Home Security And Personal Security Tips

One of the most feared crimes is burglary. The threat of being a victim in your own home is bad enough but to be subjected to a crime a second or third time simply increases the fear of householders in an area. The quiet enjoyment of community life is ruined.

Most householders and car owners have at some time felt the fear of crime, with the elderly and vulnerable most at risk. It makes sense to take steps to tackle crime in an effective way by reducing and preventing crime before it can happen.

Home security is the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window or other easy point of entry and take their chance.

Basic tips:

Visible burglar alarms, good lighting, and carefully directed and limited security lighting can act as deterrents. But make sure that lights don't disturb your neighbours, and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes.

Fitting a 'spy hole' allows you to see who is at the door. Having a door chain means you can open the door a little way to talk to them.

Make sure that any improvements you make don't stop you from getting out of your house as quickly as possible if there is a fire.

Spending money on security measures can seem daunting, but it is a good investment, will last a long time and can add value to your property.

Contact your council or local police for help. They may be able to advise you on the best measures to protect your property, and may even have grants to help cover the cost.

Securing your property will make you safer in your home, and make your home and your belongings safer while you are out.

Older People

Older people may feel more vulnerable to some crimes, but are actually less likely to become victims. A few simple steps can also help reduce your risk of crime.

Think about getting a personal alarm to use if you trip or fall at home.

Fit door chains and spy holes, or ask the council to help you if you own your home.

Many councils have security schemes that are aimed at older or more vulnerable people. You could ask them for advice.

Phone the Age Concern information line on 0800 00 99 66 or visit the Age Concern website

Car Security

Most car thefts are carried out by opportunists and can be deterred. Car crime affects everybody living in an area and be reduced with some simple measures:

Don’t leave valuable items on display.

Do use steering wheel or hand brake locks to prevent theft of your vehicle – especially if your car is an older model and does not have an immobiliser fitted.

If possible, park in a busy well lit area.

What to Look for in an Orlando Home Security Alarm System

Basically, you need an Orlando Home Security Alarm system so that you can monitor what is happening in your home even while you are not around. But Orlando Home Security Alarm systems do not fit a one-size-fits-all purposes type of model. Rather, every system is designed to perform a certain way to provide the best protection for your home.

A centralized Orlando Home Security Alarm system will allow your home system to be connected directly to the security hub nearby. This permits your home to stay under round-the-clock surveillance even when you are not there to check on the system. If the security hub staff suspect that a fire or burglary is in progress, they will call your home then ask for the secret password. Should the password supplied be the wrong one, the security hub staff will ask the right authorities to head for your home right away.

Another type of Orlando Home Security Alarm system is the type that can detect fires. This fire alarm system can react to duct, heat or smoke sensors. If manual pull stations or sprinklers are activated, then the system will also react to that.

One highly efficient Orlando Home Security Alarm system relies on Internet access between your home and the system’s security hub. This is believed to be the most efficient way for you to look into the status of your home security system.

If you fear that your standard home landline could be disconnected or disabled by burglars and other criminals, then you may need a cellular home security system instead or as a complement to your landline. This cellular home security system relies on a cellular transmitter to deliver emergency signals to the security hub, even when your landline has been cut.
Orlando Home Security Alarm systems are no longer just a luxury that the rich and famous attach to their homes to protect lives and property. In these times when so many bad things could happen to your family, you really need an Orlando Home Security Alarm system for your home.

With Orlando Home Security Alarm systems on the job, you know you’ll get alerted when your child fails to come home at the right time, someone broke into your home while you were away, a senior citizen in your home suffered an accident and cannot access a telephone, a vandal hurled a stone through your front window while you were asleep, and any other situations that may crop up that require your immediate attention.

By using Orlando Home Security Alarm systems, it is no longer necessary to ask special favors of your neighbors to watch over your property. It is easier to respond quickly to emergencies. You can warn any potential criminals that your house is being watched with various warning signs in your property. And if burglars seem very determined to invade your home anyway, the police and other authorities can respond immediately to arrest the suspects. Now that is something no neighbor of yours can guarantee – unless he happens to be an ex-Navy Seal.

Choosing the Right Home Security System For You

Back in the good old days when everyone sat on their porches at night, theft was something so incredibly uncommon that it seemed like something out of a good story. When home security alarms were first introduced, they weren't seen as something needed by the public, and security companies had a hard time selling them. Gradually, they were accepted as a necessary fixture in almost all businesses and new homes.

There are many reasons why one would want to consider the purchase of a home security alarm for one's home. It provides a higher level of security for prized possessions such as expensive jewelry, electronics, appliances, and anything else that you wouldn't want to lose.

A home security system is perfect for those who spend extended periods of time away from the home, or who live in high risk areas. The FBI presents a study that shows that, on average, 25% of homes in the USA are burglarized at least once in a 10 year period. Why take the risk with your possessions?

But once you make the decision to go ahead with purchasing a home security alarm, the difficult part is just beginning. There are many different types of alarms on the market and it can be hard to discern which one is right for your needs. You want to make sure that your system provides the best security for your home without being more costly than what is needed.

It is best to check several different alarm companies, as well as talk to friends and neighbors who have alarm systems installed to see what differences are out there, and what will fit your needs best. A few major things to take into consideration are the different companies available, the amount of protection you feel your home warrants, and how much you can afford to spend. Remember, just because a company is cheap does not necessarily mean it is the best deal.

There is no one company that we would recommend over the others; each has its own personal set of strengths and weaknesses and it is up to you to determine what will fit your needs best.

Some tips to keep in mind:

1. Make sure the companies that you are considering have proper insurance. If something happens with the company, you could become responsible for any loss.

2. Check to make sure the company has a valid business license in your city.

3. Get the names of other customers in your area who can provide references for you.

4. When signing a contract, read it carefully! Make sure you know what you're getting into before signing any forms. Know the terms of the contract and the length of the warranty.

5. Ask about the length of time the company has been in business. Be wary of companies that have not been in business for at least three years. There is often nothing wrong with a new home security company, but it is better to stick with those that have been around for a while.

6. Check to see if the monitoring is done locally, or out of state.

7. See if the installation is done through the company, or if it is subcontracted out. It is always better to stick with companies who do their own work. It's much easier to deal with the problem if something goes wrong later.

Wireless Camera for Home Security: What it Can and Can not Do

Have you ever considered installing a wireless camera for home security? There are all sorts of ways that you can beef up security in your home using burglar alarms and motion detection equipment; but using a wireless camera for home security is probably the most practical decision to make to protect your assets and the people living in your house. In fact, using a wireless camera for home security only reflects advantages on a security level.

It’s Not An Alarm

The wireless camera for home security does not make it an alarm. And this is probably just as well. Think about all the noise that a burglar alarm might make if an intruder enters your home. There are two possibilities. Either the culprit gets to escape and you will never know who he/she was; or the alarm just might provoke the intruder into doing something violent out of sheer panic. These are two possibilities that you do not want to encounter. With a wireless camera for home security, you can record all the activities in your house and stand a good chance at catching the culprit after the burglary by showing footage to the police. Also, you can have the camera trigger silent alarms that only you and the police will have knowledge of. This increases the possibility of the police getting to your house before the burglar even knows what’s going on.

Record and Report

The best feature of a wireless camera for home security is the fact that it records images and even sound (depending on the brand and make of the unit). This information is vital for any security outfit or even the police to be able to determine the next plan of action. Think about this: You are away from home on vacation with your family and your house gets burgled. With a wireless camera for home security recording everything happening, you increase the possibility of exposing the people responsible for the crime. So when you get back home, at least you will have evidence to give to the police and they can identify and arrest the people responsible. With the wireless camera for home security recording everything while you are away, you can relax knowing that you have everything in control; even the possible capture of the person(s) who might have burgled your home.

Keeping Close Watch

Another advantage that you have with a wireless camera for home security is that you can watch everything being recorded in real time through a computer or through a television that can capture the cameras signal. This is especially helpful when you are in your study or bedroom and you would like to see what is going on around the house without having to set foot outside the door. It’s safer to have this wireless camera for home security set up in this manner so that you can be warned of any dangerous elements that have entered your home and you can prepare yourself ahead of time or call the police.

If you still rely on the old burglar alarm or floodlight to protect your property and loved ones, it’s time to make a change and increase your security measures. Install a wireless camera for home security and don’t regret not having done so in the future.

Installing your Wireless Home Security Camera

Every home needs a wireless home security camera. It’s not a sign that there are very valuable things inside the house. But to all people, the most valuable thing should be the security of their loved ones. A wireless home security camera can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be installed just about anywhere; better yet, they can be disguised just like any thing.

The Ceiling

The most typical area to place a wireless home security camera (or any camera for that matter) is on the ceiling or in the corner of one. This is because the wireless home security camera can capture a wider scope of the area that it is directed. This is especially true of cameras that are set up withy the lenses set at an angular position. However, a neat trick to fool people into thinking that there are no cameras is to install a wireless home security camera that looks like a smoke alarm. Of course, there should be a real smoke alarm in the room as well so that you don’t end up creating a hazard rather than a secure area. Another trick is to have a dummy camera out in the open and to conceal the real wireless home security camera within the ceiling itself if possible.

Around the House

A wireless home security camera can be disguised as anything and this means it can be installed anywhere. Some people have installed them in flower arrangements to conceal them, on desk lamps, and even sewn them into stuffed toys that just lie around the room. If the object is big enough for the wireless home security camera, then that object can instantly be used as a home security peripheral. Of course, the transmitter of the wireless home security camera should not be covered or else the console that receives all the recorded data may not be able to pick up on its signal.

The Issue

Installing a wireless home security camera system in the house opens up a wealth of possibilities; especially when you want to conceal the camera from everybody else. Of course, this brings about questions on invasion of privacy, so at least have people be aware that there are cameras around the house but you do not have to reveal their locations. The other option is to not install cameras in places where private activities occur such as in the toilet, bathroom or bedroom. Typical installations are found in hallways or facing doorways that give entrance to homes and some wireless home security cameras can also be found outside facing the lawn or backyard. Be sensitive about other peoples sensitivities and you may not have to be answering to arguments on invasion of privacy or other issues.

A wireless home security camera is the best gadget to have to protect all your assets and loved ones all at the same time. Also, when you are away from home and your house gets burgled, you can always play back what was recorded and increase your chances at capturing the culprits responsible. Haven’t got a wireless home security camera in your house yet? Perhaps now is the time to reconsider.

Top Recommended Home Alarm and Home Security System Features

A man's home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today don't normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a home security alarm, and preferably a monitored home alarm system, is needed to ensure your home's security. Not only does installing a home burglar alarm system improve the safety of your family and possessions, but it can also decrease your home insurance costs. The Top Ten Home Alarm and House Security Devices list highlights ten devices and features of home security alarm systems that can make your house a safer place.

The Top Ten 10 Home Security Alarm Items:

1. Smoke Detectors - Add another layer of protection to your home, especially when they are integrated into the home alarm system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give you time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems even integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors. That means you will not have to ever replace the batteries!

2. Back-Up Power Supply - Is important in maintaining home security even during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. Your home alarm should be effective even when your power is not. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. Look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower your maintenance costs.

3. Master Control Panel - Is vital to any home alarm system. The heart of the home security alarm system, the master alarm control panel is typically installed on a wall in a location with easy access. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If you choose to arm the system from the panel when you leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when you return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone!

4.Talking Devices - Make it easy for you to comprehend the status of your home security alarm and monitoring system and also make programming your alarm system simple and quick. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes.

5. Installation, Monitoring, and Repair Services - These services increase not only the level of safety but the convenience of keeping your home safe. A house alarm alone cannot notify the police or fire department in the event of an emergency. The most complete systems include buttons to notify police departments, fire departments and medical help instantly. Another advantage offered by the best monitoring companies is live customer support and full service installation and repair of the system by employees who have been background checked, licensed and drug tested to ensure your safety. Finally, some companies even offer relocation services to keep you secure even when you move.

6. Wireless Systems - Safeguard your residence without adding excessive wires which may create a tripping hazard or require professional installation of behind the wall alarm cable. In wireless home security alarm system magnetic alarm contacts, keypads and other devices transmit information to the master alarm control panel using radio signals or through available previously installed wiring in your residence. A burglar will never be able to disarm the system by snipping the alarm cable. This ensures the system is fully integrated and monitoring all parts of your home without using up your outlets or creating an obstacle course of alarm cable for you.

7. Key Pads - May not always be enough to keep burglars out. Magnetic Alarm Sensors on Windows and Doors decrease the chance of a home invader entering undetected and are a vital component of a residential security alarm system. The degree of security protection is elevated when Security Alarm Motion Detectors are installed within the residence. The most sophisticated security motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets' movement to avoid constantly setting the alarm off inadvertently.

8. Extra Key Pads - Are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure key less entry to your family. Some systems also offer remote control key pads which are lightweight and portable. A home alarm system that features a security code with a key pad increases the security of your home. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry which indicate a possible break-in attempt.

9. Yard Signs and House or Window Decals - Advertise your home's protection. The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company's yard sign (SIA Research Update, Security Industry Association, October 2001). Some choose to post the signs to deter possible break-ins without actually installing a home alarm system. While this effort will lower the odds of an attempted burglary, a yard sign alone cannot fully protect your home.

10. Extra Key Fobs and Remotes - Some home alarm systems include extras like Key Fobs and Remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a car's key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate the house alarm system. Some even include a "panic" button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary greatly and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button as well. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help you understand your system a little better.

Of course, this list is not comprehensive, and the needs of every home and homeowner are different.