| One of the most popular trends in home security | | | | with the monitoring station. Some new systems |
| today is the installation of wireless alarm systems. | | | | offer wireless communication through your ISP, |
| Before you jump on the bandwagon, though, you | | | | as well. Regardless, the installation of the control |
| should know a little more about how these | | | | units is minimally invasive for your home. |
| systems work, as well as the benefits (and | | | | A wireless home alarm communicates or sends |
| drawbacks) to this technology. To start off, let's | | | | signals to the control unit through RF signals (radio |
| examine the two forms of wireless alarm | | | | frequency). Some systems have been designed |
| system: | | | | to use infrared beams, as well. When the system |
| There are two dominant types of wireless home | | | | is armed, the detectors monitor the surrounding |
| security systems on the market today: self | | | | area for motion (actually registers as a |
| installed systems and professionally installed | | | | temperature difference) and send the signal to |
| systems (ADT and others). Both offer wireless | | | | the control unit. The control unit then sends a |
| benefits, but they are very different, as well. Self | | | | signal to the monitoring company and sets off the |
| installed systems are usually very simple to install, | | | | alarm. When the monitoring company receives the |
| though they are limited in their application as well | | | | signal from the alarm system, they will contact |
| as their usefulness to consumers. This is because | | | | the homeowner to ascertain the situation. |
| they are not monitored and have no ability to | | | | In addition, there are quite a few accessories or |
| alert police, fire or emergency authorities. A | | | | add-ons that can be included with this type of |
| professionally installed system comes with | | | | home alarm system. If there are elderly family |
| dedicated monitoring capabilities (read that as | | | | members in the home, young children or anyone |
| 24-7) as well as the means to alert the right | | | | with health problems, you can include panic |
| authorities (through the monitoring company). | | | | buttons that will alert the monitoring company and |
| Now that we know that a professionally installed | | | | medical response authorities. Carbon monoxide |
| system is the best option for comprehensive | | | | detectors are another popular option, as are |
| protection, let's move on to other aspects. The | | | | water monitoring sensors for areas in a home |
| installation itself is not completely wireless. While all | | | | that are susceptible to flooding. There are |
| the sensors are wireless, the control unit(s) are | | | | numerous other aspects that can be added, as |
| not. These need to be wired into the home for | | | | well, such as wireless video cameras and wireless |
| several reasons, including being wired into your | | | | arm/disarm devices that can be carried on your |
| phone line. This is how the system communicates | | | | key ring for better security options. |