Home security services.

[alexfitch225]

I've been getting mail solicitations lately about home security. (Companies like adt and what not) anybody used them? I'm not sure if it would be worth while but I'm open to compelling facts that may sway me in either direction.

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[BC38]

We have ADT - have had since shortly after we moved here.
Before that we had Protection One at our last house south of Seattle.

Neighbors all around us got their houses robbed in our last neighborhood. Not us. We got stuff stolen out of our vehicles and from our driveway, but they never even touched the house.

I'm a big believer in home alarm systems. They seem to be a pretty good deterrent. Ours uses a cellular phone system to call in the alarm, so they can't even disable it by cutting the phone line. With my firearms locked up in a decent steel security cabinet, I'm quite confident that the alarm is going to be enough to keep anyone but a top notch, well prepared, determined, professional thief from getting to my guns before the cops show up - even though it isn't a real "gun safe"

 

[alexfitch225]

We have ADT - have had since shortly after we moved here.
Before that we had Protection One at our last house south of Seattle.

Neighbors all around us got their houses robbed in our last neighborhood. Not us. We got stuff stolen out of our vehicles and from our driveway, but they never even touched the house.

I'm a big believer in home alarm systems. They seem to be a pretty good deterrent. Ours uses a cellular phone system to call in the alarm, so they can't even disable it by cutting the phone line. With my firearms locked up in a decent steel security cabinet, I'm quite confident that the alarm is going to be enough to keep anyone but a top notch, well prepared, determined, professional thief from getting to my guns before the cops show up - even though it isn't a real "gun safe"

See I'm at a loss since our neighborhood has a few Leo's in it also seems to get patrolled alot during the week since there's a school near by. I'm not sure if adt would be worth it in that sense.

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[rwsmith]

I find Monotronics..

I find Monotronics to be a very straight up and well performing company.

I quit with Vivent for many reasons, mostly involving their business practices and their Customer/tech policies, even in the basics.

 

[rosefarm]

Check out simpli safe.....spelling may be wrong. Alarm is painfully loud and it is all wireless. I am not affiliated with this outfit in any way!
Mechanically I am a blithering idiot and this thing was easy to install and about 15 bucks/month to monitor the system.

 

[sierra255]

If you do install or already have a system, be sure to check with your insurance company as most give a discount on your homeowners policy.
Many give up to 20% or more in premium reductions.

I have my home and shop covered with a intrusion detection system and get a 20% reduction.

 

[ACORN]

We signed on with Comcast cable and got their security system. We recently traveled to visit my daughter at college for her birthday. It was comforting to be able to use their app to check the house and see all was secure. You have the option of adding video cameras, recording. I would like to add an outside siren but I haven't checked to see if the offer one.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I have had SimpliSafe for almost four years. Completely wireless, monitored 24/7 for $15.00 a month and no contracts whatsoever. For a slightly higher monthly payment you can monitor it with your smart phone. You can also add more sensors if the need arises. The smoke alarms are also monitored. I have had two false alarms (my fault) and the police were here in less than 10 minutes. Worth checking out. Home Security Systems from SimpliSafe

 

[thomasinaz]

I can recommend SimpliSafe for their home security system. Before I retired last year we had a marked Sheriff's vehicle in front of my house whenever I was off duty. It apparently was a great deterrent, and the neighbors loved it. (They all asked what happened to my truck, after I turned it in.) When I retired I told the wife, half jokingly, that now there would be burglaries in the neighborhood. Well in a couple months there were 3 that I know of, so we looked around for a system. We ended up going with SimpliSafe and have been very happy with the system and their monitoring services. Easy to install, even for me, and their customer service is great. Makes us feel a whole lot better, especially when we travel. Anyways, one opinion from a non affiliated, satisfied customer.

 

[DWalt]

At one time I had an ADT system, but it got far too expensive for me so I dumped them. Sort of like cable providers, they start cheap then escalate their monitoring fees.

For about the past 5 years I have used the Smith-Thompson Security service (wireless), no complaints. I think they are headquartered in Dallas, don't know if they are national. You buy the system (in my case about $600 installed) and pay $16.95/month for monitoring. No contracts required. I test mine monthly to make sure the monitoring service is on the ball. They always have been. It's not wired into your telephone land line as some are, entirely cel phone with backup battery in case power is cut.

 

[Tradewind36]

I had ADT but it got to be expensive, now have SimpliSafe and have no complaints.

 

[DWalt]

Or you could follow my brother-in-law's method, and far cheaper. He has alarm system stickers on all his windows and doors and signs in his front yard, but no alarm system. That's probably fairly effective.

 

[alexfitch225]

If you do install or already have a system, be sure to check with your insurance company as most give a discount on your homeowners policy.
Many give up to 20% or more in premium reductions.

I have my home and shop covered with a intrusion detection system and get a 20% reduction.

Heck that might of sold me straight away right there

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[Skeptic 9c]

I have security from a local company, it has been very effective tested when dust triggered the fire alarm combination.
They called, we cleared it.
Geoff
Who notes you do have to turn it on and off again to be effective.

 

[gdnagle]

Call me paranoid but I have PiSECTOR 3G/4G Cellular & Landline all in one wireless security alarm, cut the land line and it automatically uses cellular, DIY and it will call up to 8 numbers so it's technically a 24hr monitored system. To back this up I also have ZOSI 8 Channel 960p AUTO-PAIR wireless camera system. With 8 cameras I can monitor lots of my property and being wireless makes hooking up easy, you just need power. You can also monitor it online and with motion activated it will send emails, I don't use this feature too many deer around here. My main system is .45acp with 12ga backup when I'm home as I don't have any close neighbors.

 

[ladder13]

I've always use mom and pop security companies. I like to know the owner and his few techs. They use the same monitoring stations that everyone else does.
As a bonus, the monitoring costs have been much lower than the big companies in my experience.

 

[italiansport]

I have ADT security as ONE method of deterrent. In addition I have security cameras and a good safe. I also have other items I'd rather not discuss openly here. The more difficult you make it for someone to break in the less chance you'll be robbed and they'll look for someplace else..
I am also fortunate to have a law enforcement officer for a neighbor and I bet the fact there's a cruiser parked out front is a good deterrent as well

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Recently A neighbor about 6 blocks away was broken into and robbed.
They are located in a location which I think is extra vulnerable.
They back up to super busy through street, have a neighborhood entry street on one side and a regular street in front.
And a small back yard with a 6 foot fence.
They were out of town and it appeared to them that the crook-s entered from the rear and spent considerable amount of time in their home.
They stole one firearm and electronics.
And a LE guy with marked car lives across the entry street.

 

[vytoland]

security systems = by the time they notify the police and the police arrive......the crooks got what they want and gone.....

 

[Goldstar225]

I am an LEO and have a security system but I don't count on it to totally prevent any loss. If I'm asleep I count on it as part of my total system to delay the crook and give me time to react. If I'm away from home, I count on the alarm to minimize the burglars time in my home and reduce my loss. My experience has been that in homes with no security system, burglars take their time and are more thorough in their pillaging. In those instances where the alarm is sounding their "time on target" is limited to a couple of minutes.