Not too long ago, the only option you had for a home security system was one that was hard-wired to your telephone line. This means your alarm system would use the phone line to send out burglary, carbon monoxide and fire signals to your security company — but what do you do if something happens to your phone line?

A phone line can be easily disabled by heavy winds, flooding, winter storms or an earthquake — not to mention by a burglar cutting the outside line that goes into your home. A break-in could occur through the front door or a window and the alarm will sound, however neither your security company nor law enforcement will get the signal.

That’s why it’s critical for you to have backup alarm communications between you and your security company to protect your family as well as your property. Multiple communication channels will give you peace of mind that your security system will be up and running and able to send an alarm signal when you need help.

As it stands, the first line of communication — and defense — between you and your home security system provider is your telephone line. Hard-wired systems with soldered connections are the most reliable and least prone to false alarms.

The most effective home alarm systems integrate three modes of backup communication in addition to the traditional phone lines; long-range radio (wireless); cellular networks; and the Internet (broadband). With long-range radio communications, your security system can communicate wirelessly with your alarm company’s monitoring facility. So if you lose your phone signal, you’ll still be connected to your alarm provider.

Additionally, some wireless communications systems can be programmed to send a signal to your provider’s central monitoring station to let you know if your phone line becomes disabled. Cellular communication systems are completely wireless and they use a secure digital GSM signal — exactly like your cell phone. The GSM signal communicates to your security provider’s monitoring station via your home security panel.

Internet/broadband alarm systems connect to your security company’s monitoring station using the same signal as your computer. This is a good backup but shouldn’t really be the main way your alarm system communicates to your service provider. That’s because burglars can just as easily cut an Internet cable as a phone line — and, as we all know, Internet service goes down.

Your best bet is to select a leading security system provider such as American Alarm that can offer you a home security system with multiple lines of communication to ensure that your family and your home are protected and to give you total piece of mind.

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