Reason to install security. Blah. Anyone have ADT or some other service you like/dislike?

My friend has some type of security and has to punch in the codes when she walks in the house in x amount of seconds. If someone opens the door or window and the alarm goes off they have to punch in the code right away. If they don't and it goes to the police station she has to pay $50.00 for each time this happens. I was over once and opened the door and did not know the code and had to call her up to get it. It was really a pain to have the loud noise blasting in your ears and I am sure disturbing the neighbors too. Now if I stay at her house I have to remember not to open the door to take the garbage out or get the newspaper.

We had a system in one house in Florida and never set it up for use. We have one here that could have been used without being connected to a major company. It was for personal use or could be connected. When we called a compant to come out and talk to us they disconnected it from being able to be used for personal use. The previous owners paid for it and it did not have to be connected to any company. We just let it be because the kids are always in and out of the house. We also live next to law enforcement officers and they watch everythign going on in the neighborhood.

How many people do you know that have had their houses broken into? Think about it? Good outside lighting, no bushes blocking doors and windows, deadbolt locks and even locks on the windows will help any home.

Originally Posted by No Cute

Reason to install security. Blah. Anyone have ADT or some other service you like/dislike?

I had a miserable experience w ADT in NYC. But that doesn't mean you will, as things tend to be local. ADT is a division of Tyco.

But there's more to good security than an alarm system.

Originally Posted by gillianna

My friend has some type of security and has to punch in the codes when she walks in the house in x amount of seconds. If someone opens the door or window and the alarm goes off they have to punch in the code right away. If they don't and it goes to the police station she has to pay $50.00 for each time this happens. I was over once and opened the door and did not know the code and had to call her up to get it. It was really a pain to have the loud noise blasting in your ears and I am sure disturbing the neighbors too. Now if I stay at her house I have to remember not to open the door to take the garbage out or get the newspaper. How many people do you know that have had their houses broken into? Think about it? Good outside lighting, no bushes blocking doors and windows, deadbolt locks and even locks on the windows will help any home.

Not true @ the bolded. The alarm will sound and if the code is not entered/alarm not canceled in a reasonable amount of time, the alarm company will call the home and the security code must be given. If the phone is not answered and alternate numbers are not answered, police will be summoned. If the police come out more than twice or so a month, yes, you are charged. THIS hasn't happened to ANYONE I know. The alarm only goes off immediately if another entrance besides the main one is opened before the system is unarmed or if your status is set to "Instant".

I honestly don't know many ppl whose houses have been broken into, but I don't want to be the one. I've heard too many stories on the news where people have been awakened to a predator standing over them. Will not be me. I lock my doors and set the alarm. I've never had a problem. Better safe than sorry. How many intruders care that a motion light comes on at 3am when the whole neighborhood is asleep anyway? We can go on and on with "what ifs", but you have to protect you and yours the best way you see fit.

BTW, I do have (Brinks, who was bought by) ADT and I have not had a problem with them. I've tripped my own alarm and was quite pleased with the response. Now, I will say that I was scared s##tless when I evacuated for a hurricane and was called because the "motion detector indicated entry". So, 500+ miles from home, this is what I had to deal with. Come to find out, the power surge actually tripped the alarm, not an intruder.

I had ADT. Found out with adding some phone lines here, we weren't connected to them for over 2 years. But i was paying. They couldn't tell with their switch board? Went back to a local provider who has me connected directly with fire & police. They added the buttons to the panels.

Also didn't like ADT was if I tripped the alarm & shut it off, they didn't call to make sure everything was OK. Don't set the alarm off more than maybe every 2 years but its just a nice feature with the local company.

The local company gave me a better price when I said I was leaving ADT. Think I'm $5 per month cheaper than ADT. And no contract.

Best added feature for me is the chimes when the doors open. Our house is one story & spread out. So I can hear when someone opens the door with the chimes, couldn't before the chimes. Friends with kids heard ours & said we got to get that, kids can't sneak out. Nor in.

There is much one can do to be safe. Police told me a dog was the best alarm system. Get security doors. Do what you can to not allow access to your front door. Iron gate etc. Put the shatter proof film on your windows.

my brother did. not sure he ever had to use it but there were multiple times where my parents were at his house, couldn't get the code in fast enough and they send out a call right away!

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

I had ADT. Found out with adding some phone lines here, we weren't connected to them for over 2 years. But i was paying. They couldn't tell with their switch board? Went back to a local provider who has me connected directly with fire & police. They added the buttons to the panels. Also didn't like ADT was if I tripped the alarm & shut it off, they didn't call to make sure everything was OK. Don't set the alarm off more than maybe every 2 years but its just a nice feature with the local company. The local company gave me a better price when I said I was leaving ADT. Think I'm $5 per month cheaper than ADT. And no contract. Best added feature for me is the chimes when the doors open. Our house is one story & spread out. So I can hear when someone opens the door with the chimes, couldn't before the chimes. Friends with kids heard ours & said we got to get that, kids can't sneak out. Nor in. There is much one can do to be safe. Police told me a dog was the best alarm system. Get security doors. Do what you can to not allow access to your front door. Iron gate etc. Put the shatter proof film on your windows.

A dog would be ideal, I agree, but it's not an option right now. We also have a one-story, so the chimes sound nice.

All security type stuff in place that can be with our present set up. A gate on the door would be nice, but with all the windows, not sure it would matter.

I will examine local options.

We have Guardian and it's worked well for us.