Home security systems

[natty]

My girlfriend saw a lot of cop cars outside the neighbors house the other morning. We still don't know what happened but it was listed as a burglary online(doesn't make sense though because a crime lab never showed up). So now she's clamoring for me to get our security system hooked up seeing that she's generally a paranoid person.

We already have an ADT system in the house but it's not activated or monitored. After looking into it some I've come to the conclusion that getting the monitoring is a complete rip off. What exactly will I be paying for? My dog is plenty loud to alert us when we're home and if someone breaks in actually takes valuables then insurance will cover it(even still it's not like we have a whole lot of valuable stuff).

Does anyone know if you can just turn on an alarm without getting it monitored? I figure an alarm setting off would scare anyone off, who cares if the cops show up afterwards? It's not like there's much they can do at that point.

[Darth Biscuit]

The alarm system signs/stickers do 90% of the work.

[natty]

The alarm system signs/stickers do 90% of the work.

Indeed. I had a monitored alarm at my old place and the only thing I got was false alarms and headaches.

Statistically speaking the numbers just don't add up unless your house is getting broken into every other week. Why does it cost $40 just to be kept on the grid?

[Epistaxis]

You can absolutely arm the system and have it function as a noisemaker without having it monitored.

Just type in the code and hit the arm button.

You can usually do it in "stay" mode, which just covers the perimeter and any alarmed doors/windows, or go full security which would also activate any motion detectors.

If you have any tripped areas, you can usually figure out which areas are problematic by reading the manual and finding out how to make the panel tell you which areas are not ready. This could be due to batteries being dead or the window/door being ajar.

Why not use it if you have it?

[The Saltman]

It is basically for when you are not at the house. Plus I pay 18.95 a month

[Scrumtrilescent]

I love our CPI. 40 bucks a month, plus a decrease in HO premiums.

[Jase]

I love our CPI. 40 bucks a month, plus a decrease in HO premiums.

By far the best service. I've had others. Wife insists on it.

[natty]

Well I have no clue what the PIN is. I just bought the house in March as a foreclusure and there was no manual or anything. I guess I'd have to contact ADT about it.

Hell, thinking about it more, all the windows are nailed shut, the front door has the key broken off in it and the back door is always dead bolted. Someone would have to break glass to get in and we don't have any of the sound monitors that I've seen(besides the fact that my dog barks loud and high pitched enough to set those off).

[Epistaxis]

You might have glass break sensors and not even know it.

I didn't realize it until we put the system on "chime" to listen for when one of the kids tries to exit unannounced. They were screaming superloud once and the chime went off...lo and behold, I found the glass break devices. Very small, mounted on the walls near the sliding glass doors and in the basement. Very subtle.

Anyway, you should be able to enter your own code. Poke around online for instructions specific to your system.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Well I have no clue what the PIN is. I just bought the house in March as a foreclusure and there was no manual or anything. I guess I'd have to contact ADT about it.

Hell, thinking about it more, all the windows are nailed shut, the front door has the key broken off in it and the back door is always dead bolted. Someone would have to break glass to get in and we don't have any of the sound monitors that I've seen(besides the fact that my dog barks loud and high pitched enough to set those off).

The people before us installed a Fort Knox system with window breaks in every room. We're having them come back out to adjust the sensitivity of them though because the dog shaking her collar has set them off 2x in the last few days for some reason. They'll email/text/call us before they alert the police, so it's hard for false alarms to happen.

Does it decrease it more than the 480.00/year you're paying CPI?

It reduced it by about 200 bucks. I don't mind paying 280 a year for the wifey's peace of mind, and the added the smoke/CO monitoring.

Plus the phone app is kewl.

[pstall]

The alarm system signs/stickers do 90% of the work.

Umm for the crook it does. I have said this before. Signs are the WORST thing to do. You are telling the crook exactly what tools to use.

No sign means he isn't sure what you have, therefore he moves on.

Don't ask how I know.

[Jase]

our 35 pound dog that sounds like a 100 pound dog when she barks does most of the work for us.

but the alarm is nice.

[Epistaxis]

Except for the part where he cuts my phone line and my wireless system kicks in.

Or when he cuts the power and my automatic standby generator kicks in, and that is backed up by a battery.

Anyway, I like the concept better than my untrained ass packing heat.

The only person on here I'd trust in an honest to god throwdown with lead is Pantha-San, the rest of you would probably kill yourselves or a family member.

Even worse, a kid gets a hold of your unsecured weapon and shoots himself or something.

Not that I have an issue with gun ownership. Feel free. I fully support anyone's right to self defense or ownership of a weapon. I just think most of those that do own are too stupid, too untrained or would f-up somehow. The alarm system seems like a good option for those types.

Dunno. Seems like a relatively inexpensive and safe way of scaring off the amateurs and giving the pros the smart option of moving on to an easier target of opportunity.

[pstall]

having an alarm system is wise. having a sign out front is not as wise as you may think. I don't own a gun btw. I hope I don't lose street cred from the libs or reps over that.