Last night Denis and I spent about an hour trying to figure out how our home security system works. Because we have motion detectors around the house, we never use the system because of the pets. The few times we DID set it (when going away for a long weekend or something), it would always go off and we’d get phone calls from our security company, at which time we’d assure them that it’s just the cats and not to send the cops.
I still consider our town to be safe (safer than Bloomfield, NJ at any rate), but we have had a recent uptick in break-ins, whether it’s home invasions or car break-ins. We already had the garage door fixed so we could park our cars in the garage, but after reading about some recent incidents (one in which a home invasion took place while two children were home without an adult), we figured it’s time to actively use our home security system.
So last night we did some testing to refamiliarize ourselves with the system. And determined that the instructions we got from the security company are just AWFUL and make no sense whatsoever. So once we figured out (pretty much through trial and error) the proper method for setting the alarm WITHOUT using the motion sensors, I promptly rewrote the instructions for all the options we’d be using with our system. We also went through the house and figured out exactly where all our monitors were so we could label our monitors correctly. From now on we’ll be setting the alarm not only when we are not home, but at night while we’re sleeping. Once Cooper goes out for his last potty break of the night, the alarm goes on.
We’ll be doing a few other things as well – second deadbolts on all exterior doors (including the entrance door from the garage), blinds on windows that are currently blind-free, a blind or curtain for a patio door, and storm doors with deadbolts on the front and back doors. We also took the time last night to change our garage door PIN number to a much longer code so that it’s that much harder to crack.
As I said, I still feel safe, and there’s no reason in particular for someone to pick MY house as the one to rob, but you never know. So better safe than sorry.
I’m glad Jaynee thinks Fort Mill is safer than Bloomfield, but I don’t remember a single problem in our neighborhood when we lived there and when you have to say twice in one post that you still feel safe, there’s something underneath that tells me it’s not so safe. Just my thoughts.
I was going to mention that you needed to set the Perimeter alarm and not the motion alarm… but it looks as though you figured it out.
Shameless Plug:
**SPARTA, NJ**
We moved to sparta cause we too were sick and tired of the Car Break-in’s and the things being stolen from our property in West Orange. We purchased an Alarm and then a year later moved.
We now live in Sparta and just last night I forgot to lock the front door. Maybe the Bears keep people from walking around late at night in Sparta? Loves me some Sparta. Let me know when I can start looking for houses in our area for the Cootie Family. One very nice house just dropped their price around the corner from us.
I do think it’s safer. Did you know a woman got shot at the YMCA in Montclair a couple weeks ago? In the pool while a children’s class was on the other side of the pool? Do you not remember Caesar (the kid who played in the band with me) getting pistol-whipped walking home from school shortly before we moved down here? And how about the bank robbery that took place a couple days ago, once again in tony Montclair.
Looking at the police blotter in Bloomfield and Montclair, they have home invasions, car breakins, carjackings and thefts. Much more frequently than here and with much more dangerous results.
Ace – we’ll never be able to afford Sparta. *lol*
Never say Never… Depending on what Job you and Denis get and not to mention, everything is cheaper in Sparta… from Groceries to Gas.
Sparta does have Outragiously prices homes… but so does everywhere in NJ. Take Montclair for example (Mansions on one street, nasty crime on another). Sparta has some really nice homes for a pretty decent price. Not to mention the Mo’s live there and would love for the Cootie Family to move back.
Side Note:
**WEST ORANGE**
Just to back Jaynee, West Orange was only a town over from Bloomfield! Crime is at an all time high in Essex County (where both are located)
Or the Mo’s could move to NC/SC.