Overall thoughts on Home Security Systems? (for sale, insurance, new home)
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What are your thoughts on getting home security systems and their monthly costs? I know that even with the best of the best some unfortunate home will get robbed regardless; but for peace of mind and lack of worry when away from home for weeks, I find it imperative to get a system installed.
I compared ADT and Slomin's as well as lesser known brands like First Home and SimpliSafe, monthly costs ranged from $14-50+ and equipment types and codes I am lost with!
Any thoughts or experience with home security systems, tips and wisdom much appreciated!
What are your thoughts on getting home security systems and their monthly costs? I know that even with the best of the best some unfortunate home will get robbed regardless; but for peace of mind and lack of worry when away from home for weeks, I find it imperative to get a system installed.
I compared ADT and Slomin's as well as lesser known brands like First Home and SimpliSafe, monthly costs ranged from $14-50+ and equipment types and codes I am lost with!
Any thoughts or experience with home security systems, tips and wisdom much appreciated!
If you do get a security system, don't let the company advertise (a sign on your lawn) that you have one. The more sophisticated thieves are familiar with the different types of systems, and if you 'tell' them what type you have it just makes it easier for them to go around it.
I think the best security system is a dog or dogs. I have three and they keep me apprised of what's going on outside! Plus, a thief really doesn't want to deal with dogs; just get in and get out, quickly.
If you do get a security system, don't let the company advertise (a sign on your lawn) that you have one. The more sophisticated thieves are familiar with the different types of systems, and if you 'tell' them what type you have it just makes it easier for them to go around it.
The obvious flip side to this is that the less sophicticated thieves would pick the house they don't think has a security system. Personally I would go with that since I would assume a more sophisticated theif would figure out I don't have much worth stealing in the first place.
Or you could just have no systems and buy fake stickers and put them on the windows. Fool the thieves... WIN!
I don't have any links, but I remember reading something that the most effective part of any home security system was the sign advertising you had one. It was an article interviewing former home thieves and their basic line was, there is no system that will stop us from doing what we want, but we'd rather not deal with them at all. So, if you and two of your neighbors have signs for a security system and the fourth one doesn't, that will be the house they will most likely go after. Car thieves reportedly work the same way. They don't want to smash windows and set off alarms, so they look for the unlocked car.
As far as what to get, they are all pretty comparable in terms of features. I think most of them even use the basic same equipment from the same manufacturers. It really all comes down to getting the best price for the features you want. Also, check with your home insurance provider, they all offer discounts of varying amounts for having a system, so at least some of the cost is offset in savings there.
Recently I have been getting bombarded with info from Comcast/Xfinity about their new home security system. It's pretty slick and offers some more higher end features at the base level then what you get with the other basic systems. I also believe it is purposefully designed to work with an internet connection as opposed to a hard phone line which is a drawback on some of the other systems if you are using a bundled service with VOIP for your phone. Their top end package is pretty attractively priced, but monitoring is expensive. It also allows for a lot of integration as the modules are all wireless and you can do things like control your thermostat and lights, get live video feeds from the house on your phone, etc.
Lol Thanks all for the feedback; I am almost going to order SimpliSafe from my research so far.. not sure if anyone here has it but if so please chime in before I plunk down $500!
We haven't taken a true vacation in more than ten years so we decided to spend the money on a hardwired system. Three of the five houses that border ours have been burglarized in the past two and half, or so years!
We have the window screens wired to the system, the frames I mean and the alarm screening so that if they cut or tear it instead of removing the window screen entirely, the alarm goes off. I am so very thankful that we did this and it does help us sleep more peacefully, it's battery backed-up, and we use the "charm" feature even when the alarm is not activated so that even in daytime we know when any door is opened, or if anyone did take a screen off.
We also have security cameras outside of the house. We bought them online and hubby installed them himself. They go into a computer in the back of the house and one in the front, the front ones do and when the computer program detects movement, yeah even windy events it records. It has night vision and the cams see approx. 150ft. daytime and half of that at night, if totally dark they say, but the street light sure helps them see further even nighttime.
Make sure you check with the town. They may require a permit and inspection after installation. We had a C/O held up because there was no record of a permit taken out, and the town wanted the money.
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