Home Security

Is Your Alarm System Inefficient?

The primary purpose of a home security system with central station monitoring is early notice of an event, such as smoke or an intruder. With 40 years of issuing home insurance policies, which includes reviewing alarm components and applying premium credits, we routinely find a great many alarm systems are simply inadequate. This only leaves the homeowner exposed.

Here is what you should know!

There are 3 primary areas where we see inefficiencies.

Fire

– On an annual basis there are > 10,000 fires across the United States that start in the attic of a home.

– and there are > 6,000 fires that start in the garage.

Most alarm systems fail to include heat sensors in the attic, or the garage! To be highly efficient heat sensors should be installed in the attic, and the garage, as well as the kitchen and finally the room where all your mechanical equipment is located. (Heat, AC, hot water etc)

Burglary

If your concern is theft, having motion sensors inside your home is sensible to detect an intruder. But sensors outside surrounding your home, infrared sensors to set off an alarm before the break is more efficient in preventing a burglary.

Plumbing Leak

With more than 40% of all home insurance claims being caused by internal water damage, from aging plumbing systems, water leak detection is a must. Second floor plumbing leaks from a toilet or shower pan can cause extensive damage below.

Leak detection is a step in the right direction to control damage but an electronic water shutoff system is a more efficient method of loss prevention and damage reduction. A flow valve electronically monitors water use and triggers a shut off when there is a change in use, thus avoiding a large claim and disruption to your life.

To get the latest protection device intel in preventing claims, drop an email to Kyle at kshepard@shepardinsgrp.com or call 203.698.9342 or subscribe to www.preventible.net.