Home Security Systems installed in homes

[Simba's Mom]

We've experienced a couple house break-ins and vandalism in our new neighborhood, so we're thinking of having a home security system installed. However, the only one we've ever had experience with was installed when the house was buildt. We just bought this house, it's 10 years old, and we'd be having it installed in a house that's never had one. Anyone with any experience with that? And how do you go about choosing a company? Any recommendations on the kind of system, how elaborate, features to get?

 

[Pop Daddy]

I just stick my head out the window and give everybody a dirty look

 

[jamsmom]

I want a home security system, too. Maybe someday.

 

[suzannews]

We have had a Brinks security system installed in two different houses that were already existing, not built with the system. Both times we have had a Brinks person come out, do all the wiring etc and have the system installed. Not problems either time. The best part was that once you pay to have a system installed in a home, if you move to a different home, you don't pay for installation again. I don't remember what the cost was in our first home, that was over 8 years ago. When we moved into our new house last year, I just called them and made an appointment and the installation was free as long as I signed a 2 year agreement.

I am looking at my bill now and it states the same.

Brinks customer service is 1 800 445 0872.

 

[suzannews]

Forgot to add....we only pay $25 a month. Thats a well spent $25 as far as we are concerned.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

When choosing home security just make sure you have a reputable installer - Brinks, ADT etc (unless you actually know someone that has their own company which is fine too).

As far as wiring up an "old" (read - already built) house the process for alarming it will be slightly different - the installer may elect to use a wireless system vs a hardwired system - I have had both and had no issues with either.

The installer will cover this, but you'll want to make sure of the following:

1) multiple keypads - one in the master bedroom is a very nice especially with ALPHANUMERIC display so that you can seee what zone has been tripped, should you experience a break in while asleep at home

2) panic/ambush capability - sets off a silent alarm even though it appears that the alarm has been "turned off". This can also be augmented with a keyfob remote which helps if there is a potential fear of a "push-in" burglary attempt i.e stranger at the door - looking to push the door in when you open it - you have key fob hidden in hand or pocket to trigger immediate silent alarm.

3) coverage on all lower floor windows - upper floors at your discretion, but a carefully placed motion sensor will cover that and save you some money

4) fire/smoke detectors - usually part of the standard package

5) check local laws regarding a permit fee, and or fines for false alarms

6) exterior and interior sirens - the exterior one should be available with a flashing strobe light as well - nothing like the cops pulling up to the wrong house in the event of an emergency - lets them know exactly whose house is having an issue

7) if you have an attached garage - you may want a keypad there - this will allow you to perform a "max arm", or "instant arm", which means there is no 60 sec delay on an entry door (all other points of entry will be instant except for entry to allow you to get to your keypad and turn it off

8) also make sure that there is a bypass mode set so that you can turn off your motion sensors, for when you want to arm the alarm while staying home - (perimeter protection) pretty standard stuff.

BTW my service also runs about $20-25, month.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We have a system that was installed into an old system. After experiencing a break-in in our old home, I insisted on this feature in our "new" home. False alarms occur (rarely) like the time I was down at the corner drugstore with DS6 (1 at the time) and we watched the firetrucks come around the corner and go up our mountain road. We watched it go by, thought nothing of it, climbed into our car and drove home. Wasn't I surprised when I got home and the firetrucks were outside my house??!! False alarm-some dust from the newly installed fire alarm fell into it and set it off. We have also had doors that weren't shut all the way blow open in the middle of the night, setting off the alarm. Isn't that a nice way to wake up?

And when DS6 was small, he would pull up a chair and push all the buttons... He hit the panic button a couple of times, but luckily I caught him in time to call the alarm company and tell them it was a false alarm.

That all being said, I wouldn't feel safe without my alarm system. We only use it when we are home, at night (we have a dog walker come while we are gone.) but just having it on while we sleep is very comforting...

Until someone gets up in the morning to let the dogs out and forgets to disarm it....

We pay $19.95 for our peace of mind.

 

[parrothead365]

We use a old tried and true system. Aprox200lbs of fur and teeth in the form of a Greman Shep, One XLg Lab, and a sneaky Aus, Cattle dog. I anyone gets through them they need to beware of the owners

 

[deirdrefitch]

Last summer our house was broken into while we were at Disney for two weeks. We got an ADT Security system installed. We have had it one year, and so far so good. No false alarms. It took the tech approx two/three hours to install it. We payed a small amount of money down, and signed a two year contract for $28.00 per month. A small price for peace of mind.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am the office manager for a security company called Security Pro, Inc..

The information Toy Story Fan gave is exactly what I would recommend.

One thing that I would highly recommend is the extra key pad in the master bedroom and at the main entrances into the house. Such as a front door, side door and garage door if they are used frequently.

Our alarms have a couple of features I am sure you can get through your company - such as if someone follows you into the house and you need to disarm your system and have it call the police you could put in a DURESS code - a code different from your master code - and it will signal the central station and notify the police.

Another thing is say when you are home all alone you can put your alarm on INSTANT and no matter what door or window someone comes through the alarm will sound. If you have a key pad in the master bedroom you could arm the whole house except for your bedroom (which you would BYPASS) - just make sure you turn it off before walking out of your bedroom!!

Our service is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week!!

We charge our customers $18.00 per month.

Let me know if you have any other questions - I would be happy to answer them.

Lisa

 

[Mary Ellen]

My DB had ADT install a system in his (already built) home. Almost a year ago they had a fire due to the propane heater for their swim spa (spa room adjoins family room).

When the smoke alarm FINALLY went off, the heavy smoke was about 4-5 feet off the floor. Since they have very high vaulted ceilings, there was a LOT of smoke. ADT gave no reason why it took SO long for the alarm to sound.

SIL took action to save the house (smart girl first shut off gas to the home and then used the garden hose).

DB tried to call 911, but the phone line was tied up with the ADT alarm 'talking' to the alarm center.

DB's cell phone was in his van, so he had to get in his wheelchair and get out to the van. Since he uses a power chair he has a special van that lowers and has a ramp that folds out. He had to wait for that to happen and get inside and find his cell.

This didn't happen quickly. Even so, his call to 911 came in 15 minutes before ADT called to report the fire.

SIL actions saved their home, not ADT.

The FD was amazed that she thought to turn off the gas, most people don't. She mainly used the garden hose on the gas line to the heater as she know there was still gas in the pipe and she didn't want that to blow too.

They have just now gotten back in their home. The chemicals that were for the spa did a lot of damage when they burned - even more so than the 'normal' awful smoke.

We will probably get a security system some day, but you can imagine which one we will NOT be using.

 

[Laz]

How do you handle motion sensors and pets? Our cat wanders the house at night. She would set off all the alarms jumping on furniture, counters, etc.

 

[ilovepcot]

I have a question for some of you here that are "in the know" about how these systems work. Several years ago, DH and I looked into having a security system installed. We were told "at that time" that all windows would have to be RAISED to trigger an alarm. We were told throwing a brick through them wouldn't necessarily set off an alarm. Does this still hold true?

 

[ZachnElli]

Originally posted by ilovepcot
I have a question for some of you here that are "in the know" about how these systems work. Several years ago, DH and I looked into having a security system installed. We were told "at that time" that all windows would have to be RAISED to trigger an alarm. We were told throwing a brick through them wouldn't necessarily set off an alarm. Does this still hold true?

There are glass breaking sensors too. We had them all over the house we just sold. We had a glass coffee table and I learned when the kids banged certain toys on it, it would light up (the alarm wasn't on). So it was easy to test, just walking around the house with a glass and bang a spoon on it and they would light up (without the alarm on, yes I'm a little paranoid and just wanted make sure they were working, lol). Also, you can have motion detectors set at a certain level if you have pets. We did that on our first house when we had our golden retriever. She still set it off when she threw her toys in the air though, lol.