BYOHSS? (Build your own home security system)

[drunkatuw]

Has anyone built a home security system before?  I know you can get cheap wireless cameras, but I was thinking more along the lines of something that could call the fire department if your an fire is detected or motion sensors that trigger sirens or something.  I wasn't sure if X10 had a package or not.  Basically, my fiance wants an ADT security system installed in our house, but I don't want to pay $200 up front and then $30+tax per month.  We live in an extremely safe neighborhood with next to zero crime, but she's coming from living in the Chicago suburbs where every million dollar home come with an elaborate security system and I'm having a difficult time convincing her that we don't need a security system because our front door has a dead bolt (although one time I left the front door unlocked for over a week without noticing it and I never had a problem).

[drunkatuw]

A little searching this morning found me this http://www.x10.com/onsale/dod_security.html

Hopefully I can convince my other half that it's just as good as an ADT system.

[HaRuMaN]

See this thread:   

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,33315.0.html

[ChadTower]

I built my own home security system once.  It was perfect, no one would come near my house unless we knew them.

I had 4 dogs.

[daywane]

I did. Check the atari 8 bit boards.
It did not call anyone but sure let out a lot of noise. was cheap to make.
ah... the old sio

[Zakk]

For what it's worth I had an ADT system installed a couple of months back.

[Crazy Cooter]

I'm with CT.

[Bones]

I like the idea more of BYOMT. (Build Your Own Man Trap)

Prevention is good, but catching the scum in the act and being able to discipline them myself sounds much, much better.

[Zakk]

Dogs: Current tactic by burglars is to pepper-spray them.

[DrewKaree]

Do you mean to say you can't own Pit Bull's or Rottweiler's AT ALL in Canada, or just in your city/province?

If they're banned in Canada, why?  Couldn't you just shoot them with a gun, which isn't banned? 

If it's just in your locale, I'm betting after a rash of attacks (numbering in the tens of tens) by dogs of piss-poor owners, local officials felt the need for ACTION, and quick-like!

I've heard it was a common occurence with landlords all over for those types of dogs, but hey, they own the friggen buidling.  You don't like it, move or buy your own place, or wait to buy the dog until you CAN own it without problems.

[Zakk]

It is illegal to deny someone occupancy with a pet (the so-called 'no pet clause').

[DrewKaree]

they haven't quite been able to pass a bylaw that outlaws redneckedness

I prefer the term "redneckery" 

That's SO odd to me - the occupancy law with a pet.  I can completely understand the reason NOT to allow them and have abided by that, or simply looked for a place that WOULD allow my pets.  What happens if the pet tears up the landlord's place or pisses all over and makes it uninhabitable for the next prospective tenant?

I've seen instances of people who SO destroy a house with their pets that the security deposit simply is a drop in the bucket for repairs - they had to go to small claims court in a few instances, and the other one....I helped pull out all the flooring in the place, because it stunk like ammonia from the several dozen cats the idiot had....and why bother having a litter box when your house is carpeted?  

[daywane]

I prefer the term "redneckery"

[ChadTower]

You can't pepper spray 4 dogs.  The second you stuck your arm close enough to use the spray 2 of them would have your arm and a third would be on your thigh.

[Crazy Cooter]

Yeah, you need a "multi-level" approach.  I'd feel real sorry for whoever sprayed my dogs, mine was beat when he was a puppy and would not react well to anything that caused him pain.  It took a lot of work to settle him down (I'm used to rescue dog situations like this).  Now I can pull food right out of his mouth and raise my arm without him flinching, but get him in an unknown situation and he looks for me (or one of my family).  If we're not around, things can get ugly.  It took 3-days for the vet to neuter him.  He wouldn't let anyone get close enough to him to put a needle in.  I ended up going in and getting him used to the vet (the third day).  With dogs like this, they need "guidance".  He assumes dominance unless I tell/show him to be subordinate.

And no, he doesn't play with children without close supervision.