Most home alarm systems are set off by any number of triggers: doors or windows are opened; glass is broken; motion is detected by sensors; or pressure pads are activated. The form of the alarm can be a bell, siren or flashing strobe alerting you that an intruder may be present. This noise or light alone will often frighten the intruder away. Alarm systems are attributed to 74.3% of unsuccessful burglaries due to the burglar being frightened away.

Some alarm systems are hooked into a surveillance system which can be local or at a security company. These cameras are on-duty around the clock to protect you, your family and your belongings. Many of these systems are made so that you can access the cameras remotely using another computer. This way you can visually monitor your premises even while you are away.

Most systems come with motion detectors. These detectors can be indoor and/or outdoor. These detectors trigger a switch when motion is sensed. The detectors can trigger an audible alarm, lights or video surveillance cameras. One particular detector is a glass break detector. This detector is triggered by the sound of smashing glass and is most advantageous if your property is at a distance from any surrounding neighbors, if you are gone from home for long periods of time or have areas such as glass doors that are particularly vulnerable to break-ins. Pressure-activated pads are activated when a particular area on the floor is stepped on. These are generally placed near doors or windows that are likely entry points into the home.

Alarm systems work optimally when programmed to reset themselves within one to two minutes. In that time, the burglar should have been frightened away and your home security system will not become an annoyance to nearby neighbors. They should also be placed so that they are not routinely activated by normal daily happenings. Otherwise, people nearby will tend to ignore them.

So, what type of alarm system should you purchase for your home? Here are some factors to consider:

1. How close are your neighbors? If your closest neighbors are a great distance away, a home security system is a must. This will insure that someone is contacted about a security issue and can react accordingly.

2. Are portions of your home hidden from the view of others? Even if you have close neighbors, there may be parts of your house that are hidden from their view. These vulnerable areas need extra protection. This could include window bars, glass block windows or other security measures that would thwart a would-be burglar.

3. How much do you want to spend? Home security systems have a very wide price range. You can purchase a very elaborate, specialized system, but a more basic, low budget system is extremely effective in deterring crime. Even if your budget is limited, you can still protect your home very effectively.