Due to the fact that many individuals today have become concerned about the security of their surroundings, more burglar alarms than ever before are being installed by homeowners nationwide. Current statistics show that a burglar breaks into a home every 12 seconds in the US during the daytime as well as the night time. Granted the installation of these alarms has helped to deter numerous perpetrators, but criminals today are smarter than ever so burglar alarms have become quite sophisticated.
Choosing burglar alarms from an accredited company is important so the need for certificates to prove their accreditation has also become a significant factor. Just remember that not all of these security systems are manufactured to the same standards, hence the importance of purchasing and installing one that is certified. One of the primary reasons that you want to do this is because cheaper, non-accredited systems usually trigger false alarms. However, there are a few other considerations.
Most properly accredited burglar alarms have the federal or state government’s backing meaning that they have had to pass certain security standards that non-certified have not. Chances are, if your system is not accredited it has not been subjected to these government standards which means that you and your family as well as your property might be at risk should a burglar target your home.
There are four different accreditations that you should look for whenever considering the purchase and installation of any burglar alarms on the market. If they are not accredited systems, keep searching until you find some that are. This will not only save you time, it could save you a lot of money over the long haul. These accreditations are:
- NSI – The National Security Inspectorate
- ICON – an approval scheme operated by the NSI
- NACOSS – National Approval Council for Security Systems
- SSAIB – Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board
Be aware that with these certificates for burglar alarms there will be registration fees charged. Typically these fees average around $30 per certificate and all fees are non-refundable. If you have a system installed in your home and your office, each one of them will need to be registered and their fees paid. In most instances, these registrations need to be renewed every 24 months but some are annual. Additionally, the failure to renew these registrations could result in being charged up to $100 for any false alarms that occur.
