Reasons to Rethink Only Installing a Security Alarm

It’s no secret that security alarm systems are a popular way to keep your home and family safe. After all, they offer peace of mind by notifying you and the police when someone is trying to break into your house. But what many people don’t know is that security alarms are not 100% effective at stopping break-ins. In fact, according to the National Burglary Prevention Council, nearly 70% of burglaries occur through an unlocked door or window.

So why bother with a security alarm at all? Here are a few reasons to reconsider relying solely on a security alarm to protect your home:

Security Alarms DO NOT STOP Break-ins

Most people think that if they install a security alarm in their home, they will be safe from burglars. This is not always the case. Security alarms are a great way to keep your home and family safe, but they do not stop break-ins. They simply record and alert you to your home or business being burglarized.

I know what you are thinking, “at least it is on video which I can hand over to the police and have the criminals arrested and possibly get my belonging back.” Unfortunately, according to Insider.com only 18% of property crimes are solved each year. This leaves you with the hassle of dealing with the police and your home insurance company.

Security Alarm Systems Can Be Unreliable

Security alarm systems can be unreliable and often do not work properly. In fact, according to a study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, security alarms are only successful in preventing burglaries around 60% of the time. This means that there is a 40% chance that your home will be burglarized even if you have an alarm system.

There are many reasons why security alarms can be unreliable. False alarms are a major problem. In the United States, it is estimated that there are around 30 million false alarms each year. This wastes a lot of time for the police and can often lead to people disregarding real alarms as false.

Another reason security alarms can be unreliable is that they can be easily defeated by burglars. This is especially true of older systems that use magnetic sensors. These sensors can be bypassed simply by using a strong magnet.

Some newer alarm systems use motion detectors, but these can also be defeated. Burglars can simply wait until there is no one home and then walk around until the alarm is triggered. They can also use items like a broom to trigger the alarm from outside.

Most Vulnerable Areas of Your Home are Usually the Least Expected

This is because people tend to focus on protecting the front and back entrances of their home but forget about other areas.

The most common places that burglars break into are through the side or corner windows. This is because they are usually easy to break and easy to get in and out of the home without being seen by a neighbor or a person passing by during the day.

Another vulnerable area of your home is the garage. This is because people often leave their garage doors open or unlocked during the day. Burglars can simply walk right in and have full access to your home. It is also important to remember that around 30% of burglars enter homes through the back door.

The bottom line is that security alarms are not always reliable and they do not always prevent burglaries. It is better to be proactive and not reactive!

Why It’s Important to Reinforce Entryways with Security Screens

As we’ve seen, security alarms are not always 100% effective in preventing burglaries. In fact, according to a study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, security alarm systems are only successful in preventing burglaries around 60% of the time. This means that there is a 40% chance that your home will be burglarized even if you have a home security system.

One way to help make your home more secure is to reinforce all of your entryways with security screens. Security screens are made of tough, durable metal that is almost impossible to cut through or break. Tested to be able to withstand up to a category 6 hurricane, security screens can be custom built to fit any size opening you may have on your business or home.

In addition to making your home nearly impossible to break into, security screens will also help deter burglars. If a burglar sees that all of your entryways are reinforced with security screens, they are less likely to target your home. Most burglars are looking for a house they can get in and out of with ease, anything that will take more than a few minutes to get through is too high risk for them so they will simply move on to the next house.

Installing security screens is one of the best ways to protect your home and your family. They are a simple and effective way to make sure no unwanted guests will be able to enter your property without your consent.

Buy Nice or Buy Twice

There are many companies out there that sell cheaply made security screens that are not effective in deterring or preventing burglaries and even fade and rust over time, lowering the value of your home. Do your research and make sure that you are getting a quality product that will do what it is supposed to do.

At the end of the day, your home is your castle and it is up to you to protect it. Security alarms are a great way to deter burglars, but they are not foolproof. To keep your home and your family safe, it is important to take a layered home security approach. Combining multiple security solutions to provide you and your family with the ultimate protection.

The Google Trends chart on the left shows us that for over the last year, homeowners have been more interested in securing their home or business with a product that will PREVENT a break-in. There’s a really good reason for that. Taking measures to prevent a break-in from ever happening is a smarter option for homeowners rather than simply installing an alarm system to record your home or business being broken into and burglarized.

Here is a list of the best security practices to combine:

1. Install a Security Alarm System
2. Install Motion Detecting Lights
3. Install Security Cameras
4. Have your Yard Landscaped
5. Install Security Screens on your Windows and Doors
6. Don’t Hesitate to Upgrade your Home Security

One of the biggest benefits of layered home security is that it makes it much more difficult for criminals to penetrate your defenses. If they see that you have an alarm system or even a security screen on your front door, they may be deterred from even trying to break in. But if they are determined to break in, and they see that you have multiple layers of security, they will give up and move on to an easier target.

Final Thoughts on Security Alarms

Security alarms are a great way to deter burglars which is why they are the most common form of security homeowners choose, but they are not foolproof. To keep your home and your family safe, it is important to take a layered home security approach. Combining multiple security solutions to provide you and your family with the ultimate protection. We hope this article helped make you think about all your home and business security options. If you have any questions about security screens or how to choose the right ones for your home, please feel free to contact a Security Plus specialist. We would be more than happy to help you find the right product for your needs.

For the best guide on purchasing security screens for your home or business be sure to check out our last blog post on the Do’s and Don’ts of purchasing a security screen door.

9/7/22 UPDATE: Cybercrime is on the rise! Are you informed info to keep your home and family protected? Security Plus has put together an informative guide to help you better protect yourself and loved ones from digital threats!