Alarming Advice!

I was alarmed by an E-mail I received. It suggested that I use my car key fob as an alarm device and pass this along to as many people as I know. It was somewhat intriguing, although I have always believed that very few if any people do anything when they hear a car alarm going, and going and going. On more than one occasion my car has blown its horn without my help. Nobody, of course, did anything except me. I rushed out the door pushing every button on my key fob until it stopped.

These were the suggestions, or instructions in the E-mail:

• Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
• Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
• If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

I live in a rather large house with three floors ... I was able to activate (and de-activate) the alarm on my car, which was parked on the driveway outside the closed garage door. 

Personally, I doubt this will stop outlaws (or in-laws), but I’m pretty sure it will annoy my neighbors.  Maybe even enough to call the cops.