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Avoid Home Invasions - KOAT.com

When I began my career in the alarm industry back in 1986 it was right after my family and I had moved into our new home in the outskirts of Seattle, Washington.  There had been a recent burglary/home invasion where intruders had broken into a home while the family was asleep.  They tied the family up and eventually killed all but one of the family members.

That was a sad and gruesome story about a doctor and his family being murdered during the holiday season.  What disturbed me most about this story, and it has always stuck with me, is the fact that the intruders were able to get into the home and to the bedroom without anyone being alerted.

My biggest home invasion fear has been to be awakened from a dead sleep to be looking right into the face of an intruder looking down at me.  What a totally defenseless position to be in!

That’s why I have had an alarm system in two different homes over the last 22 years.  And yes we set our alarm every night just like clockwork.  It became a habit for my family right from the beginning.  Anyone who gets an alarm should set it at night.  If you have pets and children who get up in the night, you can always set just a perimeter protection. 

I highly recommend having a keypad in your bedroom.  It makes using the alarm convenient plus most keypads have a panic button, a duress disarm code that sends a silent call for help, and it lets you know by area or zone if there are doors or windows open. 

When this break in occurred, I wondered why this prominent family had no alarm system.  In 1986, most home alarm systems were not that affordable but it seemed doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives were the ones able to spend $2,500 for a basic system and upwards of $5,000 plus for an executive level home alarm system.  Thankfully, the technology and competition has made home alarm systems much more affordable.

Many people say they "can’t afford" an alarm system and don’t want to have to deal with false alarms, setting the alarm, etc. etc.  I am here to tell you, if you get the right alarm system and right company, your alarm system can be your best friend!  You can’t put a price on the safety of your family.  The peace of mind you will have 24-hours a day, in my opinion, is well worth the cost of the alarm and the service you will pay to protect your home and family.

If you have given any thought towards installing a home alarm system, then it is time to take action.  Over the years I heard people say (after a break in, of course) – “We talked about putting in an alarm system but got side tracked and then we never did anything."  Then they got broken into.  Having an alarm system is a big deterrant to a burglar who tends to avoid homes with alarm window decals and yard signs that are posted around the home.  This can be the first line of defense in protecting your home. 

In the future I will discuss the best perimeter and interior protection, the best transmission and communication features for your alarm, and how to ensure your alarm system continues to work effectively, making you feel totally secure.

Remember, if you are in the “thinking” mode of installing a security system-IT IS TIME!!!  As they say – Just Do It.  Protect your home and family now.  Believe me, your peace of mind will be well worth the investment!

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