Why a Burglar Alarm Is Better Than a Guard Dog

Noise

• Home security systems use bells, tones or loud whistles. When an intruder enters your home, the alarms will start and continue to sound until either you or the police shut the system off. Typically, a security system can produce a louder noise than a dog's bark. Loud noises often scare off intruders, before they enter your home. The noise will also alert neighbors, who may call the police.

Automatic Dialing

• Most monitored home security systems have an automatic dialing feature. When someone trips the alarm inside a home, the system automatically notifies the alarm company. The alarm company will notify the police. This way, even if no one is inside the home, the police will still get notice of the potential crime. With monitoring, you have the added security of knowing someone will watch your house even if you go out of town, or just leave for the day.

Motion Sensors

• Some alarm systems include motion sensors. These sensors detect movement inside your home. With home security system turned on, any movement will trigger the alarm. As a result, the alarm will sound and the alarm company will notify the police. Motion sensors monitor the interior of your home, with the aim of catching anyone who slipped passed the window or door triggers. Because a guard dog can only watch one area of the house at a time, motion sensors do a better job of monitoring the inside of the home.

Medical and Fire Assistance

• Many home security systems have emergency buttons on the alarm panel. These buttons will notify either the police, fire department or a 911 operator. In case of an emergency, you can push one of these buttons and the alarm company will send help to your home automatically. This gives the alarm system an added benefit over simply protecting against home invasion.