You know that an alarm system is the best way to stop thieves targeting your property or business. You want to protect your home from intruders. Now you need to choose the alarm system that is right for you. But which one?

There are many factors you need to consider when deciding on the right alarm system; your budget, your location, the type of property you have, the level of protection you need and your own personal preference about what you would like to happen when your alarm goes off. We have compiled a short guide to the types of alarm systems you can choose from…

Wireless or wired?

Wireless systems use a radio signal to communicate with a control panel. Wireless alarms…

• Look better, with no need to drill holes or hide wires
• Are easier and quick to install, with minimum fuss
• Can be easily removed and taken with you if you move property
• Incur lower labour costs
• Are battery powered
• Can be connected to a smartphone

 

Wired systems use a number of electronic sensors that connect to a control panel by low-voltage wiring. Wired alarms…

• Are highly reliable
• Usually need to be installed by a professional in order to hide the wires
• Incur higher labour costs, but lower part costs
• Connect to your telephone landline

Dummy bell boxes

This involves adding an empty bell box in a prominent position at the front of your property, in order to trick thieves in to thinking you have a working alarm system in place and deter them from targeting your property in the first place. This is the cheapest and easiest option by far, but also the least effective. Most burglars are able to tell the difference between a real and dummy bell box and once they have established that you have no effective alarm system in place, you leave yourself open to intrusion.

Bells-only burglar alarm

A bells only system will make a loud noise when triggered by an intruder entering your property. In many cases this can put off would be burglars and cause them to flee the scene. These types of alarms are cheaper to install and maintain. However, the main draw back of a bells-only alarm system is that it relies on someone nearby hearing the alarm and contacting the police. If this is an alarm system you are considering, it is worth thinking very carefully about whether you have a good neighbourhood watch in your area, or friends and relatives close by who you could rely on to call the police.

Monitored systems   http://ultra-vision.co.uk/intruder-alarms/

A monitored alarm system will alert a monitoring system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if your alarm system is triggered. You can use this system to trigger either a police response or a keyholder response.

Police response

In an emergency they contact:

• You
• Your nominated keyholders
• Police
• Fire service (optional)

Keyholder response

In an emergency they contact:

• You
• Your nominated keyholders
• Fire service (optional)

CCTV Monitoring Systems   http://ultra-vision.co.uk/cctv-systems/

CCTV systems can be viewed from your smartphone or computer, allowing you to view your property from anywhere in the world at anytime. CCTV systems are..

• High definition
• Respond to light, offering excellent night vision
• Integral to convicting burglars
• Fitted with a wide dynamic range
• Excellent for peace of mind
• User friendly

When asked, 93% of UK burglars said that a monitored alarm would put them off committing a burglary.

# Source: Research conducted by The-Advantage Research August 2012 

http://airef.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BurglarSurveyStudyFinalReport.pdf

You’re less likely to become a victim of burglary if you have a well-fitted and maintained burglar alarm system, according to London’s Metropolitan Police, and a Which? survey of ex-burglars.

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2016/02/ex-burglars-reveal-their-insider-secrets-429893/

The Crime Prevention Website advises you to choose a security company that is a member of either the NSI or the SSAIB.

http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-lighting-access-and-alarms/501/burglar-alarms-advice/

 

http://Ultra-Vision.co.uk are SSAIB acredited, with decades of experience.

You can count on us!