Monitoring

Is Monitoring Your Security System Worthwhile?

Whether you’re fast asleep in your bed in Raleigh or traveling away from home, knowing your home security system will work the way you expect is important.

One expectation most people have for home or business security systems is a response to the alarm — no matter what time it occurs. 24-hour security monitoring means authorities will be notified as needed when the alarm is activated at your home or office.

Monitoring isn’t just to alert the police or fire departments. There are other advantages to including 24-hour monitoring as part of your security system:

True Protection — Some homeowners assume a burglar alarm making a lot of noise is enough protection. But actually, home alarms are often ignored by people nearby, who assume it is going off by accident.

Fires — Because they provide automatic response, monitored smoke detectors and heat sensors can save lives and limit property damage. This is especially important if you use many Lithium-ion batteries; some insurance companies now require homeowners to have a monitored security system with a smoke/heat sensor in the garage if an EV charger is installed. Read more about sensors here.

Leaks — While not as urgent as a fire or break-in, a gas or water leak can cause serious problems in your home. Monitoring systems can be set up to alert you in these instances – or even to let you know if there is a power outage and your freezer is no longer on.

Assistance — Monitoring systems can also be used to send notifications to people if you need help – in case of a fall or other personal accident.

Insurance —Most insurance companies will offer a discount when a customer’s home security system is monitored.

Peace of mind — Monitoring means someone is always keeping watch over your home or business. Many security system clients say that monitoring offers peace of mind, making it easier to sleep, both at home and while away.

 

How Monitoring Works

Secur-Tek, Inc. works with Affiliated Central to monitor your home or business. The team at Affiliated Central is CSAA Five Diamond Certified and uses the most up-to-date technologies. The company has installed a redundancy system for its telephone and automation, ensuring dependability.

When contacting a security company to keep your home or business safe, be sure to check their terms and confirm that you are receiving the service you deserve.

Secur-Tek’s North Carolina service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, Pittsboro, and Wake Forest.  If you are interested in a home security system or would like to add monitoring to your current system, please give us a call at 919-387-1800.

Are You Wasting Money on an Alarm System?

wasting money on alarm system

Safety statistics show that having an alarm system can be an effective tool for protecting your family and property from home invasions.

According to the National Council for Home Safety:

When Do They Happen? Burglaries most often occur during the day between 6 am and 6 pm while people are at work or running errands. The seasonality is quite simple as well, with snow and cold being principal deterrents, the lowest number of burglaries happen in February while burglary rates are higher in the summer.

How? Intruders are most attracted to houses that do not have home alarm systems.

  • The national average indicates that homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized.
  • 85% of convicted burglars said that they specifically look to see if there’s an alarm and that they would leave and target another property where no security system is installed.
  • The F.B.I also reports that 90% of all intrusions occur through doors; 6% occur through windows; 3% occur through the roof and 1% occur through the walls.

Who? Over 85% of thieves are amateurs with 41% saying break-ins are an impulsive decision.

The bottom line is that utilizing a security system on your property will offer an increased level of protection and peace of mind.

HOWEVER – you might be wasting your money on that home alarm system if:

1) You don’t set the alarm. This is understandable — but it can be impacted by the ease and convenience of doing this simple act. Therefore, thinking through your daily routines and researching which system is most compatible with your personality and lifestyle is an important part of choosing the best system for you and your family.

2) You don’t thoroughly understand and learn the proper usage or programming of the alarm system you have purchased. At Secur-Tek, our systems are easy to use, and we take the time to ensure you understand the system’s functionality.

3) You don’t have your installer use windows stickers and signs as a warning. We at Secur-Tek ensure that warning stickers and signs are placed in the optimal locations for good visibility and thus function as a key deterrent.

4) You don’t test the system on a regular basis. At Secur-Tek we only install high-quality security systems and recommend testing every month. It only takes a few minutes to ensure everything is functioning properly. You can find the steps here.

5) Your system isn’t monitored. You may have purchased a home with the alarm system already installed or installed one yourself. Although the noise of an alarm may scare off those who enter your home, it’s vital that you have a company monitor your alarm so that the police can investigate for forced entry. Monitoring is also critical in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, especially when your family is sleeping or away.

6) You leave the house with the windows/doors open or unlocked. Windows and back doors are a favorite, especially those left open in the warmer months and obscured by bushes or buildings. Many alarm systems do not go off if someone enters through an open window. If you don’t have a motion detector installed or alarm sensors on the windows, be sure to at least close and lock your windows when you are not home.

When used properly, alarm systems can be a very effective tool in deterring crime and protecting your family and home. We at Secur-Tek, Inc. partner with you to ensure you get the right system for your situation.

Please give us a call at 919.387.1800 or contact us by using the form below for a complimentary in-home consultation.

Secur-Tek, Inc. is locally owned and operated in Apex, NC, offering home and business security and monitoring. Secur-Tek also provides automation, audio, and central vacuum systems to customers in the Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro areas.