Central Monitoring Stations: How They Work & Their Benefits  

Our homes should be safe havens, places where we feel protected and at peace from the stresses of the outside world. Sadly, far too many homeowners lose this sense of peace when their safe haven is burglarized or suffers catastrophic damage due to rising water, smoke damage or fire. 

While residential crimes, such as home break-ins, are generally trending down, there were still nearly a million home burglaries across the nation in 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This same FBI data set also asserts that homes without smart security systems are 300% more likely to be targeted. Even basic security measures such as alarms, surveillance cameras and lawn signs alerting of a security system can help deter burglars from picking your home over others. Security systems that are protected by a 24-hour central monitoring station are even more likely to prevent your home from becoming an FBI statistic or the result of a fire that was not caught quickly. 

If you are unsure what a central monitoring station does and how it enhances and strengthens your home security system technology, read on to learn more. 

What Is A Central Monitoring Station?

Wouldn’t it be great to know your home is protected even when you are away? Home security systems connected to a central monitoring station not only protect your home when you are away but also serve as 24/7 surveillance. 

Central monitoring stations are facilities that receive and monitor alarm signals from your home security system. This includes not only intruder alarms but alarms alerting to smoke, fire, poisonous carbon monoxide levels, environmental threats such as a water incursion, and some can be linked to a medical device alerting to a fall or medical emergency. 

These stations are staffed around the clock with trained professionals who assess the situation should an alarm be triggered and relay reports to the appropriate emergency services, depending on the situation. This means that first responders, EMTs, police, and fire would be made aware of an alarm even if you are not there. 

Should an alarm be triggered at your property, whether it indicates intrusion, fire, smoke, water, or carbon monoxide, the trained operators at the central monitoring station would immediately respond by verifying the legitimacy of the alert and contacting the authorities if the threat is verified. A follow-up with the homeowner and emergency personnel is conducted after the circumstance has been resolved. 

What Is A “UL (Underwriters Laboratories)” Station? 

Instant Alarm’s central monitoring station meets the highest industry standards as a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Station. UL is a global safety science organization that tests products and systems for safety and compliance. It also indicates to consumers that a central station is a trusted and reliable source for monitoring.

Benefits of a Central Monitoring Station

Having your security system connected to a central monitoring station means that your home is protected around the clock, and the proper authorities will be contacted quickly in the event of a fire, smoke, water intrusion, or a spike in carbon monoxide levels. 

A speedy response to any of these circumstances can minimize damage, injury, and potential loss of life in the event of a catastrophic event. Learn more about Instant Alarm’s central mentoring station services.