Home Security Systems

[Sgt_Nutz]

Both of my neighbors houses were broken into recently and my house is way more isolated than theirs. Looking at installing some DIY door and window alarms. There seems to be two types: Motion Sensors and connection types where if the door/window is opened it sets off an alarm. The question I have is how do most thieves gain entry? Brake out all of a window and crawl in or brake it enough to unlock it, open it then crawl in?

Should I go with motion sensors and do a whole room or individual windows?

Thanks for any advice.

[PRBuzz]

I rely on motion sensors. They are located remote of point of entry and less likely to be overridden IMO. I have multiple sensors.
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DYI installation? Will your system blast an alarm or call a monitoring service or both. Mine does both but the monitoring service costs $$

[Sgt_Nutz]

Looking to avoid the monthly cost $$ I am looking at a system from Home Depot that has individual units that blast an alarm or for more $$$ there is a version with a central base station and wireless detectors that will also call your cell.

[PRBuzz]

Home alarms going off in my neighborhood are totally ignored! Calling your cell seems a good option IF you can be home or call 911 within minutes?
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[Sgt_Nutz]

Yes, cell is an option as my wife works less than a mile away and in the same building as the PD!!

[chefchris401]

The salon my girl works in just installed the ones you mentioned from Home Depot.

Remote motion sensors set up in numerous spots.

Set up to call the cell phone and home phone.

Wasn't expensive either
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[Piscator]

Get a gun
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[likwid]

Originally Posted by Piscator

Get a gun
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So how do you teach a gun to shoot people when you aren't home?

[spence]

We bought a lab for this purpose...unfortunately she's 12 now and completely deaf.

Beyond the detection I'd also look at the fundamentals. Is your house inviting to a criminal? I'd assume you have good locks but being remote a number of motion sensing lights would be good.

Were the homes broken into with people there? It could just be a surge in activity and not a chronic issue...

-spence

[Piscator]

Originally Posted by likwid

So how do you teach a gun to shoot people when you aren't home?

It was a joke
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[Jackbass]

Ok let me play devils advocate. Lets say the house is broken into through a bulkhead and they take all the copper out of your basement. Or they cut telephone service to your home how are you going to get the call. If you are going to have security installed you should do it properly. A good security firm can make recommendations based on your homes floor plan and location. Simply because they have seen how crooks operate.
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[Sgt_Nutz]

Both break ins were in daytime on main street. One may have been an indide job as owner didnt always lock the door. They spent a lot of time trying to get in the other house thru a basement door. My house is out if site in the woods. Been lucky so far. I have good locks and motion lights. Gun is already in place! Working on remote.... And yes i have a safe which is more secure than the house! Cant fit fishing gear in it tho! Lab passed couple summers ago tho. Just ordered the HD system.
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[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Sgt_Nutz

Looking to avoid the monthly cost $$ I am looking at a system from Home Depot that has individual units that blast an alarm or for more $$$ there is a version with a central base station and wireless detectors that will also call your cell.

As they say, you get what you pay for. The only thing most of those DIY systems are good for is providing grainy video evidence to the police after the scumbags leave with your belongings - that's if they don't find and steal the DVR before leaving. Alarms are merely annoying and if your house is out of view of the street, that just means the POS's don't have to be nearly as inconspicuous as they may have been with the neighbors.

I'd suggest looking into an active monitoring system that includes online video monitoring access. I've found a few that I'm considering for when we finally buy a house.

[RIJIMMY]

our home system is pretty slick, operates off cell and not landline. i can monitor my home and turn off alarm from work via web