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Post by AN on Nov 2, 2018 0:13:52 GMT
I've never lived in a home with a security system, but in the last year we've gotten a video doorbell and nest thermostat, as well as some smart lights, and I love being able to monitor the house when away.
Several of my friends have home security systems and swear they wouldn't be without them. I sleep fine at night, but our house is definitely one that if someone wanted in - they'd be getting in. Lots of windows on the first floor, deadbolts on doors but I've had an apartment broken into and they broke the door frame, deadbolt didn't do a thing.
Do you have one? Monitored or unmonitored? Did you install yourself (something like nest secure or simplisafe), or have it professionally done?
I think with it getting dark so much earlier I'm feeling more creeped out in general, haha.
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Post by MichyM on Nov 2, 2018 0:30:09 GMT
I've never had one, and I now live in a secured condo building so I don't worry about it much. That said, I thought that if you go with a monitored system, install is complimentry? Is that not the case?
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,271 
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 2, 2018 0:33:57 GMT
We have a monitored alarm system. It was originally set up by a company, but we added more sensors and updated the keypad/programming ourselves. It also has two smoke alarms connected to it. We also have a full 9 camera system that connects to a DVR. It records all motion and we can access the real-time view from our phones and computers, as well as the monitor hooked up to the DVR. We used to have windows with armor tint to guard against break-ins (and wind) but we replaced all our windows and now have triple pane glass and updated locks.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 5:59:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 0:47:51 GMT
I have turkeys. She will start screaming the moment somebody sets foot on the property. He will follow her lead.
Then the ducks will get worked up. If you get passed that, the inside parrot will get you.
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Post by Merge on Nov 2, 2018 0:55:02 GMT
Yes, but I think the crazy barking dog inside is a better deterrent.
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Post by bc2ca on Nov 2, 2018 1:09:14 GMT
It's sort of a monitored system. John, the neighbor, does a great job.  Between our neighbors and the fact we have four people in the house on different schedules and the house is rarely empty for extended times, I haven't felt the need to get a system. That being said, I'm sure someone tried to take the screen off our living room window way I was away at the end of September. I'm the one that opens the shutters/blinds and windows during the day and when I'm away, no one else opens the ones at the front of the house. It's an odd window to pick because they are completely exposed to the street, but when I pointed it out to DH he agreed it had been pried from the outside.  |
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 2, 2018 1:20:21 GMT
We don’t have one, but I would if my DH would go for it. We live in a safe area, but it only takes once to change that. We are older and retired, a perfect target, even though we have very little of real worth.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 5:59:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 1:29:07 GMT
My neighbor has a really good one.
And
My dog use to set it off every night., Because they had sensors on the road side of the fence, Facing our house
To be honest anybody walking down the road set it off. We like to walk late at night. We scared them a lot.
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IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Nov 2, 2018 1:38:37 GMT
I have turkeys. She will start screaming the moment somebody sets foot on the property. He will follow her lead. Then the ducks will get worked up. If you get passed that, the inside parrot will get you. So, monitored security system for you.  |
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Post by mom on Nov 2, 2018 1:43:02 GMT
We have a monitored alarm system. It was originally set up by a company, but we added more sensors and updated the keypad/programming ourselves. It also has two smoke alarms connected to it. We also have a full 9 camera system that connects to a DVR. It records all motion and we can access the real-time view from our phones and computers, as well as the monitor hooked up to the DVR. We used to have windows with armor tint to guard against break-ins (and wind) but we replaced all our windows and now have triple pane glass and updated locks. This is what we have, and we love it. I can pull up my home cameras on my phone and see in real time whats happening. I will never regret making my home secure. |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Nov 2, 2018 2:27:26 GMT
Yes, we have a monitored system that was installed for us. My parents have the same system.
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Post by compeateropeator on Nov 2, 2018 2:59:09 GMT
I do not. I asked this in a poll a couple of weeks ago and it was interesting to see the results. Security alarm poll |
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Post by katlady on Nov 2, 2018 3:04:16 GMT
We have a monitored system that came with the house. We may be changing it out soon for a more modern system (video, phone app, etc.).
ETA - ours also monitors for fires, which worries me more than a break in.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Nov 2, 2018 3:05:42 GMT
We don't have one. We keep the doors and downstairs windows locked and I feel quite safe with that level of security. (We don't own guns, either.)
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Nov 2, 2018 3:14:58 GMT
We have a system in the house we moved to it it isn’t monitored. We have a panic button on it, that one of our cats found right after we moved in....that was fun. Oy.
We also have a German Shepherd. One who doesn’t like people coming in. His job is to bark every time we come in or out, anytime I go to the door to meet the pizza delivery guy, ups, or anyone... he also stakes out the yard every time he goes outside. Frankly I trust him more than the security system.
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,811
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Post by TXMary on Nov 2, 2018 3:46:55 GMT
We built our house 19 years ago and didn’t feel the need for one since we live in a very safe area. Fast forward to now and it’s still safe here but two neighboring cities are getting closer and building more subdivisions right up to our border. One is also building a new high school not far from us so our secluded little area doesn’t feel as safe as it once did. We installed Simplisafe a couple of months ago. It was easy to install ourselves and it’s monitored. We have been very happy with it. We also installed a Ring doorbell at the same time. Very happy with it too.
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Post by rrp23 on Nov 2, 2018 12:54:37 GMT
We have 2 amazon cameras, one for the doorbell, and another in a bedroom to watch the side yard. I got that one because i caught my mail carrier teasing my dog. Those cameras have proven quite useful and i intend to purchase more.
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Post by rrp23 on Nov 2, 2018 12:57:19 GMT
I have turkeys. She will start screaming the moment somebody sets foot on the property. He will follow her lead. Then the ducks will get worked up. If you get passed that, the inside parrot will get you. Imagining this! 😂 |
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Post by Patter on Nov 2, 2018 13:01:38 GMT
We have had one for the past 21 years--for our house of 14 years in TX, and for our current house. We really love having one.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Nov 2, 2018 13:03:42 GMT
Yep! It's a must for me living in town. I also have cameras (mostly to see and talk to my dog LOL) plus a gate.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
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Post by tracylynn on Nov 2, 2018 14:47:44 GMT
My parents too - they have ADT, installed for free on all the doors and windows and it's monitored. Plus they have 2 cameras inside, and 3 cameras outside (front door, side gate and pool). All those can be monitored from the phone and the app will alert when motion is detected.
Plus they live across from a sheriff who keeps an eye out as well!
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Post by snugglebutter on Nov 2, 2018 15:02:34 GMT
We just have a doorbell camera right now. Dh is thinking about adding more cameras on other sides of the house.
My dad has had alarm systems since the 80's and he really thinks Simplisafe looks like a good option.
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Post by AN on Nov 2, 2018 15:16:01 GMT
Thanks for all your input!
I've been looking at systems like Simplisafe, but from what I saw - Simplisafe only has indoor cameras. I'd really like a system that could add maybe 3 outdoor cameras (in addition to the doorbell camera). I could do those separately, but I am not sure I want THREE apps (Nest, SimpliSafe, Camera App).
Nest has outdoor cams, but first of all they cost a zillion dollars and have to be wired in (and have a weird large nodule on the wire so you have to drill a fairly large hole). Also, I'm not impressed by the rest of the Nest Secure system. Their panel can't be wall mounted, has to be set on a table/countertop, which doesn't work well for where we come in the house. They also have pretty limited options, like no separate additional alarms you can add. For example, my dad has both an alarm indoor and outdoors so neighbors could hear.
I also found out an alarm system has to be registered with/pay a tax to the city I live in, whether it is monitored or not. Which is kind of a buzzkill but I get it and it's not enough to not do it if it's something I'd like.
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Post by gryroagain on Nov 2, 2018 15:22:42 GMT
Always had a big dog with a big dog bark, best security around! Plus dog kisses, which cameras suck at. Save money, adopt a dog.
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Post by blueeyedpups on Nov 2, 2018 15:31:00 GMT
We installed a monitored system ourselves after a coworkers house was broken into while he was at work. It has cameras, doorbell camera, motion sensors, glass breakage sensors, door and window sensors, smoke detectors, CO2 detector, we have a 2nd floor laundry so added a water leakage sensor on floor near washing machine, we can also control our thermostat and turn on/off several lights using the security system app on our phone. Love being able to check up on things when we're away!
Edited to add: Also, a lot of insurance companies will offer a discount on your homeowners insurance if you have a monitored security system. I think our discount was 10%.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Nov 2, 2018 15:36:39 GMT
We don't now - unless you count having 3 dogs (one of which is a mini-doxie that can hear the UPS truck two streets over and barks - a lot!)
When we lived in TX, we had a simple door/window alarm that was built into the house. The builder (Lennar) put them in all of the houses in the addition we lived in far North Fort Worth. It was a monitored alarm that we had to apply for an alarm permit and pay a yearly fee - alarmed or not.
There were also "False Alarm Fees". You were allowed 3? I think? false alarms per?? year - again I think) then they start assessing a fee for each and every false alarm. It became a major pain because I was home during the day and let 3 dogs in and out all day and had to remember to disarm the alarm each time or just turn it off so only we heard the beep that told us a door was being opened. Same thing applied to letting the dogs out during the night. We eventually realized that we had the alarm off more than on, plus having 3 dogs probably made our house a lot less desirable to rob anyway. I did like the fire alarm aspect, but decided risking a bunch of false alarms we would have to pay for was just not worth it.
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Post by Patter on Nov 2, 2018 16:23:30 GMT
Thanks for all your input! I've been looking at systems like Simplisafe, but from what I saw - Simplisafe only has indoor cameras. I'd really like a system that could add maybe 3 outdoor cameras (in addition to the doorbell camera). I could do those separately, but I am not sure I want THREE apps (Nest, SimpliSafe, Camera App). Nest has outdoor cams, but first of all they cost a zillion dollars and have to be wired in (and have a weird large nodule on the wire so you have to drill a fairly large hole). Also, I'm not impressed by the rest of the Nest Secure system. Their panel can't be wall mounted, has to be set on a table/countertop, which doesn't work well for where we come in the house. They also have pretty limited options, like no separate additional alarms you can add. For example, my dad has both an alarm indoor and outdoors so neighbors could hear. I also found out an alarm system has to be registered with/pay a tax to the city I live in, whether it is monitored or not. Which is kind of a buzzkill but I get it and it's not enough to not do it if it's something I'd like. I will tell you that SimpliSafe was terrible for my daughter. I cannot tell you how many false alarms she had. She is a police officer, and her co-workers kept getting called to her place when she was away. She couldn't wait to ditch it when she bought her house. Now she has what we do--CPI. We had ADT in TX, and we find CPI to be even better than ADT. We LOVE CPI. They have been GREAT but I know it's not available in all areas. |
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 5:59:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 17:20:09 GMT
We have simplisafe and it is monitored. It works really well. We even have apps on our phone and can check whether we armed the house before left or not. If we didn't we can arm it from the app. We also get a text is an issue (i.e. alarm going off) as well as phone calls.
It is very easy to install.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,616
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Nov 2, 2018 17:22:28 GMT
Nope. Truly no need for one. And I have a dog that barks any time a leaf blows outside. Potential burglars wouldn't know he'd actually lick them to death before he'd do any harm.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 5:59:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 17:32:23 GMT
We have an installed alarm that is monitored by an independent company. Instead of window contacts, we did glass breakage sensors where there are windows and doors. We also have an exterior camera and doorbell (Ring) that is separate from the alarm system.
A local police officer told us once that an intruder looking to break into your home only needs between 3-5 minutes to run to a bedroom and grab a drawer of jewelry, a laptop or whatever else of value is laying around. That's less than the time it takes for your alarm to be triggered, notify the central station and dispatch police. We lock all of our doors when leaving, especially the door from the garage to the house.
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