Put in a fake alarm but don't tell your wife it's fake. She feels safe because thieves fear loud noise (everyone knows this), and you save $40 a month.
www.alarmsystemstore.com was a good source for me. I went with a DSC 1864 and wireless module. They also have the completely wireless Alexor which my boss is using.
Their monitoring is $8.95/month...I also have a cellular backup so I pay 2x$8.95 month...still cheap.
I'm not sure how your system works, but will your system work with a prepaid tmobile sim? That way you don't have to pay $9 bucks every month.
Did you do the install yourself? I can do the install but don't have time right now and it would be great if I can have somebody set it all up.
Security systems are worthless. If the thugs cut your phone line, wear ear plugs, or just don't give a shit, or if the police take 2 hours to respond to an alarm while your house is cleared out, none of the security companies are going to pay to replace your stuff. Someone who wants you dead isn't going to care either. You're basically paying for nothing or what I like to call negative-insurance. Like others have said, get a sign and some stickers and make sure your insurance is up to date.
Security systems are worthless. If the thugs cut your phone line, wear ear plugs, or just don't give a shit, or if the police take 2 hours to respond to an alarm while your house is cleared out, none of the security companies are going to pay to replace your stuff. Someone who wants you dead isn't going to care either. You're basically paying for nothing or what I like to call negative-insurance. Like others have said, get a sign and some stickers and make sure your insurance is up to date.
What experience do you have with security systems?
I agree that they are very limited to what they can help with, but, they are certainly not worthless.
When I worked overnights doing tech support, my department also monitored burglar alarms and dispatched police....
Yes, ~90% of alarms were false (low battery in sensor, something inside moving near sensor, helium balloons notorious for this!) probably ~5% were caused because a moron left a door open, or armed the system and then went back into the store which caused the alarm to trip... And, maybe ~3-5% were legitimate breakins... of those breakins, around 20% of the time, the cops would catch the guy(s) responsible for the crimes... usually on the spot, or running away from the scene...
Now, maybe retail is different from residential .... But ... there is a reason why businesses use alarms, it's because they do work, so I'd think that would also apply to residential...
Still, I prefer to rely on Smith and Wesson in my own home...
How well would the smith and wesson work though if you are not at home? That is what I find funny with the all of the gun replies so far...
Don't get me wrong, I have several handguns and a mossberg 500 but I am not home 24/7 and I do feel a bit more secure knowing I have a home alarm just in case.
You are basically paying for only monitoring. There are other methods to subscribe to a cellular service. I am using a Digital Uplink device.
For $8.95/month it was a no brainer.
I'd not recommend self-monitoring.
hmm. if you're not home, wouldn't you want the alarm to be silent, so the cops can catch the guys red handed? assuming response time is quick, they'd probably get there before the thieves were finished.