Practical homeowners and those who manage their own businesses should consider setting up house security systems primarily for two reasons. The first is to come up with an effective preventive mechanism against attempted burglaries or forced entries. The second is to give them comfort of mind that their abode or business venue is safe from any possible intrusion.

The added value of a home alarm system aside from providing you, your loved ones and property the needed security is a discount on insurance premiums. This price cut can be directed to the cost of purchasing the security system. Clients have the prerogative of choosing monitored systems. This denotes that a private security firm monitors your residence or office and takes the responsibility of alerting police authorities in case of an attempted incursion. This may be the most reliable since watchfulness is guaranteed.

Monitored home alarm systems normally work according to the following procedures:

The system makes use of very sensitive sensors that are activated by the slightest movements.
Owners have at least one-half minute to disable the system to stop any false alarm. If not, it sends a message to the monitoring agency usually through a wireless mechanism.

It depends upon the company to validate the cause of the alarm by calling the owner. Once the code is not received or there is no answer from the owner, the police are called upon to investigate and proceed to the venue.

For all intents and purposes, it is also advisable for those who are interested in purchasing house security systems to be familiar with the operations and technical components of this sophisticated apparatus. It is normally made up of a control panel, central monitoring station, siren, motion detectors, sensors, touch pads, panic button and video monitoring or CCTV camera.

Despite the emergence of wireless technology, most systems still require a telephone line. Customers are advised to inquire from the company that will provide the house security systems how contact or communications will be done in case of a break-in. If you are using Voice over Internet Protocol for your phones and internet, inform the alarm monitoring company. Conveying of alarm signals through these lines is frequently erratic so measures should be taken to guarantee high-quality reception. Burglars are always on the lookout for telephone lines which can easily be cut unless these are difficult to get to and run underground. Another option is to acquire a cellular alarm system which robbers cannot tamper with.

Do a casual study of a typical home alarm system before buying one. Get sufficient information regarding features and benefits. Consult your local police authorities for suggestions and inquire about response time after being alerted by the alarm monitoring firm. In the U.S. there are agencies like the Underwriters Laboratory, Factory Mutual or Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that give out accreditation to alarm companies. It pays to get this authorization. Compare benefits and features carefully. Finally, try to get as many proposals and cost quotations for your house security systems to get the best buy.