Home Security Systems

[Schfinkter]

So when we bought our house we lived in a nice part of our town. Down the street from us was an elderly apartment complex, which made for a very quiet street. However, once the former apartment owner sold the complex off it has turned into dump. It became low-income housing and all of the elderly folks moved out because of the new folks moving in. The cops are called there constantly now for drugs or domestic situations.

We have a sheriff who lives down the block from us and he stopped over the other day and we were discussing the apartment complex and he said that it may be a good time to invest in a home security system because they've seen a lot of foot traffic from those living in the apartment complex throughout the neighborhood at night. He said they usually don't **** where they sleep, but just to be vigilant. We have a 100 lb german shepherd who would honestly kill first and ask questions later if someone he didn't know tried to get in our house uninvited, but since this conversation my pregnant wife has been unable to relax thinking someone is going to come into our house, especially with a new baby on the way. Thus, I promised her I would invest in a home security system.

I'm sure plenty of you have systems at your own house and I wanted to get some opinions. Is it best to try to install cameras, etc. myself (I hate the idea of trying to hide cords, etc.)? Have any of you had any luck with companies that just come in and do the work for you? Is it worth money? Any other advise you may have?

 

[cowgirl836]

I've always thought putting the ADT sticker on my window would be a good enough deterrent.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Just buy one of these and put it in your yard

 

[ianoconnor]

There have been some arson issues in my neighborhood & so I installed one of these (http://smile.amazon.com/Amcrest-Security-Weatherproof-Cameras-Transmit/dp/B00PMEG8YQ). It was time consuming to install, but not difficult. I like that I can check in on my phone.

 

[Gonzo]

We have ADT, more of a peace-of-mind thing, we're in a pretty quiet neighborhood. One piece of advice if you look into ADT is that it's going to cost quite a bit more than you see them advertising for (as with most things in life). When we had ours installed 4(?) years ago that $99 installation fee only covered so many sensors, not enough to cover every realistic point of entry for an intruder. I think it was $80 per sensor for the additional ones needed. Then we got the motion detector which I think was $150. All in all installation ran us I think around $700-$800. Then it's $60 per month for monitoring. We've had some false alarms and I will say it's nice knowing my phone rings within 60 seconds of alarm going off with ADT agent asking if we want them to call the fuzz. With that, the ADT stickers and signs, an 80 lb. dog with an ominous bark, and a pump-action 20-gauge not far from the bed, we sleep pretty soundly.

ADT also has a pretty nifty app that lets you control the system from wherever, too.

 

[stormchaser2014]

I am the security system.

 

[isuska]

I know this is a serious thread and good luck to you, Schfinkter





But a Schfinkter trying to tighten things up . . .

 

[ruxCYtable]

I was skeptical because of the low cost, but I've been extremely happy with simplisafe.com. $15/month ($25 if you want smartphone access.)

 

[Tailg8er]

Just buy one of these and put it in your yard

Yeah, I ordered one of these that came with a couple stickers for doors/windows at our last house after the back door got kicked in mid day (noticed we were the only ones in a string of 4 houses without a sign in the yard).

I also installed door jamb reinforcements so it's a lot harder to kick the door in.

We no longer live in the ghetto, and it seems like there are some neighbors home at all times now so I'm a lot less worried.

 

[SwirlingFloater]

We use A-Tech here in WDM. Went with them because we liked the idea of using a local security company.

Whichever company you choose, be sure to not get lazy and actually use your system. We were in the habit of only turning ours on at night or when we were going to be away for a day or two.

We had our house burglarized a few years ago during the day on a Tuesday. We didn't have our system turned on while we were at work. We added security cameras after that and are diligent about always arming our system now.

We had security stickers on our door and a sign at the end of our driveway but that apparently wasn't a deterrent to our burglars.

 

[carvers4math]

We're going with a large dog. Also scares off door to door nuts. As long as thieves don't have a treat, we're good to go.

 

[Schfinkter]

We're going with a large dog. Also scares off door to door nuts. As long as thieves don't have a treat, we're good to go.

That's always been my thought too. We have to meet the pizza man outside before he knocks because our dog will try to destroy the door getting to him if he knocks. I worry more when we leave on the, etc.

 

[wxman1]

Simpli Safe is the best and cheapest option out there.

 

[Three4Cy]

I use Safe Security for mine - $45 a month for monitoring. I have sensors on all my doors, including the one to the garage, a glass break sensor, two wireless smoke alarms, and a sensor on the egress window in my basement. I had everything installed for free several years ago, and about two years ago, they came in and updated the main panel at no charge, and replaced all the batteries in the sensors. Last year, they added credit/ID monitoring for me at no additional charge.

Additionally, I have two key fobs to arm/disarm the system, and they have a smart phone app that is no charge where you can arm/disarm the system and check the status.

The best feature for me is the door alarms - I have it set up so when the system is disarmed, the alarm chimes in when the door opens. This works great when someone comes home you hear the door open.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

One of the fastest and easiest things you can do to start is to replace the screws in your door hinges and the lock plates with 3.5 or 4 inch screws.

 

[NickTheGreat]

 

[isufbcurt]

Right Fist and Left Fist Security Company, LLC

 

[Gorm]

I was skeptical because of the low cost, but I've been extremely happy with simplisafe.com. $15/month ($25 if you want smartphone access.)

Loving this as well at my house.

Even though, I haven't had it go off once that wasn't a false alarm.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Loving this as well at my house.

Even though, I haven't had it go off once that wasn't a false alarm.

Zero false alarms here.

 

[MeanDean]

Was considering for our Iowa house since we're gone 6 months.

Does anyone know if you can subscribe month to month? I don't see the value in having it activated while we're here in the summer. Not saying there isn't value, just I want the peace of mind while we're away.