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Dropping Your Alarm Monitoring

There's a growing trend, in today's economy, to drop alarm monitoring from the family budget. But there is a way, to monitor your home security system yourself.


Would you purchase a guard dog that doesn’t bark?

That’s a silly question, I know, but it does illustrate what a home security system is without being monitored. As an alarm dealer, I’ve noticed a growing trend of home owners opting out of this important 24/7 service. For an alarm company that’s a disturbing trend, yet it’s understandable. 

Reasons to Drop Monitoring

There are valid reasons why people have discontinued their alarm monitoring service. First and foremost is the economy. Family budgets are what they are and decisions have to be made on cutting back on expenses. Alarm monitoring service is often one of the items on the chopping block.

False alarm fines are another cause, especially for those trying to get by on a tight budget. Consider what cutting $75, 125 or more out of your weekly grocery budget would do, and it easily understood why people decide to drop monitoring altogether after being assessed a fine like that.

And then there is the contract that many alarm companies trap their customers. When the warm glow of a great deal has worn off and the monthly payment grinds on, and on, and on, many are ready to jump ship when the term of the contract is up. 

As an alarm dealer, I am very aware of the situation – don’t like it – but understand it. You see, monitored alarm customers are the ‘holy grail’ to an alarm company. It is the reoccurring income that keeps the company ship afloat.

Do-It-Yourself

With that in mind, it might surprise you when I say, “There is a way, for you to monitor your existing home security system yourself and give your guard dog back its bark.”  To learn more, go to: www.diy-monitoring.com.  

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Holly Bell May 12, 2013 at 02:59 pm
If the city council likes fake plastic nature, then let them saran-wrap their own yards! LEAVE OURRead More PARKS ALONE!! This is soccer special interest pressure on city government at its worst, and the city council appears unwilling or unable to withstand it. Crestview Park is a particularly quiet, serene, simple park with lovely views which the council now wants to turn into a sports arena. Any day you can go there and see families playing on the grass, toddlers and moms enjoying picnics and play time, kids learning to ride their bikes on the nice flat paved area, athletes and older folks enjoying the flat natural track (the only one in San Carlos) to get in shape, teens throwing frisbees on the lawn. It is a perfect place for ALL residents to enjoy according to their needs, not a sports arena dedicated to one activity at the expense of all. Belmont faced a similar lack of sports venues, but they did not choose to pave paradise. They wisely raised money and built a sports complex and spared their beautiful parks for use by ALL residents. I would like to see our city council do the right thing also. And by the way, the opposition to this short-sighted plan is far more than "some residents"! Please visit our booth at Hometown Days.
Brenda May 9, 2013 at 04:10 am
One summer my kid had soccer camp on at an artificial turf field. It was terrible. It madeRead More everything hotter and very uncomfortable. I had to pull my kid out of camp early because of it. I do not think it is better for the environment OR for kids. Just go to any turf field and try to walk across it on a hot day. Try to go barefoot on it (good luck!) We have been told not to microwave plastic containers because of BPA and bad chemicals that can cause cancer. What about heating up plastic grass and running around on it, breathing the fumes that come off it?? How is that any different?
R. W. Dehner May 9, 2013 at 02:20 am
Artificial turf is appropriate for dedicated use sports venues, not for multi-use city parks.
Gordon cook April 15, 2013 at 11:30 am
Thanks for doing this. The one blatant thing I observe on a daily basis is the number and frequencyRead More of deputy's at Starbucks on 800 laurel street and the sky kitchen. I never see them in the neighborhoods. The police department was much better