WHY PURCHASE AN ALARM SYSTEM?

Before covering the finer points of purchasing an alarm system, or choosing an alarm service provider, we believe it is appropriate for the first time buyer to consider the following;

• What are my reasons for purchasing an alarm system?
• Is an alarm system the best way to protect myself, my people (family/employees) and my property?

Commercial Premises
For any commercial premise there are many reasons to have an alarm system, including the following;

• Unprotected commercial property is an easy target because the times that it will be occupied are normally easy to predict. A business without an alarm system is an invitation to criminals.
• The cost of an alarm system and monitoring service is very small compared to the potentially devastating costs of a major business interruption.
• An alarm system can be used to track employee activity in order to deter criminal acts and inappropriate use of business facilities after hours.
• Many businesses are required by their insurers to have a monitored alarm system.

Homes
The question of whether to purchase an alarm system for a residence is not so cut and dry. There are several ways to reduce the chances of having your home burglarized including having adequate “physical” security and making your home unappealing to potential intruders.

You may want to consider the following as possible priorities before purchasing an alarm;

1. A good insurance policy on the contents of your home is essential. You should also make sure that you have a detailed list of your belongings. Taking pictures around your home and keeping the images at another location can help tremendously if a major claim arises. You may also want to mark some of your possessions for easy identification in case they are recovered by the police.
2. Adequate physical security should be a high priority. Window bars may not be necessary, but good quality door locks and properly secured windows are important. Contact a licensed locksmith for an assessment of your home’s physical security and a quotation for any recommended upgrades.
3. Developing good security habits that make your home unappealing to intruders, including; locking your doors, securing accessible windows when you are going out, keeping bushes trimmed to make sure your home is visible to neighbours and passers by, and leaving lights on (inside and outside) when you are out at night. More information on this topic is available from you local police force or through organizations such as neighbourhood watch.

Some reasons to consider installing an alarm system in your home include;

• If your home has been broken into at least once before, or if break-ins have recently occurred in your neighbourhood.
• If you travel regularly.
• If your property contains a number of highly valuable or irreplaceable items.
• If a member of the household is feeling anxiety about the possibility of an intrusion.
• If you require an alarm system due to concerns which are not crime related such as fire protection, medical conditions, or and other safety concerns.
  If your insurance company requires an alarm system or is offering a significant discount if a monitored alarm system is installed. Insurance discounts vary from 10% to 18% depending on the insurance broker and your policy. Additional discounts may also be applied when monitoring for fire (ie: smoke detectors). These discounts again vary between brokers, but could save you an additional 5%. Check with your insurance representative to see what they offer, and call other brokers to insure you are getting a competitive discount.

The security industry benefits tremendously from the constant media coverage of crime. At times we are all impacted by stories about the victms of criminal activity. It is important to balance your emotions with a logical, long term view of your security requirements. Carefully consider your options before deciding whether an alarm system is the right choice for you.

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Goo Goo Goggles

I wasn’t happy with my existing alarm company and was told to call Quality Alarms. The service was incredible; they improved the effectiveness of my system and saved me money.

Will V.