Security Systems

[JoeR]

I agree with M Reeter on glass break sensors. A friend of mine used to install high tech security systems in nuclear power plants, and he hit on some key points. It is best to detect the intruder before he/she breaches your security perimeter. A glass break sensor technically lets you know before they have entered. Whereas, magnetic sensors let you know the perimeter has been violated. If you have a long driveway, you may want to install a driveway sensor to let you know when someone has pulled in. Most thieves are lazy, and bring transportation to their crime scene. The best defense was a dog... A dog can hear someone prowling outside, long before a security system would detect the presence of an intruder.

Personally, I wired my home security system. Since it was low voltage, it was not part of the inspection and the builder didn't mind me doing it myself. I installed a driveway sensor, and that was the best purchase!! I know when people have entered the property long before they are knocking on my front door!!!

Good Luck,

Joe

 

[neilw]

Many years ago our home was robbed a few days before Christmas. All that was stolen was a few new presents under the tree and our sense of security.

We purchased a wireless state of art system from Rollins. We had an assortment of problems with false alarms and battery failures. We felt more secure and the problems were not that often or anoying.

Most of the problems we had were operator caused. IE: forgot to turn off before going out for the paper and then standing in the front yard wondering who the idiot was who's alarm was going off.

I've come to believe the most important part of any alarm system is the sign in your yard or the alarm permit taped to your window. If you've got something someone wants badly enough they will get it. But the casual thief is put off by the sign.

 

[dmccarty]

buckeye,

Get a dog. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I know its not possible for all people and certainly nobody should just
get a dog to protect the house. A pet is a HUGE responsibility that should
not be taken lightly.

Even though one of our dogs has cancer and likely won't live out the year
once she is gone we are going to get another. We have two dogs now down
from three. While they can sometimes be a royal PITA, they are wonderful
to have around the house. I have been wondering if we would ever get
anymore dogs but they are such wonderful companions and really do provide
good security. After that little girl was taken from here home in CA, whatever
doubts I had about having dogs was removed. As long as we have a kid(s)
then we are having dogs.

Our house will be a good 1500 feet from the nearest neighbor and at the end
of a road with a gate. I want the family to have some noise makers and
sensitive ears running around the place both when they are outside or inside
the house. I know that as my daughter gets older she will want to walk the
woods by herself. I'll feel alot better knowing that she has at least a couple
of big dogs running around with her.

This weekend I took my GSD to the property while I worked. Normally, I don't
do this because I don't want her getting near the equipment. She did ok though
I had to yell at her a few times to get away from the backhoe. A car drove past
my gate and no tresspass signs while I was working with my back to the road.
Kelly alerted on that car which let me know someone had drove past the gate....

We will have a hardwire security system that makes noise but I put most of my
trust in dogs..... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My Two Cents...
Dan McCarty

 

[buckeye]

Thanks for everyone's input. My parents have a hard-wired system that is not monitored by a service. Regardless, it has kept them from being robbed several times. It just seems that so many things are wireless now and I was concerned about thier security, no pun intended. We'll prabaly put something in and we will be getting a dog. Once again, thanks for all the input.

Jim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Or better yet, two or three or maybe even five or six!

 

[hwp]

From my perspective, there are two equally imporant parts to a security system - intrusion and fire. In many ways the most effective part of the intrusion aspect is the alarms that sound upon an unintended entry. There are three motion detectors wired into my system that I have disabled because I tend to do things at odd hours and if the motion detectors are not disabled, I have to turn the system off. I didn't do this on a number of occasions and set off the alarm system. Our dog, a Great Dane, would also set off the motion detectors as he also wanders around the house during the night.

The fire detection aspect is important particularly when no one is home. I have hard wired stand alone smoke detectors, required by city bylaw, and smoke detectors as part of my security system including a heat detector in my garage. In case of a fire, the fire department is called automatically whether someone is home or not. Having had one house fire caused by a wind downdraft in the furnace when we were not at home, I wouldn't be without a fire monitoring system.

 

[MReeter]

Dan,I echo your sentiments of owning a GOOD Dog.We have a Female GSD that's about 18 months old.Sadie is my 7 year old sons CONSTANT companion.She now sleeps in his bedroom in her own spot.

I truly pity the poor Fool that might even think about bringing harm to this boy.She is turning out to be the most loving,loyal,and protective dog we have ever owned.

We will never be without another Shepherd...Period.

 

[snowman]

Around 1980 or so, a door to door security alarm salesman came to my parents house; no idea what company it was.

My parents had no interest in it and didn't buy anything.

Within a week, the house was burglarized. I have no doubt that the salesman was the one that did it. May have been a scam whereby they were posing as alarm sellers just to get inside the house to see if the house did have an alarm system.

In the 40+ years that they lived there, that was the only time they were burglarized.

 

[Wal]

<font color=red>Get a dog</font color=red>

Absolutely agree with your statement.

 

[benewton]

Concur with the dog(s).

But get a weapon too...

Detection is one thing, resolving the problem another.