Home security

[Mazzo1]

Good morning villagers. We just closed on our new home in Newell and I’m looking for an alarm company with affordable central station monitoring.

I just received an email from ecobee which is our thermostat and they offer security equipment and very affordable monitoring.

I was curious if anyone has taken advantage of the ecobee system and what your thoughts are.

Any advice on other systems will be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for any information.

[retiredguy123]

I have the SimpliSafe system, but I do not pay for the optional monitoring. Everything is wireless and very easy to install. Also, you can add additional detection devices at any time.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, Sumter County (I think) still offers a home security review. We implemented many of their suggestions. I would just install nanny cams or similar cameras to be able to catch the bad guys afterwards. Many of the "security" cameras can be hacked, and now the bads guys are watching YOU and now know when you are NOT around. I have wired cameras for this reason and these are not connected to the wireless system. I figure the police will probably not be able to get to the house in time to actually catch the bad guys, but I will have video to catch them after the fact.
On a side note, I find the villages to be very safe, but I do not believe in monitored security systems.

[Kenswing]

Check out the Ring (Amazon) system. Monitoring is something like $12 a month or $100 if you pay the whole year in advance. The system is very scalable. You can have all the basic alarm stuff. Add cameras, flood sensors etc. easy to install.

[JGVillages]

I have the SimpliSafe system, but I do not pay for the optional monitoring. Everything is wireless and very easy to install. Also, you can add additional detection devices at any time.

I also have the Simpli Safe System, which I self installed. Any installation issues are easily addressed by phone with their excellent customer service staff. I also do not monitor, but have 2 screaming sirens that will notify the intruders immediately, and they have no idea if the system is monitored or not. I have front and rear motion detector lights, 2 front and 2 rear “dummy” security cameras with red flashing dot lights, and security signs at entry’s.

[CarlR33]

I also do not monitor, but have 2 screaming sirens that will notify the intruders immediately, and they have no idea if the system is monitored or not.Where do you live, LOL

[JMintzer]

IMHO, Sumter County (I think) still offers a home security review. We implemented many of their suggestions. I would just install nanny cams or similar cameras to be able to catch the bad guys afterwards. Many of the "security" cameras can be hacked, and now the bads guys are watching YOU and now know when you are NOT around. I have wired cameras for this reason and these are not connected to the wireless system. I figure the police will probably not be able to get to the house in time to actually catch the bad guys, but I will have video to catch them after the fact.
On a side note, I find the villages to be very safe, but I do not believe in monitored security systems.

I accidentally entered my panic code instead of my bypass code on time...

The police were there within a few minutes... I was impressed...

[JMintzer]

I also have the Simpli Safe System, which I self installed. Any installation issues are easily addressed by phone with their excellent customer service staff. I also do not monitor, but have 2 screaming sirens that will notify the intruders immediately, and they have no idea if the system is monitored or not. I have front and rear motion detector lights, 2 front and 2 rear “dummy” security cameras with red flashing dot lights, and security signs at entry’s.

Same here SimpliSafe. Easy to install, but I chose to have it monitored...

[Shipping up to Boston]

IMHO, Sumter County (I think) still offers a home security review. We implemented many of their suggestions. I would just install nanny cams or similar cameras to be able to catch the bad guys afterwards. Many of the "security" cameras can be hacked, and now the bads guys are watching YOU and now know when you are NOT around. I have wired cameras for this reason and these are not connected to the wireless system. I figure the police will probably not be able to get to the house in time to actually catch the bad guys, but I will have video to catch them after the fact.
On a side note, I find the villages to be very safe, but I do not believe in monitored security systems.

This is a very informative post. Many do not care that the ‘tables have been turned’ as it relates to monitoring. Sales weasels will tell you what you want to hear but the reality is big brother is watching them...and you. Buyer beware

[bsloan1960]

Good morning villagers. We just closed on our new home in Newell and I’m looking for an alarm company with affordable central station monitoring.

I just received an email from ecobee which is our thermostat and they offer security equipment and very affordable monitoring.

I was curious if anyone has taken advantage of the ecobee system and what your thoughts are.

Any advice on other systems will be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for any information. There are YouTube Videos that show how to fool alarms into thinking a door or window hasn't been opened. You can buy a $10 device on Amazon that defeats SimpliSafe alarms- point it at the door- open the door and the alarm doesn't trigger.

For this reason ALWAYS put the sign of a different alarm company in your front yard- especially if you have SimpliSafe. Example- if you have ADT in your house but a BRINKS sign in your yard. You can get signs and window stickers from any company on eBay or Amazon

[Shipping up to Boston]

There are YouTube Videos that show how to fool alarms into thinking a door or window hasn't been opened. You can buy a $10 device on Amazon that defeats SimpliSafe alarms- point it at the door- open the door and the alarm doesn't trigger.

For this reason ALWAYS put the sign of a different alarm company in your front yard- especially if you have SimpliSafe. Example- if you have ADT in your house but a BRINKS sign in your yard. You can get signs and window stickers from any company on eBay or Amazon

Yip Yap Yip Yap Yip Yap (Thank you, great advice!)

[JoMar]

Thoroughbred Alarm Systems, Rob Chadwick, Thoroughbred Alarm (http://www.tbalarm.com). Have them for almost 10 years....satisfied.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Good morning villagers. We just closed on our new home in Newell and I’m looking for an alarm company with affordable central station monitoring.

I just received an email from ecobee which is our thermostat and they offer security equipment and very affordable monitoring.

I was curious if anyone has taken advantage of the ecobee system and what your thoughts are.

Any advice on other systems will be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for any information.

Call Andre w/ Village Alarms; we’ve had both homes alarmed by him. Great person to work with and the installation was professional.

[spd2918]

We have a blink camera system, but it is not really necessary in TV. We just like to know when our packages arrive.

As far as hackers go, I think those stories are clickbait BS. I couldn't care less if someone can view my driveway.

[Dusty_Star]

...

For this reason ALWAYS put the sign of a different alarm company in your front yard- especially if you have SimpliSafe. Example- if you have ADT in your house but a BRINKS sign in your yard. You can get signs and window stickers from any company on eBay or Amazon

This brings up an interesting question: Can we put security signs in our front yards?

[retiredguy123]

There are YouTube Videos that show how to fool alarms into thinking a door or window hasn't been opened. You can buy a $10 device on Amazon that defeats SimpliSafe alarms- point it at the door- open the door and the alarm doesn't trigger.

For this reason ALWAYS put the sign of a different alarm company in your front yard- especially if you have SimpliSafe. Example- if you have ADT in your house but a BRINKS sign in your yard. You can get signs and window stickers from any company on eBay or Amazon
I watched a YouTube video also, but the $10 device didn't work. A more expensive one did work. The reason it works is because the SimpliSafe system uses a fixed frequency for communication between the base unit and the detection devices. The defeating device creates interference within the security system by using the same frequency. I don't put any security company signs outside of my house. I think the SimpliSafe system is good enough to deter most burglers and way better than having nothing. It's very easy to install and operate.