Why get a home security system ?
The National Observatory of Delinquency and Penal Responses (ONDRP) states that a burglary occurs in France every 90 seconds. However, this is not a fatality to be expected, as there are ways of protecting one’s property, and probably in a more comprehensive way than most households expect.
While it is still useful to install a traditional alarm in your home to detect an anomaly and warn occupants and neighbours with a loud sound signal, the alarm of 2022 has much more to offer. Connected alarms and / or alarms linked to a remote monitoring centre justify their presence by multiple complementary functions made possible by technologies such as infrared, wireless and wired detectors, sensors with various functions and home automation, which has been democratised in this field.
A closer look at the functions of today’s alarms, which undoubtedly provide great services to their owners.
Preventing or reacting to intrusions
This is its primary function and it can be said that the modern alarm does it well! Gone are the days of the simple shrill bell, technology has evolved to allow a choice of a multitude of actions in response to a possible intrusion.
Firstly, and this is a guarantee of safety, the majority of alarms sold by professionals are connected to a video surveillance centre. In the event of an alarm, a human relay can verify the seriousness of the situation and take the necessary decisions: contact the authorities, cut the signal, intervene remotely, warn the owners.
The protection of the house can be extended to the outside, in order to detect the threat before the intruders enter and thus avoid any damage. If the intrusion has already taken place, it is also possible to take control of the cameras, intervene by voice and even trigger a smoke generating system to scare off the intruders.
Keeping an eye on the inside
In addition to intrusion prevention, the alarm equipped with cameras can now be controlled from a smartphone to check that all is well in the home. This is very useful for pet owners who want to check on the safety or behaviour of their pets. Voice intervention can also reassure animals or stop them in their tracks!
People who have already been victims of intrusion often develop a latent anxiety as soon as they are no longer at home. Cameras therefore allow them to reassure themselves as often as they wish and to have a good holiday, if necessary.
Detecting leaks
Sensors now make it possible to detect water and gas leaks at a distance. Thanks to humidity sensors and air composition analysis, the alarm becomes a real shield against certain domestic plagues: water damage, gas leaks or the accumulation of CO2 in the ambient air that can occur with obsolete heating installations.
It is a matter of preserving property as well as saving human lives, especially when these problems occur while the occupants are sleeping.
Reporting a fire
In the event of a fire, an alarm is able to react in the same way as in the event of an intrusion: to warn the occupants and the neighbourhood, and to transmit an alert to the remote monitoring centre if necessary. The assurance of being able to react quickly and effectively, and to have the fire brigade intervene in the first few minutes of the disaster with two objectives: to save lives and to prevent the fire from spreading to other homes.
Simulate a presence
Gone are the days when the neighbour was the ideal person to simulate a presence in the house during the holidays. Thanks to home automation, connected alarms allow multiple actions to be carried out that are programmed in advance or that the owner can trigger from his smartphone.
For example, it can lower or raise the blinds, turn on and off a connected light bulb, the TV or radio and even send a voice message. Making it look like the house is occupied is the best deterrent against burglars!
As you will have understood, the alarm is no longer a simple distress signal transmitter in the event of a burglary. It is an ally of the entire house and can prevent a number of nuisances, not to mention the peace of mind of the owners. Its practicality is also improving, with the installation of coded keypads, remote controls or badges to activate or unlock the system more easily.
Depending on the type of house and the wishes of the owners, various installations may be appropriate. As a point of attention, it is a good idea to check the approval of the alarm with your insurance company. Otherwise, reimbursement in the event of a failure of the protection is not guaranteed. But don’t be alarmed!