How Security Monitoring Works to Protect Your Home
When the security system alarm sounds, you want to ensure your home and loved ones are protected no matter where you are. Potential dangers within and from outside of your home are ever present, but you can take measures to protect your most valued treasures: your family, your home and the memories and valuables your home contains.
Securing Your Home
The first step is to secure your home with deadbolt locks, safety devices, video surveillance and an alarm system. Deadbolt locks make it harder to force open doors, since the locks are difficult to dislodge. Safety devices such as fire and smoke detectors provide life-saving warnings. Video surveillance allows remote viewing of possible threats and allows you to check activity from a safe distance. An alarm system deters intruders and sends notifications to the security monitoring company. The ability to remotely learn of possible hazards and to dispatch responders is key to how monitoring works.*
* Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert monitoring requires installation and/or activation of an Protection One security system with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert devices. Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert services are an additional installation charge.
Installation of Sensors
An important component of how security monitoring works is the installation of sensors strategically throughout your home. When these sensors are triggered, the Protection 1 security monitoring center is alerted. They assess the situation and notify local police or fire departments to dispatch personnel.
Motion sensors are good choices for large areas. Technologically advanced devices, such as those offered by Protection 1, even capture images when motion is detected, so you can identify the cause. Additionally, advanced sensors text you an alert whenever activated. Intrusion-detection sensors such as those on doors and windows detect attempted forced entry, and glass-breakage sensors activate an alarm before the intruder even enters. In addition, environmental sensors such as carbon monoxide detectors and water and flood detectors allow for faster detection and response.
Whenever any of these sensors are triggered, the device communicates an alert to your mobile device and to the response center. Protection 1 employees are trained to place these sensors in key spots to offer you maximum protection and peace of mind.
Benefits of Automated Security
A major benefit that automated security offers is that it alerts you wherever you are. If you happen to be in the house at the time of the incident, alarms are sounded, allowing you to respond appropriately. If you are on the go or at work, you are notified on your mobile device so you can manage the alarm from a safe distance. Either way, Protection 1 is notified and is able to respond at a moment’s notice.
How a Home Monitoring System Actually Works
When your security system alarm is set off, the signal is routed to a Protection 1 monitoring center. The signal travels through a primary server that is FM-approved and has an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). It also travels through an on-site advanced backup system. A trained employee attempts to call you to notify you of the disturbance in case it is a false alarm.
Monitoring Center Notifies Authorities
If you confirm a false alarm, the employee will see if there is anything else you need before letting you hang up. If the employee is unable to contact you, or if you confirm that the alarm is genuine, the authorities will be notified. A dispatch will then send police officers to your residence to evaluate the situation.
Authorities Examine the Residence
The officers will examine the residence thoroughly upon arriving at your home. If there are no barriers or guard dogs, officers will walk the perimeter of your home, checking for signs of entry such as a broken window or open door. The officers will follow strict protocol to maximize their own safety and the safety of those in and near the home.
Authorities Take Appropriate Action
If there is no sign of entry, the officers will knock on the door and wait for a response. The officers will attempt to contact a key holder so they may enter the home and conduct a thorough search if the door goes unanswered. If someone answers the door, the officers will ask for identification. If police are unable to verify identification and the reason for the individual’s presence in the home, they may make an arrest.
If any windows or doors are broken or open, the officers will announce their presence and enter the home, apprehending the suspected individual if they encounter him. After properly securing the area, the police will contact dispatch, who then relays the information back to Protection 1.
How an Alarm Response Actually Works
The alarm is routed to a Protection 1 monitoring center, and the authorities are then notified to take action, if necessary. When an alarm sounds, trust Protection 1 to handle the situation effectively with more than 90 monitoring offices and upwards of 4,000 employees who understand how alarm response works and are trained to route the alarm to the proper authorities.