Home Security Reviews

Most people know the basics about home security monitoring. We all know – or have heard about – how the company gets an alert if your alarm is tripped.

We know that some companies will then call us to make sure it’s not a false alarm before sending out the police or fire department.

Most people also know that alarm systems can be hooked into your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to further protect the safety of you and your family. But few people know about the added special monitoring features that may be available through their home security company and system.

Some companies offer the option of a duress code. As you probably know, when your system is set up, you set a code that allows you to arm and disarm the system. And you can set up a different code for each resident, so you have the possibility of a log of who’s entered and exited the house at which time.

However, you can also set up a “duress code.” This means, if the alarm is tripped and you have unwelcome company (i.e., someone holding a knife to you and telling you to disarm that alarm NOW), it shuts off the alarm and sends a silent signal to the home security monitoring company or the police, who know that something is up.

Another special kind of monitoring service available is for people who might need a little extra peace of mind monitoring. For instance, someone who’s disabled or elderly can have the system set to notify a friend or neighbor if there has been no motion detected for a certain amount of time. This can be a literal lifesaver, in the event of someone falling and breaking a hip, or a similar situation.

Finally, you may have the option of setting up an automatic paging system. This will prompt the system to page or text you when a certain even happens in your home security monitoring system, such as an alarm being tripped, or when your housekeeper or children enter the home. This can be handy in keeping an eye on the kids’ after school activities!