Do you need to have alarm systems in your homes in the USA?

Question

We don't have one, but it is getting to the point that we are thinking of getting one.

Answer 1

I suggest you get one because dont you notice in life that when ever you buy insurance nothing seems to go wrong and when it expires problems seem to accumilate. It doesnt hurt to have it and I think the sign outside your house with the alarm system logo will scare off potential harmful people.

Answer 2

Telma, I do not need one where I live. However, I live in a small, rural area and crime is very low.

Now, when I lived near the big city, yes! I had one and thankfully, I never had to use the panic button. There were plenty of things going on around me but, I was fortunate.

In very large cities, in my state, there are now new laws in place. There have been so many false alarms that the police are not answering many of these. Therefore, you have to go with a very good security company for true safety, as the police will not respond!

Make sure to check all these things out before making choices.

Answer 3

We will probably add one on next year when we plan to remodel our house.

We do have smoke detectors. We also use motion sensor lights all around our house. We keep the bushes trimmed around the windows. The windows are locked when we are not in a room. Our doors stay locked unless we are sitting on the front porch.

We've had some daytime robberies around the neighborhood recently. So, we are all trying to pay better attention to people who pass through the neighborhood. Our Neighborhood Watch group sends out e-mails when there has been any sort of crime, I like this idea....

I grew up in a rural area, 1960's era eastern Ohio. I do not believe for a second that living in smaller towns is necessarily safer. Crime may be less frequent, but it still occurs and people may not be prepared for it in smaller towns. My own experience tells me that terrible things can happen even in quiet small towns. The suggestion to keep dogs is a good one....;) These days, some of the worst rates of Meth addiction and Meth production is in small towns and rural areas. It pays to be alert and cautious no matter where we live.

Answer 4

There are many areas of the USA that do need alarm systems. If you feel you may need one, then you probably do. Some people in smaller towns or in the country have motion lights, cameras, dogs, etc., and that is enough, but in larger cities you often need the alarm systems.

Answer 5

That depends upon where you live. When I lived in Chicago - I used ADT - a security firm. But now I live in S.W. Missouri and I do not believe that I need one. However, if I lived downtown in a loft, then yes I would have some sort of alarm or security system. If you live on a farm in the USA alarms are not usually needed! It is very very isolated and quiet - and if anyone came around your property that should not be there, then one of the dogs would raise all kinds of he- - and wake you up! Then you could shoot them - the intruder(s) not the dogs!!!!!!!!!! (Well maybe not)!

Answer 6

It really depends on your comfort level as well as the crime potential in your area. Personally, I would not go without on but then again I am in the industry and with knowledge comes perks. I know my wife who came from Oklahoma City and never had an alarm system before she moved in with me feels much more comfortable with it. In fact she refused to move into the house we are in now until I installed one.... Of course we live in the City area.

There are also several things you can do in and around your home to make it less appealing to the crackhead sector of society. I have written a few articles on the topic, and they can be found on my website http://www.keepsafesystems.ca or at http://ezinearticles.com/?Protection-101---Home-Safety-Tips&id=567353

In addition to theft prevention, alarms can also be useful for life safety. You can connect smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors to pretty much any hardwired alarm panel on the market today. If you are in low lying area's you can also add water sensors (Really inexpensive add on). For more info, check out Theft by fire on... of course my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca (I'm even starting to sound like an attention whore to myself.)

Like I said, an alarm system is all about your personal level of confort. If I can offer any words of advice:

1. Do not to let a sales person pressure you into anything you do not feel comfortable with.
2. Avoid "free" or $99 systems... nothing worth having in life is free.
3. Wireless security systems are NOT the next best thing since sliced bread. I have been in the security alarm industry for over 20 years and have seen many wireless technologies come and go. If you get a wireless alarm system today, chances are it will be a paperweight in 5 years. A hardwired system on the other hand can always be easily upgraded. http://ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-Security-Systems---The-True-Cost&id=562150. If needed, hardwire systems can easily be equiped with a wireless receiver for medical alert purposes.

I wish you all the best, whichever way you decide to go.

Answer 7

Not where I live. I don't have a lot of expensive things though. The crime rate here is quite low compared to many other areas in my state. If you are considering an alarm system, do a lot of research though.

Answer 8

Many homes in the US have them. I live in a condo and don't have one. My son and his wife have one in their townhome but neither of my daughters do in their homes.

A lot depends on one's neighborhood, safety stats, etc. It's certainly not a bad idea and some companies will install a system for $100 + the monthly service charge.

Answer 9

Many do, I just have camera surveillance and out side lights at night, my neighbors night light is bright enough to light up the fields. We are in a very safe area, but afew miles away, gulp.

Answer 10

No, but it depends mostly on where you live. If you live in a high crime area, I would suggest one. Where I live you don't even have to lock your doors, but then I do have a 165 pound dog everyone is afraid of.