Bringing up the subject of alarm monitoring quite often generates repugnant responses like, "Why should I pay monthly monitoring fees when the burglar is gone before the police arrive" or "I'm going to stick with my local alarm (not monitored) because I have great neighbors who will respond if needed".
Amazingly there might be some truth to these statements if you're unaware of the types of monitoring available or if you live in a neighborhood of proactive people who make it their mission to investigate every audible alarm that rings through the day or night.
But if you live in an average neighborhood, the truth of the matter is most people have " It's just another false alarm" attitude about screeching home alarm systems. So if you're teetering on whether or not to pay for alarm monitoring lets have a look at the facts.
In a standard alarm monitoring contract, the monitoring station is alerted via the telephone when your alarm is activated. After receiving the distress call, the station will first phone your home and then a list of contacts supplied by you the homeowner.
The reason for phoning your home first, is in hopes you may have inadvertently set the system off my mistake. If this is the case, once the monitoring company contacts you, you will have to give a confidential code word or password to the dispatcher. Obviously if a burglar set off your alarm, he or she will not answer the phone and certainly will not know your password. Once the monitoring station has determined it's a break and enter, the police are dispatched and a contact is informed.
So what about police response times? What if it takes an hour or longer for the police to arrive at your home? We must consider our police officers are dispatched on a priority basis.Obviously if there are more serious policing issues to address on the day or night of your home break-in, it might take a while for the police to attend.
In recognizing that fact, there is an option for you as a home-owner to get quick response to your home violation. Did you know there are Guard Response Services available through many alarm companies? Once your alarm is triggered, the monitoring centre will immediately dispatch a qualified security officer to investigate.
These qualified security officers are trained to make a proper assessment of the situation, notify police if necessary, and prepare a written report for the home-owner. This service not only provides quick response to your home in the event of a break-in, it also reduces the risk of exposing your contact people to potentially dangerous situations.
But keep in mind most home monitoring contracts require the homeowner to maintain and repair their burglar alarm system as to prevent false alarms. Contracts may also state that the customer will be charged for any extra time over and above the allotted for an exterior and/or interior check, remaining on the site awaiting police arrival or remaining on the site to secure the premise from damage.These types of extra fees are usually determined on an hourly basis.
So before you make a decision on whether or not to monitor your home alarm system make sure you discuss all the options with your alarm representative.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit us
http://yourhomesecurity.ca/?artid=519
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Your Monitoring Options
- The significance of alarm monitoring in a home security system
- Alarm Monitoring Systems - Their Working
- Monitor your home 24/7 through security alarms
- Professional Monitoring Sets Home Security Systems Apart
- Behind the Scenes in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
- Austin Texas Real Estate: the Sendera Neighborhood in Oak Hill
- Staying Out of Bad Neighborhoods - SEO Tips
Safety First Is The Best All The Way Until The End
By: Oswald Melman | 09/07/2009When you had your first child and your family was born, you probably thought all about how being a new mother or new father would change you.
Home Wireless Security Systems
By: Elijah James | 09/07/2009Nowadays, the security of the home has become a very critical issue in the modern day life style. Luckily, there are a number of solutions which can solve some of the home security concerns.
Home Security- Motion Detector
By: Ava | 09/07/2009Motion detector is a helpful product to protect your home from burglary. It can sense intruders within your home. This article will talk about the technology of motion detector and what it can be used for.
A Simple Guide to Locksmith Tools for Lock Picking
By: Julius Neilson | 08/07/2009As with any other trade, locksmithing has its own set of unique tools. Looking at them piece by piece should be puzzling, if you do not have a background on locksmith service at all. Special tools are used for special purposes just like a carpenter’s hammer is used only for pounding nails into place. Locksmiths have a keen eye for detail as well as skilled and deft hands to pick on the tiny little parts and mechanisms of a lock.
Car Keys and Ignition Replacement
By: Julius Neilson | 08/07/2009The evolution of technology has not only caused an upgrade of car mechanisms and features but has also improved the safety and security controls of a vehicle. If you have a new generation car, chances are it uses an extra ordinary electronic code same as that of the automobile’s engine management system.
Taking a Look at the Major Components of a Home Security System
By: George Sutherland | 08/07/2009There are many different parts to a home security system, but there are three basic components that are almost always a necessity. When deciding which type of security system to install, here are some of the basics that you should be looking at. These three components alone can range from minimalistic to advanced.
Home Security at a Condominium Complex
By: Carly Kosiele | 08/07/2009You will find that many people who live in condominiums don't take their home security as seriously as they should. However, if you live in a condo, you are as likely to become the victim of a burglary as those who live in suburbs or rural areas. You need to start thinking about the different things you can do to improve your home security.
Sturm Ruger Firearms – General Info and History of Company
By: Jason Rafeld | 08/07/2009Ruger is also a huge player in the .22 rimfire rifle market, with their enormously popular Ruger 10/22 carbine and 10/22 rifle. This gun is owned by the vast majority of hunters and outdoorsmen, as well as gun enthusiasts. It is on more gun racks, and in more gun safes that any other .22 rifle.
Your Monitoring Options
By: Frank Fourchalk | 24/12/2007 | Home SecurityBringing up the subject of alarm monitoring quite often generates repugnant responses like, "Why should I pay monthly monitoring fees when the burglar is gone before the police arrive" or "I'm going to stick with my local alarm (not monitored) because I have great neighbors who will respond if needed".