A burglar alarm is fast becoming a necessity in today’s modern world and can be easily supplied and fitted. There are many types of burglar alarm currently available on the market and the level of security or peace of mind required can determine the type chosen. If a burglar alarm is incorrectly fitted or if the wrong type of alarm is used for a particular application then disaster may ensue. It is important to consult a burglar alarm specialist company for advice on which alarm is suitable for which type of property and which will provide the best protection in a given set of circumstances. Many people feel a burglar alarm gives an added feeling of security particularly when domestic properties or business premises are left empty for any length of time e.g. when the owner is away on holiday or business. Burglar alarms can be wired or wire-free with the wire-free option obviously being simpler to fit. Many elements go to make up a complete burglar alarm installation – these can include motion or vibration sensors, door contacts and glass breaks (to detect if a window is smashed); and for the premises owner, proximity tags to allow de-activation od the alarm on entry without the need to key in a code or switch of the alarm. Fire protection can be incorporated alongside a burglar alarm with CO or smoke detectors that will send a signal through to an alarm centre if they are triggered.

Home alarms can also vary widely in their design and application - what is suitable for one type of property may not work efficiently for another. Domestic properties are often vulnerable with inadequate security fittings to doors or windows and a home alarm system is a very good deterrent. Even the sight of a home alarm ‘box’ fitted to the outside of a property will deter the casual intruder; the noise generated (if the alarm is of the audible type) will significantly reduce the threat of the more dedicated ‘professional’ burglar. A silent home alarm will ensure that someone is alerted to an intrusion while it is happening rather than after you return home to discover that your home has been accessed. A home alarm system can help make sure you don’t go through the trauma of a burglary and the associated fall-out after the event; things such as dealing with insurance claims, repairing doors or windows, replacing stolen goods etc. One type of home alarm is “audible-only”, which just generates a loud noise when triggered, relying on the intruder being deterred or the neighbours being alerted. Another popular choice is a monitored alarm where the system is connected via a telephone alarm or radio network to a ‘receiving centre’. The receiving centre monitors the signals from your home alarm system twenty-four hours a day, if the alarm is triggered, a representative will telephone immediately to check if everything is ok – a pre-arranged password ensures that a burglar cannot simply fool the receiving centre.

NACOSS is the National Approvals Council for Security Systems an independent, non-profit making body that exists to supervise member companies and to ensure that they comply with industry standards and codes of practice. It was formerly an inspectorate that only approved companies that installed or maintained electronic security systems and alarm receiving centres (ARC). In 2001, NACOSS merged with the Inspectorate of the Security Industry (ISI) to form the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). This split the approval of companies into those that supply or maintain security alarms and those that provide monitoring services i.e. ARC’s. NACOSS Gold is the NSI’s top-level scheme for companies that supply electronic security systems and wish to demonstrate that they meet the industry's highest standards. Companies awarded a NACOSS Gold award must achieve business excellence through the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Standard. Additionally companies must demonstrate a long-term track record of performance, reliability and stability. Regular quality audits are carried out to ensure that compliance is ongoing and companies that fail to maintain high standards will be removed from the NACOSS award scheme. Disputes between customers and companies will also be dealt with by NACOSS if a customer requests it. If a complaint is upheld, then the company is expected to remedy the problem at its own expense. NACOSS companies are regarded as the top echelon of the security alarm industry and the Gold award is the highest level within that field.

ADT Security Services were originally American District Telegraph but are now also known as ADT Fire and Security or simply ADT. They became a division of Tyco International and supplied quality electronic security systems worldwide as well as supplying fire alarm, communication and integrated building management systems. In the late 1990’s, a merger of Thorn Security and Modern Security Systems created the current company. ADT alarms, for security purposes, are amongst the best known in the UK and are renowned for their quality and reliability. Other alarm systems they supply include those for the detection of fire and CO. There are even ADT alarm systems designed as so called ‘panic’ buttons, for example, to alert a monitoring station of an ongoing robbery in commercial premises, banks etc. or to raise an alert of unnecessary duress. Despite the success of ADT alarms, in modern times most of their production has been outsourced, under strict quality controls, to companies such as Bosch, GE ITT, DSC and Ademco. Care is taken to ensure that any system created matches the requirements of the property and the client and ADT authorised dealers can supply and install the necessary hardware and connect a system to a monitoring station where appropriate.