Home Security Tips Help Protect Family And Home

If you are concerned about home security you are one of the vast majority of Americans that consider this as one of the most important matters they currently face. As we all are aware crimes of burglary and theft continue to grow alarmingly. Even cities and suburbs that were once considered to be safe and crime free are now experiencing unparalleled levels of crime including theft, burglary as well as violent and armed hold-ups.

Well what can you, as a concerned homeowner, do to protect yourself, your family and property from the prospect of experiencing crime? Here are a number of quite simple and straightforward home security tips on how you can protect your home, family and assets.

While sophisticated security and alarm systems can make the homeowner feel more comfortable and secure often the cost of these systems are beyond the financial means of many people. So for people who are not able to afford the cost of installing alarm systems we have a few home security tips and suggestions that will help you in your war against petty crime.

First off you should check all doors leading into your home. Inspect the door to ensure they are not hollow because hollow doors are relatively easy and quick to break and this allows for quick undetected entry into your home. If you have any hollow doors (or doors with windows) consider replacing them with solid timber doors or better still with metal ones as this will be a serious deterrent to would-be thieves.

Where possible use loud alarms which are likely to scare away the vast majority of burglars. If you have sliding doors or windows it is recommended that as well as having a secure locking mechanism you also reinforce them by placing a wooden or steel pole in the sliding track to prevent the door or window from being forced open.

One of the best ways to assess the security of your home is to walk around the exterior perimeter and look for any weakness in your security precautions. For example it is strongly recommended not to allow trees or shrubs to grow in front of windows, especially in the rear of the home. The foliage is a perfect camouflage for any burglar while they are attempting to gain access to your home.

A further home security tip is to eliminate dark areas around the home by installing small lights near shrubbery so as to allow you to light up these areas at night or to connect the lighting with motion sensors so as to help ward off potential thieves.

View Your Home Through The Eyes Of A Burglar

It is well known that most burglars, even the most professional and proficient, will only try to enter the house that offers the least resistance. Their method of operation is almost universal in that they want to get in and get out as quickly as possible without drawing attention to themselves. As a deterrent why not put up signs warning that your home has a security system installed as this can often cause burglars to ignore your home and keep moving to the next house in the neighborhood.

Other home security tips include always keeping the curtains drawn at night and when ever the property is unoccupied always keep your valuables out of sight. It is common knowledge that many burglars target the theft of expensive, high-demand electronics which they can see sitting on tables and desks. So as a precaution ensure that these items are placed out of view.

If burglars can not observe easy accessible property from their vantage point outside then it is highly unlikely that they will try to gain access to your home on the off chance that you possess something worth their effort.

Always close and lock windows and doors at night and when you are out. Draw your curtains at night or when the house is unattended. Install external security lights, preferably those that are activated by motion sensors and ensure your valuables cannot be seen from the outside. By taking a few simple precautions with these home security tips will be well on your way to protecting your family and property.

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.

Your House Should Have a Home Security System of Some Kind

Since the world's statistics of criminals is rising, we all strive to feel safe in our home. We would all like to enjoy vacationing without worrying if our home is safe and secure. Let's face it, we work too hard to earn our material belongings-therefore, it is only common sense that the majority of us would enjoy uninterrupted security and peace of mind. According to national statistics, homes are broken EVERY SINGLE DAY, and most homes are violated while the family is on vacation, or away from their home. It only makes sense, most criminals would rather get in and get out quickly, rather than face potential risks, such as human encounters.

Since the statistics are increasing technology, designers are working hard each day to help us find the level of security we need. For this reason technology designers has invented home security systems, deadbolts, fire alarms, CO alarms (Carbon Monoxide Alarms), etc. In fact, today, you can have card operated door locks installed on your home. In other words, you use something similar to a credit card. Once you insert the card into your door lock, the system reads the digits on the card, and authorizes permission to enter the home. We see this common device at many hotels or related environments today. In fact, the United States Government uses similar alarms in various sectors.

By installing a home security system, this could significantly reduce the odds of your home being burglarized. Online you will find a wide selection of home security devices. The devices mainly offer you feature, such as push button call. In other words, you merely push a single button, which the system will kick in and call the police and/or fire department for you. If you have trouble getting around, the security system is not, a better choice. However, you may look online for remote controlled home security devices. The push buttons however do offer advantages, since a live voice will respond to the push of one button. You might check out Intercom Devices to learn more about such features.

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A home security system isn't just for citizens in high-crime areas. A security system may be a good choice for suburban homes where the whole neighborhood seems to empty during the day. A home security system equipped with a good camera can do a lot for your house. You can use it to see who is at the door before opening, you can keep an eye on driveways to watch vehicles and equipment and most importantly you can check on any trespassers. A home security system can save you money on your homeowner's insurance costs.

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Home security systems are easy to install nowadays. Since you are merely purchasing the device after which a company will send out workers to install, test, and prep you on the use of your home security system. Ultimately, you can purchase wireless kits, which you can install on your own. Be sure to read the manual carefully to make sure the device is installed properly. Don't forget to test your system regularly, dust, and replace parts as needed.

The one thing you should do when searching for a home security system is to find the RIGHT system for you. A variety of companies online offer systems that fit your lifestyle. In addition, the companies will help you choose the best system that fits your needs. Most basic home security systems include motion sensors, photocells, sound detectors, window and door alarms, wireless systems, etc. The lights are great, since motion lights will typically scare away the average criminal.

Criminals that are more dramatic however may require extensive threats, such as the interior alarms, which monitor intruders inside the home.

The alarms have panic switches, motion sensors, noise detection, light beams, etc. Many alarms today include light beams, which if someone triggers the beam, it will automatically send out a photoelectric beam. You can also add pressure mats to your doorstep, which if someone steps on the mat, it would instantly alert you. You will have the option of installing Perimeter Alarms as well. The alarms will send a warning, such as (Siren, or Bell alert) when someone steps on your doorstep. Burglars of all sorts would definitely take flight. Lastly, if you are searching for a 'complete' home security, make sure to check the internet for comparable products and services.

Protect Your Home With a Home Security System

So, finally you have bought your dream home and also decorated it with all the contemporary accessories. Now comes the question of implementing home security measures. Often, we tend to overlook the importance of a home security system until it’s too late. It’s better to consider applying the safety measures before hand and save ourselves from any situation. Let us take a look at the best home security practices.

Add a whole house security alarm
system. You can add separate alarm for the doors and windows of your home, deciding which doors or windows to have alarm enabled. Keep in mind that it will be more expensive if you want to install the alarms to a lot doors or windows, depending on how many you have. Ask your alarm system installer if they have any special offer that will help you in saving some money.

Add a live monitoring system service. It is definitely a good idea to invest into a home monitoring service. Home monitoring services can automatically contact police or fire when the alarms you have in your home are triggered. Conduct thorough research to find out the best service provider as quality of services may differ from company to company.

Home Security Systems and Home Security Measures

A security alarm system is not at all a complicated set up. First, you have to decide upon where you want to install the alarm control box. It can be your front door, back door, main window, anywhere. Once you have chosen the place, then you have to program a code in to the alarm. You are required to do this in order to successfully set the alarm and also to turn it off while you are at home. There may be a motion sensor included with the home alarm system. With a motion detector, your alarm will go off when it detects movement inside the house. This motion sensor acts as a back up in case someone gets into your house without tripping your alarm.

Outdoor alarm system. Outdoor home security alarm systems are programmed in such a way that they switch on the floodlights as soon as they detect some motion just outside your home. In the early years, an outdoor alarm used to go off even if there was just a cat or a stray dog strolling near your house but the modern ones are configured in such a way that they determine the weight and size of the intruder. So the chances of false alarms are almost zilch!

Use proper locks. If you have bought a second hand home, then make sure to change all the locks. You never know, the previous owner might keep a duplicate key with him. It’s better to take no chances at all and replace all the old locks with new ones. Not only should you put locks in the front doors but also install locks in the windows, if there isn’t any at the moment. This way you can ensure that nobody can enter your home through an open window.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Once you move into your new neighborhood, with no delay, introduce yourself and your family members to your immediate neighbors. If your neighbors know you well enough, then they can report to you or take necessary actions if they see any stranger trying to make an entry into your house.

Participate in community watch programs. If there is any thing such as community watch program in your locality, do take active part in it. This way your neighbors can keep a watch on your property in your absence and vice versa. This would definitely cut down a lot of crime.

Add video surveillance or wireless cameras. Adding CCTV or video surveillance is a very effective home security measure. You can use a wireless camera security system for video supervision, there are several transmitters and only one receiver that is linked to your TV. Some of the best security systems are those that include wireless security cameras.

Install a smoke detector. By installing smoke detectors in your home, you can have an advance warning if your house should happen to catch on fire.

Besides these aforementioned home security measures, you also have to be careful that your doors and windows are sturdy enough. Put grills in the windows if you have to. Also, see to it that there are lots of lights outside your house and that easy to get to ground floor windows have thorny bushes planted beneath them.

Thus, you see that there are a lots of home security options to take into consideration. In order to choose the security options that would suit you the best, you can go in for a risk assessment of your home. Several home security service providers offer risk assessment modules that will help in determining your individual needs, thereby letting you decide the correct type of security measure for your house.

Whichever home security system you have installed, make sure you understand how it works, so that you can enjoy your getaway without having to worry about the safety and security of your home.

Is A Home Security System Right For You?

Everyone agrees that the safety of one's home and family are of paramount importance. However, not everyone is certain if they need a security system, and many people do not own one. Think about this: Only if you live on a deserted island are you truly free from the worry of break-ins. Needless to say, this leaves 99.9998% of the population to benefit from the use of a home security system. If you do not have a home security system, your home, belongings, and your family are all at risk from burglars who can easily pick a lock or break in. Regardless of where you live or what kind of home you live in, there are numerous justifications for having a home security system.

Regardless of your type of neighborhood, a home security system provides peace of mind. The elderly and younger people of the home are most at risk during a break in. But with a home security system they will not have to worry because the police will be notified the instant an intruder enters. The audible alarm is also highly likely to immediately scare the intruder away. Most break-ins occur at night, and the home security system protects you even then with constant monitoring. Home security systems have many other added benefits. Often, you will be able to obtain a discount on home owners insurance when you utilize a home security system.

There are different types of home security systems and different security features to consider while creating the perfect system for you and your family. There is a security system to fit every budget, and you can always add on features as your income allows. The two primary kinds of home security systems are those with wires, and those without. Families which own their home, and have floors and walls which are easy to drill through without causing damage, are best suited for wired systems. A wired system is best suited for homes with drywall. For renters, wireless alarm systems are ideal as they have no drilling requirements and can be taken along when moving. A wireless system is also excellent for families who own a home but have plaster walls or floors of concrete.

There are many different home security system features that will meet the needs of your home. By means of window stickers, cameras, motion activated lights and alarms, and multiple key pads, you can customize your system to suit your needs perfectly. It is essential that you examine all of these features, and figure out what is best for your home and family, before choosing a home security system. Think about adding multiple keypads for the convenient arming of your system if you own a large home or a home with over two exits. Key pads may be located in places that are most convenient to you. Consider your family's needs to determine if you want motion activated alarms, forced entry alarms, or perhaps both. Home security systems are a must for most families, and there are so many choices to make when determining which one is right for yours.

Festive Season Home Security Tips

With the festive season fast approaching, we are left with many decisions and preparations to make before packing our trailers and making our way to our holiday destinations. Ensuring the security of family and property is a key priority at this time.

Statistics clearly show that criminal activity increases during the holiday season and it is therefore imperative for homeowners to take the right precautions and not let their guard down.

There are several handy tips to bear in mind which can help alleviate the risk to family and property. The first and most important step to take is to ensure that your alarm is in working order. People tend to forget that an alarm system, like a car, has parts that age and wear out and therefore should be serviced at least once a year.

Spectacular thunderstorms during the summer months, can also wreak havoc on alarm systems. As a result of this, clients should regularly check their systems in case of lightning damage. Homeowners who have house insurance should also consider that in the event of a burglary, their insurance company will, in all likelihood, question whether they have properly maintained their alarm.

December is traditionally a busy period for security companies, so homeowners should try and test their alarms at least three weeks before going on holiday. Testing should be done anytime (ideally between 0800 and 2000 hours Mon-Fri) and if a fault is discovered, it can be immediately reported to the security service provider’s technical team.

Additional security tips to follow include:

• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all the necessary information regarding nearby emergency contacts, in case of an emergency

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property

• Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post. A bulging post box is a real giveaway that you are not at home

• If hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm correctly

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home

• Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever locks or double cylinder security locks

• Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass near the door lock

• Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defence

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically

• Full fencing and sturdy gates are a good deterrent

• Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer

• Do not leave ladders, spades or tools outside, as they can be used to break into your house

• Clear signage indicating that you have security also helps to discourage
Burglars

Another important security tip is to be discreet when preparing to go away. People should where possible pack their cars in their garage. Homeowners should also never leave a message on their answering machine stating that they are out of town.

The festive season should be a time of relaxation and giving but let’s ensure that we are not giving our belongings to criminals on a golden platter.

Home Security Systems: The Tension Relievers

A tension-free life is what everyone craves for. Among various things, home security is one of the major concerns for most people especially considering the fact that the crime rates across the world are on the rise. In such a case, what people look for is reliable home security systems.

The industry too has recognised the need for home security systems and that is one reason why you have so many different kinds of home security systems available today. The industry has moved from wired security systems to wireless security systems. And the sophistication of such home security systems seems to be on the rise. In fact, you even have such security systems which allow you to monitor your home remotely (through images transmitted over the internet by the security cameras).

With modern electronic devices, alarm responses are no longer human. Depending on the time, the zone triggered and the number and sequence of zones, the system can call the ambulance, can call the police, the fire department, or the property manager. That is a huge advance in home security. The biggest problem with alarms and cameras was that they always needed a human response in order to be useful, but with this new technology, house owners can be more relaxed because the system is capable of calling for help if he is not able to.

Safety sensors are more complicated and sophisticated, because they are supposed to react to a lot of different danger situations at the same time, such as: gates and valves open or closed, low oxygen concentrations, excessively high or low temperatures and excessive carbon monoxide (or other toxic gas) concentrations.

The burglar (intrusion) detectors can be of two different classes: point detectors and area detectors. With point detectors you must pick a specific point where intrusion should be indicated. Area detectors indicate intrusion of a protected area, and usually use ultrasonic technology for that.

So, it's a established fact that home security systems can bring you some peace on the home security front. However, you need to have a proper understanding of home security systems in order to decide on what home security systems are best suited for your home. You also need information about where you can get the home security systems from. If you don't want to install the home security system by yourself, you will also need to know how you can get a professional for doing that for you.

Finding the Best Home Security Cameras System

Are you searching for the very best surveillance cameras for your home? The type of home security cameras you buy will make all the difference in the world to your sense of security. Therefore, when shopping for home security cameras it is imperative that you know precisely what to look for; below are a few tips to help you in the task of finding the very best surveillance cameras for your home.

Before you shop for surveillance cameras, you should determine where you want to place the cameras and what you want to record. The act of knowing where you want to place the home security cameras and what you want to record will help you in determining what type of surveillance cameras you require. For example, you may require a particular security camera to monitor everyone who enters or leaves your home, while you might need a very different camera to survey your property. If you preplan the positioning of the cameras, you can choose security cameras that can fulfill your needs. Additionally, you will know immediately how many security cameras you actually require.

Next, you will need to determine the amount of detail that you will expect to see from the security cameras you purchase. If you are expecting to see great detail from the images the camera picks up, it will directly affect the frame rate of the camera that you need to purchase. If you are not sure what type of frame rate you are really looking for, it is a good idea to talk to a specialist about your needs; they can help you determine what frame rate will provide you with the image quality that you seek.

What home security cameras should a person use to ensure they get the best in home security? Actually, there is quite a variety of surveillance cameras to choose from, all of which depend on the consumers needs. Knowing what you want beforehand can help you in selecting the right home security cameras for your home.

If you want to have home security cameras that provide you with crystal clear images, then you will need to pay attention to the frame rate of the surveillance cameras you buy. Many of todays home security cameras function with a slow recording rate; consequently, the camera images will appear slow and, in some cases, choppy. To make sure you are getting a home security camera that gives you the very best images, you will need to invest in one that offers full motion capture functions. If you are unsure about the frame rate of the home security camera you are considering, you should speak to the vendor to make sure you get exactly what you need.

When purchasing surveillance cameras you will also want to determine what it is you plan to survey and how you plan to survey it. For example, you may want the surveillance cameras to watch one area or you might decide that you want the camera to pick up and record four different areas at the same time. The choice is ultimately up to you. Nevertheless, in knowing what you want to record, you will have an easier time getting the home security cameras that will fulfill your personal requirements.

Home Security For Your Peace Of Mind

People often worry about leaving their homes unsupervised while they are at work or on vacation. They may even be scared in their own homes for fear that some intruder may break in and harm them. People today are becoming more aware about making their homes more secure with the aid of home security systems. They appreciate the sense of security that a good home security system affords them.

It is important that you make all effort and spare no expense in protecting your home from danger and theft. It is always wise to invest into a good home security system for your house instead of leaving yourself vulnerable to crime and danger. Make no mistake; having a good home security system will do wonders for your peace of mind.

Nowadays home security systems utilize highly sophisticated technology, and employ innovative techniques to understand the psychology of burglars and criminals. Though these home security systems may not be completely foolproof, they at least help reduce the risk of crime and burglary significantly.

You may naively think that just using sturdy doors and windows with strong bolts may discourage a would-be-intruder, but that is far from the truth. Intruders and burglars are very good at locating easy access to the inside of the house. These criminals study the house well to look for the weakest points of entrance and also the best escape routes such as the doors, windows and ventilation system. They also carefully observe for any security system in use such as home security cameras and home security alarm etc. Burglars may think twice about breaking into a house outfitted with home security products, so a good home security system is a good deterrent against these crimes.

When you decide to install your home security system the first thing you need to do is to find a trusted home security company that can recommend to you the most suitable home security products to get, for example inconspicuous safes that are hidden or blend into the wall or furnishings etc.

There are certain cost factors to consider when setting up your home security system, including:

* Initial cost: You have to invest some amount for the initial set up cost, but it generally is not too expensive.

* Recurring cost: You have to pay a monthly or annual monitoring fee to the home security company for its home security products and services.

Regardless of the cost of setting up and running a home security system, it is definitely worth the investment as it affords you a sense of security and peace of mind.