Deterrent Tools- Yard Signs and Such

Let's talk a little about the pro's and con's of window stickers and yard signs.  Lately it seems that the rumor people are spreading 'round is that by placing these items on and around your home you are letting the bad guys know what type of system is in the house and thereby telling him how to disarm the system.  There are also people who believe that signs and stickers are just free advertising for the alarm company.  Finally, there are people that don't want to warn the criminal element that there is any alarm notification appliance in the home in order to "catch them red-handed."  The biggest truth in all of these items is that it is people who spread these bald-faced lies and notions. 

There are very few manufacturers of alarm equipment, maybe four good ones, and hundreds of alarm installation companies in every city and hamlet from here to Timbuck-three.  Most of the technology between the manufacturers works the same as all the others, essentially.  Consequently, if a thief knows how to disable one alarm system, he can disable any of them.  The key is to make it hard for him to do this...
First, make sure to back up your phone line with a cellular device...they are sure to cut your outside communication lines first.  Second, ensure that the control panel- the real brain of the alarm system- is out of the way; hidden in a basement or closet.  Third, if you fear your panel may be easy to find, place a lock box over it and conduit around the wire bundle coming in to it.  Finally, protect your codes.  Many break-ins happen because some one your tongue wagging friends mysteriously gets the code and knows exactly where you store your expensive video recorder.

Statistics show that most criminals move on to another house or business if they see an alarm sign in the yard or on the doors and windows.  That should be enough said about that, though I feel I should go ahead and throw in a jab like "who cares if the alarm company gets a little free publicity for doing a good job of protecting your home?"

Now about catching the thief...unless you are dealing with a specific crime, at a specific time and plan an ambush, the chances are relatively slim that the alarm system will react in time to have the police dispatched and at your home in time to actually apprehend the offender.  If you really want to catch some one in the act, invest in a video system and then let them rob you blind.

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.

A Bit On Terminology

Digital is not the same as wireless is not the same as cellular is not the same as digital.  ...Huh? 

Some of the low end trunk slamming companies will tell you that your whole system has to be replaced with a digital system.  Digital being the new state of the art and all... "Good news, it'll only cost you $99 or free with activation fee or free with a new contract... plus you get a $150 gas card or trip to Bermuda or a week in Vegas"...blah blah blah or a free camera.

Fact is, if you have a system that was put in the house in the last twenty years, it is probably digital.  That does NOT mean you have a state-of-the-art system.  The real reason they want you to change your system over is because it is easier for them.  Anyone, even the ex-convict who learned low voltage electronics in prison, can install one of these systems from the ground up.  You are getting what you pay for.  Yes, these systems are a "starter" model, though they have a place in the food chain.  More about trunk slammers later.

ON-OFF = Digital.
Has no wires to carry the digital information to the control panel = Wireless - radio frequencies
Control Panel communicates to a central monitoring station using cellular communicator = Cellular
All cellular towers are now fully digital = don't be fooled by the guy who talks about analog and digital.

In the most true sense, some of these deffinitions are not completely correct, but for purposes of dealing with the local alarm company, it should make things less confusing.

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.

Hard-wired or Wireless Debate

There is an abundance of opinions on whether hard wired security is better than wireless.  Well, the truth is that there are differences and mainly, your preference will depend on your pain.  All of these devices have their place.  In many cases and where possible, hardwired devices have some rather nice features.  Many of them can be embedded, which is to say, not seen- aesthetically pleasing.  You won't have to replace batteries in the hard wired device, and in general, they cost less- though, done by a reputable company, the labor charge will eat up your savings.  There are places, however, that are more condusive to wireless components.

Here's a rather fundamental mistake that some alarm installers and sales people make.  Double hung windows open from both the top and the bottom- hence the name "double-hung."  This means that both the upper pane of glass and the lower pane will have to have a sensor, unless you deploy a wireless sensor.  With the wireless sensor, the transmitter can be attached to one pane and the magnet to the other pane.  Another thing about todays windows...many are not well built, at least from a security perspective.  The locking mechanisms are screwed into vinyl or plastic without much substance to really anchor them in place.  Finally, when you screw a contact sensor onto the window, you are likely to destroy the seal on the window, if not void the warranty on it.

A well designed alarm system will probably be a hybrid of sorts...hardwired where possible, wireless where labor is too intensive or the sensor might cause more harm than good.

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.

Continued- when to get monitoring...

There may be legitimate reasons not to have a security system monitored.  Naturally, if there isn't enough money in the budget, maybe this is the main reason, but make sure you weigh the benefit of monitored security against a bill like cable, or the fourth family cell phone.  You get the point.

But perhaps your goal is to keep some one IN and be notified if they are trying to sneak out the window into the waiting arms of some unapproved miscreant with a four day old driver's license.  Then you may not care to have a monitoring center involved.  Feel free to tell me if you can think of another legitimate reason for not having some one keep an eye (or and ear) on your home or business while you can't be there.  Self monitoring is not a bad option either, if you will always be able to receive the call.  You are depending on your cell phone to always be in range, always charged and you will always need to be available.  Oh!  You will also need to have the ability to contact some one who can do something about it if you call from half way across the country because there's an alarm event.

Finally, the moment I have been waiting for.  It oozes sarcasm, of which I am a fan.  When should you buy a security sytem?  I will tell you... wait until the very last minute.  The night before you experience a home invasion, you should call to have an alarm system installed.  You wouldn't want to pay all of those monitoring fees before it is absolutely necessary.

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.

When To Invest In Electronic Security and Monitoring.

People hate the idea of recurring bills. "That's all I need...another monthly bill." Worse yet, a long term contract stating that you will continue to pay that bill for five years (or three or even one year) or else...!

Most of the time, people see the value of having a security system monitored 24/7/365. This type of scenario is called a "monitored" security system. Go figure, right? Well there are two other options when installing a security system, neither of which require a monthly fee from an alarm company, much less a contract. Most professional alarm equipment can be installed and programmed to call out to any phone number. So instead of having the alarm appliance contact a professional monitoring center, it is programmed to call, for example, your cell phone or perhaps a neighbor. You'll want to avoid having it dial up the police. More later on that. Finally, the alarm system can be used for it's intrinsic deterrent value. Basically, if there is an intrusion, the appliance makes a lot of noise. More on this later, too.

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.

I only use my security system when...

So, you had a little money left over after the tax return last year and you broke down and bought an alarm system for the house.  The economy is poor, the poor are desparate and no neighborhood is safe anymore.  But maybe you are like many other folks who, after cutting your deal with an alarm company, and since the novelty wore off, no longer bother to set the alarm.  I will spare you the ridicule, but offer a suggestion that just might make that investment worthwhile afterall.  Do you realize that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and all sorts of other sensors are, or can be programmed, to be always 'on?'  What this means is that while the little sign in the front yard and the sticker on the door may be the only part of the alarm appliance working to protect your property from intruders, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide sensors and the like can be protecting your home from other sorts of devastating events.  It will make the monthly fees seem more justifiable.  Call your alarm company and ask them to install a flood sensor in the sump well.  Ask them to program a humidity gage into your walk-in humidor, to protect your cigar investment.  Do you only use the steam iron to make your pants flat, or do you go ahead and flatten shirts, too?  If you won't at least consider these various ideas, then consider yourself chastised appropriately for failing to arm your alarm system. 

Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.