| Most home security companies have special | | | | make sure you will be able to use the motion sensor |
| equipment offers when you sign up for alarm | | | | if you have a pet. If it's going to cause problems you |
| monitoring service. Usually a low cost standard | | | | may have to spend more money to add window |
| security system includes the control panel, 3 doors | | | | sensors and glass break sensors. Motion sensors are |
| contacted, 1 motion sensor, 1 touch pad and 1 interior | | | | very cost effective and yet work best to protect |
| siren. This is a great burglar alarm system to start | | | | areas (as long as you can use it). Even if someone |
| with and you can always add more equipment at | | | | came through a wall they will eventually trip off a |
| time of install or at a later date. Of course this will be | | | | motion sensor. Standard motions usually give a 90 |
| activated and communicate to a central monitoring | | | | degree coverage (that's why corners are good |
| center when the system is tripped. A great person | | | | locations) and range out about 20-30 feet. |
| (aside from the sales rep) to ensure you have a solid | | | | Keypad in Master Bedroom- This is always a good |
| alarm system can sometimes be the alarm installer. | | | | idea. The purpose of a 2nd keypad in the master |
| They usually have the most hands on experience | | | | bedroom is to provide important functionality. You will |
| without the incentive to make extra money and try | | | | have the 3 panic buttons close by in case of |
| to over sell you on extra equipment. | | | | emergency while you are sleeping. If you are ever |
| If you can spend a little more upfront, I suggest a | | | | sure there is a burglar trying to break in while you |
| few more important pieces of equipment: | | | | are home it's better to push a police panic button (if |
| Exterior Siren-This is a great way to get rid of | | | | possible also call 911). This will let the central station |
| crooks as soon as the system is tripped. There are | | | | responder know that this may be a hold up situation |
| many times a crook will try to proceed and disrupt a | | | | and to advise the police. The police then in turn may |
| weak interior siren. It will be very hard for them to | | | | respond quicker because it is considered a more |
| continue while knowing someone heard that loud | | | | critical/confirmed situation. This is another subject you |
| outside sounder. If you have very close neighbors | | | | want to discuss with the central monitoring station. |
| then you can use an interior siren projecting outside. | | | | Also with a 2nd keypad you will be able to arm the |
| You can install this less invasive indoor (10 decibel) | | | | full system including the motion sensors to protect |
| siren in the attic or crawl space next to an air vent. | | | | you while you go to sleep. |
| Cellular Back up- It is very common for a security | | | | Monitored Smoke Detectors- I think it very important |
| system to communicate alarm signals to central | | | | to have at least one monitored smoke detector in a |
| stations via traditional phone lines. Crooks are | | | | hall location. If a two story 1 up and 1 down. For |
| catching on and can easily cut a phone line to disrupt | | | | bigger homes you may want to add 2 up and 2 |
| communication and proceed to disarm the system. | | | | down. This can be a life saver in case of a fire. If |
| Any reputable company offers cellular back up. This is | | | | smoke knocks you unconscious this may be your |
| a permanent device that is installed to communicate | | | | only hope that the fire dep't will get to you in time. |
| via cellular. If you have a very good cell signal you | | | | Another good device is a heat detector in the attic. |
| probably don't even need a phone line and may just | | | | A lot of fires start at the roof from lightening strikes. |
| use cellular as primary. Usually cell back up has a | | | | The list of different equipment keeps going on. |
| nominal additional fee but it is well worth the piece of | | | | Always ask for a list of devices and discuss them |
| mind. | | | | with a security professional. This stuff becomes |
| Motion Sensors-You usually receive one motion | | | | common sense when you know what equipment is |
| sensor with a basic alarm system but you want to | | | | offered. I always say the more lines of protection |
| make sure of 2 things. 1- if you have certain type | | | | the better, but in so many situations home owners |
| pets they may trip the burglar alarm and cause false | | | | find a lot of extra equipment too cost prohibitive. |
| alarms. 2- that 1 motion sensor will be sufficient | | | | That's why you can start with a basic and add more |
| enough to cover the perimeters and stairs (if you | | | | equipment later on. |
| have a 2 two story). Speak to the alarm installer to | | | | |