Installing Your Own Home Security System.

[arnisador]

Home Tech (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/garden/01hometech.html?src=me&ref=general)

Installing Your Own Home Security System (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/garden/01hometech.html?src=me&ref=general)


But a new breed of home-security systems promises to be simple enough to install without any professional help, cutting the cost of traditional alarm systems by taking advantage of technologies like wireless connectivity and battery-operated sensors.



Some of these systems even allow you to monitor your home yourself, using a Web browser on a computer or a smartphone. Following is a roundup of new ways to keep your castle well guarded.

[Carol]

Very interesting...and something front and center now that I am a homeowner.

[jwinch2]

One of the first things we did after getting our locks changed is have a high level security system installed on our home. It was a bit of an investment but worth every penny in terms of peace of mind and comfort. Something to consider when buying one is to stay away from the big chains (ADT, Broadview, etc.) as they hose you at every turn and have had many many problems. Look for people who use the top monitoring companies (Emergency 24, etc.) and top equipment, you are likely to find a quality company. Something else to consider is that installing a system yourself and doing your own monitoring is likely not going to allow you to take advantage of the discounts you get on your home owners insurance as they require off site monitoring that has the capability to call the fire dept.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Definitely security systems are a must in this day and age! Off site monitoring is another thing that is very, very important. You can if you do it right. use really any monitoring service. Most important is to demand discounts and quality of service. I have used several through out the years and trust me that it is a good piece of mind whether on vacation or at home. Couple your alarm system with a dog or two plus your training and hopefully you have increased your odds significantly for not having any problems. Beyond the alarm system, dog and yourself you need to have stickers on your windows, signs in the yard. Simply put, make your place an unattractive and harder place to hit and you will deter most criminals. They in general look for easy targets and ones where people are simply lazy in regards to personal and property security! Just my 02.

[silat1]

One of my associate workers had their house broken into this weekend.. He had security doors, solid frame frame doors and they still got in.. Evidently, the burglary team got in by knocking off the screen on the security door and forced the door open that way.. I have solid doors on all ports and exits of my house along with heavy duty security doors.. My windows have security bars on all windows and the windows are capable of taking winds in excess of 200 mph so they are quite strong.. My point is irregardless how secure your house might be, there are always ways for people to get in if they have that in mind.. I have someone around and in my house at all times, but with the way the economy is out here, there is always ways to increase your domicile security.. My family and myself never stay to a set schedule or route whenever we leave the house, so there is always some one around and both my boys know how to handle my passive alarm system, one that barks at the scene and can bite big holes in to someone who is endangering my family.. 230 grain bites do act as a serious deterent when it barks..