Types Of Burglar Alarms For UK Homes
The burglary rates for domestic properties might have gone down over the last few years, but this shouldn’t mean that homeowners should not take security seriously. An intruder alarm is among the most effective methods of protection, but what is the best burglar alarm to install?
Well the answer to this question, depends mainly on personal preferences. Even though there may be a few differences between the available alarm types, any type is much better than not having one at all.
In the UK, the three primary burglar alarm types include:
Bell only alarms
These emit loud sirens that alert neighbours or people nearby.
Dialler alarms
These automatically contact a security company or person when triggered.
Smart alarms
This intruder alarm system installation is managed through an app on a phone with notifications.
– Bells-Only Burglar Alarm
This is a basic type of burglar alarm, that has been in use in the UK for years.
These alarms use several sensors (usually window and door sensors combined with a motion sensor) used for detecting potential break-ins. If an intruder tries to gain access to a home, a very loud siren sounds to deter criminals and alert people nearby.
Even though these systems are effective, they often go off if there is a fault or power cut, meaning they can be ignored by people who live in the neighbourhood.
Professionally-installed alarms of this type cost in the region of £500-£1,500, while DIY installs cost around £200.
– Dialler Burglar Alarms
This burglar alarm works similarly to a bells-only alarm, but rather than sounding an alarm in the hopes that a person nearby responds, the dialler actually contacts a security company or people such as family members, a friend, or even yourself.
A dialler alarm can provide peace of mind, especially when you are far away since you can be sure someone will be alerted when your siren is triggered. These are often a popular choice for people that reside in the countryside or more remote locations.
The dialler alarms cost in the region of £500-£1,500 for a professionally-installed system, while the self-installed versions cost anything from $250 upwards. If you want to combine this system with a monitoring service you can expect to pay £15-£25 extra a month.
– Smart Home Security Systems
The Smart home security systems are a level up when compared to the dialler burglar alarm. They also alert a person or company when activated, but this will typically be done through a notification that is sent directly to your phone.
Many home security systems include various components that you can choose from such as panic buttons, motion sensors, video cameras, window, and door sensors, etc. This means the system is much easier to tailor to exactly what you need.
Smart alarm systems can become expensive, especially for a complex installation that includes a variety of components. However, the fairly standard versions start at about £1,000 for a professionally-installed system, while self-installed versions cost between £200-£500.
What Burglar Alarm Type Is Best?
As we mentioned before, the burglar alarm that you decide on will depend on your personal preferences. There is also no burglar alarm that is specific or best for homes in the UK since alarms work in the same way regardless of where you may live in the world.
With this in mind, if your home is located in a remote or rural area where you don’t have a lot of neighbours, the bells-only alarms might not be your best option, because the effect will be very limited. In these cases, smart alarms or a dialler burglar alarm might be a far better option.
