Going on holiday is the time of year that many people look forward to more than any other. After you’ve spent a whole year working to pay the bills a week or two away is just what everyone needs just to wind down a little. I don’t know about you but although I love being away from home for a short while there is always that feeling at the back of my mind about how safe our unoccupied house is whilst we are away.

Doing some research into how I can make our home more secure I came across the website of the Metropolitan Police who state that “Alarms are undoubtedly the most effective deterrent against burglary”. The thinking behind that is that burglars do not like to draw attention to themselves and are more likely to move on to another house which doesn’t have an alarm system installed.

There are two types of alarm system, wireless and hard wired. A wireless system is considerably easier to install but a hard wired system is much cheaper although obviously it involves running cables around the house which can be inconvenient. It is even possible nowadays to buy a Solar powered alarm system which sends a call to your mobile if there is an intrusion. The Response SL5 solar alarm system can be installed by a competent DIY’er and offers excellent security for less than £350.

Fitting an alarm system can also reduce the cost of your home insurance but do bear in mind that your insurance company will expect to to use the alarm whenever your house is unoccupied or your claim may be invalidated.

To quote the Metropolitan police again “Alarm systems are a worthwhile investment in the protection of your home and family”.