Window Alarms/Home Security Systems?

[K Williams]

Are there any companies that sell audible alarms that can be attached to windows or doors? Or companies that offer security systems without the monthly monitoring fee? Thanks. I'm trying to harden an apartment against burgulars(apt. was broken into yesterday). Thanks.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Well, if you want it monitored that's going to cost you a fee.... But if you have neighbors who can hear an alarm and they're willing to respond to it, they'll be there a lot quicker anyway.

One way is to go to your local Radio Shack and get all the components and put together a custom system. That shouldn't be hard for an apartment (unless it's a very big apartment). How many windows and doors do you have to cover? Make a list and go shopping!

 

[Gollnick]

At Home Depot (or any such store) you can get anything from a little battery-operated box that mounts on a single window or door and sounds a local screetch if the window or door is opened (less than $10 each) to wireless systems with transmitters that install on all windows and doors and communicate with a central panel that you can optionally have monitored... or not (starting at about $150).

Do a web search and you can find places that sell the same panels and equipment that residential security companies install. Do a search for Digital Security Controls, DSC. They make good stuff. You can install this stuff yourself if you know how to pull wires in existing construction. Then, you can have the system monitored or not.

If you choose monitoring, use the web. A bit of web searching will find alarm monitoring services that monitor for remarkably low rates. These companies typically want you to subscribe a year at a time which is one way they keep their rates low (they don't do monthly billing) and they often charge fees for false alarms, etc.

Keep in mind that many cities have ordinances against residential alarms with outside sounders and most require registration for monitored alarms.

 

[uncle Alan]

Are there any companies that sell audible alarms that can be attached to windows or doors? Or companies that offer security systems without the monthly monitoring fee? Thanks. I'm trying to harden an apartment against burgulars(apt. was broken into yesterday). Thanks.

In Florida,most cities will allow you 1 false alarm if you are on a monitoring system. After that,if your system goes off without just reason, you are billed $50 & up.

Uncle [burned by ADT big bucks ] Alan :grumpy:

 

[Knifemaster]

I had a alarm from a national company in a place of business. It was a silent alarm and I payed a monitoring fee etc. It went off and it was on for around a month before I noticed that the panel was flashing. When you get alarm that is monitored check once in a while that it is working and that the company will respond.

 

[uncle Alan]

I had a alarm from a national company in a place of business. It was a silent alarm and I payed a monitoring fee etc. It went off and it was on for around a month before I noticed that the panel was flashing. When you get alarm that is monitored check once in a while that it is working and that the company will respond.

In the '70's I went to Radio Shack & bought a system for just a bit less than $100 & it suited my purpose. It had an extremely loud outside mounted bell & maybe [ CRS syndrome ]a large flashing red light.The monitor was a small box that looked like a radio . It would sense motion,noise & heat & was very efficent .I figured it was all we needed because it was in a populated area & gave me peace of mind.
I went to Radio Shack recently & was met with blank stares & "I don't know ". Where do they get employees from ?

Uncle Alan

Later experience with ADT was an expensive business lesson .

 

[Badge54]

First alert makes some stick on alarms that are fairly loud. No way to monitor them unless you are home. Hopefully enough noise to scare off an intruder.

Badge54