How To Choose The Right Home Security System

Depending on the money you have and the neighborhood you are living in, you have probably wondered how to choose the right home security system. This is indeed a tough question and hopefully by the end of this small guide you will at least have a hint.

The first step to choosing the right home security system is to put yourself in the role of a villain. Look at your home with some evil eyes. Where would you make your entry point - through the window, the back door, or the basement perhaps? Imagine the most probable route that a thief might choose. This will help you establish the weak points in the security system. One of the best ways to ward off potential burglars is simply to place alarm signs and decals on the premises. These will make the potential burglar think twice about attempting a break-in.

A good strategy to provide a relatively cheap, yet effective home security system is to leave a seemingly unguarded path. Typically the villain will choose it. This area should be guarded in a more subtle way. For example, if you leave a backdoor “unprotected” you could install a motion detector that emits a loud sound when activated. The key here is to leave the potential thief a way out, so you avoid confrontation and possible personal endangerment. The typical scenario would involve him almost feeling that he succeeded and then right before the entry point he would have a very nasty surprise which will make him run away in a panic.

Unfortunately though, the above strategy might not always work. This is why additional security installations should be installed. Depending on the budget you have available, you can choose from quite a large array of alternatives. These can involve the installation of security cameras, door alarms, glass break detectors and even photoelectric beams. No matter what your choice is, you should never leave anything to chance. Thieves do not always follow the easiest path. If they are skilled in detecting home security systems and overriding them, you might be in for some real trouble. The trick lies in setting up redundant home security installations to make them feel overwhelmed and not so sure about their success.

These are just a few general guidelines to determine how to choose the right home security system. Depending on your specific circumstances and the specifics of the area you are living in, you might feel that the security measures must be tightened or relaxed. Regardless of the condition, you must always be prepared for the worst. The fact remains, crime is on the rise and there are no signals that this trend will decrease. If you are still unsure about what security systems to choose, let a security expert help you by doing a detailed evaluation of your needs. After all, your family and home are much too important to leave to chance.

How To Secure Your Home With Surveillance Cameras

Securing your home in case of emergencies such as thieves and other intruders is a good idea, no matter whether you live in a stand alone home or an apartment. One of the easiest ways to protect your premises is to use surveillance cameras, strategically placed around your home based on the amount of space you have. These systems can be purchased with as many cameras as you might need, and are available in wireless or wired formats.

For most home surveillance equipment users, wireless models will be the way to go. They are easy to hook up and easy to mount, and you will cut down on the amount of floor space used by tangle-prone wires. The signal for wireless cameras will be sent to a receiver, which will be hooked up to whatever equipment you are using to monitor the premises.

How many cameras you buy will depend, of course, on the size of your home or if you have anything of particular value in a specific room. If you want maximum security, you will want to mount cameras on the entrances to your living space, including the windows, as well as the garage and driveway, at a minimum. Additional rooms containing valuable equipment or pieces of furniture should also have a mounted camera for added security.

All the security cameras in the world are useless, of course, without a monitoring system. You need to decide if your security camera system is to be utilized in the prevention of theft or to assist in the recovery of property. Most thieves and other criminals will be deterred by the mere sight of a camera on the premises, despite movie depictions of crack shot take-outs of security cameras. The mere presence of the camera, then may serve to protect your home.

If maximum security is what you require, then you or someone you know will need to be monitoring your system throughout the day. Larger homes of wealthy families may be able to employ security guards around the clock, but for most of us the purpose of the surveillance equipment will be to aid in recovery. Make sure that your monitoring equipment is always on and that you either reset the tape manually or have the system set to reset itself.

Home surveillance equipment can do nothing to prevent loss of property on its own. Without proper utilization and monitoring, your surveillance equipment is only a drain on your resources. Take the time to install your cameras properly, checking the angel to make sure they cover all of the points of entry or objects you want watched to a high degree in terms of parameters. Cameras which track motion or otherwise can swing to encompass a wide area are great options, although they may give the location of the camera away. Again, however, it is important to remember that most ne’er do wells will be deterred from their sinister purposes towards your property by simply being aware that the cameras are there.

How To Save Money When Buying A New Home Security System

I am sure that if you’ve decided to purchase a home security system, by now you must be utterly confused. The prices seem to vary a lot even for the very same device. This guide complements our guide called “How to Choose the Right Home Security System” and will help you make the right decision based on your needs.

If you are an average homeowner, then I strongly recommend purchasing a security kit. These offer the standard protection against common intruders and have proved their effectiveness time and time again. In the security systems industry, it is not the systems themselves that cost a lot but rather the customization. Just like buying a ready-made bicycle, it is far cheaper to buy it as-is than to select the individual components you want the bicycle to have and have everything put together. Security kits excel in providing a reliable standard for a do-it-yourselfer. Because these systems involve the bundling of multiple systems, you can expect a hefty discount. Who said that security must be expensive? The security kits demolish this myth and allow do-it-yourselfers to install and have a quality home security system.

There is another way of cutting back costs. I am introducing this method in this guide precisely because at some time you will no doubt feel attracted by it. I am talking here about the price leverage you will get from choosing a lesser known brand (or no-name brand) instead of a more well-known brand. This is not something I recommend. Those companies with strong brands have invested heavily in building up their reputation through well-made products.. What you have here is a distinctive difference in quality. So if you plan on buying a cheaper system from a no-name brand which manufactures its products in South East Asia… I strongly advise against it. In the long-term you will realize that the money saved wasn’t worth it. Why save a couple of dollars only to have a false sense of security? It is far better to invest a little extra now than to risk your home, the safety of your family as well as your own when intruders break-in later.

But perhaps the single, most effective method of deciding what security measures are appropriate and cost effective for your home or business is to hire a security consultant. Believe me when I tell you that the money spent on their services will actually help you cut down costs, either by suggesting the right and appropriate security installations or by detailing the weaknesses in the system. It is more than a low price that you should aim for; your goal should be to obtain an effective security system.

I hope that this guide to saving money on a home security system has put you on the right track. Remember that you must strive to achieve a balance of maximum benefits and protection while keeping the costs at a minimum.

Home Alarm Systems

An alarm system for the home is needed to protect your home, your possessions and your family from intruders. According to statistics, more than 2 million burglaries occur each year and more than half of these occur in residential homes. When looking for an alarm system, you should know there are many different kinds of systems available. Many people look to an alarm system to protect their home. It does not matter what size of home you live in, whether it is a large home with three stories or a small one-room apartment. An alarm system provides you with the security and peace of mind you need while on vacation, at work or sleeping at night.

There are many different types of alarm systems. One alarm will work to detect motion from an intruder when the alarm is activated. Another type of alarm system may detect any type of temperature change in a specific room. No matter what type of alarm system you have, it will notify anyone passing by, your neighbors, the police or a monitoring center of the activity. When looking for an alarm system, you should know the different aspects of a home alarm. First, it will contain a power source, this is called a control panel. A keypad is put in place to allow the homeowner to deactivate the system upon arrival or activate the system upon departure. Depending on the type of alarm system you purchase, it may have contacts with doors and windows, motion detectors and glass break sensors.

What is great about an alarm system is that, if it is monitored by a monitoring center, it will have a backup system. This system will allow the system to work for around 24 hours if the phone lines are ever cut by an intruder or if you lose electricity. What is even better is that some home alarm systems offer protection in the event of a fire, can detect the difference between your pets and an intruder and even offer video surveillance.

When it comes to a home alarm system, there are additional fees that are associated with them, not just the initial purchase fees. This is likely to be a monthly fee as well for the monitoring system. From ATD, one of the most popular home alarm system providers, you can enjoy one touch pad, one motion detector, one indoor sounder, two window and door sensors and one button for manually notifying police and fire station of an emergency and a chime feature for an installation fee of $349.00 and a monthly fee for monitoring of $32.99.

Another system with ADT will provide you with one touch pad, one motion detector, one indoor sounder, two deadbolt strike cups, three reset keys, two window and door sensors and one police and fire button for $399.00 installation fee and $32.99 monthly monitoring fee. With ADT and many other providers, you can customize your alarm system to suit your needs and provide you with full 24-hour peace of mind and safety for your home.

Choosing Wireless or Hard Wired Home Security Products

One very important decision that homeowners have to make regarding home security products is whether they opt for wireless or hardwired home security products. Obviously both wireless and hard wired home security products have their advantages and disadvantages. The decision to choose one type of home security products over the other is largely a matter of personal preference. This article will outline the advantage and disadvantage of these home security products and allow the reader to draw their own conclusion.

Wireless home security products certainly have their own advantages and disadvantages. For many the major advantage of wireless home security products is that the systems are easy and inexpensive to install. Home security products that do not require wires are so simple to install because you do not have to worry about installing complicated wiring into the walls. Another advantage of wireless home security products is that they can be easily moved from one location to another in the home. They can even be taken with you if you move to a new location. Finally another advantage is that wireless home products can be installed in locations where there is no access to a power supply because they have their own internal battery. Wireless home security products do have their disadvantages as well. One of these disadvantages is that wireless products often have design limitations that prevent these products from being placed too far from the central control panel. Another disadvantage is that wireless products require frequent battery changes.

Hard wire home security products are preferred by some but they do have both advantages and disadvantages. One of the most significant advantages of hard wire home security products is the reliability of the systems. Many consider hard wire home security products to more reliable than their wireless counterparts. Another advantage to hard wire products is they are usually installed by professional contractors and the work and parts come with a warranty. The cost of hard wire home security products is a definite disadvantage. These products are usually more expensive than wireless versions. Another disadvantage is that moving the parts is usually difficult and often impossible. The components of a hard wire security system are usually leased from the company who installs them and are not owned outright by the homeowner.

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of wireless and home security products will help you determine which type of home security products you want to use in your home. In many cases the advantage of one system is the disadvantage of the other system. For this reason, choosing these home security products is mostly a matter of personal preference. Speaking to a professional in the industry can be an excellent way to make this decision.

Surveillance Equipment – The Assurance Of Security

Surveillance equipment usually reminds one of “007” but with the recent rise in crime rates it is more a necessity than just spy equipment. The surveillance equipment allows you to keep a watch even when you are not physically present at the scene. These are used to monitor the behavior of people (like stealing, harassing etc.) or procedures that do not act desirably. These appliances are thus concealed and obvious.

Since there is always a chance of improper activity in places like shopping malls, public schools, warehouses, parking garages, airport terminals and offices, these places are the ones mostly investing on surveillance equipments. A wide variety of such equipments are available in the market with highly developed technology.

Surveillance equipment mostly combines audio and video data transfer and may range from Internet based equipment and wiretapping phone to biometrics (advanced facial aspect identification computer software).

The recent development of 'wireless' technology has its own set of problems. The wireless devices transmit information either by radio waves or infrared light, which can be intercepted. Therefore, such devices are not reliable regarding the transfer of important information.

Surveillance equipment is used to record conversation or acts, but these are possible also on a normal recording machine. Some options are:

• Clandestine miniature devices linked to a small microphone, externally mounted to pick up the audio.

• Digital gadgets like minidisk recorders or the most recent diminutive camcorders are small enough to be carried easily, but produce very high quality recordings.

• The common ones encountered at offices for monitoring staff are usually perched from a ceiling.

• The most advanced ultra-directional microphones, or parabolic microphones can be used to overhear conversations from a hundred meters away or more.

• Extreme clarity is possible only via a laser microphone, which are again, expensive and highly technical to operate.

• Since mobile phones nowadays can record both audio and video, therefore they can be used as surveillance equipments as well.

Surveillance equipments normally emit radio waves, however the more sophisticated ones are not dependant on Radio Waves and are extremely hard to detect. The only way to detect them is by using sensitive gear to seek out magnetic fields, or the common electrical 'noise'. Another way would be to use sensitive infrared cameras for identifying waste heat of a Surveillance equipment.

Gone are the days of the private eye, now you can get information yourself via these fascinating surveillance equipments. Finally, the best benefit these devices afford is that they are successful in doing away with the incentive to commit crime. Since a person’s inclination to commit crime is decreased once he/she is aware that someone is there to keep an eye on him/her.

How to Keep Your Home Secure Without Spending a Dime

Your home is your castle, and your family your greatest asset, so you want to keep everything safe. But if you've priced home security systems lately, you might have felt your bank book cringe.

I'm not going to tell you not to buy an alarm system, but if you're not at a point where you can invest thousands of dollars, and you just want to do a few things to make your home safer, this article is for you.
I'm going to give you a list of tips you can use to make your home safer without spending any money.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that burglars are lazy. Like most people, they want the highest reward with the least possible risk and effort. The more challenging you can make your house appear, the more likely the burglar is to pass on by and pick on somebody else (or--let's hope--go away altogether). So, how do you make your home appear secure without screeching alarms, video surveillance cameras, barbed wire fences, and a yard full of Dobermans?

Here are your tips:
Trim shrubs back from doors and walkways (this ensures would-be thieves don't have any shadowy nooks to hide in).

Lock your storage shed and don't leave tools out in the yard (burglars can use ladders, shovels, etc. to gain access to your home).

Keep the lawn mowed and the exterior of the house maintained (a downtrodden appearance can suggest you are away from home a lot or that you just don't care enough to worry about your house).

Plant thorny shrubs beneath first-story windows (if you wouldn't want to climb through a tangle of thorns to reach an open window, chances are a burglar won't either).

If an outdoor light burns out, change it right away.
Don't display your valuables conspicuously (i.e. huge plasma TV on a living room wall that is visible from the street), as this only tempts thieves.

When you make new purchases (such as said plasma TV), don't leave the boxes by the curb to announce your valuable acquisitions--break boxes down and stuff them in your recycling bin.

Don't store house keys under the doormat, a rock, etc. (thieves are wise to all the tricks--if you always lose your keys, consider a fingerprint activated lock instead).

Keep tree branches trimmed back from windows and your roof.
Make sure the garage doors are sturdy (no loose panels or damaged corners), especially if the garage is attached to the house.

Check your garage door opener if you haven't changed it from the factory setting. There's usually a row of 10-12 switches. If all except one is pointing the same direction, the combination is easy to break (the thief has a 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 chance of getting it).

Always shut and lock your doors when you leave the house.
Hopefully these tips will help you make your home less of a target. Remember, home security is as much a matter of employing common sense as it is a bunch of expensive gadgets and gizmos.

Putting Together a Home Earthquake Kit

If you live in an area prone to seismic activity, it’s vitally important that you have an earthquake kit in your house or in your car so that you’ll have emergency supplies if you need them.  Even if you don’t live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, you might want to create a basic disaster survival kit to be used in case of tornados or other types of natural disasters.

Ideally, your earthquake kit should contain enough supplies for you and your family to survive for a period of up to three days.  Beyond the basic considerations of food and water that are physically necessary for survival, you will also need a few additional items to help you make it through the aftermath of an earthquake.

One of the first things that you’ll need is some sort of light source in case the electricity has been knocked out in your area.  Since you’re going to want to make sure that your light will work when needed, your best bet is to choose an LED flashlight or lantern since they have a drastically reduced energy usage and will keep a charge longer in storage than most standard flashlights.  Test any LED flashlight that you have every few months to make sure that it still works, and if you’re using an LED lantern that has multiple lighting modes then you should take the time to test every one of its modes.

Another essential piece of equipment is a multi-purpose tool that has knife blades, pliers, screwdrivers, and even saw blades and can openers in it.  Be sure to store your multi-purpose tool with your LED lantern or LED flashlights so that you can find it quickly once you’ve located your light source.  You’d be amazed at how useful a multi-purpose tool can be after an earthquake, and you may even find uses for it that you’ve never considered.

Also in your earthquake kit should be a fully-stocked first aid kit so that you can treat any injuries that might have occurred during the earthquake.  Make sure that you have common items such as blankets, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer with your first aid kit so that you can cover basic needs and provide warmth and sanitation for anyone who is suffering from shock as well.

Other useful things to include in your earthquake kit include enough money or traveler's checks to be able to meet any monetary needs that you might have in case the banks are closed due to the earthquake.  You should also have a safe with copies of any important documents that you don’t want to be lost or damaged in an earthquake, as well as clean clothes for both warm and cold weather so that you and your family won’t be forced to wear the same clothes for several days in a row.

Make sure that you check the expiration dates on any food or medicine that you keep in your earthquake kit, and change out any stored water that you have every few months.  This will prevent you or your family members from getting sick due to expired food or stale water.

Preparing an earthquake kit is an important activity that should be done as a family to ensure that everyone knows how to use the items inside and where to find it if an earthquake occurs.  Being prepared for a disaster may very well save a person’s life.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Tips for Preventing False Alarms with Your Home Security Alarm System

You may not think that a false alarm on your home security alarm system is a big deal but more and more home security alarm providers and local police departments are beginning to impose fines when home security alarm systems are tripped without cause on more than one occasion. It is estimated that as many as 95% of all alarms are false alarms. While this may sound reassuring to homeowners, it can be costly to home security alarm system providers and local police departments. It is a waste of their resources when they respond to a false home security alarm. This is why many home security alarm providers and police departments are beginning to levy fines for excessive false alarms.

Homeowners should understand how their home security alarm system works in order to avoid future false alarms. A common cause of false alarms in home security alarm systems with motion detectors is mistakes made by the homeowner. If your home security alarm system has motion detectors you should not place hanging plants near the motion detectors. If they sway while the motion detectors are activated your home security alarm system could be falsely triggered. Also, if you have pets secure them in a room that does not have motion detectors so that they will not contribute to false alarms. Blinds and curtains could also cause a false alarm. Moving air expelled from air vents could allow blinds and curtains to sway just enough to trip the motion detectors on your home security alarm system. You should ensure that your curtains and blinds are not in a position where they can be moved by the air from the vents.

Other tips for avoiding false alarms in your home security alarm system are related to common sense. For example, you should ensure that each person who has authority to enter your home is aware of how to deactivate the alarm when they enter the property. Anyone who is able to enter your property should know how to deactivate the alarm system so that they do not cause a false alarm by entering the home and not deactivating the system. You should not only tell each person how to disarm the home security alarm system but you should also allow them to practicing arming and disarming the home security alarm system so that they will have no trouble when they need to enter the property. Also, keeping your doors and windows in good working condition can help to avoid false alarms in your home security alarm system. If your door or window is not functioning properly, it could trigger a false alarm.

Responding to false alarms from home security alarm systems is costly to the local police. When home security alarm systems trigger without cause, the police waste time and resources responding to these alarms. For this reason, homeowners should be diligent about avoiding false alarms with their home security alarm system.

Protect Your Family And Vehicle From Unscrupulous Thieves

Anyone who has had a car or truck stolen knows the anxiety, helplessness and inconvenience that one goes through. If you are on vacation and have your vehicle stolen it can be even more damaging because you may not have other family and friends to help you get through the initial shock of it.

Not all vehicles that have been stolen come back in the same shape you last left it in. It can be trashed inside and out. After all, the people that have taken your vehicle have no respect whatsoever for your hard earned dollars that purchased the vehicle in the first place. And that is what a criminal is, someone who takes but does not give. There is no valid exchange that has occurred and they really don’t care.

So how do you protect yourself and loved ones? Here are a few tips to help keep you and your vehicle safe:

1) Never leave your car running while you run in to get something from a gas station or convenience store. A high percentage of theft occurs there. Thieves love this easy in easy out method.

2) Always lock your car. Almost half of all theft occurs in unlocked cars.

3) Never leave your keys in the ignition. It’s the same easy in and out method thieves love. Don’t give them that opportunity.

4) Don’t put that spare key hidden under your car. Thieves are well versed on that and will find them quick and easy.

5) Don’t leave your title or registration in your vehicle. Thieves can easily use this to dispose of your car.

6) If you live in a hot climate you may be tempted to leave the windows open a bit while parked. Don’t! You don’t want to give thieves any opportunity whatsoever to get in your vehicle.

7) Leaving valuables in sight attracts thieves.

8) Before getting out of your car, scan the area quickly to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Often thieves work in twos or threes. If you see any unusual loitering you may want to go somewhere else.

9) When you go inside somewhere do a quick scan for the same reason.

10) Make it a habit that wherever you go whether it is a restaurant, theater etc. that you do a quick scan of where the exits are. Knowing ahead of time where they are may help you in an emergency situation.

11) If you are in a restaurant make it a point that one of you (usually the man) sit facing the entrance so you can observe potential danger.

12) With your family devise an emergency plan. Drill it until you all know what your role is so that you can act instantly if danger does arise.

The bottom line is that criminals look for the quick and easy steal and individuals that are not prepared. They count on using that element of surprise to get to you or your car. You can avoid being a victim by using your common sense and having a plan. A little preparation ahead of time and learning to be aware of what’s around you at all times can significantly reduce you chances of being a victim.