Wednesday, July 04, 2007

False alarms

We've had a monitored burglar alarm at this house for a number of years now. In fact, ever since the boy moved in and started buying expensive computer and television equipment I've had to not only improve my home's security, but also increase the contents insurance by about 500%.

The unfortunate thing about the average alarm monitoring service is that if someone should actually break into your home, what you won't get is a van-load of armed guards arriving within 5 minutes, ready and willing to accost the greasy bastard who's attempting steal your stuff. All you can hope for is a warning call on your cell phone and an offer to send someone around after he's finished his scone, to confirm that there really is an unwanted visitor on your property. For about $50.

And the annoying thing about the alarm system in our place is that the alarm monitor in the hall keeps going off when it isn't supposed to. Normally it waits until I've gotten myself and TLM nappy-changed (TLM, not me), shod, coated and buggied all the way down to the library. Once we've settled ourselves in for a nice quiet hour amongst the shelves or in the playground just outside, that's when my phone rings and I have to rush us both all the way back to check it out.

The technician's already been to have a look at the monitor and found nothing wrong with it. So the next logical step is to replace this 6-year-old thingy with a new one. But I'm surprised these things aren't expected to last longer than that. It's not as though it's got moving parts or a DVD-playing device.

Has anyone else had this sort of problem with their alarm? Am I being ripped off, or do I just expect too much for my money?

6 comments:

Ms Mac said...

I've never had a security alarm in my home. But in Australia, the smoke alarm used to drive me up the wall!

Determinist said...

Sorry - can't help you.

The last alarm I had just beeped, but didn't call anyone. Lots of bark, no bite. Still - don't know if it's worth the hassle if your story is typical.

At least that alarm worked like a charm.

Anonymous said...

One set of halls of residence I was in charge of had smoke detectors that were set off by teeny tiny bugs that used to come in from the nearby lake.

is this relevant

glomgold said...

I have no experience with alarm systems but the way you've described yours it doesn't sound too, um, confidence-inspiring?

Violet said...

On the one hand, if there really is a burglar in the house, he'll either be gone by the time I get back, or he'll be not at all frightened by a confrontation with a petite Asian woman and a toddler...

On the other hand, if there's a burglar in the house, at least I'll have a chance to shop for replacements while I'm still out.

Violet said...

On the one hand, if there really is a burglar in the house, he'll either be gone by the time I get back, or he'll be not at all frightened by a confrontation with a petite Asian woman and a toddler...

On the other hand, if there's a burglar in the house, at least I'll have a chance to shop for replacements while I'm still out.