I’ve got a wired one that includes smoke/heat sensors and is not connected to a monitoring service. Loud sirens and soon to be added strobe light on the roof.
My thinking is:
First I’m not concerned with a home invasion.
If I was I’d get a gun and training but with kids, too risky.
However, I do have a fire extinguisher under the bed. I figure if some wack job gets in at night the alarm will wake me and a face full of white powder at 20′ should slow him down where I could clunk him with the extinguisher!
Next, everything is insured.
This may have changed but residential alarms do not have a direct link to the police dept. They first go to the monitoring service which calls the home for a code word before calling the cops.
Burglary is a target of opportunity. So several minutes is all the crook will need and will be gone before cops arrive. I think the alarm sounding will make the leave or at least shorten their time.
I am from the camp to have locks, lights, dogs, and watch for strange folks in the hood. Especially early in the am (I’m a very early riser).
Side note: If you live in a rural area ( I know you said CV) , then I would have it monitored.
Extra side note: There seems to be an endless supply of folks knocking on your door during the day selling all sorts of stuff. One time I was sitting near the front door and heard the door handle move. Someone leaving fliers actually check to see if the door was locked. I leaped up and confronted him and he said he was trying to tuck the flier in the handle. Cops notified, no further details. But now we have a dog that barks when someone is near the front door– very handy. (I know you have cats…just saying)
