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Thoughts about Home Security  |
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Your home is your castle and the security of your home and making sure your family and possessions are safe is a real concern. Your first though may be to get a home security system, but before you do, you need to consider the impact it will have on the resources of your local police department.
Home security systems are in theory, a very good idea. Having your home electronically monitored while you are away does provide a sense of ease, and a feeling of security knowing your home is being monitored and that the police and you will be notified in the event that an alarm is triggered.
But here is the problem; most home alarms which cause a police response are triggered accidentally by the home owner or by guests or neighbors. Some police departments report that about 90 percent of the alarm calls they respond to a false alarms.
When the police are called to investigate false alarms, they are unavailable to respond to real emergencies. Not to mention the local resources that are wasted; resources that are ultimately paid for by the homeowner through the collection of local taxes. In short, false alarms waste your money and the money of your neighbors.
The problem has become so serious that many municipalities are starting to charge homeowners who have repeated incidents of false alarms.
So how do you balance being responsible with your desire for home security? It starts with asking yourself some important questions.
First, why do you believe you need a home security system?
Do you know someone whose home was broken into?
If so, what kind of loss did they experience?
We’re those lost items covered by their homeowner insurance?
Would the purchase of a home safe offer enough protection for your most valuable possessions?
You may decide that a home security system is the right choice for your home, but understand that you have a responsibility to make sure that you understand how to use it and to take the necessary steps to prevent false alarms.
Ultimately, the resources of our municipalities are already spread to thin. Any unnecessary demands on the police are unacceptable. If you have or are thinking about a home security system, always keep in mind the real cost of keeping your home safe.
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