In France, a burglary occurs every 2 minutes, according to statistics recently published by the Ministry of the Interior. This far from comforting figure has led to the proliferation of security equipment to prevent ill-intentioned people from entering our homes. Alarms, armored doors, remote surveillance, surveillance cameras, motion detectors, not forgetting the famous siren that scares off intruders every time… Which security system should we choose to protect our home or apartment?
Remote surveillance: optimum security for your home
Everyone has heard of remote surveillance. Even insurance companies and banks offer it as an intermediary service. Unlike a conventional alarm, the principle behind remote surveillance is to monitor your home from a distance. A control unit and a host of equipment are installed in the house or apartment:
- Opening sensors are placed above doors and windows.
- Motion sensors capable of taking photos, depending on the model.
- A loudspeaker enabling the owner to communicate with the control unit in the event of an alarm.
- A microphone, usually integrated into the loudspeaker, to listen to what’s going on in the home, but only when the alarm has been triggered (to respect privacy).
Offered as a package that can be upgraded to suit individual needs, a sales consultant must visit the home beforehand to determine the number of rooms, floors and points of passage. This is how the number of pieces of equipment required is determined. Once the contract has been signed, the telesurveillance company takes charge of the installation itself.
Remote surveillance is a good deterrent. However, most of the time it’s not enough to catch the burglar in the act. A security guard takes an average of 20 minutes to arrive at the scene of an intrusion, whereas a burglary usually takes less than 5 minutes. But isn’t the most important thing to scare the intruders away before they even have time to break into the door or window, using the siren or gas to create a thick fog?
Some insurance companies clearly state in their clauses that compensation in the event of a break-in will be restricted if the policyholder is not equipped with a remote surveillance system…
Wired home alarms: a proven security system
Benefits
Wired home alarms have been around for several decades now, and it has to be said that the system, even if presented as archaic compared with wireless models, is more reliable. This is because information is transmitted by cable. This means there’s no interruption caused by electromagnetic interference deliberately provoked by burglars to confuse the security system.
Disadvantages
Installing a wired alarm system in the home is more complex than it sounds. A cable must be laid between the control unit and all the detection devices. This costs a considerable amount of money. That’s why wired alarms are usually installed in houses or buildings under construction.
Wireless alarms: the democratized security system
The web is full of offers for wireless alarm systems at rock-bottom prices. But beware of these tempting offers, even if the advantages are undeniable…
Quick and easy installation
You don’t need a technician to install your own wireless alarm system. What’s more, you can easily add as many sensors and detectors as you like over time.
Stand-alone operation
Many alarm control panels are battery-powered. The advantage of using an independent power source is undeniable, should burglars take care to disable the electrical system. In this way, the security device is always in operation. On the other hand, even if a battery power indicator is visible on most devices, you need to remain vigilant when recharging the battery or replacing the batteries.
Radio transmissions
The closer the sensors and detectors are to the control unit, the better. Operating by radio waves, the quality of transmission between devices depends on their proximity. Depending on the alarm model, the field of coverage is more or less important, and this is an important point to take into account to ensure that there is no break in the link between different pieces of equipment, such as cameras, which are indispensable for seeing what’s going on from a distance when you receive a notification on your mobile while you’re at work or running errands… Experienced burglars also use wave jammers to disrupt security devices. It’s best to choose a protection model that can automatically change radio channels.
Using the alarm system in another home
With a wireless security system, you can afford to invest in a good-quality, more reliable security system. If you’re moving house, for example, all you have to do is uninstall the camera and other intruder detectors, then install them again in your new home.
Extending protection to the entire property
In no time at all, a wireless alarm system can extend your home’s security to the gate, fence and garden. Motion detectors are very useful outside the house. A camera that allows you to see in front of the gate and house door offers additional protection. This ensures protection even before intruders enter the home.
To get a clearer picture of all the offers available on the home security market, you can consult a serious comparison of alarm systems on the Internet.
