Home security
JDelage
Posts: 724 ✭✭
Hi,
I'd like advice on how to find a good home security consultant. I ran a search but all I get is retail outfits who want to sell you their stuff and will come do an assessment. If possible, I'd like to find someone who can give independant advice.
Alternatively, good online resources would be useful. Also, I'm interested in reading from anyone who's done extensive research on the subject.
Just to be clear - I'm not looking for info on home safes. I have read those threads already. I'm interested in security systems and other improvements (doors, etc).
Thanks,
JD
I'd like advice on how to find a good home security consultant. I ran a search but all I get is retail outfits who want to sell you their stuff and will come do an assessment. If possible, I'd like to find someone who can give independant advice.
Alternatively, good online resources would be useful. Also, I'm interested in reading from anyone who's done extensive research on the subject.
Just to be clear - I'm not looking for info on home safes. I have read those threads already. I'm interested in security systems and other improvements (doors, etc).
Thanks,
JD
"The greatest productive force is human selfishness."
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
0
Comments
myCCset
<< <i>Hi,
I'd like advice on how to find a good home security consultant. I ran a search but all I get is retail outfits who want to sell you their stuff and will come do an assessment. If possible, I'd like to find someone who can give independant advice.
Alternatively, good online resources would be useful. Also, I'm interested in reading from anyone who's done extensive research on the subject.
Just to be clear - I'm not looking for info on home safes. I have read those threads already. I'm interested in security systems and other improvements (doors, etc).
Thanks,
JD >>
I'd like to find someone who can give independant advice.
This might be difficult as there are many companies that want your business and will give you an estimate but I don't know if
there are any really "independant" people out there that don't have a security system to sell.
I have ADT and am happy with it. I also have "security" window film that will greatly slow down and hopefully discourage anyone trying to break a window to get in.
<< <i>Check with your local Police Dept. see if they do home security evals as part of the neighborhood watch program, some do some don't but it's a place to start--Tom >>
Robert A. Heinlein
I feel an alarm system is the first step.
If you get one or shop around for one, make sure you ask them exactly how their call-out procedure works and how long it takes.
reason I say that.......Can't tell you how many alarms over the past 13 years that I've been sent to (After the alarm company has called the home or business several times and even left messages instead of calling us) where we probably could have caught someone or come damn close.
Our one guy found a business open one night at 3am and went in to make sure it had not been hit. HE sets the alarm off. The alarm company calls the biz and my buddy answers and tells him who he is, etc.... THEY HANG UP ON HIM!! They then call back a couple more times and leave messages on the machine wanting the keyholder to call them if it's accidental.
<< <i>If you get one or shop around for one, make sure you ask them exactly how their call-out procedure works and how long it takes. >>
very good advice!
myCCset
also check with your local law enforcement...the ones that would be responding to any such alarm....
see if they have any penalties that they enforce for false alarms.
we have one but have never used it to my knowledge. I believe it is something like 3x in a month and you get a bill.
<< <i>on the flip side of my post......
also check with your local law enforcement...the ones that would be responding to any such alarm....
see if they have any penalties that they enforce for false alarms.
we have one but have never used it to my knowledge. I believe it is something like 3x in a month and you get a bill. >>
Some communities are requiring alarm owners to register with the local police dept. so they have it documented.
Alarm companies that monitor property are trying to eliminate false alarms going to the police and have a call back procedure to check
whether it is false or not through a code number known only to the property owner and the alarm company.
they call and call and call and call the house or business and unfortunately sometimes while they are doing this, the placed are being cleaned out.
While I can certainly understand ONE immediate call to the house/business to see if anyone answers AND knows the code, it should not take several minutes or more to notify law enforcement.
<< <i>the call back procedure is what makes them worthless......at least some of the ones I've seen in action.
they call and call and call and call the house or business and unfortunately sometimes while they are doing this, the placed are being cleaned out.
While I can certainly understand ONE immediate call to the house/business to see if anyone answers AND knows the code, it should not take several minutes or more to notify law enforcement. >>
An alarm system is only as good as the speed in which the local police get there. By itself it cannot prevent someone from
getting inside but will hopefully act as deterrent if a horn goes off or if they see a security sign out front and decide not
to go there. I would recommend anyone looking into a system also consider getting security film attached to your windows
from the inside, depending on the strength of film it should greatly slow down the efforts of someone trying to break the glass
and hopefully discourage them from proceeding.
<< <i>An alarm system is only as good as the speed in which the local police get there. >>
we can only get there IF we are called and we can only get there fast if we are called Fast. As I've said.....in my experience with them, they are a joke. You could accomplish the same thing if you made your house look like you had a system such as the things you noted (sign, film).
Now we do have a couple that do call us Immediately. Man do we scatter to get to those places when they sound!
Keep hedges and trees trimmed away from the house. Have ample lighting around your house, motion activated if you like, make sure all of your locks on your windows and doors are functional and not loose or of poor quality. Deadbolts are a must on all exterior doors.
there are lots of things that start with the homeowner.
Many PD will NOT respond immediately, they often have a 10-15 min response time allowance. It's a low priority call. Check with your PD and they will tell you the truth. Alarm companies don't.
Invest in solid core doors, dead bolts, thorny plants around windows, etc.
I've since installed iron bars and steel plates bolted through the building frame. The scumbags would need a tank to get in now.
<< <i>You could accomplish the same thing if you made your house look like you had a system such as the things you noted (sign, film). >>
Thieves ignore signs. I had them all over the place.
Russ, NCNE
It's really crazy what goes on.
The guy at the monitor wants to dispatch.
The alarm company and the owner don't want false alarms called in.
Some cities bill you after so many calls even if you had a break in.
Add to this, the fire alarm system. You now have a real headache.
It's a bit embarrassing for an owner to meet the police or the fire dept. on false alarms.
Because of this (as goose said) the bad guys get away or the place burns down.
The police and the fire dept are most always at the bottom of the call list and that's just stupid.
One of the companies I deal with monitor sound, motion and door swings. This makes it really cool.
The officer outside the business and the owner can hear inside the building and the motion detectors tell what zone they are in. You can actually sit at home and see video of what is going on. It just cost bucks.
In my experience a German Shepherd is a good consultant.
Not cheap, but fairly effective on thieves and salesmen.
The only thing I think that would improve it would be if it had a cell phone back up that would contact the company if the main phone line is lost. As it is now the alarm can be defeated simply by opening the phone junction box outside the house and unplugping the phone. Then the alarms may go off inside the house but the alarm company doesn't know and they don't contact the police. If the system was equipt with a prepaid cell phone circuit it could then monitor the main phoneline and if it goes dead the cell line can then contact the company.
<< <i>Alarm systems are a waste of money in most situations.
Many PD will NOT respond immediately, they often have a 10-15 min response time allowance. It's a low priority call. Check with your PD and they will tell you the truth. Alarm companies don't.
Invest in solid core doors, dead bolts, thorny plants around windows, etc. >>
Window security film is highly recommened, not that expensive overall depending on how many
windows you have. Should be installed by a professional.
<< <i>Most alarm systems are a complete JOKE not to mention waste of money. >>
Regardless, I get a 20% discount on homeowners' insurance for having an alarm system. Because this insurance is so ridiculously expensive here, the discount more than pays for the monthly monitoring fee.
<< <i>Motion detector lighting systems are great >>
That's another thing I installed. Multiple 100 watt halogen floods.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Odd with all the suggestions no one mentions lighting. I agree with the dead bolt locks but that really dosen't stop anyone, only slows them down. On TV they show you all the time someone kicking in a door and if you watch closely enough, many with dead bolts. All the items mentioned so far help to a degree but I feel that a good lighting system helps the most. Lamps scattered thoughout a house with the 24 hour type timers will give the impression there are people all over the place. Have them set at various times and change them each week. Put those cameras up in high places looking down at your door and window areas. Even if they are phony, only you know that. Have those Malibu type 12V lighting systems around also so the outside is lighted at night. There are door knob hanger devices that will siren, scream or even bark like a dog when the door knob is touched. Motion detector lighting systems are great and if your really a nut you can hook up an electric horn to one so each time it goes off the lights will go on and a horn sounds. My neighbors hate that one but so what. Keep away I say. I use all of the above. >>
Good lighting is important but according to some stats I read around 66% of
burglaries happen during the daytime when people are not at home. There are various noise making
devices you can hook up, I have one for the door that goes off when opened if not turned off by me by
remote control beforehand.
If someone is absolutely determined to get in they are going to do it, no system is foolproof, even dogs
or an armed housesitter, you just make it as difficult as possible for them.
No alarm system, vault, etc... can ever stop anyone if they want to get in...
all you can do is slow them down....48 hours is the time in the dealer business for vaults etc......
you will notice this on the good safes....reason ...if breakin starts Sat......you will be back Mon ... 48 hours to notice the theft.....
the best safes have layers of different materials to stop a drill bit attack....
the glass bead layer is really really good, it slows down the drilling ability of the crook and they hate it!
In a home, if you are wiring your main control panel.....you need to get it hidden...in the Greenwich CT area, burglars were breaking in...and in the minute countdown that they had they completely blew apart the main panels....now the installers are hiding them in better harder to reach locations....
Dogs are considered a very good bonus against regular breakins....
If you have a safe make sure you secure it to the floor, otherwise they will just take the safe...even if it weighs a couple of hundred pounds!
now since you read this whole thing.... read this breakin story!
This is just too funny not to share. Excerpted from an article which
appeared in the Dublin Times about a bank robbery on March 2.
Once inside the bank, shortly after midnight their
efforts at disabling the security system got underway immediately.
The robbers, who expected to find one or two large
safes filled with cash and valuables, were surprised to see hundreds of
smaller safes scattered throughout the bank.
The robbers cracked the first safe's combination,
and inside they found only a bowl of vanilla pudding.
As recorded on the bank's audiotape system, one robber said, "At least
we'll have a bit to eat."
The robbers opened up a second safe, and it also contained nothing but vanilla pudding. The process continued until all the safes were opened. They found not one pound sterling, a diamond, or ounce of
gold. Instead, all the safes contained covered bowls of pudding.
Disappointed, the robbers made a quiet exit, each leaving with nothing more than a queasy, comfortably full stomach. The newspaper headline read:
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>IRELAND'S LARGEST SPERM BANK ROBBED EARLY THIS MORNING!!
I have an 8 year old Greyhound who tends to lounge around the house and would be annoyed if a burglar ever distrubed his nap.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i> loaded 12 Guage aimed at the most likely point of entry, triggered to the door or window to fire when opened works wonders. May end up putting you in jail for a considerable amount of time but it will put your theif in the ground as well. >>
Instead of a shotgun you could have the setup shoot a stream of floresent orange dye. Not only can certain dyes be very hard to get off skin (some have to wear off) it would also make it easier for the cops to catch the thief. Hard to stay out of sight when you have patches of bright orange skin for weeks. Also clean up at your house is much easier, hard to clean up the blood and fix the damage when you are sitting in jail, you can use all that time you WONT be sitting in prison to clean it up.
1969s WCLR-001 counterclash
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>
<< <i> loaded 12 Guage aimed at the most likely point of entry, triggered to the door or window to fire when opened works wonders. May end up putting you in jail for a considerable amount of time but it will put your theif in the ground as well. >>
Instead of a shotgun you could have the setup shoot a stream of floresent orange dye. Not only can certain dyes be very hard to get off skin (some have to wear off) it would also make it easier for the cops to catch the thief. Hard to stay out of sight when you have patches of bright orange skin for weeks. Also clean up at your house is much easier, hard to clean up the blood and fix the damage when you are sitting in jail, you can use all that time you WONT be sitting in prison to clean it up.
In California, where I live, that die spraying idea would still land you in jail. The thief would sue you for scaring him and he'd most likely win. Welcome to the great Peoples Republic of Californistan
1969s WCLR-001 counterclash
Rip off and throw away the address labels from Coin World, Numismatic News, Coinage etc. before you recycle the magazines/newspapers.
You have no idea who might be looking at them once they leave your house.