| Most of us arm our alarm in the morning when | | | | connect to remotely with an Internet connection |
| we go to work by punching in a code on a | | | | and operate just as if you were in front of the |
| keypad and then hurrying out the door before | | | | keypad. Many have an app for an iPhone or |
| the alarm goes off. In the evening we open the | | | | Blackberry, but they can still be accessed from a |
| door and hurry to the keypad and punch in | | | | cell phone with Internet access. So you could be |
| another code to shut the thing up and keep the | | | | at work or on vacation and log on to the |
| alarm from going off. Most systems today have | | | | appropriate web site and get a virtual keypad for |
| a remote control that can arm and disarm with | | | | your home. You would be able to tell if the |
| the touch of a button. Instead of the above | | | | system is armed or disarmed and if there had |
| scenario, you could go out lock the door, push a | | | | been any activity. Another really nice feature is to |
| button on the remote and get an indication from | | | | have the system send you a text or email when |
| a LED that the system is armed. When you get | | | | something happens. You could know when the |
| home you could simply push the disarm button | | | | system is in alarm, when it gets disarmed, when |
| and know that the system is disarmed. | | | | the liquor or gun cabinet is opened or the |
| Some of the alarm systems out today can also | | | | temperature sensor in the wine cellar is too high. |
| control lights. Say you park your car on the | | | | Although not directly a benefit of having a burglar |
| street and want to leave when it is dark and you | | | | alarm, the system can be even more useful if a |
| want the porch light on so you can see to get to | | | | camera system is added. Not only could you arm |
| your car. Normally you would have to turn on the | | | | and disarm your alarm system, you could look at |
| porch light and just leave it on. With lighting control | | | | video of your home or business. Check on |
| you could have the system automatically turn on | | | | employees, make sure there are not too many |
| the light when you armed the system and leave it | | | | people at the cash register, check up on the |
| on for a few minutes and automatically turn it off. | | | | babysitter or make sure Fido is okay. You could |
| You could also have the system turn off lights | | | | also get video clips emailed to you when |
| that were on inside the house. Now when you get | | | | something happens. Get a shot of who opened |
| back you could disarm the system from the car | | | | the liquor cabinet. |
| and have the porch light come on for a few | | | | This is not a complete list of features and |
| minutes and at the same time turn on lights in the | | | | benefits of having a burglar alarm, but these are |
| house. You would never have to leave a dark | | | | some of the top ones I would recommend. Check |
| house or come home to a dark house. | | | | with your security company and see if they can |
| My problem has always been trying to remember | | | | accomplish the features you like. If not get a new |
| to arm the system or trying to remember if I | | | | company. If your electronic security system is |
| armed the system. Today that is not a problem. | | | | going to cost you each month even if it never |
| There are many systems that allow you to | | | | goes off, shouldn't you get the most out of it? |