If you own, or are responsible for the management of a business, then there are probably some issues of safety and security that have you concerned from time to time. In such instances, burglar alarm systems can be an excellent investment in your overall business. They have proven over the years to be very effective in minimizing loss and preventing theft and vandalism.

As most people know, burglar alarms are designed to help you detect break-ins and intrusions into stores or warehouses. When the alarm is tripped, a monitoring company is alerted and they are able to dispatch local police to the scene to handle the problems. Most systems also have integrated fire alarm systems and a monitor for that as well. Today, even the most basic systems also include video security system and even remote video surveillance, adding an extra layer of functionality.

Now is the time to dispel some of those myths and rumors so that you can make an informed decision about security systems based on solid facts.

Myth One: They are just too expensive to install and monitor. Not so these days. Costs have come down considerably in recent years and basic systems can be purchased and installed for a few hundred dollars, depending on the facilities needs. Monitoring is generally charged on a monthly basis and usually is under $30 per month.

Myth Two: It’s an unnecessary expense and won’t boost my bottom line. While it’s true that you may never have an incident, the fact is that the cost of one break-in will more than likely pay for the security surveillance equipment many times over. Also, your insurance company will probably give you a break on your insurance premiums if your business premises are protected by a burglar alarm system.

Myth Three: They are difficult to use and I don’t have time to train my employees. Actually good security systems are quite simple to use. If you can use an ATM, then you can certainly handle a burglar alarm system. The same applies for employees and typically a demonstration and training session will take less than an hour.

Myth Four: The system will be useless is the power goes out or the phone lines are cut. The reality is that any decent video security system will have sophisticated battery backup in case of a power outage and an integrated cellular line to back up your phone system. Both of these backup systems automatically kick in if problems are detected.

Myth Five: False alarms are too common and will get us in hot water with local authorities. A monitored system will first alert the monitoring center. They will attempt to contact you, or someone on your contact list, to determine if there is a real problem. This step keeps most false alarms from ever being reported to emergency agencies. If you entered the wrong code, then you will get a warning signal and still have time to re-enter the code.

If any of these concerns have been what’s been holding you back from getting a security surveillance system installed in your business, or from having a home safety security system installed, then debunking these common misconceptions should help you to make a more informed decision.