I had ADT for 10 years and loved them! never had a single complaint.

I too am relooking. Xfinity or Comast is now offering home security systems and you can set up cameras that you can view from your smart phone. or set it so if the front door opens, it takes a video with a time stamp. If your kids are not opening that door by X time, it texts you a message that your expected door opening didnt happen. Each kids key fob is set to them, so you know who opened the door and what time they did it.

I thought this would be great so that when we go away, we can peek in our our cats and see how they are doing. it saves 20% off your home owners insurance to have a system.

Let us know who you choose.

Somebody told me that if you have a car alarm, you can keep the keys beside your bed and if you see or hear somebody poking around your house, you can set off the car alarm. Theoretically, that would draw unwanted attention and the bad guy would skedaddle. I should think!

I'm bothered by the ever-increasing number of daytime break-ins. Sometimes a homeowner will be gone only a couple of hours, which leads to the creepy realization that someone was probably watching.

The most common modus operandi is to knock on a door and if someone answers, ask for directions. If no one answers, kick in the door or go through the window and burgle. (That's why we don't ignore knockers) It's just a matter of time before somebody breaks into a home thinking no one's home, and the homeowner is in the shower, or just didn't hear the knock. Tragedy could easily ensue.

I don't know what the answer is. Prescription drug abuse seems to be a major contributor to the problem, and the police can't be everywhere at once. We try to make it as inconvenient as possible to break in..I must admit that if I could afford it, I would double the security system, have lots of cameras, lights, alarms. I do leave random lights on at night, which might (might) make a stranger think twice.

My ideal security plan is to live next door to a state police barracks.

Rash of burglars round here. most of the time folks leave their door unlocked, their car unlocked with the keys in it, or windows open and no one home. You MUST be proactive. Like our catio. you cannot open the door from the outside. you can only open it from the inside. This way no one can let the cats out. We lock our cars, and our doors each time we leave the driveway. We lock the door when we are IN the house!

A security system would call the cops for you, or the fire department if you are not home, and would call you to tell you there was a problem.

I don't own a car.....which is one reason I want a security system. It always looks like nobody is home. My neighbors in the cul de sac use my driveway when they have lots of company or if they go out of town they'll leave one car in my driveway. I really appreciate that.

I've had one instance of a man coming to the door claiming to be from Fedex. Wanted to check and see if I was satisfied with the job my deliveryman was doing. Said he knew I had a delivery that morning. That was unnerving....what was he doing watching my house?? I called Fedex and they said they do not send people out to homes like that.

I asked my oldest son (the cop) which system he thought I should get. He said just the door and window sensors would be good for me.....that's a DIY project.....but no monitoring with that so nobody would call police in the event of a break-in except me. I'm still undecided.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I have had ADT in three houses and was happy with their service. It was as someone pointed out more expensive and time consuming to install than I expected but all the houses were over 100 years old which probably presented extra challenges.

I also have the big, protective dog and gun which thankfully at this time I would still be able to operate if needed. I'm home alone most nights and can't imagine not having my mutt by my side although he has been 10xs more expensive than any of my ADT systems.

Can't remember what network he is on and not really sure how to spell his name. Big help I am so far!!!!! The other day on the Nick Backus (sp?) show they had a segment on cheap do it your self home security. I think every item was under $100.

Thanks, Doydie. I think it's Nate Berkus. I'll look it up and see if I can find that segment.

There are lots of ways to have a cheap security system. But after living thru a break in and the emotional aftermath I wanted the security. I like seeing the red light and knowing that the security system is on. I like knowing every door and window has a sensor on it and will make a really loud noise if someone tries to open it. I like to feel like I have a nice and secure cocoon. If need be I can press a button and the police are called. Security systems are suppose to be there for a reason. Cheaping out and having a facade just gives an illusion of security. Is that what you really want?

My friend told me to just get a security system sign and put it in the yard. She said you can buy them off ebay. First thing I thought of was "great....let me give my address to some unknown person letting them know I have no security system here".

I think I'm going to check with ADT and get a quote. Since I rent this home I'll have to also check with my landlord and make sure it's OK with him but I don't see any problem with that.

My pump action shotgun works well....