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There is a clear benefit to having a home alarm system, and every residence should have one. However, too many residents develop a false sense of security after installing an alarm system. This belief is sometimes fueled by the unrealistic crime scenarios portrayed in home security commercials.

For example, in many home alarm system advertisements, intruders flee as soon as the alarm sounds. Meanwhile, residents are reassured by a monitoring company operator that help is on the way.

The Reality of Home Alarm Systems

In real life, when a home alarm goes off, it means the intruder is already inside. It takes only a few minutes for a criminal to threaten or harm residents, steal valuables, and escape. In some cases, intruders may take hostages during this time.

Understanding the Role of a Home Alarm System

Home alarm system commercials aim to sell the idea that these systems will protect you and your home from intruders. However, alarm systems are not designed to physically prevent break-ins. Their purpose is to emit a loud alarm and notify you and the monitoring company of an intruder’s presence. Unfortunately, by the time the alarm sounds, it may already be too late.

This reality is illustrated in a report from York Dispatch. Police responded to a home alarm and found a victim unconscious after being struck by an intruder. The criminal stole cash and credit cards before leaving the scene.

Although a home alarm system cannot stop an intruder from entering, it remains an essential device for every residence. To use an alarm effectively, it is important to understand its strengths and limitations. By knowing the role of each security device, you can identify gaps and take steps to protect your home and family.

How to Adequately Protect Your Home Against Intruders

Jordan Frankel, Vice President of Global Security Experts, compares home security to an onion. Adequate protection requires multiple layers of security. The first is the “psychological layer,” where a home alarm system plays a key role.

Psychological Home Security Devices

While a home alarm system cannot physically prevent a break-in, it can have a strong psychological impact. For instance, displaying alarm company signs outside your home signals that you monitor the property and may have additional security measures. From a criminal’s perspective, this increases their risk of law enforcement catching them. As a result, most criminals target homes without visible security.

Other psychological deterrents include:

These devices can’t stop a determined intruder, but they can make your home less appealing to criminals.

Effectual Home Security Devices

Some criminals are more daring, making it essential to physically reinforce your home. Devices designed to make entry difficult include:

A security door brace creates an additional barrier that makes breaking down a door extremely challenging.

Because glass windows are easy to break, line all ground-floor windows and glass doors with security window film. Security-grade film requires significant time and effort to break, increasing the risk of detection. Most criminals abandon their attempts rather than risk law enforcement catching them.

Avoid a False Sense of Security

Relying solely on a home alarm system can leave your home vulnerable. While an alarm system serves as an excellent psychological deterrent, effectual devices like door braces, deadbolts, and glass protection film are critical for keeping intruders out.

To ensure your home is secure, assess the role of your current security devices and identify gaps. By layering psychological and physical security measures, you can better protect your home and loved ones from intruders.