Alarm/Security System

Jerry N.

Jerry N.

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2006
Messages
413
Reaction score
147
Location
Livonia, Michigan
I have given home invasion a lot of thought. I bought a shotgun and I've been thinking about what to do in the event my home is entered. One of the things I've concluded is I would like more warning and time to prepare. In that regard, I'd like a security system that would alert me to someone pulling in my driveway and have the ability to see outside my house from my bedroom. I am most concerned about being home but I would also like to have some protection when I'm not home.

My basic plan is to have some warning before someone kicks in my door. Then I will stay in my bed room with 911 called and gun pointing at the door. My biggest concern comes from the other night when I thought I heard something. I was dreaming, but it woke me up and it made me realize that had my door been kicked in, I wouldn't have been able to get my head on straight in time to implement my plan. I feel like the more time/warning I have the better. I have a driveway that is about 80 foot, so if I got some warning when a car pulls in, I think that would help a lot. I'm also thinking about something that can go around the house for perimeter warning. However, I think it is a lot less likely that someone would walk up to my house.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a company (or type of company) that could set something like this up? Any experience with some of the large security companies? Any other advice/comments?
 
Register to hide this ad
The stickers are as effective a deterrent as the real thing. I did an audit of my home for the same reason and came to realize that the most important thing to do is buy yourself some time. The typical suburban home is a defensive nightmare. Worst case, like a brutal house invasion here a few months ago... 5 gang members with guns forced their way in. Beatings and gang rape followed. How long would it take for a crowd like that to be on top of you?? A locked, standard BR door might buy you 3-5 seconds.. that's enough to roll, grab and rack... but a properly anchored steel security door ($300-1200) partitioning off the sleeping area of the house could buy minutes and possibly a thwart an attack knowing the law is on the way and the owner is ready and waiting. Cameras: 3-4 infrared camera security sets are available for 3-400 bucks. Getting a sense of who, what and where inside the home from behind a secure door is invaluable. Automatic exterior lighting (I install it in the soffit so it doesn't annoy the neighbors) improves your home value, looks great and eliminates dark approaches to your home. With the right preparation, the odds of being the victim and the need to use a weapon can be diminished significantly.
 
Jerry N. said:
I have given home invasion a lot of thought. I bought a shotgun and I've been thinking about what to do in the event my home is entered. One of the things I've concluded is I would like more warning and time to prepare. In that regard, I'd like a security system that would alert me to someone pulling in my driveway and have the ability to see outside my house from my bedroom. I am most concerned about being home but I would also like to have some protection when I'm not home.

My basic plan is to have some warning before someone kicks in my door. Then I will stay in my bed room with 911 called and gun pointing at the door. My biggest concern comes from the other night when I thought I heard something. I was dreaming, but it woke me up and it made me realize that had my door been kicked in, I wouldn't have been able to get my head on straight in time to implement my plan. I feel like the more time/warning I have the better. I have a driveway that is about 80 foot, so if I got some warning when a car pulls in, I think that would help a lot. I'm also thinking about something that can go around the house for perimeter warning. However, I think it is a lot less likely that someone would walk up to my house.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a company (or type of company) that could set something like this up? Any experience with some of the large security companies? Any other advice/comments?
Click to expand...

It's been discussed here several times. Maybe a search will help cause there is much info available.

Spend the money to better secure your doors first before an alarm system.

I ask my customers this: "If I kick in your door, how far could I get into your house before you act/react?".

Alarm system or not, the answer is usually "at least half way". And that ain't good.

Time is everything. Buy yourself some time.
 
Home security

I agree 100% with post #2 & #3.....harden your entry doors & windows.....that will entail some serious work on your frames, doors, etc....when I secure for the night I have 1" black iron pipes that go across the doors that are SECURELY affixed to a "hardened frame with large eye lag screws......I also shut off the power to my overhead door operators....Having investigated hundreds of burglaries and having instructed and trained to enter bldgs in conducting warrant service and building assaults for decades I know the weak points and how they will be exploited..I also understand " violence of action" having hammered down a lot of doors at 0 dark thirty to serve warrants - knowing there were armed occupants inside..... you do not want to give them time to react - you have to "get on top" of them immediately..I also have a alarm system with infra red movement sensors outside the house.....probably my most effective alarm is my Pomeranian mix that can hear a fly land at 100 yds....and will awaken me immediately if he hears something he doesn't like, which is just about everything. You need "rings of security", with the inner most one being you and the family barricaded in a "safe room" equipped with the proper hardware.
 
Last edited:
I have the same concerns, so about six months ago I installed motion sensors outside my home. I have one that covers the front walk, which gives me about 5-10 seconds advanced notice before anyone gets to the front door. I have one on the side of my house where we enter the backyard from the front, and one in the back yard that covers the entire backyard. If anyone comes over my fence or through the gate I have over 30 seconds advanced notice. Since I carry my EDC at home, if I am not in bed I am already armed and can deploy my pistol in under a second. While sleeping, my EDC is on my nightstand next to my bed. With the sensors I know where a threat is coming from and I would have enough time to prepare.

My next project is to install monitoring cameras on the front door and back sliding glass door. But, that is not in my budget for awhile. Stay safe and be diligent!
 
I invested in a expensive and hi tech (hard wired - NOT wireless) alarm system when I built my house 18 years ago and have upgraded most of the individual components over the years. I have all kinds of sensors, automatic motion detector lights, strobes, sirens and a dual central station alert system - BOTH hard wired and digital cell.

All that said, the BEST early warning alarm I have is my 5 year old Golden Retriever. He is not one of those little yappy dogs that never stops barking, but when someone or something is approaching the house that is out of the ordinary daily routine, he instantly alerts us by barking. Since he is 100 pounds his bark is quite loud and fierce. He does not bark when normal people approach the house like the Paper Boy at 5:30 am, the Landscapers, or the Mailman, but if someone who he does not know approaches he lets us know. I know this might sound like BS, but he can hear a car approaching almost 1/2 mile away, and immediately perks up and takes notice. He is truly a GREAT watch Dog! I did not train him to do this and we have had 4 other Goldens, but this one is the BEST by far!!
 
Last edited:
chief38 said:
I invested in a expensive and hi tech (hard wired - NOT wireless) alarm system when I built my house 18 years ago and have upgraded most of the individual components over the years. I have all kinds of sensors, automatic motion detector lights, strobes, sirens and a dual central station alert system - BOTH hard wired and digital cell.

All that said, the BEST early warning alarm I have is my 5 year old Golden Retriever. He is not one of those little yappy dogs that never stops barking, but when someone or something is approaching the house that is out of the ordinary daily routine, he instantly alerts us by barking. Since he is 100 pounds his bark is quite loud and fierce. He does not bark when normal people approach the house like the Paper Boy at 5:30 am, the Landscapers, or the Mailman, but if someone who he does not know approaches he lets us know. I know this might sound like BS, but he can hear a car approaching almost 1/2 mile away, and immediately perks up and takes notice. He is truly a GREAT watch Dog! I did not train him to do this and we have had 4 other Goldens, but this one is the BEST by far!!
Click to expand...

Have to agree with this. I've got a 120 lb Old English Sheepdog that starts barking long before I can hear anything or the automatic lighting picks up anything. I have come to trust that if she's barking, someone unknown has entered "her" space.:) Her bark may frighten anyone but she has no bite in her. I think the bark is her way of saying "pet me, pet me", oh well, at least I get early warning.
 
I have a 70lbs mutt and a Great Dane. When they hear something, everyone knows. Best early warning system money can buy.
 
The major crime around here is drunken driving. HOWEVER,
I just added a cell phone backup to my alarm system, and will be installing some security camera's myself in a few weeks.
When I'm home, my 12 gauge is nearby, and my 1911 is on my body somewhere.
 
Here's my alarm. Asleep on the job, as usual.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365534532.859499.jpg

She's great at hearing bumps in the night, but I'm still thinking about a system of some sort.



(Sent via iPhone so please forgive any typing errors)
 
You can go to Radio Shack and get a motion sensor for the driveway pretty cheap. My concern with the ones around the house are critters setting them off.
Alarm systems can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. I have a client, an older Woman, who has two houses in town. I helped her get alarms installed by a local, trusted company in both of them. They work pretty good. I have keys to her houses and once she was out of state and a lightning strike set off the fire alarm, which was tied in to the motion sensors. Got a call at about 0500 to meet the fire department at the house. Had to let them in, reset the alarm and check for fire.:eek:
It works pretty good. She paid about $1,500 for it and there is a nominal yearly fee. I recommend a local company.
Jim
 
cameras only help the police try to identify the crooks after the crime has been commited. if they are promonatly displayed they can be a deterent though.

yard signs and window/door sticker advertising the alram coverage can be a deterent as well.

as a cop ive worked plenty of burglaries where the home owner did not set their alarm. they stated that they dont set it when they are home (really?!) so they werent in the habbit of setting it when they left for work......needless to say the alarm didnt do a darn thing.

without inside dogs who will bark at any noise they hear near the doors and windows there isnt a whole lot you can do while asleep for permimeter security short of a high fenced in yard.

motion detectors (alarms) outside are notorious for going of because of tree banches blowing in the wind, stray dogs, deer, non-threatening passing cars.....motion detector lights are great, though they will turn on for the same reasons they wont wake you up with an audible alarm. a lot will depend upon your location. seek a security professional to examine your home and give you advise.
 
Last edited:
If you alarm is contingent upon a phone line or cable line to dial a central station, you better think again. Lines can be cut, are subject to provider outages, loss of electric in the case of cable, etc. Having a cell phone backup system should eliminate the concern over those issues, assuming the cell phone provider has a good signal at your home. Both the landline/hardwire dialer and the cell phone dialer cost me $35 a month, money well spent, imo. Both will call simultaneously, or in case the line has been cut, at least the wireless dialer will. The system also has a low temp setting, so if I'm away for an extended time in winter and lose power, the good folks at central station will call, first me, then my BIL.
Also getting a propane generator installed at the end of the month, which will keep my alarm going in event of power outage.
 
Last edited:
Gentlemen, as a security professional of over 20 years I have seen the aftermath of many home invasions and burglaries.

I've said this several times here. Your perimeter security is first and foremost important. You should have a plan and your security needs to be layered. Do not count on one thing or another to protect you.

As I sit here and type this, I am unarmed but a gun is close by. Why? My home is ultra secure. I have the best deadbolts money can buy with doors and door jambs that are reinforced. All my glass has security film on it. The work was done by me so I know it was done right.

All other options are almost useless if the bad guys can get easily. And in my experience 75% of the homes I go to are not well secured starting with the front door. People don't realize just how easy it is to kick in a door. Like a gun, just because you have a deadbolt means that it will hold up to such an attack. I've seen bolts sheer in half as well as doors and jambs split.

Make the bad guys WORK! Buy yourself the time you need to get others to safety. Call 911 and arm yourself.

I have watched video and listened to audio of home invasions and burglaries. In each case the bad guys were not deterred. They simply wore masks. There was more than one and they worked fast.

So do what you need to do. Don't procrastinate. If you're a victim, quite often it is you who is at fault.
 
Kanewpadle said:
Gentlemen, as a security professional of over 20 years
Click to expand...

So how do I find someone like you in my area to go over my house with me and build a system? I'm a believer in getting professional involved when it matters and obviously, this matters. I believe (maybe incorrectly) that calling the big national companies like ADT will get me a one size fits all sold to me by a "used car salesman".

Who does security evaluations and provides a plan or supplies the equipment and install as well? Personally, I'm more than able to do the install (electricians for friends and family) but I don't mind paying for it to be done either. I think the most important thing is the evaluation of the property and a plan. I'm also not as worried about a break in if I'm not home. Sure, I want to prevent it, but as unlikely as it is, I fear most an invasion while I'm home.
 
681ismyfavorite said:
cameras only help the police try to identify the crooks after the crime has been committed.
Click to expand...

My thought on a camera is to be able to see outside from inside my house. I have no belief that I will ever catch a thief. I was thinking a detector that signals when a car comes up my drive and a camera to be able to see what's going on from my bedroom.
 
All thanks for the responses. A couple of posts have mentioned beefing up my doors. Great idea. I have a nice front and back door with dead bolts, however, I'm kicking myself because I didn't think to beef up the frame. I just put those doors in a year ago. I'll have to think about how best to fortify the door frames. The other thing that I do have time to do is beef up my bedroom door. Great idea and I'm doing some remodeling inside so very doable.

On the dog - I agree about their help but I have a dog and she doesn't hear everything. Sure, if someone kicked in the door, she'd be barking, but in my room with the door closed, we're pretty far from the front door and someone could be on my porch before the dog would be barking. Getting another dog is not in the cards and when this dog passes, I can't say I'm all that eager to get another one. Cross that bridge when the time comes.
 
Jerry N. said:
So how do I find someone like you in my area to go over my house with me and build a system? I'm a believer in getting professional involved when it matters and obviously, this matters. I believe (maybe incorrectly) that calling the big national companies like ADT will get me a one size fits all sold to me by a "used car salesman".

Who does security evaluations and provides a plan or supplies the equipment and install as well? Personally, I'm more than able to do the install (electricians for friends and family) but I don't mind paying for it to be done either. I think the most important thing is the evaluation of the property and a plan. I'm also not as worried about a break in if I'm not home. Sure, I want to prevent it, but as unlikely as it is, I fear most an invasion while I'm home.
Click to expand...

Jerry, I don't do alarms or video. I don't care for the large alarm companies myself. Sometimes a locally owned company is better. I am a locksmith.

Find a reputable locksmith in your area. I stress reputable because there are a lot of fakes out there.

Go to this website.Associated Locksmiths of America

Follow the "locksmith search" link and go from there.

Some locksmiths (like us) will come out and do an inspection of your home for free. Even if they charge a trip charge, it will be worth it. But ask them questions about their company and ask that they send someone experienced.

But to avoid that, I can help you even though I can't see your home.

As with alarms, I won't pay someone to monitor it. If I thought I needed one I would install a wireless system with no monitoring. And you can do video cameras yourself too.

There are MANY products that the average person has never seen or heard of. If you're handy will tools I can explain how and give you links to these products. However, many of these products are only available from a locksmith company. But I may be able to help there too. I can always sent the stuff to you.

Send me a PM with your email address and I will send you some links and explain what they are for, how they help, and how to install them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lrrifleman
CCW with a security holster?
Replies
13
Views
231
chief38
chief38
S
Security System
Replies
1
Views
560
Doug M.
Doug M.
Moo Moo
John Wicks Shooting Style - C.A.R System
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Birdhunter6
Birdhunter6
ISCS Yoda
Tactical Pens and airport security
3 4 5
Replies
98
Views
11K
Goblin
G
redlevel
FBI Director Supports Personal Responsibility for Safety and Security
Replies
13
Views
1K
C Broad Arrow
C Broad Arrow

Latest posts

Back
Top