What Should a Security Alarm System Include?
Most systems rely on a combination of contacts placed at doors and windows and motion sensors. Motion sensors, however, do not detect someone until they are already in the house. Motion sensors should NOT be used as the primary means of detection. It is best that all exterior potential points of entry have contacts that sense when they are open. Glass break sensors are also available and recommended.

The basic elements of a standard home security system include:

Additional items that can be added to the basic system are:

Costs
The average system, which includes either motion detectors inside the house or sensors around windows and doors, costs about $1,200 plus monthly monitoring fees of less than $25. Many security companies offer the systems for free - in exchange for long-term monitoring contracts.

Monitored System or Unmonitored System?
Monitored Systems contact a monitoring company by telephone. The typical sequence of events is as follows:

Caution: A monitored alarm uses the phone line to call the monitoring company. If personal safety were at risk when the alarm sounds, a homeowner would be unable to call 911 or call for help by phone while the alarm system is communicating through the phone line with the monitoring company.

The only way to keep this from happening would be to have more than one telephone line into the house or have a cellular phone available.

Unmonitored systems typically have on-site alarms and/or flashing lights that indicate the security system has been breached. It relies on neighbors as the eyes and ears to see or hear the alarms and then to call police. Neighbors or passersby should never investigate an alarm themselves.

With an unmonitored system, it is best to have a combination of strobe lights and alarms. They should be located on the street side of the house and in an as-inaccessible spot as possible. Because it can be difficult to determine the location of a siren, it is best to discuss this with your neighbors and to place the siren and flashing light on the house where it can be easily seen.

The advantage of this type of system is that a burglar's primary goal is to gain entrance to the house, remove property, and do so without being noticed. Many burglars will leave once alarms and strobes are activated. The disadvantage to an unmonitored system is it relies on neighbors who may not be at home or may not want to become involved. This system is appropriate for a typical suburban setting but might not work as well for a home out in the country without close neighbors.

How to Choose an Alarm Company
Choosing an alarm company can be confusing and the technology complicated. Here are some suggestions:

Here are some additional suggestions from the Arizona Burglar & Fire Alarm Association on how to select a security alarm company. (Most of this information would be applicable to other states that have similar registrars and licensing requirements.)

How Do False Alarms Affect Service?
False alarms with security alarm systems are a significant concern. It is estimated between 95 percent and 99 percent of the alarms received are false. Because of this, most police departments require the system, if it alarms remotely by telephone, to first go through a monitoring company.

To combat the false alarm problem, some police departments are imposing fines for false alarms after a specified number of false alarms.

Things to Remember About Security Alarm Systems
Burglars realize most security systems sound inside the house and then the alarm is transferred to remote locations through the telephone lines. Most phone lines are typically exposed on the outside of the house in an easily accessible location where the phone line can be cut. If the telephone line is cut, the security alarm system cannot notify the central monitoring station of the break-in.

If the phone line is run underground until it is inside the home (with the main telephone junction box inside the home), the thief cannot tamper with the telephone line until after he or she has broken in. Having a protected phone line to your house is a good idea whether you have a security alarm system or not.

Burglars learn to adapt to security systems. In New Jersey, some burglars developed a unique break-in method. The burglars would rattle the windows causing the alarm to sound and then hide in the bushes, waiting for the police to arrive. Once the police found nothing and left the location, the burglars would proceed with the break-in.

The problem with security systems is that they don't necessarily stop people from breaking in. The security system is only activated when the burglar has broken into the house. Also, by the time the intruder is detected and someone responds to the alarm, there could be enough time for the intruder to remove items and leave. If the system does not cause visible or audible alarms to flash or sound at the site, or there is no one nearby to see or hear these site alarms, the intruder can leave without being seen.

Remember: Security systems do not prevent thieves from breaking into homes.

A good security plan should include strong window, door, and lock products; good security habits and lifestyles (for example, always locking doors at night or when the house is vacant); and natural surveillance, such as having neighborhood watches.

 

State Farm® believes the information contained in the Good Neighbor House® is reliable and accurate. We cannot, however, guarantee the performance of all items demonstrated or described in all situations. Always consult an experienced contractor or other expert to determine the best application of these ideas or products in your home.

5/7/2001