Home Security System Recommendations

Levi

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
A couple nights ago I awoke to my son trying to go outside to play at 4:45 am. This combined with sleep walking scares the hell out of me. The only thing that woke me up was the bell the dog rings to go outside.

As such, I am looking for an alarm system to keep the kids inside. Does anyone have any suggestions for house alarm systems based on personal experience? I don't want one with a monthly subscription and I don't want to spend a lot of money (if possible) but don't want a POS either.

He has very high functioning autsim and as such has no fear and can think/probem solve like an adult in many cases so locks up high, individual window/door alarms (cheapies) are out. A keypad may also be a problem because if he sees me type a code in once he will memorize it. The only thing I've seen as an alternative is one that connects to the iphone.

TIA
 
seventyfive

seventyfive

Well-known member
Jan 3, 2010
4,280
100
over there
K-rover said:
Ive seen many homes that have double sided key locks. Basically you need a key on the inside to get out.
Click to expand...

It's 3am and the fire alarm wakes you up.....unless every key to every door is mounted to the wall close to that door (obviously out of an arms reach of any window so a burglar can't reach it) it is a serious safety concern.

I agree with Daniel about a very well trained dog.

Have you asked other parents, with autistic children, what they recommend? One of our phillyrovers has an autistic child, I'll see if she can post some advice.
 
az_max

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
If your son can figure out where you store the keys, he'll figure out how to open the door. I agree a dog could help both you and your son out, and give him a companion to boot. But an alarm system can notify you and others of open doors/windows, fire, CO, etc. even when you're not at home. At my last house, we had the announciator on so it let you know aloud what door/window was opened. Easy to keep track of the kids entering and leaving the house.

I have Insteon wireless sensors and a hub hooked up at my apartment. I get a text message whenever either door or the front window is opened. I also have an IP Camera set to record motion when I'm not there. Also starts recording when the sensors are triggered.
Cox, Comcast, TfW and few others are getting into home security and monitoring. If you have one of them for ocatv/internet/phone, you might see what they have to offer. I also know Honeywell makes DIY sets, but I haven't used any of them. Or You may be able to find a local installer that can set you up with an alarm system without central monitoring.
 
K-rover

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,171
66
Raleigh, NC
jymmiejamz said:
Can you still buy those? I don't think you can install them in new construction in VA.
Click to expand...

My sister just built a 4,000 sqft house and those locks are installed on some of the doors, not sure about all of them.

The purpose of them is so a burglar cant break the glass and turn the deadbolt to get in.
 
Last edited:
jhmover

jhmover

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
5,571
3
California
You could try something like this and put it high enough where he can't reach it easily. I don't know about this particular brand but a friend has something similar on his doors and they make a helluva racket.

Anther thought is those hotel type locks put high enough so he can't reach them.
 
kennith

kennith

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
10,891
172
North Carolina
Fit a pressure plate below the floor under each window and door in the house, or even hidden motion sensors such as behind false electrical outlets, in nearby wall or ceiling vents, or behind color-matched speaker fabric in baseboard cutouts.

Do it while he's away, and he'll never know anything is present, regardless of how clever he may be.

They can very easily be made to activate a chime or lamp in your bedroom, or even a notification on your smart phone, as well as trigger surveillance cameras allowing you to see in which direction he's gone if he makes it outside (or see if it's worth getting out of bed), which can also be accessed via your phone.

Even if you're away, you can call and tell him to go back home, or at least know if he went left or right at the street.

As an added benefit, this can all be part of, and slightly augment a conventional security system.

Whatever trigger you use can be arranged to lock down doors and windows as needed, and the mechanical systems can be purchased to fit entirely in the frames, so there's nothing to easily bypass without breaking something.

If you are worried about fire safety, hide a kill switch in each room. If you don't want to install triggers, your smartphone can be used to lock down doors and windows as needed.

Dogs are great, but you either want to live with one or not.

Cheers,

Kennith
 
A

acg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2013
84
7
Chilliwack, BC (previously Washington State)
I just installed a Honeywell system. The house is programmed into zones where certain the alarms can be enable/disabled depending on your daily routine. Our home has 8 zones (e.g., zone 1 = living and kitchen area, zone 2 = master bedroom, zone 3 = guest bedroom, etc). The system is equipped with door sensors, motion sensors and smoke sensors. Very customizable tp suit our needs with 3 young children, a dog and a mother-in-law who visits a weekend every month.
 
Levi

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
Thanks for the suggestions. Also, I forgot to mention that he is 5.

I like the dog idea and we are planning on getting another one in November for my son's birthday (he talks to me every day about it). We got a corgi a few months ago after a lot of research and as my parents have a corgi heeler cross that never leaves my kids' side and is a great guard dog but ours is the laziest dog I've ever been around. She is great and has been easy to train but doesn't bark. I spent most of last night teaching her to bark and did hear her bark this morning when I was scraping my windshield so it's a start. I'm confused with her, she is calm and relaxed but doesn't seem to have much self confidence with regard to her territory and dogs she doesn't know.

Kennith, I like your ideas, especially not having a loud alarm in the middle of the night if not necessary. It sounds like things could get costly but I am definately going to look into some of them.

I'm also going to check into some of the systems mentioned and keep working with the dog. I think with the two and an additional dog in the future I will feel a lot better about this situation.
 
dcarr1971

dcarr1971

Well-known member
Jun 16, 2010
610
0
Pittsburgh, PA USA
x3 for the dog idea. My GSD follows my kids around, and lets them do their thing...right up until he decides whatever they're doing is (in his mind) risky. Then he just stops them and barks for us... :)
 
ptschram

ptschram

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2004
21,955
49
In the shop doing the Lord's work one broken Rover
www.ptschram.com
Get him one of those GPSs like they have for Alzheimers patients. If he moves beyond a given perimeter, it sets the alarm off.

As a high-functioning autist, I applaud your efforts.

Now, having spent 19 years in EH&S, for the love fo God, don't put double key-locks on your homes. People do still die in homes and you can insure your belonging against theft, but you can't insure your life against fire.

Also, having such locks violates the Uniform Life-Safety Standard (which all states and underwriters require compliance with) and should something bad happen, your insurance won't pay and you can be held criminally responsible if another individual should perish or be harmed by lack of egress.
 
K-rover

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,171
66
Raleigh, NC
ptschram said:
Get him one of those GPSs like they have for Alzheimers patients. If he moves beyond a given perimeter, it sets the alarm off.

As a high-functioning autist, I applaud your efforts.

Now, having spent 19 years in EH&S, for the love fo God, don't put double key-locks on your homes. People do still die in homes and you can insure your belonging against theft, but you can't insure your life against fire.

Also, having such locks violates the Uniform Life-Safety Standard (which all states and underwriters require compliance with) and should something bad happen, your insurance won't pay and you can be held criminally responsible if another individual should perish or be harmed by lack of egress.
Click to expand...


I see your point, but then I wonder why builders are installing these locks in multi million dollar homes?

EDIT: Did some quick research and its NOT illegal in private residences, only in rental properties. I also called my sister and asked her. She said only the glass doors have these locks. So there are other doors in the house with regular dead bolts.
 
Last edited:
Levi

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
I know the double key suggestion was made with good intentions and no offense but we are way past something like this developmentally and they simply aren't an option. In addition to the safety issues, going pee at night, etc. it is not a way for him learn to function normally.

The GPS thing might be an option, I'll have to give those a look too.

The ID might not be a bad idea either. He could tell someone all that info unless they happened to give him gluten or dairy. I always tell my kids that if they are lost to find a mom.
 
*NR*BRENT

*NR*BRENT

Well-known member
Feb 24, 2009
119
0
MARYLAND
our lab does great with kids and monitiring noises at night. locks arent going to stop a burgler or theft. Id rather hear the dog bark while i grab my shotgun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom