The best alarm systems for residences are designed for perimeter protection; to prevent the intruder from entering the premises. Systems that rely on interior protection alone present two potential problems.
- They allow the criminal to enter the home before the alarm is sounded. When there are occupants in the home, the danger is obvious
- Due to the nature of the component parts of these systems, they cannot be used without limiting normal family activity within the home
Note: Alarm system must be capable of multiple hits upon entry as EPS does not respond to unverified one hit intrusion alarms.
Perimeter protection emphasizes personal safety, while interior protection primarily protects property
The greatest degree of protection is a system that combines perimeter protection with one or more interior "sensors" that can be turned on or off independently of the perimeter devices. Since no system is fool-proof, this procedure provides "backup" protection in the event an intruder succeeds in violating the perimeter. In addition, it makes practical the design of a "limited" perimeter system - one that protects the most vulnerable accesses but not every means of entry through the perimeter.
Care should be exercised in such situations to utilize devices that are practical in terms of freedom from accidental activation and which blend with the family’s lifestyle.