Any Recommendations for a home security system

alf · 11-24-2006, 05:54 PM

I have a big guy safe that most valuables go into. Would like it as a deterent to pick an easier target and if in to make a bunch of noise so the next door folks will come over

Eric-325I · 11-24-2006, 06:41 PM

Hello Alfred:

My wife, while earning another degree, had to write a paper and chose 'crime statistics' or something along those lines. What she found was interesting. The vast majority of prisoners convicted of home burglary/invasion type crimes listed a dog on premises as the number one deterrent. Home security 'systems' were fairly low on the list. Criminals claim that they can either disable many of the alarm systems or figure they have a few minutes to get what they want before cops will be anywhere near... YMMV.

We have a dog and will never be without one or two. They are house dogs and very friendly, but they make a lot of noise when they hear something out of the ordinary. I would suggest getting a dog. Or, 'pretend' to have a dog by putting out dog things behind the house (dog house, dog lead/chain, dog toy, food bowls). Sounds dumb but it has proven to work.

Eric

Joeaksa · 11-24-2006, 08:51 PM

Alfred,

I would get two safes. One for the large items (in your case long and sharp!) and one smaller one. Make the smaller safe hard to find and the larger one bolted to the wall or floor if possible. It will take too long to open the large one and impossible to carry away.

The smaller one with the cash and jewelery and such if not found is your best bet for smaller items. Put it in an attic, behind or under a staircase or where-ever that is hard to find.

While the alarm is going off (make sure that it has a backup battery and might look into a cell phone link to back up the land line) the crooks do not have time to mess with searching the house very long.

Also might look into a remote alarm siren that triggers when the main unit goes off. The criminals can disarm the downstairs unit after getting in the door but until the second siren in the attic has received a "all clear" signal from the control unit, it keeps going on until the battery goes out or the police arrive.

Lastly Eric's comment about the dog is a very good one. Moise is the criminal enemy and if the neighbours hear a dog going wild, even in the backyard they will usually investigate.

alf · 11-24-2006, 10:52 PM

Yup got a dog...

Sadly, she does not bark at strangers, only leaves and the occasional bird. Hard to see in pic but i had a fishing pole in my hand and was trying to catch dinner...we ate out that night

Got a little safe too, going to get another big safe shortly.

Any recommendations on good alarm installers?

Rick V · 11-25-2006, 04:40 AM

Alfred,
That pic is awsome, that is what a Dog is all about!

If your dog is that attached to you and your family, I would lay money she would make a fair amount of noise is something "wrong" was going on. Don't forget what is your stuff is also hers.
Again great pic

VINMAN · 11-25-2006, 04:40 AM

Doberman and a 12 guage!

Mr_Wizard · 11-25-2006, 03:23 PM

No one gets close to the house without me knowing!!!

Dottore · 11-26-2006, 08:18 AM

Alf,

One big thing you can do is to get some serious doors. Statistically here something like 99% of the burglaries involve the jimmying of doors. For some reason hardly anyone comes through the windows.

We found a guy not far from our house who sells Israeli made steel doors in steel frames. These doors have deadbolts top, bottom and left and right - all of which turn with the door handle.

These doors come in every imaginable size and style and you cannot - absolutely cannot - get through them. Here they cost about $3,000 a piece (with frame) - but they are worth every penny.

Let me know if you want the contact details for the shop. The owner is ex-Israeli special forces - and he knows his business.