More bite for your alarm system.

Alarm systems are not as infallible as home owners might think. According to security experts, criminals can use many ways to protect themselves from heat-detecting alarm systems.

Technology has changed rapidly and many of the older systems rely only on heat detection. Although the police report these types of break-ins as isolated incidents, criminals are educating themselves about alarm systems and are constantly thinking up new ways to break into houses.

"Getting past alarm systems in this way is simple to do," said senior technician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Greg Loubser. According to Loubser, criminals only need to know how to shield themselves to easily break into houses undetected.

Regal Security branch manager Clyde Field agrees and says people should look at upgrading parts of their alarm systems. The wall-mounted devices - known as passive infrareds (PIR) detectors - monitor ambient room temperatures. Any dramatic change in the room's temperature - caused by a person walking past - will trigger the alarm.

Criminals have worked out ways to protect themselves from the PIRs. "People shouldn't only have standard PIRs," said Field. "Invest in a couple of anti-cloaking passives, and your home will be safer." These passives are known as dual-tech passives and although they still contain the normal PIRs, they also contain microwave motion detectors.

This means that movement and changes in temperature will be detected. "The dual-tech passives are more expensive," said Field, "but because you only need to replace a few of your standard PIRs, it won't set you back too much. Remember, all passives are interchangeable on an alarm panel."

According to Field, home owners would not need to replace entire alarm systems. "You only have to upgrade one or two of your passives each will cost about R400," he said. "So if you are feeling nervous about one particular area of your house, you can replace your standard passive with a dual-tech one." However, Field and Loubser believe that perimeter protection is of vital importance. "Put beams around your fence, or switches on doors and windows.

This is the best defence, as you will be aware of the criminal before he is even near your house," said Field. "It will also give you time to call the police or security company you are with."

Source iol News, Lisa-Marie Els - October 28 2008 at 05:06pm

 

 

 

 

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