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Everything you need to know to choose the right burglar alarm
9 minutes read
What is a burglar alarm and how do you choose one? Follow our guide to choose the right product for your situation.
How to choose a burglar alarm?
Due to an increase in the number of burglaries and the resulting media coverage, many retailers have started selling burglar alarms to meet consumer demand.
However, not all alarms are of the same quality, function in the same way or offer the same benefits.
While the primary purpose is to alert the residents of the home, most traditional alarms offer little protection against intrusions and attempted actual break-ins.
Some intrusion alarm prices may seem attractive, but a low-cost alarm often equates to poor hardware and software quality. Operating as part of a network, an alarm can be easily jammed if it is not protected against alarm jammers.
In addition, it is important to distinguish between two types of intrusion alarms: traditional alarms and remote monitoring alarms.
- A traditional alarm will sound or send you a text message alerting you to an intrusion. It is then up to you to act when you receive the notification and go to your home without delay.
- Remote monitoring alarm is connected to a remote monitoring centre staffed by operators who are responsible for responding to intrusion detections. Remote monitoring allows the police to be called in after a double verification (audio and video, for example).
Some offers include the option of a security guard, but only the police are authorised to arrest burglars. Depending on the offer subscribed to by the customer, the security guard may or may not be authorised to enter the property. If the security guard does not have the keys, they can only observe the break-in from outside. Furthermore, it may take some time for them to arrive on the scene.
The private security sector has numerous standards and certifications attesting to a high level of protection. APSAD R31 type P3 certification is a guarantee of quality, certifying that the remote surveillance service is monitored by a certification committed composed of experts.
Before choosing an intruder alarm, you must find out about the level of accreditation of the service provider.
Home surveillance cameras: what are the rules?
Video surveillance, video protection... to secure your home, it is becoming common practice to install one or more cameras to monitor what is happening in your home while you are away. You can view the images live on your computer or smartphone, or later, on a delayed basis.
A video surveillance system can be installed in your home. However, certain specific rules must be followed, particularly regarding the privacy of those being filmed.
Surveillance cameras: indoors, outdoors
Any owner, tenant or occupant living rent-free may install cameras to film the interior of their house, flat, garage, garden, private access road (be careful never to place the camera in such a way that it films neighbours), etc. There is no need to ask anyone's permission to place one or more cameras in your home.
However, it is strictly forbidden to film your neighbours' property or public roads, even for purposes such as monitoring your car parked in front of your home.
Image rights
The owner of the premises, the tenant (or any occupant, for example, free of charge), having installed a video surveillance system, may view the images. They may authorise other people to do so.
Please note that they must respect the privacy of the people filmed (family, friends, guests, domestic staff, etc.) and may not use these images without the consent of the persons concerned, for example on social media.
Domestic staff
When the system is used outside the strictly private sphere, for example because people outside the family are working in the home (caregivers, nannies, babysitters, gardeners, etc.), these people must be informed of the existence of the cameras and their purpose.
This information should be displayed at the entrance to the filmed area and the existence of a video surveillance system with cameras should be specified in the contract with the domestic worker.
In all cases, the cameras must not film employees continuously while they are carrying out their professional activities.
The services of a professional
A video surveillance professional will be able to advise their client on the correct placement of cameras to avoid violating the privacy of others.
Top 5 most stolen items
Of all the items stolen during burglaries, which ones are most frequently stolen by burglars?
1) Jewellery
Jewellery tops the list of items most coveted by burglars. This demonstrates the growing interest that thieves have in gemstones, jewels, bracelets and various pieces of jewellery found in your home.
2) Money
Money comes next, in all its forms (cash, credit cards or chequebooks). Its main advantage is that, unlike other stolen items, it does not need to be resold to create value.
Therefore, avoid keeping large sums of money at home or hide them, avoiding the most obvious hiding places (mattresses, wardrobes, etc.).
3) Computer equipment
Computer equipment is increasingly sought after, such as computers, tablets and consoles. In addition to the disappointment of children who will no longer be able to play their favourite games, it is often the case that many important documents and memories with your family and friends are stored on these types of devices. This constitutes an irreplaceable sentimental loss.
By stealing these types of items, experienced thieves can access sensitive information (personal data, banking information, etc.), which represents an additional cybersecurity risk.
4) Hi-fi equipment, photos and videos
This top 5 includes consumer electronics, which remain a favourite among burglars; these devices have the advantage of being relatively compact.
5) Clothing
As surprising as it may seem, clothing is in the top 5. Some items of clothing can cost several hundred pounds each, so it is not uncommon to see wardrobes emptied of all their contents after a burglary.
Clothing can also have sentimental value for its owners, and this type of theft can be perceived as very intrusive.
Top 10 tips to prevent burglary
During the holiday season, many homes are left unoccupied for an afternoon, a day, or even a week or more. Holiday departures mean empty homes, and burglars are well aware of this.
Here are 10 smart tips to keep your home safe when you're away.
- Don't announce your departure on social media
To avoid the risk of burglary, don't announce your holiday departure anywhere, and especially don't tell just anyone.
This is especially true on social media, where most information is public. It's like publicly announcing that you won't be at home for the next few days, and people with bad intentions could jump at the chance…
- Don't leave your tools lying around outside
Contrary to popular belief, nearly 80% of burglaries take place during the day. Burglars do not always have the necessary equipment with them to break into your home, especially if it is in a residential area, as they could easily attract the attention of your neighbours.
Burglars often use tools left outside properties (ladders, sledgehammers, hammers, etc.) to gain easier access to the home.
- Simulate presence in your home
Not all thieves are opportunists; they scout out their targets and look for clues that suggest no one is home.
If your home has programmable electrical appliances such as a television, radio or even lights, programme them to turn on at specific times to give the illusion that someone is home.
- Ask a friend or relative to collect your post
An overflowing letterbox is one of the signs that burglars look for to indicate that a flat or house is empty.
Ask your friends, relatives or neighbours to collect your post so as not to attract attention. You can also have your post redirected to your holiday destination.
- Ask to participate in the holiday security operation
Who better to ask to stop a thief than the police? Throughout the summer, police officers patrol from house to house to spot potential burglars or attempted break-ins.
- Go to the police station closest to your house or flat at least 48 hours before you leave and ask them to keep an eye on your home.
- Or register online at service-public.fr.
- Install an alarm system with remote monitoring
In the event of an attempted burglary, remote monitoring alarm systems remain the most effective solution because, in addition to the alarm siren that sounds, remote monitoring centre operators can notify you of the intrusion and even alert security guards or the police within a minute of detecting the intrusion.
- Do not leave anything visible
To avoid tempting potential thieves, do not leave anything inside your home that can be seen through a keyhole or behind a window.
- Check that your locks and bolts are secure
Unfortunately, the most basic locks are just a formality for experienced burglars.
- It is preferable to have anti-intrusion locks on the entrance doors to your home. These are much more difficult to break, which can frustrate burglars.
- Also test the strength of your door handles and latches. If they seem fragile, it may be best to call a locksmith before you leave.
- Be wary of warning signs
Some seemingly insignificant signs may be clues that a burglar or burglars have been scouting your home. It is important to know how to identify these signs in order to protect yourself against theft.
- The most common signs are anonymous phone calls made for the sole purpose of finding out whether or not someone is home.
- Other more subtle signs are sometimes used by thieves to identify your home, such as inscriptions and symbols on the ground or on the front of your house. In such cases, notify the police.
- Tell your neighbours you will be away
This last tip seems obvious, but it is often overlooked. Of course, it only applies if you have neighbours or if they are not going on holiday with you!
If your neighbours are aware, they will be able to react immediately if there is any activity around or inside your house or flat.
- And, of course, insure your home!
Check that your home insurance adequately covers your belongings in the event of a burglary, that your locking systems are sufficient for your insurer, etc.
Check in with your insurer regularly, because while you can't always prevent a break-in, you can make sure you have the right home insurance policy to be properly reimbursed for your belongings in the event of a problem.
(1) Source: The Ministerial Statistical Service for Internal Security (SSMSI)
© Nexecur – Last updated August 2025
First published: 24th November 2025
Image used is provided by Adobe Stock.
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*Service provided by Nexecur Protection (contract signed on behalf of and for the account of the bank branch, under a mandate from Nexecur Protection) SAS with capital of €12,547,360. Registered office: 13, rue de Belle-Ile – 72190 COULAINES. SIREN 799 869 342 RCS LE MANS. Authorisation to operate CNAPS AUT-072-2118-05-28-20190389180 ‘authorisation to operate does not confer any public authority prerogatives on the company or persons benefiting from it’. The Ma Protection Maison offer is not APSAD R81/R82/D32 certified for installation services.
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