Protect your home with a security system installed by Dalec
A burglar alarm or home security system is a great way to ensure that your home is safe, secure and protected, offering peace of mind around the clock. However, choosing to have a burglar alarm installed in your home is just the first step and once you’ve decided to buy a home security system, you’ll need to decide how you would like to have your alarm monitored.
There are three main options when it comes to burglar alarm monitoring: a speech dialler, a designated key holder contract or a police contract. Monitoring contracts are available for wired or wireless alarms, but the installation process and the alarm itself has to conform to certain standards.
Speech diallers, sometimes also called text alerts, are basically a device that is either built into or connected to a wired or wireless alarm system. When the alarm is triggered, the speech dialler device will call or text a pre-programmed set of phone numbers – this could be your mobile phone, a neighbour or family member – until an answer is received. If the speech dialler doesn’t get an answer, it will leave an automated message.
Speech diallers provide an economical alternative to professional monitoring systems which require a monthly fee. Speech dialler systems are normally free of charge as they are connected to a phone line.
Key holder monitoring offers another level of protection in comparison to speech dialler systems. This type of alarm monitoring is done via a company or receiving centre which will either contact your designated key holders (you, friends, neighbours etc). Many key holder monitoring companies also offer alarm maintenance and servicing packages which can include remote troubleshooting in the event of problems.
Key holder monitoring systems require nominated key holders to living within a 20 minute radius of your home and must only be people who are able to drive and who have access to your property. It is the responsibility of the householder to keep the alarm monitoring company up to date with any changes or contact details and to supply alternative key holder contacts if key holders are away.
Speech diallers and key holder monitoring systems have their pros and cons and many security specialists feel that key holder monitoring isn’t any better than a speech dialler because additional costs are involved. On the other hand, the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your home is being monitored 24/7 is hard to beat.
Police monitoring can offer the best of both worlds as this type of alarm monitoring contract means that the police will be contact by a monitoring centre when your alarm is activated. A word of caution though: before taking out this sort of contract, it’s essential to check that the alarm installation company you have chosen is registered with your local police force.
Police monitoring systems have a built-in backup to ensure that police time isn’t wasted by false alarms. To warrant a police call out, two indicators within the property must be activated and this could be a door contact sensor plus an additional sensor. Three false alarms within 12 months will mean that your alarm is removed from the police system so it’s well worth ensuring that your alarm is well maintained! In addition, having a police monitored alarm is no guarantee that the police will go to your home; whether they do or not will depend on their resources at that time and which other incidents may be happening.
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If you would like further advice or information on security systems, why not get in touch with us today?
