Monitored alarm systems

A monitored system is particularly useful for isolated homes and/or those with valuable contents. It provides daily around-the-clock security by linking your property to a monitoring station via a telephone – sometimes offering a choice of landline or mobile – or using a wireless radio network. A monthly or annual fee is charged for this service, in addition to the alarm system’s installation costs.

Once your monitoring mechanism is triggered, the monitoring station calls your home to check if it may have been a false alarm, eg by a household member entering a wrong access code. If the phone is not answered or if whoever picks up gives an incorrect reply to a security question, one of your key holders and/or the police are contacted, depending on the contract set up with your service provider.

Some monitoring system suppliers support extra features such as smoke and flood detectors or provide assistance over the phone for medical emergencies, and are able to call the relevant emergency service on your behalf.

A cheaper alternative to a fully monitored system is a speech dialler. This device is connected to the alarm or built into the system’s control panel and is usually triggered by the activation of one movement sensor. It automatically rings programmed phone numbers, such as the property owner’s mobile, to leave a pre-recorded message that the alarm has gone off.