Home security system's-

To add a little (LOT) more choas to my life I am fortunate enought to live on a beautiful lake. With that being said I am unfortunate to live on a lake. I had a nighmare at 5 am- looks like I am up for the day- went to bed at 1am and have to work toaday as well..... You can imagine my nightmare so I wont make myself relive it- ugggh it was so real!! I have 2 very active 2 year olds (just turned 2 a weeks ago) and a way to smart 4 year old...

We have 3 sliding glass doors and 3 other doors out of the house. All remain locked at all times unless we are outside. My first very scary event was last summer. Twins were 1 (just one) no way they could open a screen door. I ran down the hall to change the laundry. Next thing I know my neighbor comes walking up my yard with my DD. HOLY ****. She had made ot down our patio steps (concrete) and was 20 yards from the lake. GULP!!! I almost had a hear attack on the spot. I was changing the laundry to the dryer so maybe 3 minutes!!!

Yesterday my oldest son sho turned 4 in March wanted to go out and play with the kids next door who had friend over. It was 8:30 pm I needed to get the twins to bed. (MY DH works nights) so I had the sliding glass door locked and ran upstairs to get pj- gone a few minutes. DS - 4yrs old decideds to be defiant and out he goes. Still OVERLY concerned about this ( he went straight to bed for that one) LUCKILY the twins stay in the house Knowing full well the twins can open the sliding glass door (which older DS closed behind him) .... well you can imagine how I felt after scanning the field of view for a second.

So I HAVE to have some peace of mind here. I am considering a home security system with door chimes. AND those turtle alarms for around pool/ lakes/ ponds and making them wear flotation when they are outsdie.

My 4 year old is staring swimming lessons this week- but still....

ANY ADVICE? Does anyone have a security system if so how much $ am I looking at? Can you suggest a company? An any other ideas for safety around the H2o???

Maybe a lock at the top of the slidning glass doors as well... Oh I am so freaking out!! I can't tell you the images in my head


Thanks ahead of time

 

:hug99: So scary! I've seen things that you can put on windows/doors so that when they are opened (are there two "n"s in that???) an alarm sounds. It doesn't involve a major security system so it should cost alot less. I think I saw them at Home Depot. I would also put a lock high up on the doors but a determined child can find things to climb on to reach it so I wouldn't rely on them alone. Good luck finding something!

 

We have a Brinks home alarm system with door chimes. I don't remember how much it ran, but it was not outrageous to install. It's like $26/month, or less if you pay for the year up front.

 

I have the chimes that ring if a door or window is open - it is not hooked up to an alarm system

What about putting in a fence in your backyard? I know it will take away from the beauty of looking at the lake but if you fence and it lock the fence the kids will not be able to get out of the yard even if the escape from the house.

 

Two things we have and we don't even have a lake:

Lock bolt at the TOP of our sliding glass door that you push in and the door CANNOT be opened. We've tried. We actually ended up yanking it off the tracks we pulled so hard. Ours allows us to push it in in the fully closed position OR when it's open about 2-3" (so you can still get air through). Ours doors had that built in I think so not sure if that's helpful. Ask at Home Depot or Lowe's and I'll be they have a solution.

We have a large back yard and live on a slow neighborhood street. But when we moved in, the girls were just turning two. I refused to be constantly freaking out about them taking off in different directions around the house and toward the street. We moved in during th winter and as soon as the ground thawed, we had a fence installed. High enough they couldn't climb it until they knew better but not high enough to alienate our neighbors or block our view. THE ABSOLUTE BEST investment in this place we have make. It's the most wonderful, reassuring item we own. And now with three, I'd be a basket case without it. You might want to consider a fence too.

 

Some sort of lock near the top that only you and your Dh can reach. And from personal experience something higer then they can reach on a chair. I'd be having a heart attack daily living near water that close. Maybe a fenced in play area if affordable to reduce concerns while there outside.

 

If you don't want the expense of a home security system, you can just install a sliding bolt at the top of each of your glass doors. They cost five dollars each at Home Depot and certainly help my peace of mind! I chose that over door chimes because there are times that I might not hear chimes or even if I did, the chimes tell me that someone already got out. And my goal was to prevent them getting out, not know when they did.

 

How about this? A whole lot less than a security system and it has an alarm on it.

 

I have those types of nightmares ALL THE TIME!!! I would certainly figure out what to do so that you can have a good night's sleep at SOME point!!! :hug99:

I hope you figure it all out!! It'll be awesome LATER, but now it sounds stressful!

 

We have chimes, and they operate even if we don't activate the alarm system. They are just part of the house. We also have a deck with a gate at the top of the stairs that stays closed, and a fenced yard with closed gates, so we have some layers. I hope you find a solution that gives you peace of mind.

 

An alarm systems guy did a presentation at my work for parents with kids with autism. They can put chimes on every door and not have it hooked up to an alarm company. It was like $200 to have it installed on a couple of doors.

 

:love0028: Thanks everyone !! I wish I could have a fence for now but it is a lake "law" that we cannot. We are going to figure it out this weekend. I'm guessing a deadbolt at the top f the sliding glass doors will be our best answer. I think I will also look into chimes on the doors as well/ prehaps a security system.. Peace of mind is key!!!

You ladies are the best!!

Off to enjoy the day on the lake- it is beautiful today.

 

Wow, living by a lake sounds beautiful but definitely comes with its challenges, especially with little ones around. Thinking about a home security system with door chimes is smart. Those turtle alarms for pools and lakes sound like a great idea too, and flotation devices are important for the kiddos outside. You might want to check out x sense customer service for some solid options on security systems. Also, putting extra locks up high on those sliding doors could be a good extra precaution. Safety first, right? It's a lot to manage, but you're on the right track for peace of mind.