New House? Types of Alarms to Consider
When you’re moving an office or a home it’s important to consider security at both ends of the journey. When the packers, movers, and helpful neighbors have all gone on their way, take a last trip around your old home to make sure all windows and doors are secure and the alarm system (if there is one) is armed and ready for action- empty houses make easy targets for vandals.
As soon as the long distance movers arrive at your new home or office it’s time to start considering security. It would be heartbreaking to put all that work into organizing, packing, padding, moving, and unpacking again only to lose some of your valued possessions at the end of the process.
While the boxes are coming in, take a look around your new place with critical eyes. Test all the latches on the doors and windows and think about security weak points. This is especially important if you’re moving from a condo to a detached house- security is something you’re going to have to put a lot more thought into now.
Alarm systems can help protect any property, but there are an awful lot of different types out there so it can be hard to know which one suits your property best. Here’s some information to get you started:
Central station alarms are those that are connected up to a monitoring point somewhere off-site. If something goes wrong on in your home or office, an alarm will sound at a security company and they’ll call the authorities and make sure the situation is dealt with.
The internet has changed how we do almost everything in recent years. Alarms are no exception. With the right software and gadgets it’s now possible to monitor your own security cameras and alarms through an internet connection. A good setup can alert your smartphone when an alarm is triggered, and you can then take a look at the camera footage to see if the police need to be called, or if it’s a false alarm caused by a paperboy or the neighbor’s cat.
At the other end of the scale there are simple bell-only alarm systems. These don’t communicate with the police or a security company- they just make a very loud noise intended to tell anyone nearby that something is afoot and scare aspiring housebreakers into running away. The downside is that you won’t necessarily be alerted to a security problem, but on the other hand, you don’t have to pay ongoing monitoring and service fees.
Some alarms can be set up to keep an eye on specific entry points. Components can be stuck to windows with magnets or be attached to the floor, to go off when a garage door is forced open. If, for example, you have a large back window that is screened from view, protecting it with a window alarm might be a very good idea.
At their most subtle, alarms don’t even have to make a noise. Motion-sensor light systems may do nothing more than light up your back yard or driveway when someone walks by. That can be a handy safety precaution for friends and family and also deter unwelcome intruders.
Security should be a concern when you’re moving to storage too. Before placing your stuff in a storage unit, take the time to check the measures that will be protecting your property. Always ask storage companies whether they’ve had theft or vandalism problems in the past.
