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By: Chris McElroy
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.
About The Author
Chris McElroy helps maintain http://guardianalarms.net/blog/
for http://www.guardianalarms.net.
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