Posted on 10/13/2012 9:21:32 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
There has been a big wave of home burglaries in our town and area lately, so we are finally going to get a home alarm system. I'm thinking of going with a local guy who does old-fashioned wired systems and uses Napco equipment. Mrs. POF thinks alarms are a nuisance and, after talking with friends, thinks that we'll use if a few weeks and then stop using it. I'm used to arming and disarming the alarm at our small business office (her, too, at a different office), so I think we'll have the discipline to use it all the time.
What are your experiences with home alarms? Too many false alarms? Too many payments to the PD for false alarms? Do you use it all the time? Or did you stop using it? Has it foiled burglars? Do you use wired or wireless? Do you use a monitoring service?
All thoughts and info greatly appreciated.
POF
A home alarm is to tell you to prepare to defend yourself with whatever means necessary, preferably firearms.
This coming from someone that’s lived in NYC most of their lives. Over here, an alarm tripped by a few humans means you’re about to die.
Not sure why your still there...
When crime went up in my last homes area I didn’t buy an alarm.
I put up a for sale sign and moved.
I remember reading a survey of crooks a long time ago. When asked what was the #1 deterrent to them robbing a home, they responded with a wide range of answers. But a closer look at the results showed that almost to a survey, the crooks listed having dogs as a deterrence.
I recommend two dogs and if possible, a small noisy one along with a big mean one.
never used um myself. the dog is a great doorbell (if you want me to know your here or not) but their system looks impressive.
Be sure to do your own homework on who ever you chose.
I’d still move.
Little one with a deep bark works too..
I hear a NRA sticker on the door works too ;)
PFL
I set it off a few times a year so they know it's here.
Every window and door, interior and exterior is alarmed.
Ground the main panel to prevent / cut down on false alarms.
We never stopped using ours. It’s a matter of self-discipline.
Make sure you get one that has a monster back-up battery that will last for a week or so if there’s a major power outage. Also, if your system is going to work through a phone landline, make sure the installer thoroughly buries or hardens the lines so they can’t be sabotaged from outside. Personally, I prefer the landline to wifi-mediated systems. In my area wifi goes out from time to time, and it’s hackable.
I also liked the feature that detects the sound of breaking glass or wood. In a large house you might not notice someone fooling around pretty far away.
When I first got my system, the actual alarm was in a central location in the house. One night the alarm went off, and since I was asleep in my bedroom upstairs with the door closed, the air-conditioner on, and a pillow over my head, I didn’t hear it. After that I got a supplemental alarm for my bedroom.
A final word of warning: if you have young male children or grandchildren, do not ever ever ever say, “Now, sweetie, don’t touch this button here, because if you do the police and firetrucks will come.” Ever ever ever. Ever. Ask me how I know!
I’ve done the same with good results too. I covered the garage with a motion light wired to a salvage buzzer from a fire station. It was so loud it hurt your ears and I had a hidden switch. It went off once due to attempted theft but they flew away fast. After that like you said test a few times a year so they know its still there. Monitored can be expensive with false alarms. Also the IP cameras around your property are nice.
Wireless all the way. We’re on an ADT monitored system and it’s worked well for us. Very reliable with exactly zero false alarms in 6 years. We’ve the system by accident, but when the central station calls up within about 10 seconds we give them our passphrase and that’s as far as it goes. No PD/FD calls dispatched.
Only downside to a wireless system is batteries fail after about 3-4 years. Get a bunch off eBay and replace ‘em youself when the original ones fail.
The best accessory you can buy is/are remote controls for your key ring. You can arm/disarm the system without touching the keypad. Great when you’re coming home with an armful of groceries!
Dogs and guns are good, too, of course, but I can’t stress how much peace of mind we have with a good alarm installed (and regularly tested). Alarm systems can’t be bribed with steaks or doggie treats. If you’re in a really crappy crime-ridden area, pay the extra amount for wireless radio backup (basically a cellphone connected to the panel, in case the vermin cut your phone line).
GSD or Doberman. But a little yapper would work too.
Forget dogs.
500 pound bengal tiger with vocal chords removed.
This way the bad guys get in......but they never leave!
I had ADT for 20 years, alarm tripped at least 100 times....they never even called! ADT sucks. Go local with someone who runs a business in or near ur town.
Wireless is great if you live somewhere where the power never goes out.. or cable for that matter. Weather is always a factor.
Course I have a generator and a dog!
One other thing. Many alarms will SEIZE the phone line to phone the alarm company. That is something to consider. If you have a cell phone no problem. If you are wanting to call the alarm company and cancel you have to wait until the alarm releases the phone line.
>>But a closer look at the results showed that almost to a survey, the crooks listed having dogs as a deterrence.
I don’t live in the USA but even so was tempted to post the same thing. I know here in Thailand a pack (2 or more) of big dogs guarding the house is a terrific deterrent. Break-ins are rife but almost non-existent where there are guard dogs, except in isolated areas where there might be time to poison them unnoticed.
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