Home Security Alarm Monitoring - 5 Critical Points

You may have home security alarm monitoring equipment in your home already. If so, you may be considering having a company monitor your home with that equipment that's already there.

Not a good idea.

1. I recommend you pick a company that will provide you with brand new home security alarm monitoring equipment.

That's because older used equipment is more likely to fail in an emergency. Also, the old equipment probably can't be put under warranty. That means that if a piece of equipment goes bad, it will cost you dearly. Not only for the equipment, but usually a service call fee, and high labor charges.

If you get new equipment (some companies will give it to you at no up-front charge), then it will typically be covered under warranty. Both parts and labor. Plus it's more likely to give many years of service to you and your family. That's important, because we're talking about "security" after all.

2. Pick a company that is not "local". Recommended examples might be ADT, Monitronics, Brinks, or Security Networks.

Local companies are normally not as reliable for several reasons. They may mean well, but the sophistication of their equipment is sometimes sub-par. They often don't have "redundant back-up" equipment at their command centers, so that if THEIR equipment goes down, then YOUR equipment goes down.

They also may not be as responsive for service or problem follow-up as a larger company. Even if they seem unresponsiv

, with a larger company, you can always ask, "Who do you report to?" and go over their head to someone who will respond. If the local guy doesn't respond, you have no one to go to, normally.

3. I recommend that you get only equipment that has "panic buttons" on the touchpad. One for fire, one for ambulance, one for police. That way you can avoid calling "911" in an emergency and answering their "20 questions". "911" operators do a good job, but they are constrained by more procedural rules than the alarm people, who can often speed up the police.

4. Make sure your home security alarm monitoring equipment has a back-up battery, in case your electric power goes out.

5. Shop around. Look at the companies available, and compare. Do a little homework, and you'll be glad you did.

You gotta see http://www.HomeSecurityFacts.com to compare Home Security Companies, and don't miss "5 Silly Reasons NOT To Get A Home Security System -- click here!