Best Home Security System

**1100011CS** · 10-27-2008, 09:15 PM

I'm thinking about installing a home security system. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm thinking along the lines of Brinks or ADT.

**herbicide** · 10-27-2008, 09:19 PM

.357 and a Doberman Pinscher

Actually I am a "gun nut," and think firearms for home "security" are a foolish proposition and do not recommend that route at all.

**isuno1fan** · 10-27-2008, 09:29 PM

Had a security system when I lived in Mnpls and will never get one again. An absolute pain in the butt when I moved to transfer the ownership of the system for the monitoring fee to the new homeowner.

Probably just a bad experience and most don't have the problems I did, but it was enough to keep me away from them forever.

**Jetta** · 10-27-2008, 09:34 PM

I live in a lovely suburb. I've realized some mornings that I've forgotten to lock the front door.

Of course now I realize I'm going to wake up one morning to a dozen ISU fans raiding my pantry.

**herbicide** · 10-27-2008, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Dex'sGrl

I live in a lovely suburb. I've realized some mornings that I've forgotten to lock the front door.

Of course now I realize I'm going to wake up one morning to a dozen ISU fans raiding my pantry.

Where do you live? And what do you keep in your pantry?

**Jetta** · 10-27-2008, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by herbicide

Where do you live? And what do you keep in your pantry?

Bran, lima beans, and frozen herky. And that's my official statement.

**cmoneyr** · 10-27-2008, 09:58 PM

Mine's fairly fool proof. I own nothing that anyone wants, seems to have worked so far.

**Phaedrus** · 10-28-2008, 07:40 AM

Home security systems are pretty worthless. (They are generally a nuisance to the police, and response times are generally "too little, too late") I'd put up a faux sign in your yard, though. In addition, put some 1" dowels in your window frames and sliding doors to prevent them from being opened. (BTW, sliding doors are an invitation to thieves, so if you can avoid having one, do so) A dog makes a decent security "system" if you will. Trim back any bushes from the house. Get good locks. Make sure your phones are set to speed dial 911. Have a plan for what happens when something goes "bump in the night". Brief your family on what to do and where to go if they think someone is breaking into the house. Have everyone "rehearse" their actions.

Basically, all you want (and can) do is to make it inconvenient for a professional bad guy to hit your house, and have a plan for dealing with it if it happens.

The biggest problem with security systems, is the same as the problems with just "having a gun". What you really need is a plan. Without a plan, a security system, or a gun is worth than worthless. There is no magic fix.

**Wx4Cy** · 10-28-2008, 07:53 AM

we've had ADT for a long time and have no complaints.

**jdoggivjc** · 10-28-2008, 07:58 AM

I keep an old driver at the bedside - you know, just in case.

**CYdTracked** · 10-28-2008, 08:19 AM

This is my security system:

Let's just say if I hear someone in the house at night they better hope they see me coming because they aren't going to get much of a chance to run...

**cybsball20** · 10-28-2008, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by travman23

Let's just say if I hear someone in the house at night they better hope they see me coming because they aren't going to get much of a chance to run...

Is that a challenge?

**1100011CS** · 10-28-2008, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the tips. I don't necessarily want the system for the "auto call police" feature. I just want a little warning if someone breaks in the basement when we're in bed on the second floor. We have a dog who does a good job of barking when she hears someone but even she wouldn't hear someone come in the basement (walkout with sliding doors:(). Also, our windows are the crank-out type (casement?). I started pulling some of our bushes last week. Got a few of the bigger ones left.

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

Home security systems are pretty worthless. (They are generally a nuisance to the police, and response times are generally "too little, too late") I'd put up a faux sign in your yard, though. In addition, put some 1" dowels in your window frames and sliding doors to prevent them from being opened. (BTW, sliding doors are an invitation to thieves, so if you can avoid having one, do so) A dog makes a decent security "system" if you will. Trim back any bushes from the house. Get good locks. Make sure your phones are set to speed dial 911. Have a plan for what happens when something goes "bump in the night". Brief your family on what to do and where to go if they think someone is breaking into the house. Have everyone "rehearse" their actions.

Basically, all you want (and can) do is to make it inconvenient for a professional bad guy to hit your house, and have a plan for dealing with it if it happens.

The biggest problem with security systems, is the same as the problems with just "having a gun". What you really need is a plan. Without a plan, a security system, or a gun is worth than worthless. There is no magic fix.

**1100011CS** · 10-28-2008, 08:24 AM

Thanks, finally a straight answer.

Originally Posted by Wx4Cy

we've had ADT for a long time and have no
complaints.

**1100011CS** · 10-28-2008, 08:27 AM

That's the problem. What if you don't hear them and they're standing over your bed when you wake up, if you wake up?

Originally Posted by travman23

Let's just say if I hear someone in the house at night they better hope they see me coming because they aren't going to get much of a chance to run...