When Should You Upgrade Your Intruder Alarm System?
You may think that an intruder alarm system is for life and that you can rely on it to protect your property for decades to come, but unfortunately this is not the case. They are electronic systems, and just like any other system or appliance, they require regular maintenance and will eventually need to be upgraded or replaced. As a general rule, no alarm system should be relied upon for more than 10 years but there are several factors to keep an eye out for that signal that it’s time to upgrade, repair, or completely replace your intruder alarm system.
Your security needs have changed
If your business or home security needs have changed in recent years, it’s important to assess your current security setup and check that it still provides all the coverage you need. If your system now needs to cover several buildings, or you have been made aware of a spike in local crime rates, you’ll need to upgrade your alarms and motion detectors, and install new systems to link the alarms up to one central network.
Similarly, if your family has grown and you now have young children, security has likely become a priority like never before. You need a responsive, state-of-the-art setup to protect your property and your family, but you also need one that can accurately discern genuine security risks from everyday occurrences. You don’t need an outdated alarm blaring every time an unexpected visitor arrives or a little one gets curious about a locked door, so swap out your old system for a new, adaptable one that meets all your security requirements and fits right into your daily life.
There are too many system issues
It is very possible that the only thing almost as bad as being woken up by an intruder is being woken up by a false alarm frightening everyone awake! After years of use, the sensors within an alarm system may start to malfunction or wear down and this will either trigger regular false alarms or cause the alarm to stop picking up on key activation signals.
If your system isn’t working the way it should when you test it, then there is absolutely no guarantee that it will work properly when you need it most. This poses a real threat to your premises’ security, and what’s worse is that experienced burglars can often spot these outmoded alarms and may even know how to disable them without tripping the alarm. The older a system gets, the less reliable it becomes, so replace these dated alarms today or completely upgrade your obsolete system into a new one.
New improvements have been launched
Don’t forget; just because something works doesn’t mean that it can’t be improved. Even if you’re happy with the coverage provided by your current system, there will still be new and updated systems that have been launched in the years since your system was installed that can offer better protection and improved user controls.
Alarm systems are now easier to activate, quicker to reset, and much more responsive than previous models and they are constantly being updated to keep one step ahead of security threats. Whether you have one burglar alarm or an integrated network, there is a new model out there that meets the latest security standards and also makes it easier for you to stay in control of your security measures – no matter where you are.
Many new intruder alarm systems now offer remote access and real-time alerts that are sent straight to your phone, and you can automate your alarms to provide better protection against break-ins even when you’re not there. These advancements are all about user convenience and better protection and are customisable to meet all your security needs even when you’re not there.
You want to improve connectivity
If your current system can’t be integrated with your other security measures, it’s time for an upgrade to save you a huge amount of time and energy every day. CCTV cameras, access control systems, and even other alarms can all be combined into a single network and automated to work together to secure your property and provide you with complete control over your entire security system.
You can then activate any (or all!) of these measures from your phone, even when you’re away, and check on any element of your system at any time. Remote access is fast becoming the go-to choice for homeowners and businesses looking to make their lives a little bit easier without compromising on their security, and upgrading to an interconnected wireless system will also make it easier to expand your system in the future. Wireless security fixtures don’t need to be hardwired and can connect with your existing network remotely, so you can adjust your setup as needed as your security requirements change.
It’s old or outdated
Finally, the general consensus is that you should assess your intruder alarm system every year and upgrade or replace any damaged elements as you find them. However, by the 10 year mark, it’s time to replace your entire system as the internal elements will have become worn down and any outdoor fixtures will have been dealing with the unpredictable British weather for years on end.
Security technology is also continuously developing and if your system is over 10 years old its technology is likely to be nearing obsolescence. This means it’ll be increasingly difficult to find the replacement parts that you need as the manufacturer may no longer make them and it will most likely be cheaper to upgrade the entire system than to replace separate fixtures. So, don’t wait for your faulty alarms to let you know that it’s time to replace them – get ahead of the curve by having your system upgraded today.
Upgrading your intruder alarm system
If there is one key investment that you make in your property this year, it should be upgrading your property protection system. This means finding a reliable, highly-recommended installer to install, inspect and maintain your new system; so, if you are based in the Southampton and Hampshire area, First Contact Fire & Security are the choice for you.