LMC Security

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a security system?

Statistics show that security systems not only reduce the occurrence of break-ins but also reduce the impact significantly should one occur. A monitored alarm allows for a faster response, giving criminals a lot less time to remove goods and do damage to your premises.  Most break-ins occur from 10am to 3pm, when homeowners are away from the home. In normal circumstances, this is a large window of opportunity and thieves are able to spend time ransacking the place for valuables.

Having an alarm system also acts as a deterrent for opportunistic burglars. They will tend to choose a less risky target that has a lower risk of them being disturbed or caught.  Most burglaries use force such as breaking windows or the locks on doors. An alarm system can be set to activate an alert as soon as this type of damage occurs, giving the would-be thieves less chance to plunder your home or business.

Homes without a security system are close to four times more likely to get robbed than homes with even a basic system installed. While there is an initial cost to setting up the system, the long-term benefits outweigh this investment for most people. The month to month monitoring costs are nominal and provide crucial back up for your system. Regular maintenance will keep your system functioning well and prevent disruptions and big repair bills. These systems can also monitor for smoke and fire and allows for quicker intervention, potentially saving you from extensive damage to your home and may even save a life.

The simple answer is yes. In numerous studies that have been conducted, homes that have security systems are a lot less likely to be targeted for burglary. While it is hard to determine true figures of something that didn’t happen, research conducted in prisons, doing surveys on people incarcerated for burglary, more than 60% of the people interviewed indicated they would find easier targets if they are able to determine the home has a security system. While you can add deterrents such as ensuring the area around your home is well lit and there are less places for would-be thieves to hide, installing good locking systems on windows and doors and not allowing strangers in to the home, an active security systems adds extra layers of protection for you and your family. Monitored systems ensure processes are followed to protect your family and your possessions in the event an alarm is triggered. You can view what is happening on your phone in real-time with many of the systems. From basic to fully integrated systems, the reduced risk of your home being broken into makes the investment into a security system worth the cost.

This is a little more complex to answer. Systems can vary from a simple system for a small home to a fully integrated system with numerous cameras, 24/7 monitoring and more. The features you choose as well as the size of your home has an impact on the price of the system. Speak to us about your needs and we can provide you with options and prices so you can choose products that match your needs and your budget.

You can choose to self-monitor your system and use an app to trigger alerts which are then sent to your chosen device. You can then decide who to alert or what to do if an alert is triggered.  We offer a 24/7 monitoring system that is monitored from our control room. The feed is sent via a GPRS or dialler system. We can then spring in to action if an alert is triggered and can contact you and the authorities to deal with crimes happening on the premises.

For many existing systems it may be possible to have it integrated into a 24/7 monitoring systems providing that the systems are technically compatible. Some systems may need tweaking to get them to work. This is great news for some as it reduces the cost of having a new system installed to allow for monitoring.  The essential equipment such as a control board and sensors to trigger alerts can be connected to remote monitoring in many instances. Even if not connected to 24/7 monitoring, if they are working correctly, these systems will set off an alarm if triggered. Connecting to a 24/7 monitoring system allows for alerts to be sent to a monitoring facility who can then notify you and authorities in the event of an alarm being raised. Many systems are becoming more standardised, so check if your system can link up with your service provider.  While some companies install systems that are not compatible with other monitoring services, give us a call and we can help assess if your system will work with our monitoring systems. We can discuss options for integration and work out a cost-effective way to get your system linked up for 24/7 monitoring.

This will depend on the security system you have installed. Standard motion detectors are setup to detect any movement. This means that it can be triggered by your pet quite easily. Pet friendly systems can be set up to reduce false alarms caused by the movement of your pet. There are a variety of technologies that can come in to play which factor in weight, height and so forth that can reduce pet-activated alerts. The placement of sensors can also be important to avoid highly frequented areas while still keeping the home well protected. Pet friendly systems allow you to set your alarm, giving you peace of mind, while alleviating the concern of numerous false alarms due to your pet doing what they do.

We have systems that are compatible with apps. These are known as smart home security systems. These allow for a variety of devices to be monitored and controlled via your smartphone. These are often used for self-monitoring. You can have both options active. Your smart security system can be monitored 24/7 by a control centre as well as allowing you to view, activate, deactivate and do a number of things with relation to your security system directly from your phone. Smart lighting has also become quite popular. This allows you to turn lights on and off from your smartphone, no matter where you are. This can also be automated using timers. Smart smoke detectors can alert you to a fire in a specific room as well as offer a general smoke alarm. Some systems allow you to silence the alarm from wherever you are. Smart cameras allow for remote activation and to receive images and live feeds straight to your mobile phone. Some of these cameras are triggered by movement and can alert you immediately when a room is entered by someone. You can receive notifications in a variety of ways and choose to link to a monitoring company or self-monitor when integrating smart systems in your home for communication through a mobile app.

There are 1000s of systems to choose from. While it is possible to set up a DIY system and even be able to integrate it into a 24/7 monitoring company, it is often helpful to get advice from a professional alarm company before you are out of pocket. Some of the main questions that need to be answered will include your personal budget, the size of the home, the complexity of the system the family routine and more. Systems can include options such as leak detectors, nanny cams or even allow you to see when your post is delivered. Some of the security packages will include smart home automation that can allow you to integrate your lights, alarm system, access control and more and control them through an app on your phone. You may need standard equipment such as breaking glass detectors, cameras both indoors and outdoors, motion sensors and more. Additional features can include smoke alarms, temperature sensors, medical alerts and more. We can assist you in choosing the features you need for your home to ensure you get the best value for money as well as professional service.  Some of the common additions include:

  • A doorbell camera which allows you to view who is on your doorstep and even speak to them remotely.
  • A nanny camera that allows you to watch over small children, elderly parents and pets when you are not in the room
  • Spotlight cameras turn on when sensing motion and light up the area (best for outdoor use)
  • Panic buttons/pendants allow users to trigger calls to emergency services
  • Window/Door sensors trigger when a window or door is opened
  • Break Glass Sensors are trigged by broken glass or loud vibrations on the window
  • Motion sensors trigger an alarm when motion is detected
  • Two-way talk works as an intercom for you to listen and speak through
  • CO2 detectors activates in the presence of carbon monoxide in the home
  • Flood sensors trigger in the case of pooling
  • Leak Sensors trigger alarms for leaky pipes in the area they are placed
  • Freeze sensors detect severe temperature drops
  • Fire and smoke alarms trigger in the event of severe heat, smoke and fire

Monitoring by a security company consists of integrating your system with a method to communicate with the control centre of your service provider. When the control panel in your home detects an event, it sends a sign to the monitoring station. The appropriate authorities are then notified and sent to your home. Your sensors and detectors are wired into the control panel. When your security system is armed, the control panel will pick up when sensors are triggered and relay this to the monitoring station. These signals can be sent via a number of types of signals and back-up systems can be put in place allowing for more than 1 way of communication with your service provider. When activated, you will usually be called to notify you of the alert being triggered to prevent excess alerts to authorities for false alarms. In the event that you don’t respond, or a genuine trigger, emergency services are then called to assist. Panic buttons, medical alerts, silent alarms and so forth trigger immediate response without a phone call. The monitoring station is able to gain access to information such as what type of sensor has been activated as well as your contact information and address details in order to send the right type of service.

Check with your insurance company but in most instances, having a home security system installed can reduce your insurance cost by up to 20%.  Homes with security systems are at a much lower risk than homes without. There is also a lower risk of flood damage and fire damage in homes that are protected to some degree against these risks. Lower risks of claims mean that your insurance company is likely to offer you a reduced premium. Having 24/7 monitoring may reduce your premium even further as fast reaction to triggers results in less loss of possessions and a lower risk of damage to the premises.  Call us to advise on what we can offer you to reduce your damage and loss and it may cost you far less than you expect when you take into account the savings in insurance premiums.