Questions on ADT and basic home security

[TheHobbyist]

I'm sure like most products or services a person can spend as much or as little as they want...BUT

I'm hoping you could recommend some basic home security items.

Has anyone had good luck with ADT or a similar service?

We are going to have deadbolts on doors. Suggestion on brands or anything?

I am also considering (not sure what they are called) but those door bells that have camera on them that we can access by smartphone.

Also considering some motion light detectors.

Probably a year or so out from a dog.

No tinfoil hat here, just looking at options when you are out in the country/rural setting. Thanks in advance

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'm sure like most products or services a person can spend as much or as little as they want...BUT

I'm hoping you could recommend some basic home security items.

Has anyone had good luck with ADT or a similar service?

We are going to have deadbolts on doors. Suggestion on brands or anything?

I am also considering (not sure what they are called) but those door bells that have camera on them that we can access by smartphone.

Also considering some motion light detectors.

Probably a year or so out from a dog.

No tinfoil hat here, just looking at options when you are out in the country/rural setting. Thanks in advance

I put one of their stickers on the front and back doors . . . Seems to be working.

 

[Fishinfool]

I investigated a fair number of residential burglaries over the years. In my opinion, an alarm system that goes to a central monitoring site is money well spent. It limits the time a burglar has to toss your home. An alarm system that sounds a loud audable alarm is also helpful, as it can scare someone away, especially if their are neighbors nearby.

A quality fire rated safe for guns and other easy to carry valuables is also a wise move.

Good deadbolts on your doors make a difference, but I have found that many burglars will by-pass a secured door, and go thru a window, if one is present at ground level, and large enough. Motion detectors in addition to sensors on doors make a lot of sense.

Check the legality in your area, but in my case, my "gun den", that contains my reloading bench and safes, has no windows, a dead bolted, solid door, and a nifty little device that when armed, will flood the room with a bulk can of pepper spray. You can find them on the internet.

Even if they don't bite, dogs can be a good deterrent / early warning system. My GS misses nothing, and even friends are wary of entering the house, even though he is a 115 lbs lap dog..

When I am away for any length of time, I usually leave a few lights on in the house, and a radio playing, along with one of my vehicles parked in the drive, to give the appearance of someone being home.

Not always, but most burglars look for the safest and easiest targets, and prefer unoccupied homes. None of the above will stop all break ins, but will limit the possibility and minimize the loss.

Larry

 

[Kanewpadle]

ADT is the biggest but not necessarily the best. Shop around. Consider the product, installation fees, and monitoring costs. Check online reviews in your area.

Medeco deadbolts are the best. But for $200 each, they may not be a viable option. They are without a doubt the strongest but only if installed properly. They also cannot be "bumped". See "bump keys" online. The problem with bump keys is that there are no signs of forced entry and your insurance company will not pay but only claim that you left the door unlocked. Seen it a few times here locally. And the lock cannot be picked despite claims on the internet that are false.

Use wrap around plates and make sure that the strikes are steel. Use three inch wood screws.

If you have more questions send me a PM.

 

[Whitwabit]

A dead bolt won't do any good if the door frame is not strong enough to keep someone from kicking it in !! so be sure to check that also ..

Friends house had a dead bolt lock but someone just kicked the door in and the area around the latch broke out because it wasn't strong enough to hold .. they tried to move his gun safe but was too heavy for who ever did it .. or they were scared away .. they couldn't get into it so appeared they tried to take it with them was lying on its side by the back door ..

 

[haywood]

My doors and windows are alarmed. I have no warning signs. I feel it's well worth the money. Piece of mind #One. If someone comes in the door the entry alarm gives you about 45 seconds to disarm. The windows are set for instant alarm. If you want you can set the door on instant. This I have done when inside at night. My smoke alarm is also hooked to this. The window alarm saved us once. You can have windows open if they are set on the sensors. You can also lock out any door or window you don't want alarmed. It's also nice to have the entrance warning set so if you are home but, don't have the alarm set you know if some one comes in or leaves. It's monitored by a company for $81. every 3 months. If the alarm goes off they call the house. If I answer I have to give a code or the cops show up. If there is no answer they call my cellphone. The siren is so loud in the house I can't see anyone hanging arownd. If they get a fire alarm they send the fire dpt. first then call me. They are freindly and when I set it off by accident they are fast to call and laugh at my exscuses.

 

[EugeneNine]

It depends on where you live. If your in a city where alarms just annoy the police then they don't help at all. If your in a better area where the police do respond to them they can help.

 

[lrrifleman]

I have had my home wired with an alarm system for about 15 years. At the beginning, ADT was the monitoring service. I changed when my alarm guy changed his central station.

I live in a rural area, where the LEO response time runs about 45 minutes. I don't have a siren installed, since I want the culprits caught in the act, if they can't hear the key pad count down.

I have two signs up for adequate warning. Each door has a trigger switch in the event a door is opened. The bedroom windows have "viper" switches in the event a window is opened. The living room has a motion sensor in the event my dogs are at the kennel. The master bedroom has a glass break sensor.

A few points to keep in mind. In the event of a prolonged power outage, once the internal battery depletes, the alarm may trigger a break in code to central station, which authorities tended to ignore during both the durachio and hurricane Sandy. Also, if the phone lines are down, no signal is sent. Having a cellular transmitter is a wise move.

Home security systems are only as good as the maintenance and the ability to get a distress signal out. A K9 of almost any breed can be a good deterrent to an intruder, and will wake you in the event of an unauthorized entry.

 

[joe44va]

ADT saved our bacon (and the house) when we were downstairs and the ceiling fan in the master bedroom upstairs caught fire. They had the Firemen on the way before we could figure out what was going on. A new fan, new paint, new carpets, new bedding and new drapes and we were back in business. As the politicians say, it could have been much worse. Never had a break in so the signs must be working. We have the basic system with two motion detectors.

 

[Dr. D.]

I have ADT and am very satisfied with them. Dead bolts on every door including the garage and basement door. We had a bacon fire not long ago and they called before I even got to the alarm console to cancel the alarm. Good folks. I do have an indoor alarm, scared the hell out of me when it went off. Hope it does the same for anyone trying to break in. I also set it so that when any window or door is opened when the alarm is not set, the system beeps. Also have a CO detector.

 

[GUNs and JEEPS]

As you can tell many choices......couple things I have seen...and some kinda mentioned but not real specific.
1. Radio or internet/ wireless access to alarm company. Our parents house had the "radio" with a 6 hour backup if power went out. I was always concerned about phone lines being cut or down and asked the alarm company...given these two options. Obvious disadvantage "possibly" with internet is power outage or wires being cut...depends on your internet access, and power source or a "back up" generator for power.
2. The stickers signs and labels. While they do help, IMO a Dog, activity, even if just a neighbor or friend coming by to do the mail or change the lights that are on will GREATLY reduce the odds of someone attempting entry.
3. There are many companies and options...another is "Simply Safe" where it is portable, can be controlled from a smart phone, and installed by YOU. which also means you decide the level of security you want.

 

[much ado]

alarm systems

Lot of good info contained in most everyone`s posts. If you`re shopping for an alarm company don`t be afraid to use a local company. The central station they use is probably the one that other similar companies use,and which they all pay for the monitoring(at a reduced rate from what you pay) so they are (typically) staffed by professionals also. You might also typically receive at least a 10% discount on homeowner`s insurance...that probably leans a little more towards the fire alarm system(assuming you have one) as your home is 4X more likely to have a fire than a burglary. The package that most security companies 'push' to get you on board is usually 2 doors and a motion. Most homes probably need a little more( and more up-front money) and the motion is problematic and if you have pets wandering they can be a problem. They are also problematic in electric storms. Also ,the best way to have the system installed is hard wired, the wireless systems are a little more prone to errors,like those electric storms. If you have an attic or a crawlspace the hard wiring is relatively easy...if you`re on a slab with no attic you will be wireless. If you rent then you need the landlord`s permission and probably wireless is the way to go for him.

Note to the person paying $81/3 months. Don`t know the area you`re in and the usual and customary $ in your area but it probably sounds a little high to me. You might shop a little when you are a free agent from your contract. Good Luck, John

 

[Ross3914]

Whatever you get, get fire response as well.

My daughter was cooking some bacon while I was in the shower. She started burning the stuff and the smoke alarm went off. Before I got out of the shower, ADT had already called the fire department and they rolled. The fire station is right down the street, but the response time was frankly amazing. Fire response is well worth the money.

I got a discount on my house insurance as well because of the fire response protection.

 

[KSDeputy]

We have lived in the country for many years. We tried to get a bid from ADT when we were building, they could care less. We have a local company in Lawrence, KS with their own UL listed monitoring station. That UL listing is very important, as is a local monitoring station as they know the streets, etc. Although ADT sells franchises, I would stay away from them. We had a company from Topeka for many years, but when I re configured our system, a few years ago, they did not have the type of panel I wanted so we changed to the present company. We have a well engineered comprehensive system now that I helped design, and we are well pleased with it. It has cell reporting, which makes it even more secure. All systems will have to change to this in 2016-2017.

 

[Sig_Lover]

I have had ADT for 25 years.
Need front and back door censors with motion detectors. If you pets they can adjust for that. I also have night vision camera's for my collection
Window and glass break are a pain in the ***

 

[email4eric]

I use SimpliSafe which is a monitored, cell-based alarm system with battery backup for power outages. I've not had it tested by a break in but it's worked every time I've forgotten it's on! It's very simple to self-install. It's been dead reliable for two years now.

You can size the system any way you want, has smartphone apps, key-chain remotes, smoke detectors, window/door alarms, glass breakage detectors, motion detectors, panic alarms, freeze detectors, and water leak detectors.

When I've accidentally triggered an alarm, the monitoring company called before I could even get my phone out of my pocket! They've got different levels of monitoring and interaction and it's affordable in my opinion at $24/mo. (for the most comprehensive package) including text/email/phone notification. The app is pretty simple. There is NO CONTRACT! You can start/stop and up/downgrade your monitoring as desired. You buy the equipment once and it's yours.

Anyway, I've got my house covered and I'm able to cover my shop (an outbuilding) as well.

Another option to consider since you're in the market.

 

[duck32man]

I installed Simpli Safe and have been very happy with them. Super easy to install and customize to your home. Also I have installed game cameras that cover my doors on the outside. Sounds weird but it works and it's a back up if the police don't get there in time to catch the perps. Simpli safe can also be put on your gun safe(s) and programmed to send you an alert if opened.

 

[dwever]

Use two cameras that continuously record to the cloud in HD and all video and audio is held for 30 days, $25 a month for the cloud service. Any motion or sound places hashtags on a computer time-line. I am able to log on with smartphone or computer. So far the system has only gotten my 17 year old daughter busted for coming home at 3:30a; I caught her from a motel in Accra Ghana. I just sent her a screen shot of her coming in the door with the system's time stamp.

My master br closet has a steel door with a kick plate and duty and personal weapons inside.

Oh yeah, there's also my buddy Moses and a screen shot from the family room security camera where my son is paying the price for taking Moses' ball.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Checkout SimpliSafe. I have had it for 2 years, problem free, NO Contracts, and I am paying $15.00 a month for monitored service. It's a DYI foolproof system, no wiring involved, and still works during any power failure. I do a test once a month and they call to verify within one minute of activation. Also includes monitored smoke alarms and motion detectors.

Home Security Systems from SimpliSafe

 

[Rivoak01]

I had ATD in my office once. They installed it and had me sign a 5 year contract. Under the contract, which I couldn't get out of, they jacked up the rates every year. So, by the end of year 5 I was paying a ridiculous price for monitoring. Also, I got a letter from them somewhere during this contract that said they would no longer call the police automatically unless the validity of an alarm was verified. At the end of the contract, I fired them and told them to get their equipment out of my office. Apparently, the parts they use has little value, they never came to get their stuff.

After I fired ADT, I had Comsurv install a real time video surveillance system that could be monitored remotely. That system records in real time everything that happens inside and around the building. Any or all of the cameras can be viewed on an iPhone. If their is any movement detected inside the building at odd hours, it sends an email to me so I can look and see what is going on. If their are any perps in the building I can tell the cops how many, what rooms they are in, and even email them a screen shot.

Much better system than ADT in my opinion, and it gave me the added bonus of seeing what employees were gold bricking when I was not there.