My future mother-in-law decided last night to go off on a tangent about being robbed because of my safe in the house, and how we should not keep money in the safe because someone will put a gun to my gf's head to get into it, blah blah blah. So now my gf thinks we NEED TO HAVE AN ALARM immediately. I personally dont think it's necessary. We have 2 dogs. In my opinion, anyone willing to come in with 2 dogs and prepared to remove a 2k lb safe will know how to get through an alarm. I was already planning to add security cameras anyway, but I guess that is not enough. I personally think it's a waste of time because anyone I know who has them almost never arms them, they dont prevent anything from happening, and it's more trouble than it's worth. But since a happy wife means a happy life, what do you all think?
An alarm that is hooked up to a central station is not a bad idea. The Police will respond to a residential burglary alarm.
LIF member Steve Northforksportsman is very good if you decide to install an alarm system.
Unfortunately they get so many false alarms that they tend to respond with no sense of urgency whatsoever. If anything make sure you get panic buttons.
My thought is, every little bit helps. It can't hurt to have another layer of security. Have it hooked to a central station which they will call you first rather than the false alarm directly to the PD. There are numerous configurations you can have as well. If the alarm doesn't trip when an intruder enters, you can use the panic "silent" button to call central station. You are also given a "hostage" password to give central station if you are at gunpoint. Don't forget to get the glass break sensors as well. Mine is set all the time. Its muscle memory to set it now. If you do forget, some systems you can set with your phone now.
also, as the saying goes-- you get what you pay for! the freebies from Slomins/ ADT etc. will only give you minimal security that is only somewhat effective when you are able to set the motion detector (i.e not home). If you add windows and doors to those systems it gets pricey and don't be fooled by low up front cost with expensive monthly fee and long term contract. Also the service from the bigger companies can be frustrating.
ask your friends and family with alarm systems who they use and get quotes.
I set my alarm every night and anytime I leave the house. I think they are a good idea. if it will bring peace to the house even better.
Much like a lock, it only works if you use it. Cameras are a good idea as well as creating choke points that encourage entry at one location (I have a privacy fence with locked gates around the back so it is much easier to come in through the front door).
Dogs are great as well. I'm amazed how criminals are not afraid of jail but wet themselves when a large dog is inside.
The alarm can also be hooked up to your smoke detectors so it's fire protection (warning) as well.
I would normally recommend "Beware of dog" signs but from the sound if it "beware of mother in law" would be more effective.
Alarms are a good idea generally. Stats show crooks tend to avoid houses with alarms, and most crooks are not sophisticated enough to bypass them. Plus, your insurance company may give you a discount - my monitoring fees are basically nil due to the discount. Most also monitor for fire which is good whether you're home or not.
Did you post this same topic on "another" forum? I replied over there but again I work in this industry. I only do government style jobs or big commercial properties... but you want to find a local alarm integrator that will NOT lock you into a central station contract and will only charge you about $20.
ADT/Tyco, Slomins and those other BIG guys lock you in for 5 years at $39.95 or higher. They DO use quality equipment (ADT for example puts their name on the Ademco/Honeywell Vista panels, good stuff)... but no need to use them and get locked in. Don't fall for the "free" cameras either. After 5 years, you wasted $1,200 extra.
Find a local alarm integrator. Ask them who they use for central station (almost NO alarm integrator does central station THEMSELVES, they all re-sell a central station company). Ask them what their price is per month. Then get them to give you a quote on the system.
The idea is they will install it and sell the system and YOU own it now. you can go with WHOMEVER you want. You can use the same alarm installer to buy the central station (you can't really buy central station direct, it's a service resold by alarm integrators only).
Again it should cost about $20/month.
You want to also ask the integrator what panels they use. Anything by NAPCO or Honeywell/Ademco (Vista) are quality products. DSC is an okay brand. Not my favorite but it's OK (it's owned by Tyco, which is odd since Tyco owns ADT and ADT only installs Honeywell panels... weird huh).
Make sure if you do an alarm system you check with your local law enforcement to see if you need to register the panel.
That only prevents you from getting "fines" if the police show up. Usually you pay like $5 for the alarm permit and you are allowed a few false alarms a year with no fines. After that, a small fine. If they show up and you don't have a permit, you get a BIGGER fine, EVERY time.
I know Garden City is BIG with permits.
I'd avoid Simplisafe only becasuse it's a really cheap, poor quality system. They are marking the system up WAY higher then the actual price is. (They are re-branding someone elses panels and have a great marketing team to make it well known).
It's just not a quality product.
Stick to Honeywell/Ademco or NAPCO products by a local (certified and registered) alarm company.
Ask the integrator you talk to if they are registered to do alarms .Ask them for their license # (by law it should be on the back of their company issued ID card, which they are REQUIRED to have... state law requires registered alarm integrators to have an ID with their license # on the back).
Electricians who do alarms MAY NOT be qualified to install the system. Electricians ARE legally allowed to install alarms, as it's part of the electricians course. HOWEVER, you should really find a company that does alarms all day/everyday and it's their primary business.
Vs. your gf taking up arms and becoming proficient so SHE can ensure that SHE is never faced with a gun to her head? Please don't tell me I'm the only one thinking realistically?
I personally think an alarm is (was) only worth the sign when the house is vacant. But now, with the technology cameras bring, you can set them up to alert you via motion then call the police yourself and relay step by step location of the crook while they're on your property.
My whole house is wired. The only downside is the response time. Not many sector cars out there. And if the one in your area is tied up at an MVA or medical emergency it will take forever for them to get to your house. Kinda sucks.
As far as the cameras, my wife wanted me to look into having a system put in due to all thew cars being broken into in the area. Only thing that stopped me was the constant posts in the local community pages on FB showing these people breaking into cars and houses while theyre wearing hoodies or masks. Couldnt see their faces anyway. The area isnt what it used to be.
I like the Ademco alarms because with the new keypads (the Tuxedo Touch for example) it has a built in zwave controller. Zwave is a technology that allows you to turn things like lights on/off.
I have my alarm keypad, which is also a Zwave controller in one unit. This lets me automate things in my house. For example I have zwave switches so at dusk, the front porch light comes on, and goes off at sunrise. I also have things like christmas lights go on automatically/etc... it's nice to have a combination system. I don't need to invest a lot in a home automation system because my alarm system keypad can tackle some of that.
Alarms though are a dime a dozen. How often do you hear an alarm go off and ignore it. They are great when you are not home AND if you have panic buttons integrated. I
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