Home security companies...worth it?

[Hercules10]

A buddy with the sheriff says there are only 8 cars for the whole county out at night.

Ask your buddy what priority they give home alarms. Most LE departments put them at very low priority hence the long response time.

 

[ilovepcot]

DH and I've seen firsthand the kind of jobs these major security companies do, or don't do. We have security codes and keys to 3 neighbors houses because of the false alarms they keep getting. We wanted a security system for our home but realized these companies couldn't come close to providing what we need. DH decided to design one for our particular home. Took lots of time and planning but it's effective. We have 5 doors into and out of our house and 37 windows. Lots to monitor, not including a pump house and garage. Because we sit rather far away from other houses, noise of a break-in would never be heard from our neighbors, nor would a burglar have to hurry.....2 doors are behind an 8 foot security fence and they could take all the time needed breaking in....no one to see or hear them! DH devised a system that sounds a horrible BLAST! the entire neighborhood can hear and a light SOOOOO bright you're literally BLINDED and unable to see what you're doing. Very effective!!! Not all 37 windows are covered this way, but your ability to get to them is blocked. We love it! Any good electrician can do this and the cost is not that great.

 

[horseshowmom]

My DH works nights so I'm alone in the house all night with my dog Missy, who is no help at all since she's affraid of EVERYTHING and hides behind me when she feels threatenend . At least she barks at noises, so I guess that's something!

It's a safe neighborhood, but I'd feel better if I had more protection than a deadbolt on the front and side doors. I see the ads on tv for ADT and other security companies and wonder if they are really worth it? Or are there other things I can do to make the house more secure. The only type of "security feature" we have on the house are two motion sensor lights, one on the garage pointed at the side door of the house, the other pointed at the backyard (no door, just windows).

Any advice is appreciated!

Have you thought about installing security doors (the wrought iron ones)?

 

[horseshowmom]

put the alarm stickers in your windows and you can also get one that says "Beware of The Dog."

Also, that timid dog is more beneficial than you think. Burglars want quiet and privacy. Even a timid dog will wake you up and let you know something odd is going on. Most likely, if they know they aren't going to find it at your house, they won't choose your house to invade.

Our two dogs kept a man from breaking in who had already killed one man and went on to kill a young woman. He was banging and banging on the door. At that time, he could have forced the door open without too much trouble (we have security doors now). The dogs sounded like they were out of their minds. Apparently, they were enough to stop him.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On another note--we were going ot cancel ours after the contract was up (cheap hubby). I called to do so--they offered me a lower rate. After calling our insurance company to find out what our new cost would be without monitoring--it ended up that our $25 monitoring (roughly-I think closer to $20)---really only costs us $2 or $3.

Give up the monitoring--give up the discount on homeowners.

So make sure you weigh the real costs of monitoring and cancelling it. For $2 or $3--I'd rather have the police show up whenever they do than not at all.

And as for the 3-day fire response. That is rediculous. Unless they have a rash of false alarms with the heat sensors--that is totally inexcusable for it to be treated on the same level as the burglar alarm going off.

Now I'm inclined to call ADT and my fire department to check on this!