Safety gates on stairs to prevent your toddler from falling? Check. Outlet covers for electrical plug points to stop children from inserting their fingers in the socket points? Check. Cabinet locks installed where needed to prevent access to dangerous objects? Check.

If you’ve ensured the inside of your house is a safe haven for your children, you may be wondering whether you also need a home security system. The answer, according to SCP Security – a 24/7 Security business providing Armed Response, Alarm Monitoring Guarding Services and VIP Protection – is a resounding yes!

“A home security system is a combination of physical and electrical components that function in unison to protect you and your children. A typical home security system will contain surveillance cameras, entry sensors, glass break sensors, sirens, panic buttons, and smoke and CO detectors,” says Clive Maher, founder of SCP Security.

Good to know: While a home security system is an excellent deterrent to burglars, it is worthless unless it is coupled with a highly effective and renowned security company. The system needs to be linked with a security company that will monitor all emergency announcements and notifications, including your alarm systems, panic buttons on mobile devices, gate monitoring, and off-site CCTV.

Here are eight ways a home security system can protect your children: 

According to the latest crime figures from the South African Police Service, residential robberies have climbed dramatically, increasing by 7.6 percent from 4,916 to 5,288 instances from January to March 2021. A home security system is key to protecting and securing your family from intruders. A study found that 60 percent of burglars are deterred from a home if they see signs of a security system.

A control panel alarm includes a touchpad for easy programming and interaction and a passcode entry area for arming and disarming the device. A high-decibel alarm is generated if sensors detect movement (such as opening doors and windows). An alarm system connected to a security company will notify your chosen provider that your home has been breached and will deliver assistance promptly, reducing the amount of time criminals have access to your home.

Outdoor and interior CCTV cameras equipped with night vision and a hard drive capable of recording high-definition footage can be a valuable addition to a home security system. Consider leaving your older children at home and knowing that you can always check in on them, regardless of the time of day or location.

Lighting can and should be incorporated into a home security system. You can choose motion- lights that are always active but not always on. The light instantly turns on when a person walks past the motion detector, clearly illuminating the area (great for teens who are coming home after going out at night with their friends). When someone opens a door, interior lights may turn on. Additionally, lights should be turned on whenever a home security system is triggered.

The more families in your neighbourhood who have security systems, the safer the entire neighbourhood is. Nine in ten convicted burglars admit to avoiding areas where most homes have a security system. The same is true for communities that employ a professional private security company to conduct routine patrols. Crime will be less likely to occur due to security agents’ visibility.

While police, fire, and ambulance personnel work carefully to respond to each call, if you have a home security system connected to a reliable security firm and report a disturbance or emergency, a representative can respond in minutes.

Certain home security systems can send you an alarm in the event of a fire or smoke. Every homeowner dreads the day they return home and discover irreversible fire or smoke damage. A monitored home security system will alert residents to fire or smoke and immediately notify the appropriate authorities, significantly shortening response time.

With the word “load shedding” becoming a reality for many South Africans, there has been an increased emphasis on gas as a fuel source for heating appliances, cooking equipment, and other appliances. When gas is not burned properly or is utilised in an area with insufficient ventilation, extra carbon monoxide (CO) is produced. A home security system with carbon monoxide detectors can prevent you and your children from being exposed to the invisible, odourless, and potentially deadly gas.

We use cookies to help improve your experience and to show you relevant advertising. To learn more about cookies, please read our Privacy Policy. OK