Pros and Cons of Monitored Home Alarm Systems
(419 Words)
A monitored alarm system protects a home against burglars. With a monitored system, the organization receives word if the alarm is tripped. The company typically calls the homeowner and asks for a predetermined code. If they cannot reach the homeowners or if they have cause to believe a break-in is in progress, they will contact the police. There are both advantages and disadvantages to such a system.
Advantages
Protects against burglaries
Of course the number one advantage of any home alarm system is that it prevents and stops burglaries. A burglar is less likely to break into a home when they see that it has an alarm. According to U.S. News and World Report, even a sign can be helpful, so make sure to put those up. If they start to break in, they may stop once the alarm goes off.
Someone comes in
False alarms commonly happen, and in some neighborhoods, people may not call anyone even if an alarm is going off. If you have an unmonitored system, then no one might come, or it may take a while. Those minutes could literally mean life or death.
Sometimes the system ties in with other features
Some home monitoring systems do more than protect a home from theft. For instance, they may include a fire detection system and call in the authorities if they detect a fire.
Disadvantages
Expensive
A monitored home alarm system can be expensive. Even if the system is not costly to put in, you generally have to pay a monthly fee to the alarm company. Even if this is small, it is a regular bill that you will receive month and month, year after year, for as long as you have the system. You have to consider what the cost of this will actually be, especially when you can get an unmonitored alarm for a flat fee and not have a monthly cost. Also, if the company goes out of business, you may have to start all over again with another company.
May get called unnecessarily
With a monitored system, you may end up with emergency personnel called when it is a false alarm. If it goes off while you are at work, for instance, the police department may end up in the house even if it went off because it malfunctioned. You could get a fine.
A monitored home alarm system offers both advantages and disadvantages. Of course the systems themselves range. Consider all of these when deciding whether to make this purchase.