Security system from cable provider (window, phone, installed, apartment)

[jobseeker2013]

We live in a safe area and are expecting a baby. Is it worth getting a home system? I know they are pricey

[AksarbeN]

I would not pay the monthly price for a security system to a cable provider. There are many different types of options to improve security of your home or apartment and several things to consider what would work best for you. Are you in a home or apartment, do you rent or own, what do you think you're willing to pay for a system you own but don't rent?

[jobseeker2013]

Cheaper the better but practicality and good security is important. We own our home

[Percentage]

First time parents? If so please just get a decent baby monitor with camera/video capability. If your sits on wasting funds on a security camera, consider purchasing (you don't need to be handy for this) a PoE ip security camera.

Congrats in advance.

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by jobseeker2013

Cheaper the better but practicality and good security is important. We own our home

Rent it for $20+ a month or own it: prices from $300 to $1k plus.

There are a number of different security providers who can monitor your home security alarm and you pay a monthly fee for doing that. They will call the homeowner or the police depending on how you set the service up. Some of the types of security systems provide intrusion detection devices only, others have cameras that can be monitored and controlled by the homeowner. Everything is a price so you get what you pay for and sometimes that can be more than you’d like.

There are security systems without using a service provider as well. You buy what you want and need at the price to fit your budget. These systems can notify you directly by calling your cell phone and alerting you when you’re away from the house. They usually come with a DVR to record all video activity and can be viewed later by the authorities or you to see just “who” was at the home when things happened. Cameras can be set to monitor locations that work for you. Prices will range from as low as three or four hundred to a thousand plus if you want higher quality video cameras and more features.

[AksarbeN]

Several years ago I was able to buy a video security system from Costco with a DVR that did everything I needed for under $500 and I installed the wiring & 4 cameras. I added 4 extra cameras for more coverage of areas around the house outside. I don’t care about cameras on the inside if the outside cameras are setup to view all entry points into the house. The extra cameras ran and $150 or $200 and came with wiring.

My neighbor had an intrusion alarm only system that was installed a year before I bought and installed the camera security system. He had a break-in; I was able to hear the breaking of the glass window and checked to see what was happening at their house. Looking over the fence I noticed the window of the door was damaged and the door opened. I came back into my house and called the police. Within five minutes the police arrived. Ten minutes later after I called my neighbor’s cell phone to check with him as he was away from home. About 15 minutes later he received a call from their alarm center who asked if they should call the police. Just a little late for that…. The bad guys had already left the house in less than five minutes. My neighbor’s security system told him nothing other than what time the break-in occurred. However my security cameras did get an image of the two guys and what direction they left. The value of cameras are a plus for crime.

[aero100]

Originally Posted by jobseeker2013

We live in a safe area and are expecting a baby. Is it worth getting a home system? I know they are pricey

I think the answer depends on the crime environment in your locale. Are you in a small city of 30,000 people somewhere in the midwest, or a dense urban core? Is burglary common?

I live in an affluent neighborhood in the densest part of Houston but it is unguarded and ungated. Burglaries are not uncommon, probably a couple a year. They usually happen during the day when people are at work and the burglars are in and out in minutes. I was hit 4 years ago and after that I bought an alarm system and I also installed a set of inexpensive ip cameras I can view over the phone. I still wonder if it's worth it, given that I spent $1500 on the system, it costs $500 annually for the monitoring, and burglars will still hit homes with alarm systems (around here the police will usually take more than 10 minutes to get to an alarm since they tend to be false). In contrast, my insurance deductible for the claim when I was burglarized was about $1000. From a strictly financial point of view - probably not worth it. I do get some peace of mind however and at least I'll know immediately if someone broke in.

If I still lived in a small city like I used to - wouldn't spend the money. Burglaries were rare enough that the low risk is adequately covered by insurance.

I'll also add that burglars around here tend to not enter homes when the homeowner is around (evenings and nights). Many people in Texas are armed, the bar for using deadly force against an intruder is very low, and therefore there is a significant chance of eventually being shot and killed by a homeowner if you decide to be an evening/night burglar. It may be more common in other areas of the country. Then the alarm also serves to alert you of someone in the home, which is another consideration.

Finally, since you have kids on the way - children's toys outside are a deterrent where I live. Might mean there is a stay at home parent or nanny nearby.