Police Blog: Yes You Need a Home Alarm System

Yes, I think so. If you can afford one, a residential alarm can be another tool to help protect you and your family. Not only that, but you can save yourself a chunk of change on your homeowners insurance.

The demand for security alarm systems is increasing, and more and more options are becoming available for residential use. While having more options is certainly good news for homeowners, it can, at times, make it difficult to find the right setup for your household.

A standard home security alarm is often a good fit for most households. These systems generally include sensors on all the entry doors, some motion activated outdoor lighting, sensors on windows that are particularly easy to access, and, most importantly, a direct link to a monitoring service. This type of security alarm system will be an excellent deterrent for any would be intruders, but, at the same time, is generally fairly easy for a family to adapt to.

I would say that the biggest benefit of having a security alarm is the peace of mind that comes with it. When something goes wrong (whether you are home or thousands of miles away on vacation), knowing that a system is already in place and that your house has a direct link to the police is very reassuring.

There may be immediate monetary benefits, as well. Having a security alarm that is connected to a monitoring service can, in some situations, lower homeowner's insurance payments up to 20%. Many monitoring services will also offer a plan to monitor your home for fire, which some insurance companies will also take into account when deducing your premium. In every case, it will decrease the likelihood of losing money due to burglary.

Officer Larry Jacobs is the Crime Prevention Officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department. He can be reached at ljacobs@sandyspringsgag.gov.