Why install an alarm at home?

The national observatory of crime and criminal justice responses (ONDRP) states that a burglary occurs in France every 90 seconds. However, this is not an inevitability to be resigned to, as means exist to protect one’s property, and perhaps more comprehensively than the majority of households realise.

While it remains useful to install a traditional alarm in one’s home to detect an anomaly and alert occupants and neighbours with a powerful audible signal, the 2022 alarm has far more to offer. Connected alarms and/or those linked to a monitoring centre justify their presence through multiple complementary functions enabled by technologies such as infrared detectors, wireless and wired, sensors with various functions, and home automation which has become widespread in this sector.

Zoom on the functions of today’s alarms, which undoubtedly provide great service to their owners.

Preventing or responding to intrusions

This is its primary function, and the modern alarm does it well! Forget the simple piercing ringing, technology has evolved considerably and allows one to choose from a multitude of actions in response to a possible intrusion.

First and foremost, and this is a guarantee of safety, the majority of alarms sold by professionals are linked to a video surveillance centre. In the event of an alert, a human relay enables verification of the situation’s severity and the necessary decisions to be made: contacting the authorities, cutting the signal, intervening remotely, alerting the owners.

Home protection can extend externally, to detect the threat before intruders enter and thus avoid any damage. If the intrusion has already occurred, it is also possible to take control of the cameras, intervene by voice, and even trigger a smoke-generating system to frighten the intruders.

Keeping an eye on the interior

Beyond intrusion prevention and in addition, the alarm equipped with cameras now enables control from one’s smartphone, allowing verification that all is well within the property. Very useful for pet owners wishing to ensure their safety or behaviour. Voice intervention can also reassure animals or stop them in the middle of mischief!

Those who have already been victims of intrusion often develop latent anxiety whenever they are away from home. The cameras enable them to reassure themselves as often as they wish and to enjoy good holidays, where applicable.

Detecting leaks

Sensors today enable remote detection of water and gas leaks. Thanks to humidity sensors and air composition analysis, the alarm thus becomes a genuine shield against certain household plagues: water damage, gas leaks, or the accumulation of CO2 in the ambient air that can occur with obsolete heating systems.

This is about preserving property as much as saving human lives, especially when these problems occur while occupants are asleep.

Signalling a fire outbreak

In the event of a fire outbreak, an alarm is able to react in the same way as in the event of an intrusion: alert occupants and neighbours, and transmit an alert to the monitoring centre where applicable. The assurance of being able to react quickly and well, and to have the fire service intervene within the first minutes of the incident with two objectives: saving lives and preventing the fire from spreading to other dwellings.

Simulating presence

Gone are the time when the neighbour was the ideal interventionist to simulate presence in the home during holidays. Connected alarms enable, thanks to home automation, multiple actions programmed in advance or that the owner can trigger from their smartphone.

For example, they can lower or raise the blinds, switch a connected light bulb, the television or the radio on and off, and even emit a vocal message. Making believe the property is occupied is the best deterrent against burglars!

As you will have understood, the alarm is no longer a simple distress signal emitter in the event of burglary. It is an ally for the entire home and can prevent a fair amount of nuisance, not to mention the peace of mind of the owners. Its practicality is also improving, with the installation of code keypads, remote controls or badges enabling the system to be activated or unlocked more simply.

Depending on the type of property and the owners’ wishes, various installations may be relevant. As a point of attention, verifying the alarm’s homologation with one’s insurance is a good reflex. Otherwise, reimbursement in the event of protection failure is not guaranteed. However, don’t be alarmed!