Does a visible alarm act as a good deterrent against burglars?

Burglar alarms have actually been around for over 100 years with the invention of the first home security system being accredited to an American Augustus Russell Pope back in 1853 when he invented a very simple, but ingenious for its time, battery operated electro-magnetic alarm system to detect opening doors and windows. We still use magnetic contacts on modern alarm systems today based on the original design but have now added PIR's (Passive InfraRed sensors), motion detectors, pressure mats and 24 hour monitoring to our modern alarm systems,

Before this invention people mainly relied on the noise of disturbed pets or livestock to alert them of any unwanted intruders, although some people still use pets to this day.

But are burglar alarms really a good deterrent?

This isn't an easy question to answer and the effectiveness of any alarm system depends on a number of factors.

Many people have a burglar alarms installed for personal protection more than anything giving them piece of mind when they are at home, asleep in bed at night. An intruder will set off the alarm instantly waking the homeowners and this is also when the intruder will decide bolt. So if this is your main reason for having and alarm system fitted then - for you - any decently manufactured intruder alarm system is 100% effective.

If, however the main reason for having a burglar alarm installed is to protect your belongings when you are out at work all day or away on holiday or a business trip then the jury is out as to a standard alarm systems effeteness at either deterring a burglar in the first place or making a burglar flee once he or she sets the alarm off.

The sad truth of the matter is that It's the 21st century, home security systems have been around for decades and unfortunately hearing a burglar alarm go off in the neighbourhood rarely peaks anyone's interest or gives anybody the notion that a neighbour is actually being burgled. Hearing a blaring siren, especially at 3am is more of an annoyance than anything due to the high number of false alarms either through faulty or poorly installed systems or an unpleasant person who for some reason finds joy in letting his/her alarm sound for a few minutes before entering the code - yes these people regrettably exist and many have found themselves hit with and anti social or noise abatement orders over the years.

Considering what's been said here, should you still invest in a burglar alarm system?

Short answer is yes, you should protect your home and your family with quality, professionally installed intruder alarm but i would like to emphasise on the words "quality" and "professionally installed" because this will make all the difference as to whether you and your family are protected or just the local noise polluters.

Choosing top name alarm system manufacturers such as Eurosec, Honeywell ADE Accenta, Scantronic, Menvier or Pyronix should ensure that you don't end up with a faulty system that's constantly going off and annoying the neighbours.

A monitored alarm system is also a great idea for home and personal security. Monitored systems are top of the range, professionally fitted and maintained systems where false alarms are very, very rare and ideal because the monitoring station will alert the police should they fail to contact you, the homeowner and registered user when triggered.

If you can't afford monthly monitoring then there are now a number of quality alarm systems that will alert you via your smartphone should your alarm go off when you're not home allowing you to contact a trusted neighbour or the police and even remotely deactivate your alarm should it in fact merely be a false alarm set off by your dog/cat or a power surge/cut, a feature that your neighbours will love.

If you would like to discuss the best alarm system for your home, your family and your budget then please contact Malcolm on 07746 464 241 or via malc@mablocksmiths.co.uk, we can even set up free demonstrations.

We'll install and maintain burglar and intruder alarms across the whole of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire including including Alfreton, Amber Valley, Ashbourne, Beeston, Belper, Brailsford Green, Clay Cross, Cromford, Derby, Heanor, Hucknall, Hulland Ward, Ilkeston, Mansfield, Matlock & Wirksworth

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