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Burglar alarm advice

9 replies

Rupster · 24/11/2020 10:58

We're looking to have a burglar alarm installed in our house, and I'd appreciate people's recommendations.

We've had a quote from a firm to install one, which will cost around £700. It involves an electrician taking around a day to install it.

I see that you can buy wireless systems that can be self-installed, which would potentially be cheaper.

We have a cat, so I'm concerned she might trigger the alarm.

Any advice appreciated.

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Beebumble2 · 24/11/2020 11:42

Look round the neighbourhood and see from the alarm box which is the most popular installer. They’re usually the most reliable and often local firms.

PigletJohn · 24/11/2020 11:59

A cat will trigger PIRs (movement detectors)

unlike dogs, you can't aim them above walking level, because cats can climb on furniture and curtains.

There are some that are supposed to have limited sensitivity so they will only react to large/heavy animals.

You can have sensors on your doors and windows, and (quite old fashioned) you can still get pads to put under stair carpets to detect when people walk on them.

the figure you mention suggests it will not be of a standard to be monitored and get police response. That would probably cost a few thousand.

I strongly recommend you get one that can dial out to nominated keyholders in the event of an alarm, preferably including a trusted neigbour, and put the control box in a place where it cannot be found and disabled before it has done so. You can put the keypad, separately, near the front door, and perhaps have an extra one in or near your main bedroom so you can night-set and unset it.

You can get alarms that connect to the internet and send up videos of your house so you can watch the burglar at work; and any hacker can also watch you as you live in your house. I am not so keen on them.

if your trusted neighbour is alerted, and looks out to see people breaking in, they can phone the police because they have confirmed it is not a false alarm.

Sound-only alarms are mostly ignored.

The DIY wireless alarms are much cheaper, and if you can use a screwdriver you can install them in less than a day, but professionals sneer at them. I have used them, with dial-out ability, and think them useful. I am not keen on alarms that only work if they can get an internet connection and your smartphone is online, though this is the modern trend.

It is notionally possible for wireless alarms to be disabled by a high-tech hacker, especially if you have an internationally famous collection of jewellery, but I think this is unlikely if you are an ordinary person in an ordinary house and your burglar is a 14 year old tearaway or a crack head.

I like to set the external doors to "chime" so the panel bleeps when somebody comes in. Handy in summer when you may have the back door and shed or garage unlocked if you have been in the garden. Also if you are upstairs it will alert you when you are not expecting anyone to come in.

You can get keyfobs to turn the alarm on and off. I am not an alarm specialist but I think this is a weakness if someone steals your keys or handbag, so they know your address, and can unlock the door, and turn off the alarm.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 25/11/2020 08:07

That's a really good point about the key fob. I had one like that where I used to live, and it never occurred to me that the keys and the fob are providing everything someone needs to enter the house all on one handy ring! Blush

user1493413286 · 25/11/2020 08:13

We have cats so we have sensors on the doors and windows so if they were opened or broken the alarm would go off. £700 is about right for installed alarms. We can turn ours on and off from our phones and it notifies us if it goes off. We used a local company that was recommended by people in our area.
When they came they said that cats wouldn’t set off sensors when they’re walking around but if they jump on the table, sofa or kitchen sides then they will

PresentingPercy · 25/11/2020 08:44

You can have areas not zoned into the alarm. Kitchen for example. So can cats stay in there? Managing animals and an alarm is not easy though. Our old system was set off by spiders! The Police don’t like them going off! I think they are a deterrent and you do get cheaper insurance. Also - get a safe. Put everything of value in it!

Rupster · 25/11/2020 15:58

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I'll have to steer clear of the PIRs then.

Last time we went away, we hid our valuables!

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PresentingPercy · 25/11/2020 16:55

Burglars will turf out drawers and cupboards. So under floorboards can work. A safe also can reduce insurance premiums.

PresentingPercy · 25/11/2020 17:03

We had a security audit a while back as we are at the edge of a village. Areas to be aware of: good quality mortice locks on all external doors. Avoid glazed doors or ones with weak frames. No cheap locks. Have two mortice locks on every external door. Have UPVC or solid wood doors. Have window locks on all windows and have high quality frames and double glazing. Employ security lighting back and front. Burglars don’t like being lit up. Plant thorny plants along any escape routes. Get a camera for security monitoring. Get a safe. Get a burglar alarm and a box to demonstrate you have if. Remove all expensive items from view when you go away. Don’t leave your handbag and car keys near the doors/windows.

In other words, make it as difficult as possible for burglars and drug takers on a quick outing for drug money.

Rupster · 26/11/2020 12:01

Thanks.

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