New Alarm System

I read an interesting idea while surfing the Internet yesterday. First it described the cost of installing a home burglar alarm system and the associated monthly fees. Then it suggested that most people already have a primitive alarm system in their house: Their car!

The suggestion was that you always put your keys on your night stand. That way, if you hear somebody trying to break in, you hit the panic button on your key fob, the alarm goes off and (hopefully) the burglar runs away.

Now, here was the thing I didn't believe! He said that if your bedroom is too far away from your garage (or the street), you should just touch the key fob to you chin and it would amplify the signal. So, being curious, I first tried the panic button from my bedroom. Nope! It didn't work! I don't think I'm too far away, I think its the cement block wall between the house and the garage.

So, feeling foolish, I stuck the fob under my chin and hit the button. The damn thing went off!

Now, in deference to even-handed reporting, I must tell you that most of the people who commented disagreed with the above idea. Their points were:

1. Get a gun
2. Get a dog
3. Not everybody has a car alarm
4. Most people don't pay any attention to a car alarm (I never do - too easy to set them off accidentally)
5. Burglars usually try to break in when nobody's home, so if you aren't there, what good does this do?

All valid points, I guess, but as I said, I found this fascinating!