How to pick the best burglar alarm to keep your home safe
Going on holiday? As you pack your bags for some much needed rest and relaxation, burglars could well be eyeing up your home as their next target.
Burglaries in the UK fell from around 1.7 million in 1996 to under 750,000 in 2008* – but that was before the recession. Worryingly, between July and September 2008, there was an increase in UK burglaries of 4%. But with LockSmart’s guide to burglar alarms, your house will be one-step closer to being burglar-proof.
Why have a burglar alarm?
The number one reason is obvious – it could save you the horror of having your house broken into.
You could also save on home insurance premiums. Many insurers offer discounts between 2% and 15% for homes with alarms fitted.
What to look for in a burglar alarm
Which alarm you go for depends on the level of security you’re after and how much you want to pay.
Most alarms consist of metallic window and door plates and PIR (passive infra-red) sensors. The plates work using a simple circuit. If the circuit is broken – when the plates on a window or door are no longer touching, for example – the alarm sounds. PIR sensors detect movement in a room when the alarm is armed. If something moves, the alarm goes off – some PIR sensors offer PET FREINDLY movement so you can secure your home with the pets still indoors.
Types of burglar alarms
Dummy alarms: You could go for a dummy box, which is the cheapest option. However, seasoned burglars can tell a fake alarm from a real one!. Also, this option won’t help your home insurance premium.
Bells-only: A bells-only or audible-only alarm is relatively straightforward. If an intruder breaks into your house, the alarm will sound. It’s not linked to a central response centre or the police, so there’s potential for the burglar to tamper with the system if they’re experienced. You can get an anti-tamper system, but the 1981 Control of Noise Order states all audible alarms must have a 20-minute cut-off function.
Be aware the police will only respond to a burglar alarm if you, or a neighbour, report a crime taking place.
Monitored: A monitored alarm is connected to a receiving centre, which monitors signals received from your alarm 24 hours a day – for a fee. On a typical standard service, someone at the centre will call your home for a password and to check everything is OK should the alarm go off. If the password ID isn’t given, or the phone is not picked up, one of your nominated key-holders and/or the police are notified.
Self Monitored: LockSmart offers the best GSM wireless Alarms in the UK all are ISO9001/BS tested and approved – instead of paying monthly bills the alarm system has a MOBILE network sim inside that will call pre-designated numbers informing YOU or up to five different persons that there has been a recorded BREAK IN – the systems have remote arming and many more features – starting at under£150 and with very little effort to install and remove if you move house makes them the perfect choice for homeowners and tenets alike for full details visit the LockSmart store: SecureSmart http://www.locksmart-uk.com/securesmart/
Burglar alarms should be just one part of your home security measures. For more products or advice visit LockSmart http://www.locksmart-uk.com
