Why Have A Burglar Alarm?

I have had some folks question whether an alarm is worthwhile because they think they just get ignored.

Well, there is some truth in this. Siren only alarms sometimes do get ignored much in the same way as car alarms do.

Some people are reluctant to phone the cops when they hear a burglar alarm sounding, they may make an assumption that it's a false alarm.

Indeed, in some districts police will not respond unless there is also evidence of an intrusion taking place.

Other folks may take the attitude that it is none of their business and just plain selfishly not want to get involved.

Thankfully though, not everybody is like that. Some people do take action when they hear a burglar alarm. This is especially so if the alarm is sounding on a neighbor's property. They know that the occupants are away from home and the siren means that something is not right, possibly an intrusion attempt is taking place.

The other answer to the question “Why have a burglar alarm? (when they often get ignored,) is that the would be burglar can not be at all sure that nobody will respond. By setting off the siren he has attracted attention to himself. There is a good chance he will not want to wait around to find out if anybody has called the cops.

Of course, these days there is no need to have an alarm which merely sounds a siren. Many home alarm systems also tell somebody that the alarm has been triggered. That somebody is an operative at the alarm company's central monitoring station. Depending on the information the monitoring company receives from the alarm system, they will alert your local police department that there is an intrusion taking place on your property.

Monitored burglar alarm systems incur a monthly fee, but there is also a type of alarm that alerts you, through your cell phone, when the alarm is triggered. Dial up alarms, like the X10 security system, do not usually have a monthly fee.

A burglar alarm can be a visual deterrent. The alarm box in full view tells a potential burglar that your home is alarmed. Of course it could be a dummy box. Would the burglar know? Likely an opportunist burglar would not be able to tell, unless it was obviously fake, and he will probably leave your home alone. A professional burglar however is not likely to be fooled.

A genuine alarm box can serve as a visual deterrent even to a seasoned criminal. Sure he may have some knowledge of overcoming alarms, but why should he take the risk when there are so many homes that are not protected?

A statement that I occasionally hear is “Neighborhood Watch means that my home is protected so why have a burglar alarm?”

Of course there are many things that contribute to your family's safety, but no matter what other security measures you have, an alarm can only increase your protection.

As it happens, I partly agree with this statement. Joining your neighborhood watch is just about the best thing you can do to protect your home from criminals.

Nothing beats neighbors keeping a watch. The community that is observant and aware is the community that is safe.

So if you participate in your local neighborhood, or block watch, why have a burglar alarm? Because it is additional security. Because an alarm will alert your good neighbors that something is happening.

You may have neighbors watching out for you, but that does not stop you from securing your doors and windows with good locks, at least I hope it doesn't. Same with a burglar alarm or security system. All these things are additional security for your home and family.

This is not a major reason for installing an alarm system, but many home insurance companies give a nice discount on their policy rates to homes protected by an alarm system on their list of insurance approved burglar alarms. Not a major reason but a bonus that I have always enjoyed.

Naturally the main reason for installing an alarm system is the protection it gives to your family and home. Of course there are many things that contribute to your family's safety, but no matter what other security measures you have, an alarm can only increase your protection. There are many good answers to the question “Why have a burglar alarm?”

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