Most people do not go to the expense of home systems just to provide them with a good feeling. They do it to offer protection to the family and their possessions from the possibility of a break-in or burglary. Most people would prefer that if someone were to break into their home and steal a bunch of their stuff they do it when no one is there and most burglars would like nothing more as well. While there are instances, where bad people will force their way into an occupied home, most would prefer to go about their business without the homeowner looking over their shoulder.
For people that only want protection when they are at home, they can get off cheaper by having a watchdog as a pet. For those who do not want to have to count on the dog to know how to dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, a home system security is what they need. There are many home security companies that offer to provide the equipment and installation free of charge, in exchange for a commitment to use their dial services for their home security.
These systems use the home's phone system to call their answering service in the event of an emergency. When an alarm is tripped, the automatic dialer calls a pre-programmed number and sends information such as the address and the subscriber's name, as well as the code of the emergency being sent. The answering service will then call the home phone number and if no one answers, or is unable to give them the code number or phrase, the answering service will contact the appropriate emergency responders.
The codes can be sent to indicate a break-in, fire or a medical emergency and the appropriate response can be enacted. With some of the home system securitys, there is also the availability of a panic code that can be activated by pushing a button, also available as a keychain or key fob that tells the alarm answering service that an emergency exists and they should not waste any time calling for verification. In these instances, the police will be contacted without any attempt to verify the voracity of the emergency.
Automatic dialer systems have advanced considerably since they were introduced and very few are connected to dial directly the police or fire departments. In almost all instances, they are dialing an answering service, trained to monitor the alarm systems. This eliminates the potential for false alarms that send emergency responders out on calls that are not necessary. In most communities, false alarms are frowned upon after an agency receives two or three, they usually start sending a bill to homeowner or business for the expense of making the emergency run.
Perimeter sensors in doors and windows can be activated while the family is in the home and can be designed to spark an audible local alarm if someone attempts to enter the home uninvited. This is more for the family's protection, although having it connected to an automatic dialer can also have the police on their way in the event the alarm fails to scare away the intruder.
