Article Surfing Archive

Alarm systems have grown exponentially in popularity during the 21st century. More homes than ever before have alarm systems today.

Many reasons exist for the popularity of alarm systems. Children's safety is often one impetus for installing alarm systems.

In today's social climate, many children come from homes in which either both parents work or there is only a single parent. As children enter late elementary school, many parents elect to have them come home directly from school via school transportation rather than attending after-school care.

These children, often referred to as latch-key children, are in need of protection. Although they may be old enough to call 911 in an emergency, they may need a simpler means of contacting someone who can help them.

Today's alarm systems come equipped with panic buttons. These panic buttons generally have pictures rather than words on them, making it easy for even young children to 'read' them. Generally, police, fire, and emergency symbols appear on the panic buttons on the alarm system.

The difference between using the main alarm system and the panic button is the process that occurs once either has been activated.

When using the main alarm system, a signal is sent to the control center alerting personnel about a potential problem. Personnel then call the home and ask for a password to ensure that a false alarm has not occurred.

If the person answering the phone is unable to give the correct password, or no one answers the telephone, authorities are notified and dispatched to the home.

When a panic button on an alarm system is activated, the process is altered. A signal is still sent to the control center, but personnel are trained to bypass calling the home. Since a panic button indicates an immediate threat, the control center notifies the appropriate personnel and dispatches them to the home.

So, children who are home alone can use an alarm system to help them in times of crisis. Rather than having to remember to enter a code or call a number, a child in an emergency simply needs to press the panic button to receive the assistance he or she needs.

Often, children are at the heart of another reason people use alarm systems. Often, parents want to keep children in just as much as they want to keep predators out.

As children enter the teenage years, it is important that parents be able to know when a child leaves the house. Often, alarm systems come with window and door monitors so that an alarm sounds when a door or window is opened and the alarm system is activated.

If the control pad for an alarm system is strategically placed in a home, teenagers are not able to disarm the system without parents' knowledge. Keeping a control pad in the master bedroom is always a good idea.

Alarm systems help parents keep their children safe by offering panic buttons and one more way of tracking the comings and goings of their children. Investing in an alarm system pays off in more than one way, especially when children are taken into consideration.