House Alarms noise or CCTV which do you recommend?

[KangaMummy]

Which do you have an alarm that just makes a noise or one that has CCTV attached?

Can you watch the CCTV over the internet?

If so does it need a second computer?

Can you get them that send pictures only when someone goes to the door or sets the alarm off?

Do you have ones that need a key or number pad combination?

Which is best?

TIA

[mckenzie]

we have a house alarm that sets off an audible noise and goes through to a call centre who monitor how many sensors have been triggered and call us or one of our key holders and if necessary, call the police.

Dont know anythign about CCTV alarms thoguh

[KangaMummy]

That sounds a good idea do you pay a monthly charge for that?

So do you have those sensor things in the corner by the ceiling?

We really need to get a system for 2nd home. We don't know what type to get or how to go about getting it.

What about cats will they set alarms off?

How many sensors do we need, by all windows and doors?

[Twiglett]

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[KangaMummy]

So am I right in thinking that you programme in the code and run out of the house within 5 seconds or something like that.

It is a good point about the line being cut outside I hadn't thought of that either.

What about a power cut ie electricity?

Does it have a flashing light outside showing which houses alarm is going?

Boy I hadn't realized that I was quite so niaeve about them. That there were so many things I hadn't thought about.

Thank you

[Twiglett]

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[KangaMummy]

wow that is clever about the button

Do you mean 3 times in a year or month? re police?

I guess I will have to phone up different companies and ask for quotes?

Does anyone have any news about CCTV alarms and how they work?

Is it 24/7 or is it when something crosses the infa red?

Has anyone got it connected to internet so you can watch while at work?

[mckenzie]

I think ours and twigletts are pretty much the same. OUr cat does ocassionally set it off but I think you can get sensors that will not be set off by cats although not sure. We have a sensor in every room downstairs (2 in some rooms which are large) and the hallway and one in one of the bedrooms because it has a flat bit of roof leading up to it's windows.
We used to have an ADT alarm at our old house and had one fitted here when we first moved in but had so many problems with it (and I mean SO many problems) that i insisted they took it all away and gave us a full refudn. We now use East London Security and I would very much recommend them (if that's your area of course).

[KangaMummy]

Do they have a website?

Another good point DS bedroom has a flat roof near it.

[Mirage]

Our alarm has a flashing red LED on the bell box all the while.If the alarm is activated it flashes blue,even after the siren has stopped,so that you know before going inside,that something has happened.

You can get pet proof movement detectors,but none are 100% foolproof.If a cat can get within a few feet of them,ie by jumping on top of a bookshelf ect,it will set them off regardless.

All alarms have a battery back up,so if there is a power cut of the line is cut,the alarm will still work.They will usually run on batteries for about 8 hours.

If you are worried about pets setting the alarm off,you could opt for window/door contacts & breakglass detectors instead.In this case if a door or window is opened or someone attempts to smash the glass,the alarm goes off.There would be no way a cat could activate those.

[KangaMummy]

What do you have to do once you have had a power cut?

Does the whole thing need resetting?

Is it complicated?

Do you have a time delay so that you can get in the house with the door contact ones?

[KangaMummy]

I like the idea of the light on the alarm box

[Mirage]

You don't need to reset the alarm after a powercut,as it will only activate if there is a break in.Otherwise it will run as normal.However when the power comes back on & it recharges the battery,you will get a number or letter showing on the display to show you that the power has been off & the battery is charging back up again.{useful if you've been out & didn't know the power had been off].

With door contacts,you will still get a time delay to get out of the door as normal.

If you look in the yellow pages to get a quote,it is best to make sure the company is NACOSS bonded.That way you know you are getting a reliable system & your home insurance may reduce as NACOSS registered companies will issue a certificate to you once the alarm is fitted & insurers will often lower your premiums.

[I'm not really obsessed by security,I just worked for an alarm company for 7 years-I knew it would come in useful one day].

[KangaMummy]

Mirage great info, Where abouts do you work?
Is it in UK?

How do you know if the people are honest though?

Is it usual to give out other people's names they have done work for so you can check what they are like?

How long does it take to install a system?

TIA

[Mirage]

Kangamummy,I used to work for an alarm company until about 3 years ago.They were based in the east midlands & were part of East Midlands Electricity.

The Nacoss accreditation normally ensures honesty-we had to have a 10 year background check before we were able to even answer a telephone when I worked there.It was very strict.

It normally takes a day to fit a system-when I used to book out engineers,I would send 2 men to the house if it looked big or complex,so that it could all be finished the same day.

Are you in the UK? If so,I'll give you the details of the company I used to work for,if they don't install in your area,they have a list of Nacoss accredited installers all around the country & can give you a contact number of a registered alarm company near you,if they can't do it themselves.The company I used to work for is called Secure One & their phone number is 0845 303 4000.If you want,you can tell them that you know 'Kathryn' & that I recommended that you rang..
HTH

[Mirage]

Oh,I forgot,they probably wouldn't give out other customers details that they have worked for,for security reasons & the data protection act.