Did you know that an overwhelming number of intruders target homes that do not have a burglar alarm system? The actual statistic is thought to be 99%, so if you do have one of these systems installed at your property you are already doing more than most to protect your home.
However, there are several steps that you can take to maximise the effectiveness of your system and guarantee your home’s security. Here we list the top 10, so read on to take a look and make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your system working at its best.
Before burglar alarm installation
1. Choose a tamperproof system
Maximising your home security begins long before the burglar alarm installation process, as first you have to decide on the best system for your property, family and lifestyle.
As a good starting point, we recommend that you go for a tamperproof intruder alarm system that has been certified by the installation company. These particular systems will alert you or the police if someone attempts to disable the alarm or damage it in any way, giving you an additional layer of protection and reducing the likelihood of any intruders trying to deactivate your system.
2. Research reputable installers
If you want the best protection you will need to not only invest in the best systems, but also in the services of the best installers to set them up for you.
The installers should fully test the system before they leave, invite you to test it yourself, and make sure you know exactly how to use it, so ask around for recommendations or search for online reviews of local home security companies to find the right one for you.
3. Request a warranty
A reliable system shouldn’t need to be replaced or repaired for a few years, but accidents do happen and technology can occasionally let us down. So, go for an installation company that offers a full and extended warranty on the system, as this not only protects your investment but also proves the installers confidence in the reliability of their equipment and the standard of their services.
After the system has been installed
4. Protect the deactivation code
Don’t share the alarm deactivation code outside of your inner circle. Your family, trusted neighbours and close friends will all need to deactivate the alarm from time to time, and you may also have to share it with a regular cleaner or dogwalker, but aside from this don’t give the code to anyone who cannot be trusted to keep it to themselves.
5. Use access fobs
Better yet, rather than opting for the usual keypad touch system, why not choose to have keyfobs that arms and disarms the system? This way anyone who wants to access the home will need to have a physical fob to do so, or risk tripping the alarm.
6. Invest in ongoing maintenance
Just as you schedule maintenance for your home with window cleaning services and a regular gardening routine, you should also invest in after care maintenance for your new burglar alarm system.
It is best to receive these services from the company that supplied and installed your system, as they will be familiar with the equipment and its maintenance requirements, but any trusted provider will be able to carry out regular inspections and maintenance.
7. Emergency callouts
Even with ongoing maintenance, systems can unexpectedly fail to activate or deactivate. It is at times like this that you will be most grateful to have an emergency callout option included in your maintenance contract.
Invest in 24/7 coverage so that you can call the company to quickly come and fix the system at any time of the day or night. Even if it is a false alarm, they will be on hand to address the issue and get the system up and running again.
8. Integrate the system
One of the key benefits of having a burglar alarm system is the ability to control your entire security setup from your phone. These systems can be quickly and easily connected to a mobile app that can be used on any device, including multiple devices across your family network.
There is never a good time for a security breach, but the worst time is certainly when you’re away from home and unable to get back quickly. This way, if you or your partner are away from the home when an alarm is triggered, you will be immediately alerted and able to call the police, contact your 24/7 coverage provider, or ask a trusted neighbor to check your property and alert the relevant authorities.
9. Combine with CCTV installation
Intruder alarm systems are easily combined with a range of other security features, including CCTV cameras, to provide your property with a comprehensive and responsive security network.
CCTV cameras, particularly those with night vision and real-time feeds, will monitor your property and gather vital evidence of any attempted break-ins and you will be able to access their live feeds from the same mobile device that controls your alarms. Along with your alarm system, they act as a symbol of your dedication to protecting your property and signal that you have invested in all the relevant equipment to do so. You might even find that their very presence on your home is enough to prevent even the most experienced criminals from targeting your home.
10. Upgrade equipment as needed
Regularly check the outdoor components for any damage or wear, replace any elements as needed, and update the software to keep your system performing at its best.
You likely won’t need to invest in any replacement equipment or newer models during the first few years of use, but eventually the sensors within the system may start to trigger false alarms or fail to activate when needed. Even if your current system is working well, keep yourself informed of any new models that offer improved user control and higher levels of protection to maintain your household security standards.
Burglar alarm installation in Southampton and Hampshire
Taking these steps to maintain and maximise your burglar alarm system will ensure the highest level of protection for your home and family for years to come.
Keeping the system compliant is the responsibility of yourself, the installer, and any maintenance providers that you contract, so contact First Contact Fire and Security for a state-of-the-art alarm system and ongoing aftercare services. Even if they didn’t install the system you currently have – contact them today!
