[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=captcha]How do you feel about alarms?[/quote]

My Dad just installed ADT (for fear of my brother–lovely).
He really seems to like it and many people in a position to know such things speak highly of them.[/quote]

Make sure you do your research before investing/installing an alarm system. ADT (I think they’re now Broadview) is good and they actually have some additional services that are very useful.

I use ADT, but I have a lot of self-installed stuff, too, including three cameras for video surveillance that are tied to a DVR system and a website (for remote viewing when we’re on vacation). ADT tied their service to my cameras, as well as the motion/intrusion detection devices I have on the fences (they trigger floodlights when tripped). It might sound paranoid, or overmuch, but the whole system can be acquired at Home Depot/Radio Shack/electrical supply house and for about $2,500 (the cameras are extra).

No loaded guns in the house because of kids (and, statistically, you’re more likely to have that gun used on you), but three big dogs (Labradors), who are very vocal.

Neighbors all know about the system and so do their kids (and friends of kids). I consider the kids the biggest problem and we’ve had several rashes of burglaries from teenagers over the years.