We're considering getting a home security system--there have been at least 4 "events" in and near our neighborhood over the last 2 weeks AND my husband is frequently away at school. I've gotten quotes from a few companies, but I feel like it's difficult to know how to choose one. For example, after talking with a rep today on the phone, I got a call from another company, who said that the first company does not do the installation--you have to do it yourself. So, can anyone recommend a company or system? Or, does anyone think this would be a waste of money? I didn't think so, but my sister said she read somewhere that there are so many "false alarms" going off (by storms, wind, whatever) that scare you--then you become de-sensitized and don't pay attention if it goes off for real. That doesn't sound right to me somehow, but any experiences or info anyone has would be helpful. Thanks!
P.S. My husband isn't against it necessarily, but thinks that we might not need a system because we have two dogs. What do you think?
Thanks everyone, for all the tips and info on home security systems! After reading all the responses and talking things over with my husband, we decided to definitely get a system--we'll probably end up going with ADT since they're running a great special right now, they will install the system, and they seem to be the industry leader. Thanks again!
My BIG dog is all the security system we need!
~I double dog dare someone to try to set foot inside my house un-invited!
Research any company you are looking into - check with the BBB for example. Be extra cautious of the ones who call you (just as with any other telemarketer).
We got our system installed for free with a two-year contract. Don't know if thats available but ask around.
As far as the dogs- are they the kind that will alert you to someone breaking in? What will they do if nobody's home and there's a break-in? And keep in mind, if they were to go to protect you, there's a good chance they could get hurt. Security systems, especially the kind with the monitoring, are far more reliable than any but the best trained dogs (and these security dogs rarely make good pets!).
Make sure they put the alarm inside the a/c vent. It magnifies the alarm so loud the whole block will hear it and come to see what is up.
Get extra signs or stickers and put them on your back gates as well. I screwed mine onto the gates after breaking off the posts.
It is worth the $30 per month. Here we went with locals, but I had EXCELLENT response from Brinks and it included a medical, fire, and police instant button(our local one does not).
I have NEVER had a false alarm. Once, the house had a fire and I could not get the alarm off. The firemen insisted on checking. Sure enough, the alarm was right.
I've had an alarm with Brinks/Broadview/now ADT for almost 9 years and in two different homes. I love the peace of mind it gives me at night and that I can set it as a door chime (slight beep when door or window is opened) during the day. I have only had one false alarm in all these years and that was when we forgot to latch our double front door to the door frame and the wind blew them open even though the deadbolt was latched. The control panel is easy to use, has panic buttons for fire, emergency and police and it's easy to cancel an alarm if you set it off by accident (which I do all the time because I forget to shut it off in the morning and then open the door). The response from the alarm company is super fast and we even have one of our smoke alarms connected to the system for added protection. I have 2 cats, so I asked to trade the motion sensor that comes with the basic package for an additional control panel and have one in our bedroom and one at the front door.
My neighbor is an ADT installer and he said that if you go with ADT, call corporate ADT for the best deals. Do not use a reseller or 3rd party contractor for your system. Corporate will give you more options for your system and show you the newest available products. The sales person will help you determine what system and installation plan is best for your home with dogs.
I have had ADT for 5 years. I had it installed after my neighbor's house was broken into at 3am. My husband is also gone alot (deployed, underway, business trips, etc) and with 3 kids it gives me a HUGE piece of mind that we'll be safe while he's gone. It is worth every penny!!!!
This probably won't help you, since our kids are older. But I love our security system.
We don't set ours 24/7 so therefore we are not desensitized. It is set at night when we go to bed and when I feel uncomfortable home alone during the day. But it is set every night when we go to bed.
We live in the midwest, Kansas City area, so I would guess our storms would be right up there. As I'm typing this post it is a pretty windy evening (I have a lot of wind chimes) and our security system is not going off.
I am thrilled we have it.
2 weeks ago we had ADT installed. It's wireless so phone lines cannot be cut. It is very easy to use. Living in the windy city hasn't been a problem with 'false alarms'. If ADT installs it & there is a problem of any sort, they will come out for free. But if you go thru a contractor that uses the ADT refurbished equipment & there is a problem of any kind then ONLY ADT can come out to service it & there is a fee each and every time.
We originally priced some a few years ago but we finally got one back in October and definately think it's the way to go. The price we were able to lock in is actually $10-15 less per month than the big name companies that previously quoted us. My husband did do the install himself but they were on the phone with him the whole time and explained everything. The only false alarms we've had was due to human error (here at our home). This company was great with discussing options and our needs.
Dogs are a deterent but they can't call the police, ambulance, etc if neccessary. Besides, it's all about your safety and comfort level.
The problem that I had that made me hate my home security company is that a lightning strike must have came near enough to our house to make our system go haywire. It stopped working after that and Guardian would only fix it for a fee. I really thought that they should have come out for free to repair it. SO if you can try to negotiate that into the contract.
Also-we really never used our system. Very tricky and a pain in the butt to use really. I would set it off in the am going out for the paper. Our area is very safe so it wasn't really as necessary though.
If your area is getting bad as a 'fluke' and is not nromally bad and also if these events are not violent in nature I would just use the dogs. One more thing to consider-you are locked in a contract for 5 years (this was ours)when you sign with a company. Even though ours was broken we were paying 23$ per month every year.
Hardware stores sell wireless security systems that do the same thing the companies alarms do without the subscription and such to a company. Obviously the difference is someone on the other end (there is no other end) isn't watching over your house or isn't going to automatically call the cops/fire dept. I am not sure how good they are, but we live in a "ritzy" neighborhood (the older part of it) and someone tried to break in to our house at 535 this morning when I was getting my daughter some milk, and he froze in front of our back door because I turned the kitchen light on (I saw him because I looked out the blinds over the door window because my mom left the porch light on and i was seeing if she was still out there smoking)... talk about scary, I scared him off though (I thought it was my dad until my mom told me this morning he had already left for work, I didn't see his face because of his angle to me). So long story short, I'm looking for an alarm system too because my dad would freak if I brought an Akita into his house haha.
A.,
I love having my alarm system. The only false alarms we have had in 13 years is when we have accidentally set it off ourselves. I think it is a deterent--the thieves would rather break into a house without the system.
We have a security system (ADT) and it is worth every penny! I live in a safe neighborhood and have a large dog (Doberman), but I still like setting the alarm at night. I like the feature that when any door opens it goes "beep, beep, beep". Peace of mind is priceless!
We live in a nice neighborhood and we have an alarm system. I suppose it just makes me feel more secure. We use ADT and pay $35 a month. I've never had a problem with it randomly activating. It was installed by ADT. I'm glad we have it, especially when my husband is away and I'm at home by myself with the kids. I love it, too, when we're away on vacation, in which case your dogs won't help much :) Go for it!
I have two dogs and a security system. My dogs do act as a deterant I'm sure, but do consider this....animals can be harmed and silenced! My alarm gets armed at night when we go to bed and whenever we leave. We've only ever had one false alarm and that was when a friend was staying the night and set it off and I wasn't able to turn it off fast enough (I was feeding the baby lol). I was actually quite pleased with the response of my monitoring company. They called my phone which I didn't answer because it was upstairs so they called my husbands cell which he didn't answer because he was at work so they called my mom and dispatched a unit to my house. The officer arrived within five minutes of the alarm going off! The peace of mind of having the system is well worth the monthly bill to me!
