Installing an alarm on your gun safe?

[Zack]

What if you had a BRINKS(I forget their new name) or ADT alarm system added on you're gun safe? just like when you open the door the alarm goes off. Would this be a good idea?

 

[Big Boy]

I would think a local cheap alarm would be much better. Something that just goes off when the door of the safe is open without being deactivated, and doesn't call the alarm company.

- If you are talking ADT big alarm, if the burglar is getting into your gun safe they are already in the house, so the alarm should already be going off.

-If it isn't an alarm that you disarm right before you get into the safe, what's the point? The alarm should be going off when they get into your house, not into your safe. If you are thinking hearing a kid, wife, or whatever else get into your safe when you are home, that's not how these type of alarm systems work. They only go off when they are set, and in a "unoccupied house" mode. Just having a local alarm for your safe would be best. In conjunction with an ADT type alarm for your house.

 

[Kingcreek]

Mine is armed on its own zone like another entry door but with 2 contacts in the circuit- one on the door if opened, and another breaks contact if the safe is moved. Pretty simple.
I could give more details but I have a limited internet comfort level when it come to my security.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Big Boy nailed it. If they get to your safe without it going off, it's too late. They do make safe contacts that are heavy duty and are mounted to the safe door. The safe actually has to be drilled to mount these. I have also seen safe's contacted like Kingcreek mentioned, but don't know how much good it would do, since it should have gone off before they got there anyway. (I worked for ADT for six years before getting laid off during the recent recession)

 

[Kingcreek]

I have also seen safe's contacted like Kingcreek mentioned, but don't know how much good it would do, since it should have gone off before they got there anyway.

Paul, there is a reason mine is set up the way it is. Mine is monitored with PIR sensors active or inactive. ie level 2 or 3

 

[FAS1]

I don't know exactly how it was done, but had a customer tell me he was going to hook up the handgun safe he purchased from us and mounted next to his bed to his alarm system similar to a panic button. If the safe was opened when the alarm was on, meant he needed 911 to respond. Sounds like it could be a good idea. Not sure if it activated the alarm or just sent a signal to the monitoring company. Seems like all it would take is a switch mounted on the inside door.

 

[Rail Driver]

Putting AN alarm on YOUR gun safe is a great idea if you want to scare the bejeezus out of whoever goes to retrieve toys for the next range trip. I don't see the purpose behind an alarm specifically for the gun safe unless it's something like lojack, where if the safe gets stolen it transmits gps data so it can be found. Beyond that, protect your home with a quality alarm system combined with a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

It depends on where the safe is located. If it is inside the perimeter arming area of your security system then I agree it's unnecessary, but still may seve a purpose. However, many safes are in basements or garages due to weight issues. Some people don't protect the garage or basement areas, opting for the perimeter to begin at the upstairs basement door or the garage entry door to the house to save money. Another good reason to include your safe in your alarm system is in case you are slightly forgetful as I am getting. If your safe is part of your alarm system and you are leaving your house, your system will notify you when you go to arm it that a point (or zone) is faulted, thus reminding you to close the door on your safe. I'm embarrassed to admit this has happened to me before. (I've been in the commercial alarm business since 1984, and have owned my own commercial security/fire alarm company since '92)

 

[a1abdj]

It is pretty rare for me to see a residential safe wired to the alarm, although it is very common on commercial units. On high dollar applications, it's not unusualy for the safes to have their own system, seperate from that of the business.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is that there are electronic locks available with a duress function. You can enter a combination, and while the safe still opens, sends a silent panic alarm. This would come in handy in the event somebody is forcing you to open the safe.

 

[JohnBT]

Maybe I need to update my safe defense. Right now it's $300 and a new bottle of Jack Daniel's sitting on top of the safe. I'm betting the crackhead takes the money and runs.

My homeowner's deductible is $500 or $1000. I can't remember.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't know exactly how it was done, but had a customer tell me he was going to hook up the handgun safe he purchased from us and mounted next to his bed to his alarm system similar to a panic button. If the safe was opened when the alarm was on, meant he needed 911 to respond. Sounds like it could be a good idea.

Sounds like a false alarm waiting to happen.

It is pretty rare for me to see a residential safe wired to the alarm, although it is very common on commercial units. On high dollar applications, it's not unusualy for the safes to have their own system, seperate from that of the business.

I've done a lot of that. In the commercial settings, there will sometimes be a keypad on the wall outside the room where the safe is. It must be disarmed seperately. The safe room door will be contacted, a PIR (motion sensor) will be inside as well as a safe contact. Everyone has there own code and you can print out a list of when the system was armed, disarmed, and which code it was that performed the function. It's pretty neat.
I've only had one occasion where I protected a gun room in a residence. There was a gunrack built into the wall around the entire room. There were probably 200+ guns in there, and it wasn't cheap crap either. I'll never forget it.

Kingcreek, I understand. If you're armed in the "stay" mode, your PIRs are off, but your gunsafe is still protected. (Took me a minute. I've been away from the game for a while)

 

[Davandron]

For a safe alarm, I favor the pepper-spray dispensing alarm package myself. A stand alone system attached to the safe. Any movement or opening of the safe without disarming and the pepper fog engulfs the area. Stops the smash and grab post-haste. ;^)

 

[medalguy]

I did mine same as Kingcreek. It just gives me a better feeling of security under certain circumstances. Very good idea in my opinion.

 

[Shadow 7D]

interesting idea, but a real pain to clean up
definiatly wouldn't want that one in the bedroom
oh and the red is staining in OC

 

[Walkalong]

Right now it's $300 and a new bottle of Jack Daniel's sitting on top of the safe. I'm betting the crackhead takes the money and runs.

I'll bet your right.

A closed door separates the side of the house and the room where my safe is from the living area where my hope is that they take my TV, stereo, and computer, long before they get to, and want to fool with, a heavy bolted down safe. Most thieves want easy pickings. If they are professionals who scoped out your place, they will get your guns unless you have a really nice REAL safe.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Want an alarm for your safe then get a..

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

A GSD is all the alarm you will ever need. Get one from a good bloodline with a good temperament. Those dogs will teach you a few things about guarding. No alarm in the world helps if you live out in the country and a distance from Law Enforcement or where you work.
Zero Problems.

 

[oldbear]

Adding an alarm to any safe seems redundant; if you have items of, enough value, which you need to secure in a safe, why not keep the safe locked?