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Setting up your own ADT Home Security system: How to DIY it
Homeowners have a lot of year-round responsibilities to keep track of, but home security deserves to sit at the top of your list. Securing your home and protecting your family with a reliable home security system is more important than ever these days. While long established names in home security like ADT offer comprehensive protection through professionally installed systems, the rise in popularity of DIY installation means it’s easier than ever to set things up on your own.
“Most of these DIY systems are incredibly easy to set up, even if you’re not the handiest homeowner on the block,” says home security expert Rob Gabriele.
“These DIY home security systems are becoming so popular that even big names in the security industry are offering their own. ADT Self Setup is one of those. This security package allows users to gain access to ADT’s award-winning professional monitoring with the flexibility and affordability of a self-installed system.”
ADT Self Setup gives you the freedom to build and customize your system however you see fit — plus, installation is frustration-free. Here is everything you need to know about setting up your new ADT home security system with your own two hands (and maybe a few power tools).
Become a DIY pro with ADT Self Setup
ADT is arguably one of the most recognizable names in high-tech home security, and for good reason. The company has more than 150 years of experience to back up its products and services. And the latest addition to the home security company’s roster of comprehensive security solutions is its DIY offering: ADT Self Setup.
Customers can bypass professional installation fees, which typically start at $150 (and only go up from there if you’re eyeing wired systems from competitors), by building their own security package — or starting with one of several bundles offered by ADT.
Breaking down your options with three ADT Self Setup packages
Before you can equip your home with your security devices, you have a choice between three ADT Self Setup packages. There’s a build-your-own option as well as a starter and premium kit. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- Build your own: $195. This basic home security solution is the cheapest pick, but it’s also a bit barebones. Customers get one smart home hub, one door or window sensor, and access to the ADT+ mobile app. You can add additional devices as needed to build your own package, but prices of individual add-ons like the battery-powered Google Nest cam ($180) add up quickly. Like all Self Startup options, this requires a minimum one-month subscription of professional monitoring with your purchase.
- Starter kit: $480. This kit gives you everything the BYO package offers, plus a few valuable extras: one Google Nest doorbell, three additional door or window sensors, two motion sensors, one ADT yard sign, and a four-pack of ADT window stickers. This is, as the name implies, a solid option that adds intrusion detection and front door protection to the mix.
- Premium kit: $580. Get everything from the starter kit, plus a second generation Google Nest hub that lets you further customize your home security with voice control for smart devices, remote control for any connected devices, and voice call connectivity.
What comes in an ADT Self Startup kit?
Every kit comes with a few essentials: a smart home hub that brings together all of your devices, a sensor for door or window entry detection, and access to the ADT+ mobile app. Here is everything else you can add to your home security system:
Video surveillance:
- Indoor/outdoor Google nest cam (battery): $180
- Indoor Google Nest cam (wired): $100
- Google Nest doorbell (battery): $180
Additional devices:
- Keypad: $90
- Door/window sensor: $15
- Motion sensor: $25
- Smoke detector: $28
- Flood/temperature detector: $35
Automated devices:
- Google Nest mini: $49
- Google Nest hub (2nd gen): $70
- Google Nest hub Max: $230
- Google Nest thermostat: $130
- Keychain remote: $20
Accessories:
- ADT yard sign: $8
- ADT window stickers (4 pack): $3
- Weatherproof cable for the Google Nest cam: $35 to $40 depending on length
- Trim kit for Google Nest thermostat: $15
Your final total will also include 24/7 pro monitoring services, which start at $25 per month. If you purchased a Google Nest camera, you’re on the hook for another $10 per month for a Nest Aware video storage plan.
What to expect with ADT Self Setup installation
“The [home installation] process typically involves a few straightforward steps,” says CEO of Awning.com Shri Ganeshram.
“Firstly, one would need to decide on the components required for their home – this could range from basic door and window sensors to more advanced motion detectors and security cameras. After acquiring the necessary equipment, the next step is the installation. ADT provides user-friendly manuals and online tutorials to guide homeowners through the setup process. For instance, mounting cameras or placing sensors at strategic points around the home.”
Those manuals and tutorials will point you to the ADT+ mobile app to start. Simply create an account and put in your address and activation code (that came with your hub device) to get things set up. Sensors come pre-paired with the hub and are labeled, making it easy to keep track of everything.
To install, simply pick locations for each device, name it, and remove the plastic tab to activate the battery. Double-sided tape is included for easy installation. Motion sensors also come with bracket screws if you’d prefer that over tape.
Devices are synced to your hub manually. Tap the plus icon on the “devices” screen, select whichever piece of equipment you have in hand, and tap “set up new device.” There are extra steps here and there, such as tapping motion sensors to activate them or scanning the included QR code to sync your doorbell device, but thankfully there are video tutorials to guide you through the entire process.
Pros and cons of ADT Self Setup home security
ADT Self Setup is a great pick for anyone considering a DIY approach to home security. You get the best of both worlds: the ease of equipping your home with a new security system all on your own backed by the reputation of a long-established security company.
Here is a closer look at how ADT Self Setup stacks up when all is said and done:
Pros:
- Simplified self-installation: When it comes to DIY projects, ADT self-installation is far from challenging. Installing cameras and sensors (with double-sided tape or bracket screws) seems to be on the level of putting up a new shelf or hanging a picture — if you can do one, you can definitely do the other. Toss in the painless few steps it takes to create an ADT+ app account and sync your devices (everything comes pre-paired with your Smart Home Hub) and voila! Installation complete.
- Seamless integration with Nest products: “[ADT] recently partnered with Google, so users can add Nest products to their system, including the Nest Video Doorbell, the Nest Battery Camera, and the Nest Floodlight — all excellent pieces of equipment with high-tech features like facial recognition,” says Gabriele. “If you’re looking for comprehensive security, it’s difficult to beat ADT.”
- Fast and reliable connections: Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and Z-Wave connectivity means that no time is wasted when your devices need to send data to other devices — or the local authorities if necessary.
- No long-term contracts needed: While there are still expenses for professional monitoring services to take care of, you can rest easy knowing there’s no multi-year contract tying you to your ADT home security system.
Cons:
- Be prepared for some higher-than-average equipment prices: “The primary drawback is the price,” says Gabriele. “To put it simply, ADT isn’t cheap… If you’re considering going with an ADT system, I’d just recommend making sure your budget can handle it. You’re looking at some pretty significant costs… and then monthly monitoring that can run anywhere from $45 to $60 per month, depending on the size of your system and the features you select.” The build-your-own package may be $195, but that price goes up fast if you want to add a camera (starting at $70), doorbell ($180), or other equipment.
- Required monitoring fees: Payments for ADT’s professional monitoring services are required upfront and start at $25 per month — although you can cancel after your first month and revert to self-monitoring, if preferred.
While there may be other DIY home security services that are more budget-friendly, there’s just no comparison to ADT’s reputation as a long-established home security provider. Now that you’re up to date on what the ADT Self Setup home security system looks like out of the box — as well as how easy it is to install and set up on our own — you can rest easy knowing your home is safe.
NEW YORK — Drones have been banned from flying over several New Jersey towns, the Federal Aviation Administration confirms to CBS News.
The FAA order covers nearly two dozen towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne and Camden. It will be in effect until Jan. 17.
The order says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 feet within one nautical mile of the airspace specified in each area. Additionally, it allows the government to use “deadly force” against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat.”
“Pilots of aircraft that do not adhere to the procedures in the national security requirements for aircraft operations contained in this section may be intercepted, and/or detained and interviewed by federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government personnel,” the order reads in part.
Several of the zones are centered around infrastructure, like power substations. Others cover areas like the Kearny, New Jersey port and airspace around military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, or airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Earlier this month, the Florham Park, New Jersey police chief told residents drone sightings had been reported above “water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations.”
Where are drones banned in New Jersey?
North Jersey:
- Cedar Grove
- Bridgewater
- North Brunswick
- Metuchen
- South Brunswick
- Edison
- Branchburg
- Sewaren
- Jersey City
- Harrison, Essex County
- Elizabeth
- Bayonne
- Clifton
- Kearny
Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
- Burlington
- Evesham
- Camden
- Gloucester City
- Westampton
- Winslow
- Hancocks Bridge, Salem County
See the full order from the FAA here.
Mysterious drones over New Jersey and beyond
Drones sightings have been reported all month long, first over Morris County, New Jersey and then over several other East Coast states.
Federal, state and local officials have been demanding more information about where they are coming from and what’s being done to stop them. The FBI is leading the investigation and tells CBS News it has received thousands of tips.
While the White House says there is no known threat, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more federal resources.
On Wednesday, a push from Sen. Chuck Schumer to give local law enforcement more ways to track drones was blocked in the Senate.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
contributed to this report.
Two highway crashes in southeastern Afghanistan killed a combined total of 50 people and injured 76, a government spokesman said Thursday.
One was a collision between a bus and an oil tanker on the Kabul-Kandahar highway late Wednesday, said Hafiz Omar, a spokesman for the governor of Ghazni province.
The other, also late Wednesday and in the same province, was in a different area of the same highway, which connects the Afghan capital with the south.
MOHAMMAD FAISAL NAWEED / AFP via Getty Images
Hamidullah Nisar, the provincial head of the Taliban-run Information and Culture Department, told the Reuters news agency the other accident involved a cargo truck, adding that some of those injured in both collisions were in critical condition.
Omar said many of the injured were taken to hospitals in Ghazni and patients in more serious condition were transferred to Kabul. Women and children were among the casualties, he said.
Authorities were in the process of handing over the bodies to families, Omar said.
MOHAMMAD FAISAL NAWEED / AFP via Getty Images
Crash survivor Abdullah Khan, who was being treated in a Ghazni hospital, said he didn’t know how many people had either died or were injured.
“I got out from the bus myself and heard the sound of moaning. There was blood everywhere. Some people had head injuries and others had hurt their legs.”
MOHAMMAD FAISAL NAWEED / AFP via Getty Images
Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan, mainly due to poor road conditions and driver carelessness.
MOHAMMAD FAISAL NAWEED / AFP via Getty Images
CBS News
France’s President Emmanuel Macron tours cyclone-battered Mayotte, meets survivors pleading for help
Mamoudzou, Mayotte — France’s President Emmanuel Macron traveled Thursday to the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte to survey the devastation that Cyclone Chido wrought across the French territory as thousands of people tried to cope without bare essentials such as water or electricity.
“Mayotte is demolished,” an airport security agent told Macron as soon as he stepped off the plane.
The security agent, Assane Haloi, said her family members, including small children, are without water or electricity and have nowhere to go after the strongest cyclone in nearly a century ripped through the French territory of Mayotte off the coast of Africa on Saturday.
KWEZI/AFP/Getty
“There’s no roof, there’s nothing. No water, no food, no electricity. We can’t even shelter, we are all wet with our children covering ourselves with whatever we have so that we can sleep,” she said, asking for emergency aid.
Macron got a helicopter tour of the damage and was to spend Thursday night on the far-flung French territory. After flying over the destruction, he headed to the hospital in Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, to meet medical staff and patients.
Wearing a traditional Mayotte scarf on his white shirt and tie, sleeves rolled to the elbows, the French president listened to people asking for help. A member of the medical staff told him some people hadn’t had a drink of water for 48 hours.
Some residents also expressed agony at not knowing about those who have died or are still missing, partly because of the Muslim practice of burying the dead within 24 hours.
LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP/Getty
“We’re dealing with open-air mass graves,” Mayotte lawmaker Estelle Youssoufa told reporters. “There are no rescuers, no one has come to recover the buried bodies.”
Some survivors and aid groups have described hasty burials and the stench of bodies.
Macron acknowledged that many who died hadn’t been reported. He said phone services will be repaired “in the coming days” so that people can report their missing loved ones.
French authorities have said at least 31 people died and more than 1,500 people were injured, more than 200 critically. But it’s feared hundreds or even thousands of people have died in total.
Abdou Houmadou, 27, said emergency aid was needed immediately, not Macron’s presence.
“Mr. President, what I’d like to tell you… is I think the spending you made from Paris to Mayotte would have been better spent to help the people,” he said.
Another resident, Ahamadi Mohammed, said Macron’s visit “is a good thing because he’ll be able to see by himself the damage.”
“I think that we’ll then get significant aid to try and get the island back on its feet,” the 58-year-old said.
LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP/Getty
Macron’s office said four tons of food and medical aid, as well as additional rescuers, were aboard the president’s flight. A navy ship was due to arrive in Mayotte on Thursday with another 180 tons of aid and equipment, according to the French military.
People living in a large slum on the outskirts of Mamoudzou were some of the hardest hit by the cyclone. Many lost their houses, some lost friends.
Nassirou Hamidouni sheltered in his house when the cyclone hit.
His neighbor was killed when his house collapsed on him and his six children. Hamidouni and others dug through the rubble to reach them.
The 28-year-old father of five is now trying to rebuild his own house, which was also destroyed.
He believes the death toll is much higher than what’s officially being reported, given the severity of what he lived through.
“It was very hard,” he said.
Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean between mainland Africa’s east coast and northern Madagascar, is France’s poorest territory.
The cyclone devastated entire neighborhoods and many people ignored the warnings, thinking the storm wouldn’t be so extreme.
Mayotte has more than 320,000 residents according to the French government. Most are Muslim and French authorities have estimated another 100,000 migrants live there.
Mayotte is the only part of the Comoros archipelago that voted to remain a part of France in a 1974 referendum.
Over the last decade, the French territory has seen a massive influx of migrants from the neighboring islands – the independent nation of Comoros, which is one of the world’s poorest countries.
