Safety devices
You can now choose from a wide range of safety devices and systems to protect yourself and your home. Shreya Sethuraman tells you what’s available
The bad news first: these are unsafe times, with a worrying rise in the number of crimes against the elderly. The good news, though, is that there is a wide range of safety devices and systems available in the market making security achievable — and accessible.
Today, manufacturers of security systems — like Zicom Electronic Security Systems Ltd, Eureka Forbes, Godrej Secure Home Solutions, Security Vision and Secom Security Solutions — offer a variety of products ranging between Rs 1,250 and about Rs 20,000 (see below). These can be bought as an entire package or customised to suit individual requirements. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
BURGLAR ALERT
Burglar alarm systems, or intrusion alarm systems, detect the opening of a door or window, or any motion inside your home. These systems comprise detectors connected to a central control panel that sounds an alarm when the detectors are triggered. The output device, a horn, creates a noise to deter intruders. Most alarms have the same basic structure and include one or all of the following:
Passive infrared sensor or PIR is a motion-sensing device that registers the different temperature zones with respect to the body heat of an intruder, and observes if the perceived temperature mass moves across the area covered by the PIR. Any movement within the area results in a confirmed intrusion and a signal is delivered to the control panel.
Photoelectric beam detectors detect intrusion along compound or perimeter walls. A transmitter and receiver unit are mounted on the two extreme ends of the same wall (in a straight line with no angular deviations in between). An invisible photoelectric beam passes between the two. Anyone trying to jump the wall will cut the beam and an intrusion signal will be generated.
Magnetic contacts are placed on doors. When activated, they produce a magnetic field between them. This field is broken when a door is opened as one of the contacts will be fixed on the doorframe and another on the door itself.
Godrej offers a wireless burglar alarm with a range of detectors including a magnetic door sensor, motion sensor, vibration sensor, glass break sensor and panic switch. “The outstanding feature of this alarm system is the automatic telephone dialling (ATD) facility, which calls up pre-fed numbers in case of an alarm,” says Akshay Luthra, assistant manager - marketing, Godrej & Boyce. “That’s why many seniors opt for this model.” Another feature the wireless model offers is remote access capability, which allows you to dial the phone number of the host from a remote telephone and disarm, arm, or start the siren. Godrej also offers Eagle Burglar and Fire Alarm Systems, a combination of a burglar and fire alarm, ranging from Rs 5,973 to Rs 11,349.
Securi-T-Link by Eureka Forbes consists of sensors installed on doors and windows. On detecting an intrusion or gas leak, a signal is sent to their Central Monitoring System (CMS), which informs the designated number (the host) or emergency services. “It detects any motion in any room,” says Ved Narayan, deputy general manager, Eureka Forbes.
Some players like Zicom offer free installation and insurance of up to Rs 100,000 as well as 24x7 remote monitoring along with their alarm systems. This comes at a nominal rate, varying between Rs 149 to Rs 225 plus 12.5 per cent tax. “These systems are extremely user-friendly,” says Shwetal Basu, manager - marketing, Zicom. “In case any manufacturing defect arises, we replace the system free.”
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