There are many things that might make a home a tempting target for a burglar, like an overflowing mailbox, poorly lit entrances, or overgrown shrubbery. However, the most enticing home to a burglar is typically one without a home security system. Research shows that residences without this type of protective shield are 300% more likely to be burglarized than those that have one.
Given the level of safety and peace of mind a home security system can provide, homeowners might want to learn more about how this technology works and why it has proven so successful in protecting properties from break-ins.
6 Key Components Of A Home Security System
Homeowners have a wide selection of home security systems to choose from, including professionally installed or DIY options, wired or wireless, and professionally or self-monitored. Despite this variety, most of these systems include very similar components that work together to comprehensively monitor a property and protect it against intruders:
- The Control Panel. Though typically just a small touchpad, this panel is the “brain” of the operation. It allows you to access your entire security system, arm and disarm it, set up communication with the other devices on your home network, sound an alert in an emergency, and more. However, the control panel’s primary role is to receive signals from triggered home security devices and then send an alert to your professional monitoring service or directly to your smart device.
- Entryway Sensors. Burglars generally take the easiest route available to them when breaking into a house. In many cases, this means going straight through an unlocked or poorly secured front or back door or first-floor window. Entryway sensors protect these areas of your home using two magnetic pieces—one that attaches to a door or window and another that attaches to a door frame or windowsill. When a door or window is closed, these two parts come together to form a full circuit. But if a door or window is opened, that circuit is broken, causing the sensor to send an alert to the control panel.
- Glass Break Sensors. A cunning burglar may try to avoid setting off a home security alarm by breaking through a window or sliding glass door. Since entryway sensors will not pick up this type of intrusion, glass break sensors are an essential element of home security systems. There are two types of glass break sensors that work in slightly different ways. One has an audio microphone triggered by the decibel level of breaking glass, while the other detects vibrations or movements when glass is shattered.
- Motion Sensors. These sensors detect unusual movement using two types of technology: passive infrared technology, which senses changes in room temperature by detecting body heat, or microwave, which emits undetectable waves that catch reflections off moving objects. While the primary benefit of motion detection is to alert your home alarm system to the possible presence of an intruder, these sensors can also track the comings and goings of family members—including furry, four-legged ones.
- High-Decibel Siren Alarm. This is the painfully loud, high-pitched sound you hear when a home security system sensor is triggered. The decibel level for these alarms typically ranges from 100 to 130—comparable to the volume of an ambulance siren or a jet airplane taking off at close range. These high-decibel sirens not only effectively warn anyone nearby that there is an issue in your home, but they also typically stop burglars in their tracks and scare them off.
- Yard Signs and Window Stickers. Whether your home security system is professionally installed and monitored or you opt for a DIY kit, it usually comes with yard signs and window stickers. Do not underestimate the power of these components to discourage a burglar. Just the sight of a sign or sticker with the logo of a reputable home security company on it is often enough to keep a potential intruder from trying to break into your home.
Is A Home Security System Worth It?
From porch pirates and trespassers to vandals and burglars, investing in a home security system is a proven method to detect and deter these and other types of criminal activity on your property. In addition, having a home alarm system may do more than just lower your risk of a home break-in; it could also make you eligible for a discount on your home insurance premium. Please contact a local insurance professional in The Andover Companies network to learn more about credits that may be available to you for the alarm and protective devices in your home.
You can find more home burglary prevention tips and insights on other home protection devices, such as water leak detectors, in our blog.
Sources:
https://www.alarms.org/burglary-statistics/
https://www.gelighting.com/inform/how-motion-sensors-work
https://www.mdhearingaid.com/blog/decibel-chart/
https://staysafe.org/home-security-systems-enhancing-safety-and-burglary-prevention/
