Burglar Alarms and Home Security

Burglar alarm systems are ever present our everyday life. You see these devices everywhere–in your home, office, at the mall, your corner convenience store and even in your car. Is the pervasiveness of the home security system just paranoia or is it a sign of the times?

The danger is very real because drug-induced crime against persons and properties is on the rise. The desire to preserve privacy, assure the safety of loved ones and protect our home and property had always ranked high in our hierarchy of needs. That is why many homeowners have fortified their homes with stronger locks and reinforced doors and walls. But at the most these physical barriers only serve to delay a bit the determined intruder from breaking into their homes. This is where burglar alarm systems come into the picture.

Studies have established that houses that are equipped with even the simplest form of burglar alarm systems are less likely to be broken into because these devices play on the intruder’s fear of discovery, apprehension, prosecution and imprisonment. The modern home security system is actually a simple device that consists of a sensor, siren and a power source. These devices are effective in guarding specific entry points to the house such as windows and doors where intruders are expected to break in. The moment any of the sensors detects the opening of a door or a window, the device sounds off a loud siren.
 
However, these burglar alarm systems are not effective at guarding the interior of a house where the intruder’s movements can not be predicted. Because of this, sensors have been developed with “electronic eyes” that can sweep a wide area of the house interior at random intervals. These electronic eyes may either be a radar system that catches reflected ultrasonic waves that the device emits or a photo sensor that catches a beam of light emitted from across the room.

More advanced burglar alarm systems have infra-red thermal sensors that can detect the presence of body heat in the room and can distinguish the heat emitted a pet cat from that of a full grown intruder. Others are equipped with volumetric sensors that can detect changes in air pressure due to the opening of a door or window in the room.

The most effective burglar alarm systems are those that are monitored every hour of the day by a security call center. Once a house is broken into, these types of home security systems automatically dial the call center and send out a distress call. The call centre confirms the break-in from the homeowner then within minutes a police squad car arrives at the scene of the break-in. Burglar alarm systems are constantly evolving and becoming more effective at guarding your home and love ones.

Tags: Alarms, Burglar Alarms, House Alarm, Home Protection, Crime Prevention, Alarm