US Alarm Companies

Having a security system installed in a home is a wise decision for any homeowner today. However, without home security monitoring, a home security system is not working to its full ability. If you are unfamiliar with how alarm monitoring works, you will be surprised to find that this type of service is not only a great way to protect your home, but home security monitoring is highly affordable too.

When a home security system is installed in your home, your installing company should go over your home security monitoring options with you. If you are thinking about declining the option to have your alarm system monitored because of monitoring fees, you may want to think again. An unmonitored home security system relies on a siren and/or strobe lights, or a beeping keypad to alert you that there is an intruder in your home. If you are not home at the time of the break-in, you are relying on your neighbors to be your eyes and ears when you are not there. For some, this is simply not an option. Besides, many of our neighbors do not want to be put in a position to confront a would-be robber, nor do they want to feel at fault for not seeing or hearing anything should an intruder make off with all of your belongings.

Home security monitoring is no longer considered a luxury, but more of a necessity these days. Alarm monitoring fees are some of the lowest we have seen in years. For what some people spend on coffee alone a month, would be enough to protect a home 24/7 with home security monitoring services. If a burglar tries to enter your home, whether you are there or not, isn’t it nice to know that someone is there watching out for you, your home, and your family? The peace of mind a monitored home security system offers is beyond valuable. If price is an issue, consider shopping home security monitoring rates around. There are many home security companies that offer monitoring at highly competitive rates.

In previous times, the only way a home security system could be monitored is if there was an active phone line at the residence. Now, with advances in technology, you no longer need to worry about having a phone line at all. Home security monitoring is now being offered though cellular radio back-up. This method of home security monitoring is not only fast and reliable, but also offers a way for homeowners that don’t have a traditional phone line in their home, an opportunity to have their home security system monitored. If not having a phone line in your home is another reason you have decided not to get home security monitoring, you now have options.

Besides security and peace of mind, home security monitoring can also add one extra incentive: paying less for your homeowners or renters insurance. In fact, many insurance companies are offering up to a 20% discount on homeowners and renters insurance rates just by having a monitored home security system in your home. It is a good idea to talk to your insurer and see how much money you can save if you elect to have your home security system monitored. In the times we are in, having a monitored home security system just makes sense. If you don’t have home security monitoring in your home, now is the time to get it.

Brinks Home Security is a name that has been known and trusted in the home security industry for years. In June 2009, The Brinks Company announced that Brinks Home Security would now become Broadview Security. Along with the name change, came a round of marketing for the new company name and brand. Soon after Brinks Home Security became Broadview Security, advertisements and television commercials were in full spin. Even though the name has changed,  the company is committed to providing the same quality service as it always has. While it is sad to see a name like Brinks Home Security go away, Broadview Security promises to keep offering the exceptional service that made Brinks Home Security such a success.

Broadview Security offers quality and affordable home security systems. Currently there are more than 1.3 million satisfied Broadview Security customers in the US and Canada. Not only does Broadview Security offer user-friendly home security systems, a standard Broadview Security installed home alarm system can cost as low as $49. A premium Broadview Security installation costs as low as $155.  At prices this low, there is no longer a need to keep your home unprotected anymore. If you currently have a limited budget, consider getting a standard Broadview Home Security system installed. Later, when your budget allows, you can always upgrade your system. Broadview Security makes upgrading your existing system easy and affordable. What is important is that you have some kind of home security protection installed in your home, rather than no protection at all.

All equipment that is installed by Broadview Security is rigorously tested and must meet high standards before it can even make it out into the field. Not too many home security companies stick to these high standards. Another advantage that a Broadview Security home alarm system has is that they use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified and tested equipment. Having UL certified devices installed in your home means that your home is being protected with the highest quality equipment. Whether you choose to get a standard system with a keypad, a couple of door and window sensors, and siren; or a premium installation with more features such as flex switches and smart key wireless remotes, you can have confidence knowing that Broadview Security used only the highest quality equipment in your home.

Not only does Broadview Security offer high-quality home security installations, they offer award-winning alarm monitoring as well. Broadview Security provides their customers with alarm monitoring by experienced and trained professionals employed by Broadview Security—and not by any third-party company. No matter what time of day or night, you can feel safe knowing a leader in the home security industry is protecting your home, whether you are there or away.

Even though a name like Brinks Home Security will always be known as a leader in the home security industry, Broadview Security is proving that they take the business of securing your home very seriously. With home security being a main concern for homeowners today, there is no better time than now to get a Broadview Security system installed in your home. You owe it to yourself to protect your home and family with the best home security company out there. Broadview Security is one of the best and can offer your family peace of mind with their state-of-the-art home security systems that are not only the highest quality, but affordable too.

If you are away from your home for an extended period of time, remember these simple security tips before you leave.

• Be careful who you tell when you plan to be away from your home. Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home.
• Maintain your lawn before you leave or have someone mow your lawn while you are gone.
• Do not let deliveries accumulate. Have a neighbor pick up mail, newspapers and packages daily. If that is not possible, then stop deliveries so they do not pile up.
• Ask a neighbor to use your garbage cans. An empty garbage can is a tip-off that you are away.
• Leave your car in the driveway. This gives the appearance of an occupied house, and prevents burglars from backing up a van for loading.
• Don’t leave keys under your doormat, flower pot or window ledge-intruders check these first.
• Use timers for lights, televisions and sound systems to turn them on and off at different times to give your home a lived-in look while you are away.

A home alarm system reduces the chances of your home being broken into. Even if the alarm system does not keep a burglar from breaking in, it may cause him to stay a shorter amount of time.

What Should a Home Alarm System Include?

A basic home alarm system should include a control panel, keypad, siren, inside motion detectors, and door and window contacts.
The control panel is comprised of: all wiring connections, the battery backup. This is also where the alarm system connects to the phone lines. If possible, phone lines should be underground until they reach the interior of the house to prevent accidents or tampering.

• The keypad is where the system may be armed and disarmed.

• The inside motion detectors detect movement in a room. Specialized detectors can be installed for people who have pets. Internal motion detectors should not be the only or even primary means of detection because they don’t work until the intruder is already inside.

• All external doors and windows should have contacts and/or glass break sensors that enable the home’s alarm system to monitor whether they are open or closed.

Most systems use a combination of contacts placed at doors and windows in conjunction with internal and external motion sensors. Some additional features to consider including in your home alarm system plan are: smoke detectors, panic buttons, alarm screens for windows, and closed circuit TV cameras.

Home alarm systems are an integral part of any home security plan, and can be quite effective if used properly. Often burglars will simply bypass your home because of the posted alarm decals or signs. Most thieves aren’t willing to risk being caught just to get away with a few small items that could be grabbed in the time between the alarm going off and the police arriving.

Security systems need to be properly installed, maintained, and monitored. The alarm system should have an audible alarm that can easily be heard by the neighbors, as well as a silent alarm option in case of a forced home invasion, so that you can silently set off the alarm under the ruse of disarming it if the burglar is present. The audible alarm should be programmed to reset after a few minutes. It is likely that the burglar will run as soon as it goes off, but your neighbors will have to listen to it until it is disarmed.

It is also vital that your emergency contact list be up to date as well, so that in the event that you can not be contacted, a trusted person can be notified and respond for you. Burglars know and check all of the common places that keys are left out doors, so it is highly recommended to leave a key with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency, such as a break in, or a child that has simply lost their key. It is not unusual to have a neighbor wait for the police, and allow them inside for inspection and then secure the home until the owners can return.

Other tips for maintaining your home’s security include:

• Post a “Beware of Dog” sign in clear view of homes entrances.
• All entry points of home should have exterior lighting and should be controlled with motion detector sensors. (check light bulbs on a monthly basis to ensure all lights are in working order)
• Trim all lower tree branches to a height of more than 7 ft. (So that no one can hide under them.)
• Keep all bushes and shrubbery trimmed to a height of less than 3.5 ft. (So that the bushes don’t provide a hiding place for intruders.)
• Keep all exterior buildings locked at all times.
• Do not leave lawn equipment or ladders in your yard.
• Lock all windows, don’t forget those on the second story.
• Lock all gates leading into your yard.
• Always lock your vehicles even if they are inside the garage.

You, like most people probably believe that “Only other people get robbed” or “It won’t happen to me.” No matter where you live, your income or your lifestyle; robbery and home invasions are a fact of life. In 2008 a home was broken into every 8 seconds. This doesn’t mean that you’re defenseless; just that you need to protect yourself. 90% of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts.
Use the following tips, along with a monitored home alarm system to protect your home and family.

• Install and use a home alarm system. Be sure to post security decals in   plain sight. They are a great deterrent!
• Lock all windows and doors. This seems common sense, but more often   that not burglars simply walk in through an unlocked door.
• Don’t place valuables in plain view from windows. This increases the   temptation for thieves to smash and grab.
• Keep trees and bushes trimmed away from windows.
• Use motion activated lights outside, especially around the front door.
• Post beware of dog signs.
• Put interior lights on timers if you will be away for more than a few hours   at night to make it look like someone is home.
• If you will be away for more than a couple of days have a neighbor bring   in mail and take the trash can in and out so that it looks like your normal routine is being maintained.
• Don’t put your family name on the front of the house, or the mail box.  This makes it easier for a thief to get your home phone number and call to see when you’re gone.
• Keep all exterior storage, gates, and tools locked up.