Home security

[LonghornsATX]

So,

My wife and I have been having a discussion lately about home security. We are not worried about our possessions -- this is strictly our children, and me worrying about her.

I already have cameras up, you can't get to a door or window in my house without passing through one of them --- Doesn't help during the fact, but allows me to go back and figure out what happened after the fact. (Or in the off chance I'm held under siege I have awareness)


My opinion of home security is my dog, and 12 gauge. Dog to bark and alert me, and 12 gauge to handle a serious situation. (I already have cameras up, you can't get to a door or window in my house without passing through one of them)


Her Opinion is a house alarm. (She grew up in a nice big house in a designer neighborhood in a gun free home.)

I'm trying to work with her on this. I don't want to pay $80 a month for a security system.

The compromise we have come up with is her getting a shotgun (If I'm gone) and getting taught how to use it effectively - Not just safely, she already knows how to do that. Installing a security system (Not through a company) but one that we can arm and an alarm will go off if someone enters. There will be door contacts and a window break sensor in the lower floor of the house.

This solution would cost $750ish

The alarm install is free, but $87.36 a month for what we'd want. It would provide extra protection when we are not home.

What do ya'll think? (She actually told me to post it here - She might reply to some of ya'lls suggestions)

[Speedgoat]

I can do it for 500, easily. Get a loud attic siren and have system dial your number. Company support is bogus if you have neighbors.

[LonghornsATX]

I can do it for 500, easily

Do what? The solution I want?

I'm factoring in the cost of the shotgun too, not just the alarm stuff.

[rlpzzz]

You can get wireless monitoring through Smith Thompson for about $15 a month. I still vote for the shot gun too!

[LonghornsATX]

You can get wireless monitoring through Smith Thompson for about $15 a month. I still vote for the shot gun too!

What I told her about the security system is, it's only as good as the police response time. (I am by no means belittling the PD) Lets say their response time is 2 minutes... Well, a lot could happen in two minutes.

If I'm not home she needs to know how to protect our kids. Hell they could take ANYTHING I own, just don't want them to come upstairs where my kids are.

(This has come up because there has been a string of break ins in my neighborhood)

[LWD]

I have several thoughts.

1) Most homeowners insurance policies give a discount if you have an alarm system. That will usually more than offset the cost of monthly monitoring. $80 per month is at least double what you should be paying.

2) A good home security system will also include smoke and heat detectors. The only time my parents' alarm system activated it was for a fire in the attic. Without the alarm system, they wouldn't have known about the fire for much longer, and it would have been much larger and the damage much greater.

3) The wife's peace-of-mind is priceless. When I'm home, we don't arm the thing. But if I'm not home, she arms it and sleeps much better at night.

4) See number 3, above.

LWD

[LWD]

What I told her about the security system is, it's only as good as the police response time. (I am by no means belittling the PD) Lets say their response time is 2 minutes... Well, a lot could happen in two minutes.

If I'm not home she needs to know how to protect our kids. Hell they could take ANYTHING I own, just don't want them to come upstairs where my kids are.

(This has come up because there has been a string of break ins in my neighborhood)

An alarm system would give her a significant tactical advantage. Your post assumes that the alarm system activating doesn't dissuade the bad guys. Let's assume that's true; they're coming on in anyway. The alarm activating gives her warning and a few extra seconds.

In my case that would be to roll out of bed proceed through the master bathroom, enter the closet, open the lockbox on the top shelf, and retrieve a 1911 and Surefire. I can do that in less than 5 seconds. But if the first warning she has is a bad guy in the bedroom, she doesn't have 5 seconds.

LWD

[lameduck]

The loudest siren you can get. One inside, one outside. They will run as soon as they go off.

[bluelund79]

I see that you stated you have a dog. My wife's piece of mind went up when we got our second dog, and one that is much larger than the little yapper. Mine also grew up in a nice community/gun free home/etc. I also showed her how to use the pistol I bought for her, as well as her 20ga pump. The dogs will do a great job of alerting and keeping the bad people back long enough for her to retrieve kids/safety and weapon. Not being funny, but we have practiced with the kids a few times of what to do in case-includes Mom and Dads alert word/safe word, where to go when hearing said words, etc. However, the difference is we are renters until I retire from service in 5 years. I still don't see us putting in any alarm in our own house.

[Mouse]

The newer control box systems include, CO2, heat/smoke, and glass breakage to go with all the door and window detectors. These systems are all wireless and can be controlled from your smart phone. You can view your cameras as well as the status of your security system and control the thermostat and lights. These systems are all Z wave systems so you can add other components. These things just give you the advantage of seeing whats going on when you are not there and the ability to control it all. We use Vivint but I still have my dog and a 45.

[Bowhuntamistad]

What about perps disabling systems...we have had quite a bit of that occuring here in Las Vegas lately.