With all the available systems you might be confused at how to find the best house alarm system for your place. The wide array of choices might leave you a bit bewildered. We hope that this article will give you some guidelines to help you in making your choice among the available home security systems.

Of course we all know the reasons for having a decent burglar alarm system in place. When even small towns start having to worry about home invasions and break ins, you just want to provide some type of system that will protect your home and loved ones. We are away from our homes so much due to work and leisure activities, you just want to have that feeling of security.

So once you make up your mind that you do indeed want a system protecting your home, that’s when the confusion arises. After all, there are so many different alarm systems available including those for the DIY homeowner, that you need some tips on just how to make that decision.

Well, the first thing is to just check out what is available. You can do this by checking your local area, say through the yellow pages. Additionally you can do a search online for available systems which could be the easiest way to do it. Just fill in the forms available and they call you. Don’t forget to also ask your friends about their experiences with the various companies and systems.

Getting your list of potential alarm systems together is your first step. Then it’s time to look at each with regards to the following items which will allow you to compare the pros and cons of each.

Begin with checking that each company has the proper insurance for the work they do. Finding out too late that they did not may mean that any losses that come in the future will be your own responsibility and will not be covered by insurance, either yours or theirs.

Be sure that each burglar alarm company on your list has a valid business license to operate in your town or location. You can do this by asking for the numbers and verifying it with your local BBB or the proper licensing agency within the jurisdiction.

The last thing you will want to check is whether or not the company you are looking at does their own installation work or if they subcontract out the work to someone else. Not that subcontracting is necessarily bad. But you will want to be sure just what arrangements are made for handling any problems that may develop with your house alarm system later on like who is responsible and who will do the work.

Copyright, 2008. Sandra Wilson burglaralarmnotes.com

For free tips to assist you in finding the right house alarm system for your home and loved ones, check out our burglar alarm site at http://www.burglaralarmnotes.com

Lighthouse Inns - United States

Popham Beach Bed and Breakfast

4 Riverview Avenue, Popham Beach - Phippsburg, ME 04562

Phone: (207) 389-2409 Fax: (207) 389-2379

While technically not a lighthouse, this former life saving station offers views of several lighthouses off the Kennebec River, Maine, including Seguin Island. And it especially qualifies as a romantic site, as you may have seen it featured in the movie Message in a Bottle. Right on the beach, there are four rooms to choose from, which come with a two or three course breakfast served in the former mess hall.

The Cove Bed and Breakfast

Lighthouse1 Loop Road - PO Box 1300, Ocracoke, North Carolina 27960

Phone: (252) 928-4192 Fax: (252) 928-4092

Six tastefully decorated rooms and a cottage comprise The Cove’s amenities. This isn’t a lighthouse, but is located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, only a stone’s throw away from Ocracoke Lighthouse. A ferry ride takes you the island, where you can do nothing or everything, from walks on the beach to fine dining. No information on their breakfast, other than that it’s scrumptious. Hint: the sunset side offers views of the lighthouse.

Heceta Head Bed and Breakfast

92072 Hwy. 101 South, Yachats, OR 97498

Phone: Toll Free 1-(866)-547-3696

Imagine staying in one of the six rooms of the original lightkeeper’s house on the Oregon coast. And waking up to a seven course breakfast. And falling asleep to the First Order Fresnel lens flashing out its warning. It doesn’t get much better than that. Oh wait, did I mention the fireplaces to take the chill off the night? Or the two lighthouse cats available for cuddling? Hint: The Victoria’s Room may come with a guest…Rue, the famous ghost of the house.

Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

45300 Lighthouse Road, P.O. Box 641, Mendocino, California 95460

Phone: Toll Free: 866-937-6124

Four period furnished guest rooms and two cottages are available for rent in the Lightkeeper’s original home at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. All the rooms have ocean views, and the Lightkeepers Room in the main house comes with blackout shades as it overlooks the Third Order Fresnel. A five course gourmet breakfast is provided, and all guests are treated to a nighttime tour of theworking lighthouse.

East Brother Lightstation

117 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801

Phone: (510) 233-2385

Four of the rooms at this inn are located right in the lighthouse, and the fifth is in the original fog signal building. A stay at the lighthouse includes champagne hors d’oeuvres upon arrival, a multi-course dinner with wine and a full gourmet breakfast the next morning. Guests are also provided with a full tour of the island. Special discounts for January, February and March.

Sand Hills Lighthouse Inn

Five Mile Point Road P.O. Box 298 Ahmeek, MI 49901

Phone: (906) 337-1744

Eight lovely rooms, each with private bath and two with whirlpools and balconies are decorated in Victorian style. Breakfast is served at a fashionably late hour for lovers, at 9:30. The original lighthouse lens is in the house, in the lightkeeper’s office. Enjoy the views of Lake Superior’s majesty, or stay warm playing billiards in the recreation room. And enjoy the stars at night…no light pollution to get in the way (watch for the Northern Lights).

Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast

#3 Lighthouse Road, Big Bay, Michigan 49808

Phone: (906) 345-9957

The special February 13- 17 Valentine’s package (filled for this year of course) includes two nights lodging with full breakfast each morning, two one hour relaxation massages, romance gift basket, flowers and dinner at the Thunder Bay Inn. The lighthouse also doubles as a spa, with full sauna facilities and massage therapy. You can try the hot stone and Dead Sea pack massage. Or perhaps the Relaxation (Swedish) massage and herbal body wrap. Whatever you choose, this would be a perfect winter getaway with your sweetie.

Lighthouse Inns - Caribbean Islands

Palmetto Point Lighthouse (Bahamas)

2309 Woodview Road, Kinston, NC 28504

Phone: 561-395-0483

Not a bed and breakfast, but a full size house at the only charted lighthouse vacation home in the Bahamas. It’s available as a weekly rental, with three bedrooms, two full baths, air conditioning and a pink sand beach at the doorstep. Yes, pink. What other color is suited for love?

Lighthouse Inn (Jamaica)

West End Road, Negril, Jamaica

Phone: (876) 957-4052

Located across from the Negril Lighthouse, these guest cottages are just made for a midwinter getaway. The cottages are in a “nearly untouched” natural garden setting, and the Inn restaurant advertises it as famous for catering fine romantic dinners. And of course, in Jamaica, you have all the normal things to do and see besides the lighthouse such as scuba diving, sailiing, swimming and more.

Lighthouse Inns - Australia and New Zealand

Cape Otway Lightstation (Australia)

Great Ocean Road, Cape Otway, Victoria, Australia

Phone: 03 5237 9240 (intl: +61 3 5237 9240)

Can it get any better than this? The lightstation is in the heart of the Great Ocean Walk, and is the oldest surviving mainland lighthouse in Australia. And you have your choice of three types of accomodations, ranging from the Head Keeper’s House (up to 16 people) or the two Beds and Breakfast buildings, the Head Lightkeeper’s Bed and Breakfast or the newer Manager’s House Bed and Breakfast. The food is homemade at the lightstation by Greek and French chefs.

The Lighthouse and The Keep (New Zealand)

326 The Esplanade, Island Bay, Wellington, NZ (Lighthouse)

116 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay, Wellington, NZ (The Keep)

P.O.Box 11275, Wellington, New Zealand

Phone/fax (04) 472-4177 Mobile phone: 027-442-5555

And for a completely different experience than Cape Otway, you can stay in a rustic lighthouse, or its companion, The Keep. At the lighthouse, the bottom floor is the kitchen and bathroom, the middle floor has the bedroom and the top floor (lantern room) has a sitting room. The site says you can sleep on the top floor if you like, as long as you’re prepared to be awakened by the sunrise. Plenty of breakfast items to choose from. The Keep is a stone building set into the mountainside, and has the lounge and kitchen on one level, and the bedroom and bath (with a spa) on the next. A hatch opens to the roof.

Lighthouse Inns - The Netherlands

Harlingen Lighthouse

NLDromen aan zee, Postbus 89, 8860 AB Harlingen

Phone: +31(0)517 414410

A one room hotel is how this decommissioned lighthouse calls itself. The lighthouse is available for two people only, and includes breakfast. Extra amenities can include champagne, red roses and a champagne breakfast. If the lighthouse is booked (2008 is full) you can always stay at the Harbour Crane or the Lifeboat.

Lighthouse Inns - Sweden

Damman Lighthouse Waterhotel

Kalmar Sound, Baltic Sea

The “Queen of the Baltic,” the Damman Island Lighthouse in Sweden is a full service hotel created from an abandoned lighthouse. Upgrades are ongoing, and plans for this year include adding wind generators. The light is open year round, however, weather may play a part. The hotel includes sauna facilities, including one on a pontoon boat, the Misty Sauna, complete with bar, where one can float around Kalmar Sound and enjoy a true Swedish sauna and dip in the Baltic Sea afterwards. Menus are custom built for you.

Lighthouse Inns - United Kingdom

Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel

Corsewall Point Kirkcolm, Stranraer, Scotland DG9 0QG

Phone: 01776 853220

Although this luxury hotel is for sale (got $2.5 million to spare?), it’s still open. And the romantic, award winning restaurant’s sample menus are to die for. But if staying at the hotel is not private enough for you, there are two new suites about three minutes from the main hotel building, with spectacular sea views. Nearby golf (of course, this is Scotland after all) and museums can fill your spare time.

Trinity House Lighthouses

Managed by Rural Retreats

Thirty, yes thirty, lighthouse accommodations to choose from, from Cornwall to Devon, the Isle of Wight to Yorkshire. Trinity House, Great Britain’s lighthouse authority, has refurbished an amazing amount of lightkeepers homes and rents them out through Rural Retreats. You’re sure to find something for your romantic moments together. On the website, click on lighthouses at the left and you’ll be presented with the listing of accommodations. Alderney Lighthouse in the Channel Islands, is one of those available for rent.

Okay, so that was more than 15, since the last had 30. But even if you don’t get to a romantic lighthouse hideaway this Valentine’s Day, there’s always the next. Tell your sweetie to start saving (and booking now). For photos and links please visit Lighthouse News.

Visit my lighthouse related sites at http://lighthouse-news.com/ (Lighthouse News) and
http://hauntedlights.com/ (Haunted Lighthouses)