Choosing a burglar alarm

Burglar Alarms

Your home is your castle, the place of security for you, your family and all your possessions. According to the British Crime Survey, crime in the UK decreased overall last year but the figures for burglary buck this trend, it actually increased by 14% in 2010. Therefore it makes sense to think about protecting your world from thieves and intruders by fitting a burglar alarm. Burglar alarms are used in many households to protect and deter burglars. There are various types of alarms and some are now quite sophisticated as they can incorporate other functions such as fire alarms, smoke detectors and personal safety alarms. A burglar alarm can offer the householder peace of mind that their home is protected whilst they are away and it can offer financial benefits because many insurance companies offer discounts on household cover premiums.

Types of burglar alarm

There are a number of burglar alarm systems available. They can operate on an ‘open’ or ‘closed’ circuit system. An electrical circuit works on the principle that electricity flows in a current. In an ‘open’ system, that contact to complete the circuit is made when a window or a door is opened. This type has an inherent flaw though because all a burglar needs to do is cut the wire and that will disable the alarm.

The other system is ‘closed’ circuit which is generally preferable because the circuit is broken when a door or window is opened, setting off the alarm. The closed system is more likely to be used to protect the outside of the property, but thieves can bypass this and still get in, for example by cutting panes of glass out of doors or windows and gaining entry through the hole.

Therefore, burglar alarms often work in conjunction with passive infra-red motion sensors (PIR). PIR’s can often be seen high in the corners of rooms, flashing. They flash when they detect movement, so when the system is set, it will detect a thief and trigger the alarm. Other types of sensors are also available that make use of light beams, for example. So, the best option is to always have at least the external points of entry protected by an open or closed system along with some internal motion, body heat or other specialist detectors.

What system is better for me?

Both the above alarm systems can be either hard-wired into the building’s electrical supply or be completely wireless. Both have their advantages. A hard-wired system is more likely to be favoured by people who intend to live in their property for many years and are owner-occupiers as it involves some disruption to install. Although they may be cheaper to buy, they do need to be installed by a professional and this makes them more expensive overall. Once installed, they tend to be very reliable.

Wireless burglar alarms are a good option for many, especially people who rent their home or intend to move soon. They can be installed by a capable DIY enthusiast and can be easily dismantled and removed when the property is vacated. The main problem with wireless alarms is that they need a bit more maintenance e.g. battery replacements and can be prone to more ‘false alarms’.

I have decided on an alarm system, now what do I need to consider?

Now you have chosen an alarm system you need to ask yourself what level of protection you want it to provide to deter thieves. There are a few options:

1. Go for a ‘siren’ or ‘bell’ only system.

Once you have paid for and installed your alarm, you can leave it at that, just set it and go. You would have to rely on a neighbour or passer by calling the police for you.

2. Opt for a ‘maintenance contract’

This is a very popular option because you get the system serviced yearly (or more often if you require). It keeps the alarm functioning properly and reduces the chance of false alarms. This is a good option for most people.

3. Opt for a ‘monitoring contract’

This is a more expensive option because you pay for maintenance (same as above option) but you also get a service company to monitor any alarms. They will call you or any other nominated person (usually a key-holder) if a thief triggers the alarm. This is a good option for people who have a lot of higher value possessions or a safe in the property.

4. Opt for a ‘police-linked’ system

This represents the most expensive option as the alarm provider will link the system to your local police station as well as provide a maintenance contract. The theory is that the police will attend immediately when thieves or intruders enter the property and catch them in-situ. However, each police district has different policies regarding attending such alarm calls and some will not attend at all if they have ‘higher’ priority incidents to deal with at the same time. This system is more likely to assist people who fear physical crime as well as property crime.

Cost?

There is a cost to consider for all the options outlined above, so you would need to really work out what suits your budget. Maintenance contracts can become quite expensive year-on-year, so it is a good idea to shop around for quotes when the contract is due for renewal.

There are numerous companies, both national and local, that can offer an installation and maintenance service and give advice on the best type of system. Alternatively, many DIY stores on the High Street and on the internet sell very good wireless systems that a competent DIY’er can install.

Most insurance companies offer a discount of anything up to 15% on household insurance premiums, so do work it out. Even just having a ‘bell-box’ or a dummy camera outside the home can be enough to deter a would-be thief so it need not cost a fortune to protect your home and give you that invaluable peace of mind.