If you are a homeowner, you're probably wondering, "How does home security monitoring work, and why should I have it?" Your home is undoubtedly one of your life's most important places or spaces. It's where you sleep at night, where you create memories with your family, and where you should feel most safe and secure.
Sadly, the sanctity of this safety is violated frequently. According to the FBI, about 2.5 million homes are burglarized each year.1 That doesn't mean you must sit back and wait to be a victim, though. There are many proactive measures that you can take to protect your family and your property.
For many people, that suggests installing a home security monitoring system. There's no better way to prevent thieves and burglars from snooping around where they shouldn't, and you can not beat the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can get help in seconds (or at least minutes) during an emergency.
That said, selecting the right security system can be daunting, and we understand why. This article will guide you through everything you need about security alarm monitoring.
What Is Home Security Monitoring?
If you already have a DIY home security system or a professionally installed one, it's time to contact a home security monitoring service to respond to the alerts. Using a home security monitoring service, expert technicians trained to respond to emergencies are alerted once several alarms go off at your home.
How Does Home Security Monitoring Work?
Knowing how your home security monitoring service will respond to an alarm triggered by an actual problem or a false alarm can help you be more prepared and calmer in the event of an emergency.
Every home security system involves a network of sensors linked to a control panel in your home. Depending on your choice, the sensors could include one triggered through a motion detector, smoke detector, door and window sensor, tamper sensor on the telephone box, or other sensors.
Once a sensor is triggered, an alert is automatically sent to the security monitoring company's central station via a telephone landline or cellular service. Here is a step-by-step process.
Step One: Alarm is Triggered
One of the sensors on your home security system triggers an alarm. If you have programmed a high-decibel alarm, you will hear it go off if you are home.
Step Two: Central Station Alerted
The technicians monitoring the home security system are alerted. They immediately contact you to check the emergency.
Step Three: Verification of Emergency
During a false alarm, the technician will stop the alarm and inform the emergency personnel of the false alarm.
Step Four: Emergency Responders Contacted
If you are not home or cannot respond to your technician's phone call, the technician assumes it's a real emergency and contacts the right emergency responders.
Step Five: Emergency Personnel Arrive
Emergency personnel will arrive at your home to help you during a home invasion, fire, or other emergency.
Components of a Home Security Monitoring System
Entryway Sensors
Also called door and window sensors, they're the backbone of a home security system. They sound the alarm once a door or window is open (and the alarm is set). This stops criminals and alerts the homeowner of a security breach.
Entry sensors consist of a magnet and a sensor. When in close contact, the two components form a magnetic field. However, once the door or window they're attached to opens, the magnetic field will be disturbed, and then the sensor notifies the base station to sound the siren.
Certain systems allow users to automate IoT devices depending on the entry sensor's status. For instance, when a door opens, the base station can signal smart lights to switch on. We suggest installing an entry sensor on every possible first-floor entry into your home and any accessible second-floor windows. Nevertheless, you can purchase entry sensors to protect every door and window in your home.
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors sound the alarm or trigger mobile alerts once motion is detected inside the home. They are meant to provide an added layer of protection.
These devices emit an invisible light/laser that sounds the alarm when disturbed. Some motion detectors (such as the one pictured below) use infrared technology to sense body heat. The simplest of these sensors, PIR (passive infrared), are less prone to false alarms, as they just trigger once the moving object emits body heat. More complex "active infrared" sensors can distinguish between different object types, which helps prevent pets from setting off alarms.
Security Cameras
Security cameras are mounted inside and outside the home to keep a constant watch for safety. Numerous cameras record continuously and notify the homeowner when activity happens. Just the presence of a camera is often enough to deter a criminal.
Today's cameras deliver motion-activated recording or continuous recording. Either way, they record video and usually send real-time alerts. You're the first to know if it's a porch pirate or the pizza guy in your home.
The best cameras offer HD image quality, mobile access with live streaming, pan and tilt, two-way voice, and more. Many cameras integrate with home automation platforms such as Nest and HomeKit. You can configure the cameras with various rules, such as recording them daily at 3 p.m. once your kids get home from school.
Video Doorbells
A first line of defense, video doorbells help protect your home from package burglars and thieves. Many doorbell cams allow you to see and talk with front-stoop friends and visitors from almost anywhere. Homeowners and neighbors have also used them to identify car thieves. With car theft increasing, these cameras are a welcome tool for many.
The best feature to look for in a doorbell camera is mobile access, monitoring, and control via a mobile app. Other features are HD image quality, night vision, cloud storage, two-way talk, and more.
Home Automation Controls
Home automation streamlines day-to-day tasks to make our lives easier and more efficient. Smart controls let users remotely control and automate everything from thermostats and lights to garage doors, cameras, and even coffee makers. Home automation also allows families to ensure the safety and security of extended family members — such as older loved ones aging in place.
Smart home automation controls work through mobile (smartphone or tablet), voice commands, or both, depending on the platform. You set the rules, and your home reacts accordingly. Turn down the lights!
Many platforms can support hundreds of smart devices, which indicates users can customize their systems to their heart's content. Most work with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant to give way to hands-free voice control.
Floodlights
Floodlights' main purpose is to shine a light on suspicious behavior. After all, the perimeters of many homes can be dark, making them especially vulnerable to intruders. They also help with visibility during the night for guests entering and exiting, particularly seniors who don't see as well.
These motion-activated devices "flood" a driveway or yard with a bright light. Criminals prefer the cover of darkness; floodlights eliminate the dark and expose the bad guys.
Panic Buttons
These wall-mounted devices include a built-in help button. The life-saving button is pressed during a medical emergency or home invasion. They summon help immediately.
Many control panels include a built-in panic button that works via Wi-Fi, landline, or cellular to transmit a signal to the monitoring center (if the user has professional monitoring). In a crisis, press the panic button and rest assured that help is coming.
Glass-Break Sensors
As the name indicates, glass-break sensors detect glass breaking. When a security breach is detected, the alarm sounds, and alerts are sent. These sensors are often sold separately but are highly effective and work well alongside magnetic window sensors.
Keychain Fobs
Keychain fobs allow users to arm and disarm their system remotely. Many keychain touchpads also have a panic button, which offers peace of mind when traveling in the dark.
Smart Smoke Detectors
Fires often occur when the homeowner is away, making the traditional smoke detector useless. But a smart smoke detector sounds the alarm and sends real-time alerts to your smartphone.
The device is app-based so that it can run within a few minutes. You can access and control your smoke detector by opening the app and monitoring potential situations.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
These life-saving devices send real-time notifications and alerts to your mobile phone. That way, you will never walk into a house with a CO leak and risk a potentially fatal outcome.
Like smart smoke alarms, these gadgets arrive pre-set and all set to use. Connect it, then follow the straightforward setup directions in the accompanying app. The alarm will activate whenever it detects carbon monoxide, and you'll receive an immediate alert or alert. Note that numerous companies now provide devices for detecting smoke and carbon monoxide. See the Vivint detector in the picture above.
Water Leak Detectors
This device is incredibly valuable because water damage can be highly destructive. If your home leaks while you're not there, don't worry - a water leak detector will alert you and let you contact the plumber promptly.
Place the sensor close to faucets and other appliances/fixtures that might leak. When a leak happens, the sensor will sound an alarm and send you a mobile notification.
A home security system consists of electronic devices that safeguard your home or apartment from criminal activity, including burglars, thieves, and intruders.
The control panel will instantly notify the monitoring station if the security system is set up with professional monitoring. Once the monitoring station personnel are informed of the security breach, they will take necessary action, usually with a call to the homeowner.
However, in certain cases, they can communicate with the homeowner directly via the system's control panel (if the system includes a neat feature called 2-way talk, which we will discuss later).
Thankfully, many alarms turn out to be false. This might happen because you accidentally left a window open without remembering the alarm was set, or your dog triggered the motion detector. Regardless of the cause, the monitoring team will contact you. In case it's a false alarm, you have the opportunity to inform them about the situation. They usually take additional measures and notify the relevant authorities if you fail to reply.
Are you looking for a reliable home security monitoring system? Please reach out to us today!