HOME SECURITY: Residential Alarm Systems
Alarm systems are an important tool to be considered when developing a security strategy, but they are NOT a complete
security system. An alarm system should only be considered in conjunction with a complete security review of your property.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
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Most residential
burglaries take no
more than 2 to 5
minutes.
Most residential
burglaries happen
during the day, not at
night when you are
sleeping.
PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE ALARM
COMPANY
Discuss realistic expectations of
an alarm system and how it will
be used within your family. An
alarm system will not keep an
intruder out of your house.
Consider the cost of other
physical security measures you
should take to secure your home against burglary as well.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAPPENS
Monitored Systems
When an alarm contact is broken,
several things can occur before the
police respond. The homeowner
usually has approximately 30-45
seconds to turn off the alarm. If the
alarm is not deactivated during this
preset time, an alarm condition is
created. The alarm monitoring
station would then receive a signal.
The station will follow your
instructions on verifying the
legitimacy of the alarm condition.
This can involve several phone calls
and take several minutes. Alarms
are verified in order to reduce the
likelihood of the police responding to
a false alarm. Only when the alarm
condition is verified, as per your
instructions, will the police be called.
False Alarms
In the event your home has had
excessive false alarms, you may
wish to contact a private alarm
response company to service your
needs.
Unmonitored
Systems
Unmonitored systems
often use audible
bells or sirens to
attract
attention to the premises during an
alarm condition and rely on
neighbours or others to contact the
police. There are advantages and
disadvantages to these systems.
Sirens, Horns & Strobe Lights
As mentioned, police response,
although desirable, will not happen
as fast as a burglar can complete
their crime and flee the scene. It is
important to consider that burglars
will normally attempt to avoid being
seen, therefore, the more attention
attracted to a home during the
burglary, the better the deterrence.
The addition of a strobe light and
external siren identifies the location
of the alarm condition, allowing
attention to be focused exactly
where it needs to be.
For maximum effectiveness, the
siren and strobe light should be
placed OUTSIDE the home in a
place visible from the street and
protected from tampering. Horns
placed inside the home can be
disorienting if activated while the
house is occupied by the
homeowner, and neighbours may
have difficulty pinpointing the source
of the alarm when required. Sirens
should be on timers so that when
activated they sound for four or five
minutes.
For questions regarding false alarms, please visit the False Alarm Program link on our website
http://www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca/prevention/business-security/false-alarm-reduction-unit,
or call the False Alarm Reduction Unit at 905 546 4718.
UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR ALARM DETECTS INTRUDERS
Often homeowners are drawn to alarm systems by low or
no cost deals. In exchange for a monthly monitoring
charge set over several years, some alarm companies will
install a “basic alarm system” for free. These systems are
often suited for smaller homes and offer only minimal
detection coverage. When purchasing an alarm system,
homeowners should consider protecting all reasonably
accessible points of entry, such as:


All entrances
(including the inner
garage door);
All accessible windows
An alarm system should activate as the home’s perimeter
is being violated, NOT AFTER the burglar is already in the
house. To achieve maximum coverage the system might
incorporate several types of sensors including:

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Motion
Glass Break
Contacts
Active Audio
Motion sensors should not be used as the primary sensor
type, but used in combination with other sensor
technology. With limited sensors it is relatively easy for
burglars to by-pass contacts. In this way, a burglar could
access several rooms of the home without ever setting off
the alarm.
The type and level of protection you purchase should be decided upon after careful consideration of lifestyle and
the primary intended use of the alarm.
ACTIVATION DELAY
When an alarm keypad is installed inside an
entranceway, the alarm must be equipped with an
entrance delay feature which permits the homeowner to
enter and turn off the alarm.
This delays the alarm about
30 – 45 seconds. For this
reason, an outdoor keypad
should be considered. Talk
to your alarm company
representative regarding
options and technology
available.
USING AN ALARM
WHEN YOU ARE HOME
Special consideration is needed if you are using the
alarm for protection while in the home. Many low cost
systems use limited amounts of sensors or contacts on
the perimeter and rely on motion sensors in centre
hallways to trip the alarm system. When at home with
the alarm activated, the motion sensors are often bypassed in order to prevent tripping the alarm by
occupants moving around the house. Under this “home
setting”, many points of access that rely solely on motion
sensors may remain unprotected. Any doors or windows
that are not protected could be violated as if no alarm
was in place. Special consideration must be given during
the planning stage in order to avoid a false sense of
protection.
YOUR PHONE MAY NOT WORK
When you alarm is activated in a monitored system, the system places a call to the alarm
monitoring station, effectively tying up the phone in an emergency. THIS COULD PREVENT
YOU FROM CALLING 911 FOR SEVERAL MINUTES in an emergency. This could also result in a
lower priority police response and possibly delay appropriate emergency crews (fire and
ambulance) as the nature of the emergency will not be known. It also may prevent you from
cancelling the alarm.
In a medical, fire or police emergency, the fastest way to get help is by calling 911.
Activating a panic or medical alarm before placing a call to 911 may also delay emergency
response. Speak to your alarm company about these issues and make informed decisions
based on risk assessment.
CHOOSING AN ALARM COMPANY
When choosing an alarm company, consumers should do their homework and
shop around. Different technologies and features can be confusing. Look for
an alarm company you feel comfortable with and has a good reputation.
Consider the following points:
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Don’t deal with companies that use fear tactics.
Check with friends or neighbours for recommendations on reliable
companies.
Determine how reliable they are at servicing their systems.
Ask the alarm company if they screen their employees for criminal
records, etc.
Compare the price of detection coverage and other features. Buy what
you need.
Ask about warranties and get at least three quotes.
Check with the Better Business Bureau for further business ratings.
PLEASE NOTE
Hamilton Police Service WILL
NOT recommend alarm
companies by name or specific
brands of equipment.
Once the alarm is installed,
change the activation code from
the factory setting.
Do not divulge your code to
anyone who does not absolutely
need it.
SAFEGUARD HAMILTON
The Hamilton Police Service Auxiliary Branch provides free home security audits. Safeguard audits not only
serve to educate homeowners against potential Break and Enters, but also provide “Target Hardening”
recommendations which may protect homeowners against vandalism such as graffiti.
For more information on this service please see “Safeguard Hamilton” on our website.
Content of this fact sheet is provided courtesy of Peel Regional Police Service.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT OR OTHER CRIME PREVENTION TOPICS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT WWW.HAMILTONPOLICE.ON.CA OR PLEASE CONTACT:
HAMILTON POLICE SERVICE – CRIME PREVENTION
155 King William Street, Hamilton, Ontario Phone: 905-546-4900 Fax: 905-546-4720