Many different types of panic buttons are on the rise in today’s society. Businesses around the world are altering their stance on the way they look at security. In the United States, many companies are utilizing technology to help make their facilities safer for employees. There are a large number of safety and security tools out there to decide upon. When shopping for the perfect device to fit your facilities’ needs, be sure that you take into consideration whether the product is innovative or traditional.
Traditional panic buttons often become outdated relatively quickly. These types of notification systems can be rather expensive to install. The construction alone can disrupt daily activities and decrease productivity within your facility. Furthermore, these traditional panic buttons do not offer free system updates. That one small detail could leave you with a system that renders your facility vulnerable.
Meanwhile, innovative technology-driven security products are most often able to adapt to your security needs. From surveillance cameras to panic buttons, when incorporated into an active crisis incident response plan can save lives. In addition, these programs are always evolving, while striving to increase workplace safety. Also, technology-driven panic buttons are rather inexpensive, which will not drain your company budget. That is always a plus.
High tech gadgets in today’s society have replaced outdated panic buttons. However, security needs have heightened due to the numerous terrorist attacks in recent years such as Columbine and The World Trade Center which is known as 9/11. This article will address the history of panic buttons and the future system to notify intended recipients in the case of an emergency.
Panic Buttons Before Electricity
In the eighteenth-century, the element of surprise and noise such as the barking dog or clanging bells was thought to be the best deterrent against crime. Patent records reveal the first electromagnetic enforcer against burglary was registered in 1853 by an inventor named Augustus Russell Pope. Pope created a simple battery-operated gadget which was connected as independent units by a parallel circuit. In the event, a window or door was opened, and the circuit was closed, the sudden flow of current caused vibrations to be transmitted to a hammer which struck a brass bell. In addition, versions of these primitive panic buttons were utilized to protect affluent families who lived in the city. However, Pope sold the rights for his invention to a businessman by the name of Edwin Holmes.
Electrical Panic Buttons and Telegraph Wiring
Holmes bought the rights to Pope’s design in 1857. He founded the first company of electrical panic button alarm systems, and Holmes is credited with establishing the electromagnetic alarms. He opened “Holmes Electric Protection Company.” Holmes exploited the fascination people had with the Telegraph to promote the idea for his panic button alarm system by utilizing numerous patents for insulating telegraph wires. Holms and his son Edwin T. Holmes convinced the Boston and New York phone companies to allow their customers such as Tiffany and Lord & Taylor to utilize unused telephone lines at night to support the innovative alarm system.
Central Monitoring Station
Edward Callahan invented the first gold and stock ticker in 1867 that allowed price changes to be transferred rapidly to investors. The idea for a central monitoring station was created after Callahan’s boss Elisha Andrews was the victim of a burglary and robbery. Callahan was determined to protect his boss and others affiliated with the stock market. Callahan created an emergency call box that serviced fifty of Andrew’s neighbors. Callahan’s system was designed to alert other neighbors by assigning a certain number of rings for each house that would signal others. For example, if an alarm rang in-house A, houses B, and C were notified. In addition, Callahan expanded his idea by dividing New York City into districts that would be connected to a central monitoring system. In the event of an emergency, a messenger boy was sent to arrange for help in a particular district.
Furthermore, the emergency boxes invented by Callahan are still utilized today for police, fire, and messenger services. Callahan utilized the idea of obtaining help in the event of an emergency to form the American District Telegraph (ADT) in 1871 which has become largest security company nationwide today. However, ADT is currently facing numerous lawsuits because they knowingly failed to inform customers of the possibility their system is not encrypted and easily hacked. A recent article by Field (2016) states an unauthorized third party can access ADT’s software and view when homeowners are opening or closing a door which leaves homeowners vulnerable for a burglar to invade their home.
High Tech Panic Buttons in the Twentieth Century
After WWII, alarm technology progressed and became more affordable; thus, improving security across the nation. Engineers integrated motion detectors in alarm systems in the 1970’s. By the 1980’s panic buttons had become a safety measure that was installed when buildings were erected. Over the past four decades, technology has improved to include wireless panic button systems. The wireless panic buttons are a vast improvement over the early alarm systems that required an unavoidable conglomerate of unsightly wires and cables.
Community Response Systems (CRS) Notify
In conclusion, CRS Notify is an innovative system that surpasses other panic buttons because this software panic system created by CRS offers technology that alerts responders via real-time communication to eliminate the question of whether or not the duress signal was received and help has been dispatched. Traditional panic button systems take several minutes to alert one responder, and there is no confirmation the signal was received. In addition, the average cost of these systems is approximately $20 per month, per device. On the other hand, CRS Notify alerts multiple responders in seconds and confirms the details of the alert with centralized communication with an average cost of $4 per month, per device.
For a more reliable, innovative, and affordable security system that is capable of notifying intended recipients instantly, contact CRS notify. With CRS Notify you can “Live in your world. Be secure in ours”.
Still Unsure About Panic Buttons?
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