Studies doe reveal that it is far less likely that you will become the victim of a burglary at home if you have a correctly fitted and well maintained burglar alarm - making alarm systems a worthwhile investment in the protection of your home and family.  With new wireless security systems it is possible for the apartment dweller to have this same kind of security previously available only to homeowners. These systems require no special wiring, can be programmed to call the police or a central monitoring station, and move with you when you leave.

What Should a Security Alarm System Include?

Most systems rely on a combination of contacts placed at doors and windows and motion sensors. Motion sensors, however, do not detect someone until they are already in the house. In addition to a motion sensor, it is best that all exterior potential points of entry have contacts that sense when they are open. Glass break sensors are also available and recommended.

The basic elements of a standard home security system include:

• Control Panel: This is the location where the system wiring terminates, the backup battery is located, and where it is connected to the phone lines if it is a monitored system.
  
  
• Keypad: This is where the system is armed and disarmed. Additional keypads can be installed. For example, a keypad can be installed next to the homeowner's bed. If the alarm sounds in the middle of the night and the security system had the capability, the keypad display could indicate which door, window, or motion detector caused the alarm.
  
  
• Siren: A loud siren sounds when there's been a break-in and it also lets an intruder know they've been detected.
  
  
• Inside Motion Detector: Passive infrared, microwave, or photoelectric detectors sense changes in a room caused by human presence. Special motion detectors are available for people who have pets.
  
  
• Door and Window Contacts: Magnetic contacts form a circuit between a door and doorframe or a window and a sill; when the door or window is opened (and the system is on), the circuit is broken and sounds the alarm.
  
  
• Central Monitoring Station (Monitoring Company): If the system is monitored, in the event of an alarm, the control panel sends a message over a telephone line to a central monitoring station, which is manned 24 hours a day. After attempting to contact the homeowner, the central monitoring station will contact the police, fire department, or medics. There is a monthly fee for this service. Additional items that can be added to the basic system are:
  
  
• Smoke Detectors are required by many building codes. They can be wired to the security panel. If the smoke detectors go into alarm, the security panel will notify the central monitoring station if smoke is detected.
  
  
• Glass Break Detectors recognize the sound of glass breaking and will sound the alarm.
  
  
• Panic Buttons can be hand-held and should be located in strategic places such as next to beds and doors; just punching the button will send a message to the central monitoring station for help. Homeowners may choose to have the panic button send the alarm as a silent alarm or sound the alarms within the house.
  
  
• Closed circuit TV is a private TV system which allows monitoring and/or recording inside or outside a home. Please contact us and a WTC Alarm Systems Specialist would be pleased to design a system to meet your needs and comfort level for your home or business.
  
  

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