to set the alarm. Second to be able | | | | a mansion, they are mostly used for |
| to turn off the alarm when entering the | | | | businesses.Let's not forget smoke and fire |
| house. The alarm goes off based on one of | | | | sensors that, when set off by smoke or fire, |
| two things, whichever it detects first. The | | | | will also send a signal to the monitoring |
| first is the actual opening of the door or | | | | service who then calls the fire department.In |
| window. The second, is a motion sensor | | | | addition to all of that, there are also the |
| installed above the box which sets off the | | | | common sense things you can do yourself like |
| alarm if it detects motion in the house. | | | | get solid wood or metal doors with strong |
| That is in case somebody bypasses the trigger | | | | deadbolt locks. Windows can be secured with |
| on the doors and windows. The motion sensor | | | | key locks. Double hung windows can be |
| is a backup. The way the alarm detects if | | | | secured by nailing the top and bottom |
| the door is open is because a device is | | | | together. You might also want to consider |
| installed inside your door. Once connection | | | | iron grates or grilles for your windows.Other |
| is broken with the panel across from the door | | | | things you can do to secure your home is |
| the alarm goes off. If entering the house | | | | place signs on your lawn indicating that your |
| normally with a key you have 60 seconds to | | | | home is protected by such and such a service |
| enter the bypass code before the alarm goes | | | | or device. Also a beware of dog sign, |
| into its second stage and blasts out a sound | | | | whether you have one or not, can't hurt.Yes, |
| that could deafen the people across the | | | | there are many ways to protect your home. You |
| street. At this time an alarm also goes out | | | | don't have to be a victim like I was. |
| to the monitoring company who call you up on | | | | |