Need Help Choosing Your Home Security Alarm System?
Modern technology makes it easier, and more affordable than ever before, to secure your home comprehensively. And yet, only around 33% of UK households are fitted with home intruder alarms. Why is it that devices which are proven to deter up to 80% of opportunist burglars, are used by so few homeowners?
The 1st Choice Security Systems team think they’ve worked out where the problem lies. We’ve been installing home intruder alarms in Bedfordshire for nearly two decades now, and our clients often tell us that they’re uncertain what kind of alarm to choose. First, it’s difficult to know what features to select, and then they’re unsure whether to install it themselves or get a professional in to do it for them.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Home Intruder Alarms
Given the confusion out there, we’ve come up with a step-by-step guide to selecting the intruder alarm system that’s right for your property.
Step One – What Do You Need Your Intruder Alarm to Do?
It may seem like the answer’s obvious but, in our experience, every property is unique in its requirements. The primary focus will always be the house, of course, but do you have a garage, or a tool shed which also needs some protection against burglars?
Where is your house situated? Are you surrounded by neighbours who will look out for you, or is your home fairly isolated? Finally, your lifestyle also has an impact on the type of security you choose; if you travel, or work away a good deal, you’ll need to be able to keep an eye on your property from afar.
1st Choice can help with this process. We offer a free security audit which allows us to identify any unprotected vulnerabilities around your property. In a subsequent report we’ll recommend a tailored home security alarm system.
Step Two – What Kind of Alarm Suits Your Requirements?
Once you have a clear idea of what you need, you can take a look at the home intruder alarms on offer. There are 3 basic types:
- Bells Only. This is the most affordable system on offer, because it provides the most basic service. It an intruder tries to get into your home it will make a loud noise. If you live in a heavily populated area, this may be enough to generate a response, and frighten off a burglar.
- Monitored Alarm. This type of alarm not only creates a loud noise, it also alerts an alarm monitoring centre. They will trigger a response from the police (if the alarm was professionally installed) and contact the homeowner or a named keyholder.
- Smart Alarm. These are the most innovative and flexible home intruder alarms. They are controlled via an app, which allows you to monitor your property from wherever you are. It also provides the option of heat or motion sensors, as well as traditional alarm responses.
Step Three. DIY or Professional Installation?
If you want the peace of mind a comprehensive alarm system can provide, 1st Choice would recommend professional installation every time. And there are two reasons we say that; first, we’ve been called out, over the years, by a number of clients whose DIY systems have let them down. Second, you will only get a police response to your alarm if it has been professionally installed.
A professional installer will be SSAIB accredited and have experience with home intruder alarms. They’ll know how, and where to fit alarms, cameras, and sensors in your home in order to ensure protection for your family. Professional installation also generates a Unique Reference Number which ensures a police response
Step Four. What Additional Security Features Do You Need?
When choosing home intruder alarms, it’s worth thinking about all the members of your family. If you have a pet, it’s worth investing in pet-friendly sensors in order to stop any false alarms. Some of our clients choose alarms that allow for zoning certain areas of your property, so the main house alarm may be on, but the garage alarm is off. As part of our security audit, we may also recommend CCTV cameras, or security lighting.
Step Five. Schedule in Maintenance
When we handover home intruder alarms to clients in Bedfordshire, the system has been fully tested and will be working perfectly. What we can’t guarantee is that it will remain that way for ever. Intruder alarm systems develop faults, cameras and sensors can be knocked out of position and cease to fulfil their function. 1st Choice security engineers can schedule in regular maintenance visits, so you have seamless security for your property.
About 1st Choice Security Systems
1st Choice is a local installer of home intruder alarms in Bedfordshire. We install security systems for clients (wired or wireless), or we can carry out repairs and maintenance on legacy systems. We’ve been providing security systems for businesses, schools, and homes in Bedfordshire since 2006, and all our engineers are accredited and experienced professionals.
1st Choice Security Systems knows how important it is to be able trust installers working in your home. All our engineers are DBS checked, SafeContractor approved, and SSAIB accredited. We work to the ISO2001-2015 standard. Should you need us in an emergency, we are available 24 hours.
Looking for the peace of mind a home intruder alarms in Bedfordshire can offer? Call 1st Choice Security Systems today for a prompt installation – 0800 1182414.
APR