Anyone know anything about home security systems

[SecondHalf]

Last night I was broken into.
50 bottles of vintage wine, a bunch of easy to carry items.
What a mess.

I'm going to throw some money at the problem and buy a security system.
Two things ... I have a 15 year old kid that I'm a full time father of who's forgetful as can be. There is a cat in the house (not mine, I assure you!).

I'm thinking that I'll get the following features ...

Home monitoring,
Windows / Door contacts,
Motion detectors (zoned - so I can enable/disable them in different zones),
Last consolidate the portable valuables to a room that I'll keep locked at all times.

I have 2 types of high speed internet...
1) cable - can be cut, no alarm
2) 3g - only needs power, never fails

Assuming that I use the 3g internet as the alert, what should all this cost me?
I'm looking for opinions as I've no idea what to expect for cost.
1) install cost
2) maintenance cost.

Any help is appreciated,

SH

 

[Bible_Belt]

Anyone know anything about home security systems?

The best ones are made in Germany:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x252/dotheopposite/2shepherds-1.jpg

I've never been a fan of electronic home security systems. It might be different in different places, but the ones I've seen just call the police. And I've never been a big fan of just calling the police and thinking you are safe.

Dogs are great because they protect people and stuff at the same time. Security systems don't do very much to protect people. If you're not going to get a dog and are worried about the safety of your family at home, the next logical step is to get a gun.

A consensus choice for the best home defense weapon is a 12-guage shotgun. Like the German Shepherds, cops love them and that ought to tell you something about both. You have to make everybody in the house learn basic gun safety and how to shoot - that's more important than even having a gun.

A good and simple safety plan would be to tell your wife or kid that if someone breaks in while you are not there, they go lock themselves in the room with the shotgun. Police research into gun fighting has shown that sitting in one place with a gun is by far the safest move; it also negates skill differences between the attacker and the victim. A few months ago in Oklahoma, an 11 year old girl had a 350 pound child rapist smash in her front door. Her parents had taught her - go to our room, lock the door, get the gun, and shoot whoever breaks in the door. She shot him in the face with a Glock .40 and he lost all motivation to rape her. He did live, though.

 

[5string]

What Bible Belt said.

German Shepherd and a Colt .45 Commander would be my choices. Make sure with a 15 yr old that you get a little security safe for the .45. Can open them in a second should you need the weapon while at the same time restricting access to it by others.

Safety first.

 

[SecondHalf]

Both great suggestions and enjoyed in a different era.

However, I no longer am the country child with a legal cabinet full of rifles and even a 38 stub nosed police revolver.

Nope, now there is gun legislation stretching to the sky and heaven forbid you shoot someone even to protect your home or family.
I'm a Canadian eh?

Also, I live in a big city now and couldn't do that to a dog not to mention I don't want the burden.

That said, I'm forced to go electronic. Best I can do at this time.

My kid is usually the pit bull of the house as he's huge, but went on early vacation this year and I suspect told a couple too many people at his local high school.

Whole thing sucks!

SH

 

[5string]

Other options? Hmmm......let's see.

I know, buy the fvckin' cat a Taser.

Seriously though, the electronic security sounds good in theory but I dunno in the real world. I'd start talking to people and do more research. Then decide.

Sorry about what happened to you. Hope you get yer stuff back.

 

[weapon-x]

Last night I was broken into.
50 bottles of vintage wine, a bunch of easy to carry items.
What a mess.

I'm going to throw some money at the problem and buy a security system.
Two things ... I have a 15 year old kid that I'm a full time father of who's forgetful as can be. There is a cat in the house (not mine, I assure you!).

I'm thinking that I'll get the following features ...

Home monitoring,
Windows / Door contacts,
Motion detectors (zoned - so I can enable/disable them in different zones),
Last consolidate the portable valuables to a room that I'll keep locked at all times.

I have 2 types of high speed internet...
1) cable - can be cut, no alarm
2) 3g - only needs power, never fails

Assuming that I use the 3g internet as the alert, what should all this cost me?
I'm looking for opinions as I've no idea what to expect for cost.
1) install cost
2) maintenance cost.

Any help is appreciated,

SH

It's been already a month since I created my DIY home security sustem. I can only say I regret I didn't do it earlier...Now I really feel that I am in control of my properties. I can watch all them anytime online. Also I can have an access to the archive when I need it.
I use Xeoma software and 4 KDM-6810ACL
cameras . Try it, I'm very happy with it.

 

[Aristippus]

A few low-cost deterrants. When you leave the house, create the impression that someone is home. Leave either the TV or radio on with enough volume so it can be heard. That will leave a twinge of doubt in a would-be intruder's mind. Do not tell people you do this. Just do it. Most home invaders want to minimize chances of being caught and prefer that you're not home when they intrude.

If you like dogs, a dog can be a deterrent. It's better than a burglar alarm because alarms run on electricity. Dogs also have sensitive ears. Home invaders also want it to be as easy as possible to invade without being caught. Dogs create too much noise. You don't even have to have a vicious dog. Just a loud one (when he is startled).

If your son does something stupid like post when you go out of town on Facebook, tell him to stop and smack him in the back of the head. Let him know you're serious. That's simply an invitation for a would-be burglar to pick the perfect time to invade, when they can take their time and when you're not home. Also, remember, there is always the risk of their timing being off or you having to return home because you forgot something. Then you're in a worse situation if you walk in during a home invasion. There are about a million other reasons NOT to post when you'll be going on vacation on a public forum/social media site.