A home security system doesn't just keep your home and property safe, it also provides peace of mind. Statistics show that your home is three times more likely to be broken into if you have no security system.
Basic home security systems are made up of the control pad, a motion sensor (or possible several), a few magnetic switches on doors and windows and of course an alarm. The switches and motions sensors can be either wired or wireless.
More advanced systems may include video cameras and centralized monitoring by the alarm company. Monitoring gives you an extra level of security because you'll have trained personnel keeping track of your security system.
One of the main advantages of having a home security system is its deterrant factor. If a potential thief sees the yard sign or sticker saying that your house is protected, or if the alarm is activated while they are attempting to break in, they'll be less likely to go through with it.
Being the lowlifes that they are, they're more likely to look for the path of least resistance and will find a home that doesn't have protection instead.
There are 5 major components that almost every security system should include:
1. Control Panel
This is the control system for the alarm - the "brains" behind it. This is usually installed somewhere like the basement or in a closet, as it isn't necessary to access it very often.
2. Keypad
The keypad is normally installed somewhere relatively close to the main entrance to the house. It lets you arm and disarm the alarm, as well as control the various other components.
3. Magnetic contacts
These contacts are installed on doors and windows and will sound the alarm if the contact is broken when the alarm system is armed.
4. Sensors
Motion sensors are the most common but there are also body heat sensors available. Again, if the system is armed these sensors will sound the alarm if there is any motion (or heat) detected.
5. Alarm
This is usually a loud siren or clanger and may include flashing lights for even more attention.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Keep Burglars Out With A Home Security System
Monday, July 20, 2009
Protect your Home and Family by Installing Home Security Systems
Since thefts and burglaries are happening more and more often, people should be made aware of the measures that should be taken in order to increase or improve home security. At least one fourth of the burglaries and property violations are committed very easy because burglars find open doors and windows that they can get in through, so you everyone should know a few basic things about home and family security.
The first thing that you should do and that will greatly reduce the chances of becoming the victim of a robbery is to acquire a home security system, and to make sure that people around know that you have a home alarm system installed, and maybe even put a part of it in a more visible place so that burglars can see that you own one. This will most likely drive them away from your house.
Unfortunately people only buy home security systems after they have been burglarized. Almost all people who have been the victims of a robbery bought more that a basic home alarm system afterwards, but everything could have been prevented if they owned a basic one before.
After purchasing a home security system most of the danger is gone, but you still need to do some things to increase safety: Use the best locks, and not only for your doors, but for your windows too. Burglars do not only enter houses through doors.
Try to make it seem like you are home even if you are not. In order to do this you can leave some clothes outside and ask a friend collect your mail and newspapers. You can even use a special device that turns the lights on when the night falls.
Do not leave valuable things outside, or near windows and other places that make them visible, because they will attract burglars.
Anyway the best method of securing your home is to have a home alarm system installed. It will monitor your house 24 hours a day and send an alarm signal whenever there is trouble. In some cases home security systems even saved the lives of people. It does not take long to set up an alarm system, and after you do that it will function permanently. It only requires a little maintenance once in a while to make sure that it works fine. It even has an emergency power supply in case a power failure occurs, so you don't have to worry about anything.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A layman’s guide to home security
The world today has a plethora of advanced technological means of protecting their valuables be it jewelry, an expensive electronic gadget, piece of art, or antique that you have paid a fortune to make yours!
However, with all good things, there is something bad and security systems are no exceptions! This means technology too can fail!
Looking at the brighter side, like I said all your hard-earned valuables could be protected today without your having to worry 24/7 whether your favourite diamond ring or antique Chinese vase is no more yours when you get back home after a hard day at work!
However before you embark on a search for the best security system for your home, you need to do a reality check. Your best option is to ask your family and close friends- people you trust, about their security systems if they have one. Take a note of all the problems they may have had with their security systems since they installed them. This will help you to cross-question all the security firms that you visit and hence clear your doubts too!
Another important consideration is how much are you ready to shell out to secure your home, now I do not mean just buying the equipment required because the expenses do not end here. If you want a complete security system, you also have to consider paying the security firm that is going to monitor all the events while you are away!
Now to give you a lowdown on the options available to you,
One you can go in for a do it yourself kit, but again I suggest this option only if you are confident of setting up the system and of coarse also if you want to save on costs. However if you goof up, you are obviously going to be spending a lot more then you thought of saving in the first place!
Second, you can visit a security firm who will give you a customized system according to your requirements and budget, they also monitor all the events 24/7, and you will be charged for these daily services. For the best firm in the market and of coarse one in your area you can you can search on the internet or again ask friends and family.
To understand the technical jargon in layman terms you can read on.
In terms of location, you have:
Perimeter alarms
As the name suggests such alarms are usually used to stop the intruder at the boundaries of your property. They are fairly simple in design, why? The answer is simple; because while guarding a perimeter your aim is to stop the intruder outside and hence will want to sound an alarm if somebody crosses the boundary because if they are inside the your property your alarm was ineffective! Simple switch circuits are very effective for such purposes. Good examples of these are the open circuits and closed circuit alarms explained later on in the article.
Building alarms
Now if the intruder has managed to bypass or deactivate your perimeter alarm then you need to protect your house too meaning the inside of the building! Again, there are various ways to do so such as use body heat to detect the presence of somebody inside the building and sound an alarm on detection or vice versa i.e. radiate energy from a source and monitor its reflection, if interrupted the reflection changes and you can sound an alarm. If you want an extensive and detailed alarm system, you can put up a surveillance system with hidden cameras, which of course will cost you a fortune but it is worth it if you have a fortune to protect!
In terms of circuits, you have:
Open circuit
When the intruder completes the circuit by his action of intrusion, he triggers the alarm. For example, a button embedded into the doorway or magnetic switch embedded into a window will trigger an alarm if the door or window is opened.
Closed circuit
In such a system, the electric circuit is complete when the door or window is closed and hence if an intruder opens the door the current path is broken triggering an alarm. Now both these systems- open and closed circuit are very naïve in their designs and hence have to be controlled using a control box so that the intruder cannot deactivate the alarm easily!
In terms energy:
Active Systems
This means you have a source that emits either radio waves or ultra sonic rays into the room and records the reflection of these rays when they travel back; now if somebody comes in the range of these rays their reflection pattern changes and this can be used to trigger an alarm.
Passive Systems
These systems use a detector/sensor to sense a rapid change in infrared energy in the room. What this means is, that when a human enters the field of the senor there is a rapid increase in the level of heat, which is sensed by the infrared sensor; this in turn sends a message to a controller, which in turn sounds a combination of alarms set by the user.
Therefore, if you are looking for an entire home and property security you can go to a professional who will do the installation as well as monitor your home or office for you. Otherwise, you can opt for a do it yourself kit advisable for those who are technologically inclined or at least those who can follow instructions!
Finally buying a safe to protect your valuables from fire or theft is an essential part of sound home and business security. With a wide range of safes available there is something to suit everyone.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The First Line of Defense: Knowing the Facts About Home Security
Sometimes the simplest steps are the smartest! By placing a sign that advertises your home security system in your yard, you can dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted by thieves.
In a study published in the Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, Dr. Yochanan Shachmurove, Dr. Gideon Fishman and Dr. Simon Hakim studied the motivating factors behind a burglar's decision to rob one home over another. Their findings indicated that isolation and occupancy were the two major considerations.
The study indicated that while you are reclining in your lazy chair and flipping through 100 channels of Cable TV (and still finding nothing to watch) you can rest easy. Ok, the study did not read quite that way – but it does tell us that burglars rarely target homes with occupants in residence.
Homes that are more frequently targeted tend to be secluded or isolated. Keep in mind that this definition encompasses homes with an entrance that is not visible from the street, due to foliage or other visual obstructions. The ideal 'pigeon' for a thief is an expensive home that is detached with no security measures and is located less than a mile from a major highway or road.
The study also revealed that the third most important factor is highly visible security measures. Deadbolt locks can't be seen so they did not deter burglars. However, advertising the fact that your home is protected by a security system was a major deterrent. The professors found that if a house is protected by an alarm system, the chances of a burglar's choosing it are virtually zero. Those are pretty great odds!
In the study's conclusion, the professors determined that homes without security systems were 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized than those with protection. If a thief does victimize a home with a security system, they spend far less time in the house during the robbery and therefore remove fewer pieces of property.
This research and similar studies have led insurance companies, such as State Farm, to advise their clients to install home security systems. In fact, many times homeowners with alarm systems will receive an incentive in premiums. The National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, D.C. has also endorsed security systems as a deterrent to crime.
A home security system can range in cost from less than fifty dollars to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. Sometimes you can actually get a system for free, when you sign a contract with a monitoring company. You can also opt for a wireless system, which is quite easy to install. In fact, these systems typically fall under the "do it yourself" category. But before you decide to tackle that particular project, you need to be armed with a working knowledge of all your security system options. No pun intended!
First, there are two basic types of systems. One option sounds an alarm and turns on various lights throughout the home. The other offers those features, but is also connected to a monitoring company twenty-four hours a day. With this system, an employee at the monitoring company automatically calls the police for you, when the alarm is tripped. These systems not only protect against intruders, but can also be hooked up to fire alarms and carbon monoxide protectors.
You may also want to consider a system that provides you with the option to place "panic buttons" throughout your home. These are particularly valuable, for those with a medically fragile family member.
The most expensive systems have surveillance cameras placed at checkpoints throughout your property. You can actually monitor your home yourself from any location, by connecting to a closed circuit program on your laptop.
Detectors can be found not only on doors and windows, but also underneath rugs and in every room in the house. When a detector is tripped, the homeowner checks his control panel to see exactly where the disturbance is occurring.
If there is no danger, the homeowner can opt to cancel the phone call to the monitoring company, or shut down the alarm by entering a pass code on the control center. To avoid sending false alarms, family members should be taught how to use the password system. If the system is not halted, the monitoring company phones the police and they are dispatched to your home.
Now how do you translate all this information into practical applications, when it comes to actually keeping your home from being burglarized? Let's summarize:
- Put a sign up in your front yard advertising your system. Decals on the windows are not as effective.
- Buy a system that sounds an alarm.
- Invest in a system that provides protection against fire and carbon monoxide. One smoke detector in your kitchen is not as effective as a series of smoke and heat detectors placed strategically throughout your home. If your house catches fire when you are not at home, your monitoring company alerts the police immediately.
- Monitoring companies are very valuable in emergencies, but you will also need to educate family members and household guests to maximize the benefits of your system.
- If your house is secluded or in the country, your best defense is a system connected to a monitoring company. A sounding alarm may not offer enough protection.
- Burglars may cut the outside telephone wires before they enter a house. If you don't have a cell phone, you won't be able to call the police and your system won't be able to call the monitoring company. So consider adding a second phone line.
- Cut any foliage hiding doors and windows. Burglars deliberately pick houses that they can enter without detection from the street.
- Join a Neighborhood Watch group or start one yourself.
Monday, June 22, 2009
What Are The Features Of A Home Security System?
Is your home really safe? When we ask ourselves that question we start to think about whether the safety measures we have taken are enough to keep our home safe. Prevention is better than the cure! Place an appropriate home security system to prevent your home from burglaries. Today, safety depends on how well prepared you are. With monitored residential security and alarm system, you can empower yourself and give your family peace of mind.
Alarm Statistics:
Government statistics have shown that around 60% of burglaries carried out on homes fitted with home security system are unsuccessful. Losses due to burglary average $400 less in residences with security systems. 90% of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts. This suggests that burglar alarms are a useful deterrent for prospective criminals.
Types of Alarms:
There are three types of alarms. They are a Burglar Alarm, Fire Alarm and Safety Alarm. These three are commonly found in electronic form today.
Features of Alarms:
- It detects intrusion, fire, burglary, and carbon monoxide presence.
- The alarm alerts you to a problem with a very loud beep and in some cases, is accompanied by bright flashing lights.
- Features also include, it beeps when doors or windows are opened.
- Fire alarm sensors are of three general categories: smoke, flame and heat.
- Safety detectors include thermostats for detecting excessively high temperatures, water sensors for flooding, excessive carbon monoxide concentrations etc.
- It can be activated and deactivated with either a simple turn of the key or a key pad control panel.
- Door alarms are relatively inexpensive and reliable.
- You no longer have to hire an electrician to run the wires through the ceiling or walls. Hence, many people now install their own door alarms.
Nothing is more important than protecting your home and family. There are many alarm companies that offer a wide range of services that can save your life and property.
What Are The Features Of A Home Security System?
Labels: home alarm, home alarm system, home burglar alarms, home security system, Home Security Systems, wireless home security, wireless home security system, Wireless Home Security SystemsIs your home really safe? When we ask ourselves that question we start to think about whether the safety measures we have taken are enough to keep our home safe. Prevention is better than the cure! Place an appropriate home security system to prevent your home from burglaries. Today, safety depends on how well prepared you are. With monitored residential security and alarm system, you can empower yourself and give your family peace of mind.
Alarm Statistics:
Government statistics have shown that around 60% of burglaries carried out on homes fitted with home security system are unsuccessful. Losses due to burglary average $400 less in residences with security systems. 90% of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts. This suggests that burglar alarms are a useful deterrent for prospective criminals.
Types of Alarms:
There are three types of alarms. They are a Burglar Alarm, Fire Alarm and Safety Alarm. These three are commonly found in electronic form today.
Features of Alarms:
- It detects intrusion, fire, burglary, and carbon monoxide presence.
- The alarm alerts you to a problem with a very loud beep and in some cases, is accompanied by bright flashing lights.
- Features also include, it beeps when doors or windows are opened.
- Fire alarm sensors are of three general categories: smoke, flame and heat.
- Safety detectors include thermostats for detecting excessively high temperatures, water sensors for flooding, excessive carbon monoxide concentrations etc.
- It can be activated and deactivated with either a simple turn of the key or a key pad control panel.
- Door alarms are relatively inexpensive and reliable.
- You no longer have to hire an electrician to run the wires through the ceiling or walls. Hence, many people now install their own door alarms.
Nothing is more important than protecting your home and family. There are many alarm companies that offer a wide range of services that can save your life and property.
