DNA Security April 29, 2019 News

If you have had your home security alarm for a while or have recently moved into a new property that already had an alarm installed you may be wondering whether it is up to date or not. It’s a valid concern. With the fast-moving pace of technology changes over the last couple of decades, things can easily be out of date quickly. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t still do the job it was meant to do or that it can’t continue to do so with a small upgrade. In this month’s article we take a look at how to check your system and what you can do to upgrade it.

Checking to see if it’s out of date

If you are on a contract, it’s a simple job of checking the paperwork or talking to your technician when they next come around for a regular inspection and maintenance visit. If checks are undertaken remotely then a call to your security alarm provider who will give you the information you need.

If you had your alarm installed more recently, software updates should be automatic, ensuring it is fully up to date and that any potential issues have been dealt with directly by your provider.

However, if your alarm is older than 15 years or you moved into a new home and don’t know much about it, then it may be time to consider an upgrade. This is advisable regardless of how good your maintenance regime may have been over the last 10 to 15 years.

Upgrade or replace?

An older security alarm need not necessarily mean that it needs to be replaced. There are a number of things you can do to upgrade it, including:

  • Updating the panel board. For older, wired systems a simple panel upgrade could bring your security system into the 21st century without excessive cost. A newer panel board could also give you some additional features, such as smartphone control allowing you to control it remotely.
  • Changing to wireless monitoring. Older security alarms use telephone lines as a connection method which carries the risk of burglars cutting off the phone line to deactivate the alarm before breaking in. Most, if not all, security systems can be upgraded to function wirelessly – even the very old ones. They work in the same way as your mobile phone, by using mobile phone towers to send and receive signals.
  • Switch to a new keypad. Whether it’s to a swanky, new touch keypad or to one with a little more functionality than before, a new keypad could help you to improve your alarm system.
  • Giving it full smart home features. Combine a change of panel with a wireless upgrade and you could have full smart home functionality.

If you are considering updating, upgrading, or even replacing your old security alarm, or are looking for some expert advice on whether you need to make any changes right now, talk to our expert team at DNA Security. With years of experience we know all about how to keep your home and loved ones safe. All you need to do is give us a call on 01424 718 844 and we will talk you through the options.