Do I Really Need a Security System? | How It Works & Why You Need

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We all know someone who has had their house broken into. This not only tells us how common burglaries and intrusions have become but also how likely you are to being targeted.

In the years 2020 and 2021, there have been over 267,000 reported cases of burglaries in the UK, and while this figure is significantly lower as compared to previous years, the issue is still rampant and needs to be addressed.

What can you do to secure yourselves against such threats and keep yourself and your property safe? Basic security measures such as keeping your doors and windows locked, keeping your property well lit, and hiding your valuables from plain sight are a given, but what more can you do?

Security systems for homes and businesses are becoming popular as people are becoming more serious and well-informed about their security and what steps they can take to ensure it.

Despite the advantages that they provide, we often come across people wondering if they really need a security system and whether they are as effective.

If you are one of them, keep reading to understand what security systems are, how they work, and why you must invest in one:

WHAT IS A SECURITY SYSTEM?

Before you decide whether or not you really need a security system, you need to know what they are and how they work.

The simplest definition of a security system is found in its name. It is a system of interconnected components and devices that help you keep your property secure from safety and security threats.

When referring to a home security system, it consists of a network of integrated electronic devices that work together to protect you and your loved ones against burglars and intruders.

A security system typically includes the following components:

A control panel
Sensors and detectors
Security cameras
Sirens and alarms
Yard signs and stickers

HOW DOES A SECURITY SYSTEM WORK?

All security systems, for both home and commercial use, work using the basic concept of securing all the entry points and high-risk areas of a property using sensors that communicate with a control panel and trigger an alarm in case of suspicious activity.

The sensors are strategically placed on doors, windows, and other areas of the property where there is a risk of someone breaking in and entering.

Here’s how the main components of a security system work together to secure your property against safety and security threats:

Control panel: the brain that controls the system and allows you to arm and disarm it, communicate with the different components, trigger the alarm in case of a security breach, and contact the alarm monitoring services.

It typically features a keypad or touchpad for easy management and interaction, where a code is entered to arm or disarm the system. It can also work using voice commands as well as remote controls or key fobs.

Door and window sensors: used to detect the opening and closing of doors or windows, they comprise of two parts, with one part of the sensor installed on the door or window and the other one installed on the door frame or window sill.

When the doors or windows where the sensors are installed are closed, the two parts of the sensor are joined together creating a circuit. When they are opened, the circuit breaks and the control panel is notified, which sees this as a security breach and triggers a loud siren or alarm.

Motion sensors: used to detect movement, they create an invisible zone that cannot be breached without triggering an alarm.

Also known as PIR sensors, they are typically used to protect areas containing valuables and where unauthorised access needs to be controlled.

If you have pets, you can install special PIR sensors that are pet-friendly and are designed to detect changes in body heat movement while ignoring them based on certain height and size criteria.

Glass-break detectors: designed to trigger an alarm when they detect the unique audio frequency of a glass breaking or the vibrations that occur.

Extremely useful in situations where intruders gain unauthorised access into your property by smashing a window or glass door, these detectors are installed in high-risk areas where you think someone might easily break-in.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: used for detecting the earliest signs of a fire, as well as gas leaks that can be harmful to all those in the building, these detectors work in tandem with fire alarms and can help prevent the spread of fires.

Adding a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home or workplace means that you can be alerted of an emergency even if you’re away and alert the fire and rescue services to protect your loved ones and belongings.

Security cameras: available in both wired and wireless variants, security cameras are an important part of a security system, with typical uses including remote monitoring and surveillance.

Not only are they effective deterrents against burglaries and intrusions but also help gather evidence in the form of recorded video footage in case of a security threat or breach.

The footage can be viewed in real-time as well and can be accessed remotely via computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Sirens and alarms: loud enough for neighbours and passers-by to hear, security alarms not only alert all those nearby of an intrusion but also scare away the intruders for the fear of attracting attention and getting caught.

These typically include a loud audible siren, which is sometimes accompanied by flashing lights to ensure the alarm doesn’t go unnoticed and that it is noticeable enough to scare anyone trying to illegally break into your property.

Yard signs and stickers: while these might seem unnecessary to many and nothing more than some good marketing for security companies, yard signs and stickers actually play an important role in your property’s security.

By placing stickers and signs that say “property under CCTV surveillance” or “protected by security system”, it sends a message to everyone, including potential burglars, that your home is alarmed and protected, making it an unwise choice to target it.

WHY DO YOU NEED A SECURITY SYSTEM?

Now that you know what a security system is and how it works, here are a few important reasons why you should have one installed on your property:

Protection and security

The most important reason why anyone even considers installing a security system is so that it can provide them with protection and security against dangers and threats.

Burglaries and break-ins are two of the most common crimes committed in the country, and installing a security system is a great and effective measure to keep such threats at bay.

When burglars target a property to break into, there are a few things that they look for, and one of the first things is the presence of a security system.

Criminals are less likely to target your home or workplace if it is secured with sensors, alarms, and CCTV cameras since these devices make it difficult for them to break in without getting noticed and raising alarms.

Remote monitoring

When away from home or work, we often find ourselves worrying about what’s happening in our absence and whether everything and everyone is safe or not.

Smart security systems consisting of burglar alarms and CCTV cameras allow you to remotely monitor the activities of your property from afar, as long as you have an internet connection.

You can use the live video feed or the recorded footage from the surveillance systems to keep an eye on your property even if you are not physically present on-site.

The systems also allow you to receive notifications on your smartphone every time the sensors detect something fishy. This way, you can be instantly alerted and can take the necessary action to mitigate the threat.

Professional monitoring

With security systems, even if you aren’t able to keep an eye on your property and check for notifications and alerts when the alarms are triggered, you can take this responsibility off your shoulders and have your property professionally monitored.

A monitored security system is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) which is operated by experts who check and verify every alarm “instance” they receive.

This checking and verification process ensures that no alarm goes unnoticed, even when the owners are away. The system is also equipped to detect and verify false alarms, which can be caused by improper arming and disarming of the system, weak batteries, and even wandering pets.

Fire protection

Most people, when they hear of security systems, think that they are a way to protect your property from burglaries and intrusions, and while that is 100% true, there’s a lot more that these systems offer in terms of safety.

In addition to motion sensors and glass-break detectors, security systems also come equipped with smoke and heat detectors that detect the earliest signs of a fire and alert the inhabitants and the people nearby of the threat.

These systems can determine whether there is a fire or a source of heat in the building that may pose danger to the people in it. This early warning system not only helps people evacuate safely and in time but also helps protect property and valuables from being damaged.

Harmful gas protection

Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is found in combustion fumes and can be released from heating systems, stoves, burning wood, and other sources. It is extremely harmful and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if inhaled in large quantities.

Since humans can’t detect it in the air, carbon monoxide build-up can often go unnoticed and that’s where security systems come in.

Security systems equipped with carbon monoxide detectors can detect high amounts of the gas in the air and alert the occupants of the threat so that they can evacuate immediately and seek medical assistance for any possible side effects.

Manage electricity and promote automation

A security system not only helps you monitor the activity around your property but also lets you keep an eye on its energy use.

How many times has it been that you left your home not being able to remember whether you left the lights on or an appliance running?

Remote access through CCTV monitoring allows you to check whether you have, and in the case of smart home or office systems, it even allows you to turn them off via a tap on your mobile screen.

In addition to controlling the security systems themselves, this feature allows you to remotely access the light controls, heating and cooling systems, door locks, household and office appliances, and much more.

Useful for children and the elderly

Many homeowners have children and elderly people living with them, making it a bit difficult to manage manual security and access control.

For instance, a child might not be careful and leave the door lock open while coming back from school, or an elderly person might have a medical condition that makes them unable to get up and open the door for whoever’s at the door.

Security systems provide electronic and automated locks that send you alerts every time the door is opened, and that automatically lock when the door is closed.

CCTV cameras help you keep an eye on the kids and the elderly when you’re away, in addition to providing those with limited mobility to see who is at the door and open it without leaving their bed using doorbell cameras and electronic locks that can be controlled remotely.

Lower your insurance premiums

When you own a residential or commercial property, insurance becomes a necessity and so does doing all that you can to keep the property safe from all kinds of threats and risks.

What many property owners do not realise is that when you take all the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself and your belongings against damage and theft, such as installing a security system, it can result in a significant reduction in your insurance premiums.

Peace of mind

Knowing that you and your assets are safe from all kinds of safety and security threats provides peace of mind like no other.

What’s great is that, with these systems, you remain in control of your property and its security, even if you are a thousand miles away.

When you are on-site, you can relax fully knowing that you are protected against burglary, theft, vandalism, and fires, and when you are on the go, you can rest assured that your trusted security system will alert the relevant authorities in case of any issue detected at your home or workplace.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We understand that everyone has a set budget and unique requirements and, for that, we have tailored solutions for all kinds of individuals and property owners.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.

We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.

We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

Photo by Kirill Sh on Unsplash