Re: Alarm questions indoor/outdoor stuff

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Dec 29, 1:20 am, JediSp...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Hello. I just had a break in on Christmas Eve. We had a lynx setup but
> only used it for the chime function or armed it on vacations. My gf
> would always tell me to stop being paranoid and she didnt like to use
> it so I became lazy about it also.
>
> I just spent about 400 bucks buying extra sensors and glass breaks
> (wireless). I'm also buying some of the key fob remotes because they
> look so easy to use. So hopefully I can get my gf in the habit of
> using the alarm. Also running another siren to draw attention away
> from the panel.
>
> They kicked in 2 doors and entered through the side of my garage. The
> guy thats replacing them for me is going to setup a block with  2x4's
> because they are sturdy and easy to remove. He said they would hurt
> themselves trying to break through it. I'm also having a deadbolt
> properly installed on my front door. I might do a contact sensor on
> the main garage door if only to verify that it is closed.
>
> How likely is it for them to break a locked window or a patio door?
> I'm assuming they prefer regular doors because they make less noise
> and dont have to deal with glass.  Its actually a newer home with
> modern windows so I'm hoping the locks are better than old houses.
>
> Some of my windows are about 7 feet off the ground and a person would
> have to be very agile or have a ladder to get through them. These are
> the ones I usually open in the summer time. If I didnt do sensors on
> them I could run the alarm and still have fresh air in the house.
>
> After the alarm is going strong I would like some outdoor deterrents.
> I was thinking of motion sensors and cameras but we have a lot of deer
> and rabbits going through our yard. I don't want to crap myself
> because a rabbit runs through my yard and wakes me out of my sleep.
>
> What good could a camera system do if your not watching it all the
> time? It might just generate more paranoia for me checking them all
> the time.
>
> I've settled on the possibility of just doing motion lights.  I
> realize most know what these are now but even I'm still startled when
> I go to visit friends that have them. What do most of you pros think
> of them?
>
> I'm still real nervous about all of this happening. I no longer feel
> comfortable in my own home but I'm hoping the alarm will help a little
> bit. My girlfriend is taking it fairly well.
>
> How likely would it be for them to come back? I wonder if they can
> even remember the houses the've been in. They also hit a house down
> the road so I'm assuming it wasn't someone I know from work or
> something.
>
> thanks for reading my long rant.

RHC: Sir, my condolences on your robbery. Now is a very emotional time
for you and your wife, and I suggest before you run out and spend a
lot of money, you take a deep breathe and sit back and think about
additional prevention devices in a more logical, reasoned fashion. You
must make sure that anything you do actually is working to prevent
further breakins rather than just making you feel good.

There are a couple of telltale things you mention that suggest to me
that you have never done any of the physical things that are
absolutely necessary to do, and which should precede the installation
of your alarm. All doors should be of adequate strength and equipped
with a deadbolt lock. Most importantly, the strike should be made of
solid steel, at least 10 inches in length and secured to the frame of
the house with 3 inch screws. The lock itself should be installed
through a metal "sandwich" which surrounds the door itself where the
lock is, and largely prevents the lock from being smashed out of the
door. Most thieves go through a door, and the door can be made to
pretty much stop them in their tracks. Your patio door must be secured
with a swingdown patio door bar, and include screws above the track so
the door can't be lifted out of the track. I won't go any further than
to suggest you visit my site and search for "physical security";
there's loads of information on this subject.

Other things to keep in mind....do you have adequate decals from your
dealer / monitoring station visible as they come up the driveway. If
you live in a rural area, consider putting up a gate at the end of the
driveway (they hate visibility when stealing things, and carrying your
possessions under their arm down a long driveway is not something they
want to do....). In some parts of the world, alarm system signs are
very common as well. Walk around your home and make sure that every
entranceway they could enter easily is protected in some fashion by
your alarm system, and is adequately marked with your warning decals.
Alarm system design is mostly common sense.....doors, easy to enter
windows, adequate motion detection for the main interior areas of the
home.  Outdoor lighting can help, but in our area of the country, most
break ins are done during the day, so that has limited value.

Good security is first and foremost good habits. Lock the doors and
use the alarm. If it's installed correctly, it will just "be there"
and won't intrude into your lifestyle at all. Do consider having your
alarm properly monitored; I can tell you many stories where the
monitored indeed "saved the day", but do try to find a source that
won't lock you into a very long term contract (there's nothing in a
contract for you the consumer, and you already own the alarm itself).
Remember, good strong, physical prevention measures don't cost every
month; once paid for, they "keep on protecting", and are an absolutely
necessary part of a comprehensive plan of protection for your home.

Good luck and let us know if you have further questions

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com