Recommend a home security system?

[Sage55]

toyotadriver, I totally agree with you in regards to not keeping firearms out in the open. In fact I have already purchased a gun safe on Black Friday and was awaiting for it to be delivered to the store. It just arrived last Wednesday, now I just have to go get it.

What I find odd is how neat everything was in the house, who would take the time to ensure all the drawers were pushed in, the house neat?

Another thing I found odd was that they came in and unplugged my Router and Cable modem. And I'm assuming after that they took the camera and charging cables from the desk as well as two used cell phones (not activated anymore).

Oh they also used one of our packages of hotdogs to keep our older yellow lab busy while our brown lab puppy was in the crate.

 

[toolmaker1]

Make sure you check with your cell carrier and give the police the esn's from those phones. If they are ever activated again it will throw a red flag.

 

[clemet]

I checked several home security forums and the GE home security systems--specifically Simon XT have the best reviews.

That's the one I have, and with the sensors being wireless the garage is also protected.

 

[Northstar]

Here's an example of how landscaping can help. The first pic is of a house i bought that had the maintenance let go a little. Original owners did well, but when they sold it, the next family ended up separated, then divorced. The house sat empty for 2 years before I bought it.

Now, look at the second pic, from essentially the same angle. You can see the entrance much more clearly. Did you even notice a set of lower level windows at first? Now they are uncovered which means less place to hide while trying to gain access. It's also easier to see if someone is inside by a neighbor. At the far left of the above picture is a gated access to the back yard. That giant bush covers most of the line of sight and the neighboring house covers the rest. It was great for hide and seek..... great for gaining access too.

In all, changing that landscape cost me about $300 in retaining wall block and woodchip. I did all the labor myself, and the curb appeal considerably improved. I did something similar in the back yard to make the deck seem not nearly so treehouse like and the rear garage area completely visible. The lower bedroom window is wide open with virtually no cover, the garage window is covered so you can't see in. The service door is actually sealed by a large 18" tall x 49" metal plate spanning 2 stud sets and lag screwed in. I actually did that more because it's where my Chevelle is parked and I had shelving on the inside. I didn't want the door rammed in and the stuff falling onto my car.

 

[Hmrhead]

Another thing I found odd was that they came in and unplugged my Router and Cable modem. And I'm assuming after that they took the camera and charging cables from the desk as well as two used cell phones (not activated anymore).
.

Sounds like a very experienced theif. When we switched our phone over to the cable company our alarm company installed a cell transmitter on the system to call them when the alarm goes off. They did this for several reasons. One, no power, no phone when going over the cable.(traditional phone lines are low voltage and rarely go out in a power outage since they are underground. Two, easy to defeat. Three, stops remote camera monitoring and or recording devices.

 

[Shadowdog500]

If you get the Lorex make sure you lock the IP address for the security system and put it on a UPS.

We had a one or two second power failure yesterday that made everything reset. the IP address for my security system was changed and the router was port forwarding the old IP address. It took me a while of frustration to figure out why I couldn't see my cameras on the web this morning.
Chris

 

[Sage55]

Sounds like a very experienced theif. When we switched our phone over to the cable company our alarm company installed a cell transmitter on the system to call them when the alarm goes off. They did this for several reasons. One, no power, no phone when going over the cable.(traditional phone lines are low voltage and rarely go out in a power outage since they are underground. Two, easy to defeat. Three, stops remote camera monitoring and or recording devices.

ADT came yesterday. Further I've replaced every lock in the house with schlage door and deadbolt locks. I've also replaced every mounting screw for the plates (door and deadbolt) with 3" long screws.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've had better luck with 'regional' alarm companies as opposed to the large nationals. Used to have a one-man shop alarm guy but he stopped providing monitoring (yet kept sending a bill). Guardian Alarm is who we use, they are local to Michigan and Ohio, never had a problem in the 5+ years since we switched.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Some good tips here, I like the DIY security window bars...might do that in my shop:
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-P...rity/home-theft-protection-secure-your-garage

 

[Trey T]

How was the safe destroyed? What type of safe did you have?

I thinking of getting a sentry gun safe w/ fire resistant and is that something an average thieves would attempt to break in?

Great news two days before Christmas... our house was broken into sometime today, wifes jewelry gone, laptop gone, most Christmas presents gone, power tools gone, and safe destroyed.

....

 

[Bonefishmak]

Don't use ADT...I have it and can not wait to get out of it in 3 years. Stupid new homeowner move....

 

[mdbeck1]

How was the safe destroyed? What type of safe did you have?

I thinking of getting a sentry gun safe w/ fire resistant and is that something an average thieves would attempt to break in?

If you have a gun safe make sure that you bolt it to the floor. When I bought mine the salesman showed me a video of two guys with pry bars. They flipped the safe on it's back and were able to work on it with the bars a WHOLE LOT EASIER.

Hah... I found the link... enjoy...
http://bearsafes.com/movie.htm

 

[Sage55]

How was the safe destroyed? What type of safe did you have?

I thinking of getting a sentry gun safe w/ fire resistant and is that something an average thieves would attempt to break in?

I have a Sentry 6250 safe, they used two screw drivers and a claw hammer. It looks like they used the claw end the most. But on the top left hand side of the door they destroyed it with the hammer and screwdrivers, and also hit it on the top of the door some as well as further down the left hand side too.

I've seen videos of Sentry safes being broken into so I knew the Sentry wasn't the safest of safes but was using it more for the fireproofing part since I mostly keep paper work in it, no cash. I actually had plans on emptying it once my gun safe came in as it is obviously much larger, heavier, and will be bolted to the floor (the sentry was not). I'll also be enclosing the gun safe on three sides, leaving only the door exposed (it's strongest part).

In my opinion, Sentry's are perfect for someplace to store the stuff you want protected against fires. Highly recommend not storing family jewels, cash, etc in them and instead get a safe that's UL certified and tested - or just get a safety deposit box from your bank.

Don't use ADT...I have it and can not wait to get out of it in 3 years. Stupid new homeowner move....

What don't you like about ADT?

 

[Bonefishmak]

I have a Sentry 6250 safe, they used two screw drivers and a claw hammer. It looks like they used the claw end the most. But on the top left hand side of the door they destroyed it with the hammer and screwdrivers, and also hit it on the top of the door some as well as further down the left hand side too.

I've seen videos of Sentry safes being broken into so I knew the Sentry wasn't the safest of safes but was using it more for the fireproofing part since I mostly keep paper work in it, no cash. I actually had plans on emptying it once my gun safe came in as it is obviously much larger, heavier, and will be bolted to the floor (the sentry was not). I'll also be enclosing the gun safe on three sides, leaving only the door exposed (it's strongest part).

In my opinion, Sentry's are perfect for someplace to store the stuff you want protected against fires. Highly recommend not storing family jewels, cash, etc in them and instead get a safe that's UL certified and tested - or just get a safety deposit box from your bank.



What don't you like about ADT?

I don't like the way the company that sold it to me basically lied about discounts, time of install and my refund for parts not used. Also after reading about ADT under the Consumer Affairs website...and the troubles to either cancel or not renew your service I'd never use them again. I'll do ALOT more research next time and find a company with moral ethics first. It's my own fault....but, there are several others out there..I'd interview first. Guardian is one and I forget all the others I see out there.

Live and learn...to be honest....since it was installed I've not even turned it on...I probably will given it's a waste if I don't. I was just pretty ticked off at the whole thing.

 

[langss]

I have had an Alarm System in every home since the last kid moved out in the 90's. I started with Brinks and when I moved they moved with me. Brinks morphed into Broadview which morphed into ADT. Honestly I have no complaints. I have had a service contract since the start so if anything goes wrong, they come out and fix it for free. When we moved my wife's mother down here to a Board and Care, her house became an issue with the siblings....Mom's got a little Dementia but she is a long way from 6' under. We had ADT come out and install a Wireless System.It was a little more than quoted and the discounts that were supposed to be included seemed to fade away, but at the end of the day,anything that happens is only a cell phone call away and that includes Fire. The Sheriffs office is like five minutes away.I would have no problem using them again.

 

[fatkid]

I can't begin to explain how horrible it is it have someone break into your house. Put away everything they stole, the feeling alone is terrible.

I know exactly what you are feeling. I got hit on Christmas Eve while at a family function. They took guns, some cash and a laptop after coming in through a back window. I had motion lights, but they unscrewed the bulbs just enough that they didn't work. They even came into the house with my 60 lb. pitbull mix, so they had to be crazy. I don't even care if I ever see the stuff they stole, I would just like them to catch the guy(s) so I can wrap my head around the whole thing. The worst part is not knowing who went through my whole house, rummaging for stuff to steal. I think my dog gave them a hassle and they kicked him in the ribs because he wouldn't let us check them out for a few days. I don't think he was able to get a piece of them either because there was no blood anywhere.

I plan on making and installing some custom bars for any windows not visible from the street as soon as I get some cash from my insurance. I hate theives.

 

[gatchel]

Don't use ADT...I have it and can not wait to get out of it in 3 years. Stupid new homeowner move....

ADT will **** you with monitoring fees and special fees for video access and other add ons.

ADT = Always Do it Twice.

Take the time to do the research and don't make a knee jerk move. You will get better service, better prices and a better end result from a local security outfit. OK so you may have to actually buy and pay for the equipment to be installed. You'll own it and be better off if you decide to change security providers in the future.

 

[Roots]

There's a lot of good ideas in this thread, although I disagree with the preference some have for local monitoring.

You can't stop a determined intruder though, it takes a combination of defenses and preplanned actions to minimize the threat to your family. Basic security systems aren't fail proof either, we actually had an intruder successfully disengage ours before. Guns and dogs are only helpful to an extent as well, they're not fool proof either - please don't kid yourself into thinking that they are.

 

[knagy389us]

Having had ADT in our previous home, (and paying way too much) we went with a local alarm company when we relocated, and are very satisfied with the install, the system (Honeywell) and monitoring.

We opted for the cellular dialer, supervised CO and smoke detection sensors, and water sensor in the tray under the water heater. All wired system, and the detached garage is being added, with its own keypad in a few days.

I hit the test button on the CO detector the other nite, got a call within minutes, so we're pretty happy.

I also have a security camera set that I will install in the future also.

 

[Br350obx]

Keep an eye out on Ebay and Craigslist.

 

[grinditout]

I have been using DSC equipment , it is readily available on EBAY.

 

[jclaudii]

This is a feeling I never want to feel first hand. The only advice I can offer is if your the DIY type and like the idea of your own alerting via sms/text and want the flexibility to login and view security camera feeds when a event happens or just whenever then I would suggest you check out www.smarthomeusa.com They have dvr/camera packages that are very affordable and they have all the sensors and motion detectors one could ever want along with home automation.

sounds like the thieves spend some time in the house, the above diy system would let you get a text that someone did not disarm the security and what area it was in, then you could log in visually see that your wife or kid did not forget to disarm, and call the police as you race over as well. Or call you neighbor if he is the helping kind to keep an eye on the situation in case they try to leave or one of your kids or wife comes home during the robbery.

Good luck on designing a system I have only helped make one, but the owner was pretty happy with his ability to log in remotely and check on employees as well as the feature that let him enable a "motion sensing" feature in the camera/dvr bundle that would then send e-mail/text and sound an alarm or flash lights etc.