subject: The Basics Of Burglar Alarms [print this page] Having a home broken into can be scaryHaving a home broken into can be scary. It's happened to friends I've known and almost happened to my own place. It's not just about losing your valued possessions but also about the safety of your family. If someone were to be home when someone breaks in, things can take a turn for the worst. It's also just a traumatizing experience for the person who is there to witness it all. So having burglar alarms set up in your home is important.
When it comes to burglar alarms, there are things to be aware of when making your purchase. First of all, no matter what kind of bells and whistles or features burglar alarms have, they all work one of two ways. Either they are an open or closed circuit system. In a closed circuit system, electricity flows from one sensor to another when the door or window is closed. Once the circuit is broken by the door, the alarm goes off.
In an open circuit system, it's the exact opposite. The circuit is always open and only closed when the door or window opens. It's a lot harder for thieves to get around these kind of burglar alarms, so they are preferred.
Both wired and wireless systems are available, though wiring costs more money and takes more time to install. It used to be that wireless systems weren't as trustworthy, but nowadays with the way technology has gone, that just isn't so. In the end, it's all about your own personal preference.
All security alarm systems have a keypad where everything is controlled. You can activate and deactivate the alarm with your own code, turn an alarm off if it has been set off by something, and also control a lot of other variables. Some will let you set a timer, so that it takes a certain amount of time before the alarm goes off. This is helpful for when you, yourself, are entering your home and need some time to drop the groceries and disarm the alarm with the keypad.
The cost of a burglar system is going to depend on a lot of things, including how much area it covers, if you are getting extra add-ons like cameras, and the features that come along with it. They usually cost anywhere from $300 to a few thousand, if you are willing to spend as much. You'll also have to pay a monthly fee for monitoring, usually about $50 a month. This should all be taken into consideration when budgeting for a system.
