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Alarm

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Dog vs. alarm. There certainly is a lot of consideration to be given when you think about how you want to protect your home against unwanted visitors. Mans best friend is without a doubt the oldest, most respected, and tried and true burglar alarm ever. Not to mention like another family member for most of us.

About a year ago we moved from a small city to the country. My wife insisted that we have an alarm system installed, because I often work nights. We also had a great dog that only barked when someone was around the house, but she felt we needed a little more, and is always right. Needless to say we had the system installed before we moved.

The system we had installed is set up to detect glass breaking, and to activate when the doors or windows are opened, and every once in a while when the UPS driver tries to set a package on the service porch. There are also smoke and fire detectors on each floor. When the alarm is activated, the call center is alerted to which sensor has been tripped, and calls either the police, or fire department. Price wise the systems that are available are pretty reasonable, and it makes me feel a little better when all of us are away from home.I mean you really don't know know who's lurking around when your gone. At the very least if the house catches fire it might be a remodel instead of a rebuild.

I have been a police officer for a few years, and have yet to come across a home that had an alarm system installed that has been burglarized. I've been to alarm calls where the alarm was activated, and didn't see where anyone tried to get in the house. You just have to think that the loud siren going off in the home would probably send most thieves running. Sure, homes with alarms get broken into, it happens, but for the most part they do a great job. I'm just speculating, but I think when a burglar walks up to the door, and sees a sticker that an alarm system is installed it probably doesn't take long for him to move on, and see if he can find a house that is less risky to break into.

There are a lot of things a homeowner can do to make their property a less appealing target to thieves. I'm not talking about how you decorate either. The most important thing is, lock everything. A good deadbolt lock is a great anti theft device, and for most people if they are just a little handy with tools they can install one. I only takes a few seconds to get a door without a dead bolt open, maybe

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