ABC’s “20/20” recently aired a special on home security alarms that raised the question “Do Home Security Systems Guarantee Safety?”  (Link to Story) The report was based on a home owner who recently purchased a security system.  To answer the question, "20/20" enlisted the help of two former thieves Jon Douglas Rainey and Matt Johnston, the hosts of "It Takes a Thief" on the Discovery Channel.  They encountered no problem defeating the alarm system and entering the home.

Every consumer should be made aware of what their particular system can and cannot detect.  Discussing these issues with your salesperson and/or your security company will give you a better understanding and a realistic expectation on your purchase.

Point #1

Door and window contacts are only activated if the door or window is opened.  Entry into the fore mentioned home was made by breaking the glass in a basement window and crawling through the window without opening the window.

Recommendations:

-          Security Screens could have been used.  A security screen will activate if (a) the screen is removed or if the screen material is cut or broken.

-          Motion Detectors should be installed within the interior of the home or business to provide a second line of defense.

-           Glass Break Detectors could be used to detect the breaking of glass.

Point #2

Because only one motion detector was installed (they cased this home prior to breaking in to see where the motion detector was) and in a poor position the burglar was able to move throughout the home without being detected.

Recommendations:

-          Motion Detectors should be installed in a manner that ensures activation and traps potential thieves from having free movement throughout the home.

-          A motion detector should be located in all areas that you are interested in protecting.  For example, the master bedroom, stairways, hallways, where you have your stereo and TV, and one of the most important areas you should protect is the area near your alarm panel.  (see point #3)

Point #3

Rainey states the he could have easily dismantled the alarm system by disconnecting a couple of wires.  This is one of the most overlooked aspects of protecting a home or business.

Recommendations:

-          Never purchase an alarm system that the keypad and control panel are an integrated unit.  (click here see our article on this)

-          Always consider installing a motion detector that prevents a thief from walking right up to your alarm control panel.  Whether your control panel is installed in a closet, your basement, or some other location.

-          Always consider installing tamper switches.  A tamper switch activates the alarm system is the door to the control panel is opened.

-          So far we discussed ensuring that you alarm system is activated.  Now consider ensuring that your monitoring station can receive the alarm signal by protecting the communications link. 

o   Often the telephone junction box is located outside your home or business and is an easy target.  Consider having it moved inside your home or business.

o   Install a tamper switch on the phone line box.

o   Add a backup communications devices (e.g. cellular backup, TCP/IP network, or similar device).

Conclusion