Home Security

[phade]

Our road was hit hard by some douche canoes within the past day - one house two down from me (my family's old farm house) and several others were burglarized. The old farm house has not one, but FOUR big ass dogs (all over 60 lbs, one which is well over 100) that are not super friendly and free range on an invisible fence. You can't walk into the driveway without having them on top of you.

 

Our house is pretty weak security wise. Have some dogs but that appears to be a non issue. Would like to implement some perimeter alarms, sensors, without going the ADT system route. 

 

Does anyone know about this stuff? Would love to hear reviews or suggestions. Have done the typical google search on ways to protect house, but would like some sort of alert systems, either alarm sound at the house, or maybe some sort of trigger to alert me. I have cell enabled trail cams I can use short term, but would like a resident system.

[Nomad]

That really sucks. I have done most of the common things, reinforced jams ,outside lights, alarm system stickers ( real,ones not fakes from online).

For advanced warnings you can put up driveway alarms. When someone goes past them it rings a chime inside. When my daughter was in college and lived in a crappy area I put up fake outside cameras . You just don't know today if they'er real of fake but a real system is not expensive either.

[dbHunterNY]

only way I know without getting too many devices and hardware is to use motion lights outdoors then have them have them wired to a electrically latched audible device inside.  haven't looked into it myself as I have a system installed.  I know they make outdoor motion lights with remote audible to put inside that you can get at home depot but don't know if they're latched.  depending on the time delay of the light you don't want the audible inside to go back off unless you hit some kind of reset or connected light switch.  don't know your house floor plan but unless it's open or you have a main and straight hallways it's not really feasible to put something inside.  also if they see it's a home brewed system they might not be deterred.  if they just hear an alarm noise not knowing what it is they probably won't hang around.

 

I feel like it's a case of the weather finally turning mild.  same issues around my parent's area.

Edited April 8, 2015 by dbHunterNY

[GreeneHunter]

We have a couple of Motion detecting lights on the house and believe it or not Trailcam's are turning out to be kinda handy with the flash at night ( they have to be kept out of reach) !

[jjb4900]

I personally wouldn't waste money hooking an alarm to an alarm company unless it's reasonably priced, by the time it goes off and through all the channels, the thieves are usually long gone.........if you can find a good one that is audible and extremely loud with lighting features for nighttime, I would go that route.

[phade]

I'm looking for more daytime deterrent more than nighttime since daytime hours are more when my wife would be home alone or nobody at the house. Most of these break-ins are happening during the day in midweek when people are at work.

 

I'd love to find a perimeter alarm that can be audibly heard outside, and maybe something I can connect to my wifi that could alert me directly. I know if they want in, they'll get in, but adding one more trick in the bag between the dogs, a third vehicle we have parked in the driveway, and some alarm signs, it'd be nice to do.

 

 

[Steuben Jerry]

We looked into home brew type security but eventually decided on a monitoring system with door/window sensors and motion sensors in the house. We had ADT quote along with a couple of others and ADT was way high compared to the competition.

We live in a rural setting and work out of town so the monitoring gave me comfort in knowing the police would be on scene long before we could be.

$35/ month is what we pay and the sirens that go off immediately are certainly loud! You get a phone call from the monitoring company immediately to ask if the police should be dispatched (in case it was accidently triggered, you can cancel the police). You have to give a code to the caller, and either no answer or a wrong code will automatically send the police. I have a key fob for the system and can control it with a smart phone while I'm away. Pretty good functionality for the price.

 

I'd have to dig up the original invoice to see what we paid for the equipment. Can't remember since it's been a few years.

[dbHunterNY]

I'm looking for more daytime deterrent more than nighttime since daytime hours are more when my wife would be home alone or nobody at the house. Most of these break-ins are happening during the day in midweek when people are at work.

 

I'd love to find a perimeter alarm that can be audibly heard outside, and maybe something I can connect to my wifi that could alert me directly. I know if they want in, they'll get in, but adding one more trick in the bag between the dogs, a third vehicle we have parked in the driveway, and some alarm signs, it'd be nice to do.

 

....also a radio or your TV on a wall outlet timer is good.  change it now and then when you happen to walk by it or think about it.  park the third vehicle in random spots like it's in the middle of use.

[Doc]

Outdoor alarm systems would be great at our place. especially if the sensors were down at the entrance to our 1000' driveway. Since the driveway is the only dry way in or out from the road (because of the swampy area), any incoming (or out-going) activity has to be on the driveway at some point in time. However, I have to wonder about constantly being driven crazy by critter traffic. That whole area in front of the house is infested with deer, and I have to believe that an alarm system that monitors the driveway would be a sure-fired pain-in-the-neck real quickly.

[WNYBuckHunter]

phade, if you want a fairly inexpensive camera system, let me know. Ill line you up and install it for you. Seeing some cameras placed under the eves is a good deterrent and if they dont see them, youll see who it was that broke in. You can set some of them up to alert you via text or email, and you can remote in and view the cameras from anywhere at anytime.

[phade]

phade, if you want a fairly inexpensive camera system, let me know. Ill line you up and install it for you. Seeing some cameras placed under the eves is a good deterrent and if they dont see them, youll see who it was that broke in. You can set some of them up to alert you via text or email, and you can remote in and view the cameras from anywhere at anytime.

Let's talk this weekend on it.

 

I figured you might have some ideas and chime in. Don't need anything fancy, but some sort of deterrent and/or video capture would be great.

 

Appreciate it.

[BizCT]

I just got ADT because all the equipment was already installed from the previous owners. The alarm sound is deafening. You can hear it from outside. Every single window and door has a sensor. If the alarm goes off, they call me, then the police. I don't have the interior motion sensors active because I have 2 cats. $35/month for 3 years isn't bad. Plus there is landscaping lights on timers, motion sensor lights in backyard and driveway, and lastly I'm in a very residential neighborhood so that all being said, I feel pretty good.

[Two Track]

Anything that is 50 yards from the property line and my canine alarm goes off (slow moving car, dog walking by, kid on a bicycle, deer in the yard, squirrel in the neighbor's yard).  Except for the three times we had a bear come by, otherwise she sounds off loud and threatening. 

 

Sometimes we have to babysit one of the b-n-laws dogs (depending on which one it could be one of two german shepards, or a bull mastif) for a couple days to a week.  They back each other up.  One of the shepards actually herds the deer up and escorts them off of our property - and we live in town.

 

We have had ground bee's nesting by our canoe - nature's own deterient.  They really lit up my hand while mowing last fall.  Good luck stealling that three seater unnoticed by the bees and the dogs.

 

Some of those sensor lights suck.  Bulbs blown after 6 months in our dusk-to-dawn one.  Hopefully the replacements are better.  Make sure you pick up a quality light.

 

If you have older windows (wooden frames), you can drill a small hole and put a nail through to lock the upper and lowerportions together.

 

With critters wandering around the yard, trip sensors away from the house will not be a solution unless you have a gated area close the house that animals do not get into.  Then you could use infared beams as the outmost sensors.

 

Unless you have a power backup system, if you lose power, you lose the alarm/camera system.

 

[bowslinger]

i got 2 hill billy doorbells that bark at any thing that comes in the yard even the squirrels in the cherry trees sat them off deer at nite eating the grass in my yard will too

[Zag]

I put an NRA sticker on my garage door, but then I thought a potential perp probably can't read anyways!!

[fasteddie]

Redneck Home Security

How to install a redneck home security system:

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.

2. Place them on your front porch, along with several empty beer cans, a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine and several NRA magazines.

3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads: 'Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim, I went to the gun shop for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls -- they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad.I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood. PS - I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.'

5. INSTALLATION COMPLETE!

 

[Nomad]

Eddie there is some truth in that. When we reached the point where we could leave our girls home alone for the hour or two between when I left for "nights" and the wife came home i did this .

I left my sandals , a gun magazine and a beer can or two on the patio by the door.

The dogs lead was chained by the other door,

[bkln]

Mossberg 500..... nuff said...

[nyslowhand]

TW security system comes with Vign Rhames standing guard duty 24/7/365. lol

[fasteddie]

We had ADT and I didn't think the price was bad .... $30 a month . Had it when the inlaws lived with us as they were in their 90's and if it got set off accidentally the police or Fire Dept would show up . I plan to have it hooked back up soon .

[nmcbride]

Hey, for perimeter alarms I've got a buddy using a Dakota Alert break beam setup. Seems to work well pretty well, you can check it out here - http://www.absoluteautomation.com/bba2500-dakota-alert-break-beam-system-2500/

[jjb4900]

I have Dueling Banjos playing on a continuous loop......so far so good.

[EspressoBuzz]

I install home theaters, home automation and home security systems. Home alarm monitoring can be had for under $10 bucks a month (my home in Suffolk I pay $4.99/mo). The trick is to go directly to the monitoring company not an installer who brokers the service. Home security relies mostly on deterring rather than capturing. With this in mind the main deterrent is cameras cameras cameras, but wait you don't have to buy ALL real cameras, a few real cameras and a boatload of fake cameras will do the trick. At LEDwholesalers.com you'll see solar powered motion activated LED lights, but i am sure you can shop them around. Light coming on at night is never a good thing for thieves. Any security system can be defeated so the idea is to make it too much effort. In the case of someone who is not smart or does not care the real cameras will capture evidence for the police. Remember only in the movies can you zoom in and read a license plate. HiDef cameras are expensive but even one well placed (covering the only driveway) will be worth the price. Unfortunately booby traps such as pits filled with bungee sticks or the shotgun with string pointing at the door are illegal. Additionally if the property is large you should give some thought to the approaches to the house. Creating open space near the house that makes thieves uncomfortable crossing is good as is creating brush piles at the fringes of the open area to force certain lanes of travel which are covered by cameras and/or lights.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[steve863]

I don't see the point in installing anything too elaborate for home security, other than sturdy locks on the doors and locking windows and maybe a safe for guns, cash and jewelry.  What else is so valuable that you guys keep in your homes?  Most burglars look for cash and maybe jewelry, but if you don't keep it around or keep it well locked up, what else will they take?   It's unlikely they will pull down your big screen TV off your wall and walk away with it.  You think they'll be interested in your washer and dryer?  If guns are in a safe or locked away somewhere else, it is highly unlikely they will get to them either.  In my mind it will probably cost more to install elaborate systems and then pay monthly fees than anything a crook would run off with.  My view is that anything can be replaced other than lives of loved ones which security systems probably would not help with anyway.  If someone was intent on coming in to kill, I don't think those alarms going off would stop them from doing it.

 

 

[EspressoBuzz]

I don't see the point in installing anything too elaborate for home security, other than sturdy locks on the doors and locking windows and maybe a safe for guns, cash and jewelry.  What else is so valuable that you guys keep in your homes?  Most burglars look for cash and maybe jewelry, but if you don't keep it around or keep it well locked up, what else will they take?   It's unlikely they will pull down your big screen TV off your wall and walk away with it.  You think they'll be interested in your washer and dryer?  If guns are in a safe or locked away somewhere else, it is highly unlikely they will get to them either.  In my mind it will probably cost more to install elaborate systems and then pay monthly fees than anything a crook would run off with.  My view is that anything can be replaced other than lives of loved ones which security systems probably would not help with anyway.  If someone was intent on coming in to kill, I don't think those alarms going off would stop them from doing it.

 

Actually the biggest complaint we get from homeowners especially on the east end of LI (or any home used for vacation, hunting or weekends only) is people breaking in and using the house as a hang out for a few days. This usually happens during the week in the evenings and considerable damage can be done to the home itself. While they may not steal much I have seen several thousands of dollars of damage done. Too bad they call us after the damage is done.