What do you think about home alarm systems?

[limabean]

Our new house has an alarm system installed (sensors and control panel), but we haven't activated it. We've never had one before and I don't know much about them. It seems like it could be sort of a headache, having it go off accidentally and waking up the kids/having to let the company or police know that there's no invasion/etc. On the other hand, I guess maybe that'd be worth it for the one time that it might prevent a home invader?

I don't think it would have really crossed my mind to get one except that the equipment is already installed, so it'd be really inexpensive to just activate it and pay the small monthly fee.

I have no idea -- I just wanted to get some input on whether you guys have alarm systems or not, and why. 

[HollyBearsMom]

We have one and like you it came with the house. We travel a lot and it gives me piece of mind when we are gone. When my husband travels I feel more secure. Plus we save a lot on our homeowners insurance.



A professional is going to get into your home whether you have an alarm or not but there are a lot of vandals. Maybe its a false sense of security but I feel my alarm will keep the opportunistic robber at bay. Our neighbor was broken into a few summers ago. Lost all their jewelry, electronics, computers, silver and the trashed place too. They are one of the few on our street w/o a alarm system



The only time we had a false alarm was when a bat got into our house and set off the motion detectors. I think we have been lucky tho. My brother often gets false alarms but really due to the heat detector. If the heat level in the house gets too low or too high the alarm goes off but the cops are not called. The alarm company calls the home (or calls me if they are away)

[Drummer's Wife]

My favorite thing is the chime that goes off anytime a door or window is open.  We have a big house, and four kids, so I know if anyone is going in/out.  You don't have to set the alarm part all the time, if you are worried about it being a hassle - maybe save it for when you go out of town?