Before technology and electricity, people believed the best way to announce a crime in progress was by loud noises. Dogs barking, yelling, banging against objects. However, records reveal that in 1853 the first electromagnetic enforcer against a burglary was registered by, inventor, Augustus Russell Pope. A simple battery-operated gadget was invented, which was connected as independent units by parallel circuit. If a door or window were to be opened, the circuit will consequently close causing a sudden flow of current, which will then transmit vibrations to a hammer, which banged on a brass bell. Many primitive versions of this invention were being used, however, Pope sold the right to his alarm system to a businessman, Edwin Holmes.
In 1857, Holmes founded the first company of electrical panic button alarm systems, Holmes’ Electric Protection Company and receives the credit for creating Pope’s invention.
By the 1980’s panic buttons had become a standard safety measure. And today they are considered an additional safety measure to our modern security systems. Panic buttons can be installed to serve varied needs, from personal security to medical emergencies.
Medical security alerts or medical panic buttons can be worn at all times. They are waterproof and never have to be taken off. Medical alert providers offer pendants that can be worn around your neck. With just one click a security alert is sent to a monitoring center, which will then alert your next of kin or medical responders. These panic buttons are ideal for the elderly, people who are at risk of falling or patients recovering at home.
In the case of a remote emergency, (in the form of a: hijacking; kidnapping; etc.) a wireless panic button offers the ideal solution. They send out alerts directly to your security provider or law enforcement that then use GPS tracking to identify your location and assist immediately. These panic buttons can be placed on your car keys or on a child’s schoolbag.
Residential panic buttons are panic buttons, which are strategically places around your home in the case of a home invasion. They are connected to your home security alarm system. They communicate wirelessly with your other security devices to trigger a reaction and ultimately notify your security provider of your situation.
These buttons can either trigger an audible or silent alarm. A silent alarm does not alert the intruder that authorities have been notified, and your provider or law enforcement will be contacted discreetly. An audible alarm sounds a siren, which may alert your neighbours that there is an emergency and they can assist.
Panic buttons can be placed nearly anywhere. One of the more common positions is in the main bedroom, near or next to the bed, which is ideal if a home invasion takes place whilst you are asleep. When deciding on where to place panic buttons, consider the ease of accessibility, don’t place it in a hard to access position. Also consider which areas of the house you frequent the most, and where you could possibly be located when a home invasion takes place. Another common position for panic buttons is in your home office (if you have one), placed under your desk.
If you consider your bathroom as your safe room in the case of an emergency, damp-proof panic buttons are ideal in these areas. Or simply hide a wireless panic button in a zip lock bag in your bathroom, where you would know where to find it.
Another great position is at your entrance/exit door. Home invasions don’t always happen in the middle of the night, but could take place whilst you are entering or exiting your home. Placing a panic button at your door could assist you in alerting your security provider if you are stopped before being able to get to your other strategically placed buttons.
It could be overwhelming when deciding which button to use or where to place them, discuss your options with your security provider and remember that every home and person have different needs. But when the unfortunate event of an emergency happens to YOU, stay calm and remember that you know more about your security and security measures than the perpetrators.
