What's The Difference Between An Alarm And A Security System?

Every homeowner wants to do everything possible to protect their home, but the incredible number of options for home security can be overwhelming. If you are considering home security as an option for your house, then you may be confused by the wealth of choices that you face. Among these, one of the first major decisions that you will need to make is whether you simply want to install an alarm or a complete home security system. Although it may seem as if these both refer to the same thing, there are important differences between the two.

Alarms Are Largely Reactive

Burglar alarms primarily refer to reactive systems that detect and alert. These are the traditional home alarms that most people are familiar with. The actual make-up of an alarm system can vary quite a bit, however, and most alarms are customized based on the needs and budgets of individual homeowners. As a general rule, any burglar alarm will include one or more sensors that are tripped if someone is attempting to enter your home. The placement and types of sensors will depend largely on your particular home and how much coverage you are looking for.

In most cases, alarm systems include subscription services so that your sensors can immediately alert the police in the event of a break-in. This is important as the alarm is most likely to be tripped when you are not home. Of course, if you are home at the time then it is all the more important that police be notified immediately and automatically so that they can respond quickly.

Security Systems Are Comprehensive

While burglar alarms have a laser focus on alerting the police in the event of a break-in, security systems provide more comprehensive coverage for your house. Since they have such a wide focus, the components that they include can also vary quite a bit. In fact, it's rare for any two home security systems to look exactly the same.

As part of a traditional security package, many comprehensive systems include security cameras. These may be wired or wireless and they can help to monitor your property and provide a proactive sense of security. If something suspicious is noticed on the cameras, you can act before the alarm would normally sound. This also allows you to monitor for other threats, such as fires or even flooding.

In fact, comprehensive systems can even include sensors designed to specifically watch for these issues. Fire or smoker detectors can be linked into the system, alerting you to problems and automatically contacting emergency services. Water and moisture detectors can even be installed into your basement to warn you of plumbing emergencies.

Which is Right for Your Home?

Both basic alarm systems and comprehensive security packages can help to make your home more secure and to give you peace of mind. Which you choose will largely depend on your budget and how interested you are in additional monitoring. The best way to be sure that you're making the right choice is to schedule a consultation with a security professional who can help to guide you through your options and develop a plan to keep your home safe.