Home Security Company Recommendations Please

[cui bono]

I would like to sign up with a company for home security and would like to know if anyone has any recommendations. I've read that you want a hard-wired system that has a control panel/dialer and siren separate from the keypad, not a wireless one because that can easily be completely disable.

Any suggestions? ADT is definitely used around my neighborhood, haven't seen on their site if it is hard-wired with the wireless option or all wireless. I found a company called Protect America that's cheaper but that is a wireless system.

Suggestions appreciated.

[tech3149]

1. Go to a local that can provide a contract for monitoring service

ADT is a joke to me. They provide those cheap systems based on the fact that once you have it you're locked into monitoring through them (they have a proprietary reporting protocol) or pay someone else to modify the system so someone else can monitor your system. Monitoring is the gravy for any alarm company. They can provide it for as little as $10/mo anything above that is where most of the profit is. Another factor regarding ADT is the quality of the installation. I have never seen one that wasn't quick and dirty and led to reliability problems. Not something you want especially if your local police bill you for false alarms. Check with your municipality to see if they require licensing for alarm companies. They won't generally certify a company that can't maintain an acceptable quality of performance.
I have my reservations about wireless systems. Any wireless system is susceptible to interference that will affect performance. A wired system my be messy and time consuming to install but when done well will be more reliable for much longer.

[FSogol]

2. No idea where you live, but I'd recommend not getting one.

1. For a fraction of the monthly cost you can insure everything you own.
2. Adding some motion sensor lights outside around entrances and ground level windows will deter most people.
3. Put a couple of lights on timers and vary the schedules around the house.

Most companies try to scare people into spending on these systems. IMO, they are not worth it.

[FuzzyRabbit]

3. 24 hour fire montoring

I have a fire/burglar alarm system.

A burglar will set off a loud siren, so loud he will not want to be in the house for more than a few seconds. But that's not the only reason for an alarm system.

I want my valuables (heirlooms, old family photos and artwork) protected not only from theft but from fire. If I am at work and my house caught fire, the fire department will come and put out the fire, saving most or all of my valuables.

[FSogol]

5. Alarm or not, if you had a fire, smoke and water would damage all of your

heirlooms, old family photos and artwork anyway. The piece of mind that paying a monthly bill to a security company is illusionary.

[cui bono]

4. One thing I would like is something that you put on your doors and windows that will alert

you to if they have been opened so that when I'm home I'll know if someone has opened something. It's for personal safety as well as belongings.