There are many kinds from simple door systems to more complicated systems which arm each window, motion detectors, cameras.

If you get your windows armed and wish to arm the system at night, you cannot have your windows open. There are special screens you can choose which will set off the alarm if the screens are cut. Then you can have your windows open at night if you wish.

You can arm your system to sound off if there is motion within the house. If you have pets you can de-activate the motion detector part of the system so pets can walk around. But you can activate the motion detectors if the pets are gone and you're on vacation, for example.

There is also a glass breakage feature in some systems that if there is the noise of a window being broken, the system will sound the alarm.

Watch for the security signs on houses in your area, see which one most people have. Talk to any local neighbors, etc. who have systems and find out what they like and don't like. Get a couple of bids.

There is monitored and unmonitored. Monitored calls a central location with the alarm, and you pay for that service monthly. So if you want that, compare prices on the monitoring. Ask where the monitoring location is (in USA?). Unmonitored just rings a bell calling attention of anyone around. Our neighbor's goes off periodically, and we ingore it.

Is it a good idea? Only you can decide if it's a good idea for you. It doesn't hurt, and if you put in the simplest system of all--say arming the doors only--and put up the alarm system signs around your home, it could deter thieves. If you get a system, be sure to replace your signs from time to time because unfaded signs make it look like your system is current and active.

My 2 cents.

Susan

Our house had one when we moved in 18 years ago and we've never used it. At the time we couldn't really afford the monthly monitoring fee so we didn't sign up. Plus we'd been forewarned about the false alarm fees the city charged and were a bit concerned that our cats might set it off. It wasn't completely turned off though so it would go off anytime the power went out - it scared the daylights out of me whenever it happened. We didn't really know how to turn it off but always somehow managed to get the alarm to cease. Finally after a couple years of this I found a key for the main control box in a baggie of keys that were left by the previous owners and was able to turn it off completely.

My security system is never to leave the house dark. I have multiple lights (CFL) on timers. I live in a safe area though. I've actually forgotten to close my front door at night a couple times. Not only wasn't it locked, it wasn't CLOSED. I've also forgotten to shut the garage door more than a few times. We've had no problems. If someone wanted to break in somewhere there are a lot more high end homes in the neighborhood than ours.

What kind of protection are you seeking? I understand having a system that monitors for fire or flood problems while you are not home, but if you think a system will protect you from burglars, think again. They don't care if the house is alarmed; they are in and gone in three minutes, long before police can be summoned. I think the TV ads where Mama and Daughter are 'saved' from a Bad Guy when the alarm company telephones the house are ridiculous. If Bad Guy wanted to harm the people he would -- alarm or no alarm. The ad doesn't show what happens in the interim between the monitoring company alerting the police and when the police actually arive.

You may want to talk to your local police department to see what they suggest. Ask if your concerns are supported by reality. Ask what the town charges for false alarms too.

And remember, if you have a system it's no use unless it's TURNED ON.

DS has one I prefer bars on my windows and security doors

I have an ADT alarm system installed, which is set to sound only when a door opens. I have security gates, doors and lights plus a dog who has been trained to bark only if someone he doesn't know comes in the yard. I have a stun gun in the house, too, so with all these protective measures associated with the house, I don't feel the need to have the alarm system activated to a central alarm company, although it could be.

"If you get your windows armed and wish to arm the system at night, you cannot have your windows open. There are special screens you can choose which will set off the alarm if the screens are cut. Then you can have your windows open at night if you wish."

The first sentence of that paragraph is not exactly correct. It all depends on your system. You can have the windows "armed" but it's done in such a way that when a window is opened beyond a certain point, the alarm will sound. So, you can have one or more windows open (but not fully open) for ventilation without setting off the alarm. If a burglar comes along and tries to open the window further so he/she can get in, it will set off the alarm.

You can also have an alarm system that has specific windows assigned to specific "zones." When you "arm" the system, you can bypass whatever zones you want. So, you can have windows (or doors) in any specific zone(s) completely open because they're bypassed and won't set off the alarm.

"You can arm your system to sound off if there is motion within the house. If you have pets you can de-activate the motion detector part of the system so pets can walk around."

You can have the motion detectors' infrared beam set to a point that is low enough to catch a human's movement through the area, but high enough to miss cats or dogs walking around. If you have a bird that is allowed to fly through the house, you wouldn't want a motion detector, or if you had cats that jump up on high surfaces.

If you have stairs in the house, the beam should be set high enough to catch the motion of someone going upstairs. Again, motion detectors would be set as a specific zone(s), so they could be bypassed when desired.

We have a monitored ADT system, and are very happy with it. We can, and have, set "guest codes" so that when we are away on vacation my sister can come into the house without having to know our "official code." There is also a "distress code" -- if I come home and a "bad guy" is waiting outside and forces me to go into the house and turn off the alarm, I would enter the distress code. That turns off the beeping sound (that starts when the door is opened), so the bad guy thinks everything is ok, but it notifies the monitoring company that there's a problem and they would dispatch the police. Or, if I push a specific sequence of keys on the keypad, the monitoring company would call and ask for a "secret word." If I give the right word, all is well; if I give any other word, they know there's a problem and will dispatch help.

We have two keypads in the house -- one is in the foyer by the front door, and the other is in the master bedroom (upstairs).

Yes, our monitoring company is in the United States.

I had GE alarm systems in 3 of my previous homes...with a variety of entry alerts/alarms...a "panic" call system...temperature alert involving failed heating systems...and plumbing alert if water heater or any plumbing system failed. I was very pleased with them and the systems themselves saved me on two different occasions. Once alerting there was an electrical line interruption/breakage which resulted in a very timely warning. The house wiring was old and unbeknownst to me...failing. Thanks to the GE alarm...I had the house rewired and averted a serious..potentially deadly house fire. The second warning was regarding a failed heating system in a new home in the dead of winter. Again...a "miraculous" save.

Fortunately...I never experienced an unwanted entry...but my systems paid for themselves several times over in the 2 warnings that they did give...and more than likely saved lives.

Today I live in a protected town house community with little to no need for such sophisticated systems...but I wouldn't hesitate to add one again if I felt the need.

Anne

Oh thanks everyone. I feel better already. Im looking to get an ADT but I made the mistake of checking online to see if people liked them,,wow how crazy were those complaints. Mostly I want the medical part of the monitoring system as I have had to go to the ER (call ambulance) several times over the past 2 years and my DH is not home 5-6 days of the week, at all. I would just feel better knowing I can get them, because the last time I needed them I couldnt see the phone to put in the 911. I have since trained my self to call my friend by just feeling the numbers but still if I pass out, well you get it. I am hoping this works out. My husband has me totally confused over what to do and I told him maybe Ill just get another big dog and a big gun (he doesnt like the idea of guns) but after hearing that 911 tape of lady shooter in OKla I have been having second thoughts. We live about 1 1/2 blocks from town and there are some wild looking people milling around my nice tree lined street at 2-3 in the morning. I appreciate your feedback.