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