Home Security Alarms - Alarm Monitoring

A basic home security system will sound a loud siren or alarm to scare off intruders if the system is triggered.  But what if there’s no one around to hear the alarm or to contact the authorities?

Advances in home security alarm systems have created many options for alarm system monitoring to remain in effect even while you’re out of the home.  These include self-monitoring, paying for an alarm system monitoring service or watching over your alarm system online.

Advantages of Alarm Monitoring

With traditional home security alarms, you’re relying on a burglar being scared off by your alarm and the neighbors calling the police if you’re not home.  Alarm monitoring allows your system to contact an outside person (you, friends, local law enforcement) who will then take the appropriate action.

One disadvantage of alarm monitoring is the false alarm.  In this instance, an alarm triggered in error will either alert you or the authorities of a break-in even though your house is safe.  However, this minor inconvenience is outweighed by the advantage of not having to rely on your neighbors to protect your home.

Manual Alarm System Monitoring

The simplest way to monitor your security alarm system is to do it yourself.  This can be done in a number of ways.  The easiest way is to attach a special dialing device to your alarm system which will call pre-selected numbers if your system is activated.  You can choose to have your dialer call your cell phone, your neighbor, or the local police department and play a message that you have previously recorded.

Alarm Monitoring Online

Many home security alarms can also be monitored online.  Special software allows you to tie your home alarm system to your computer and check it anywhere you have an Internet connection.  Your system can send you a notification or email if it detects any activity allowing you to take action.

You can also turn off your entire alarm system or just certain sensors if a friend or service professional needs to come to your house while you’re away.  You can even access security cameras installed in your home if you need to check up on the nanny or repairman.

Alarm System Monitoring Service

A third option is to have your home security system monitored by an outside service.  If your alarm system is activated, it will send a signal over the phone line to a security monitoring center.  There, an operator can contact you and your local authorities immediately to assess the threat to your home.

Home security companies charge a monthly fee for this service and offer various security packages.  Some include using broadband and cellular connections as backups, and alerting firefighters and emergency services if smoke and fire alarms tied into your security systems are activated.