Tom McMuggle Pest Control.

It is virtually impossible to keep your property and possessions safe from burglars without the help of an alarm these days. Your home and business are vulnerable to intruders when you are not there and sometimes even when you are, and an alarm can act as an effective deterrent to intruders, particularly at night. In fact, it is advisable to set your alarm even when you are at home; particularly at night.

It is possible to find an alarm system to suit your pocket from the many types available on the market. Alarms usually consist of a set of sensors/detectors, a siren and a control pad. Try to get an alarm system that includes a remote control as it is useful for activating and deactivating the alarm when you are not standing next to the control panel. A remote can also act as a panic or duress alarm to call for assistance. It is a good idea to determine what your security needs are before you attempt to buy an alarm as it will make the task much easier. Depending on your budget, you may wish to install either an indoor or outdoor alarm, or both. The components of indoor and outdoor alarm systems work differently so it is important to install the correct one. Unlike indoor alarms, outdoor alarms are designed to withstand the weather. The triggers on indoor alarms are also far more sensitive and should not be installed outdoors because of the possibility of repeated false alarms.

There are a number of different kinds of sensor on the market suitable for indoor alarms such as motion, contact, infrared and invisible infrared beams, and window-break sensors. In the case of outdoor alarms, electric fencing is frequently used as a first line of defense. Electric fencing forms a barrier around the perimeter of your property or premises, keeping intruders at bay by means of an electric shock. Electric fencing is usually mounted on the tops of walls or perimeter barriers in South Africa. Outdoor infrared sensors can be used to cover certain points within the grounds from where an intruder is likely to make an approach such as the side of a house or building. There is even a type of infrared sensor specifically designed for use in semi-covered outdoor areas like patios. 

Alarms can be stand alone or 'closed' systems, or be monitored remotely by a contracted security company. It is preferable to take out a contract with a security company as they will respond to the activation of your alarm regardless of whether it is a false alarm or not. False alarms happen with enough frequency that an alarm going off in the neighborhood tends to be ignored, therefore, it is wise to employ a security company to respond as there is just as much likelihood of the sounding of your alarm being genuine. A final tip when selecting an alarm: make sure the alarm you choose is connected to a back-up battery and transformer-supporting system that will kick in if there is a power failure.

After you have determined what kind of alarm you need based on whether it will be located indoors or out, it will be much easier to compare different makes and models and find an alarm that suits your needs.