Taking Back Control With a Home Security System

One of the most traumatizing events that many people will experience is a burglary. Coming home to find that your home has been invaded, your privacy destroyed and your personal belongings stolen can be particularly terrifying.

Homeowners who have become the victims of a burglary typically experience fear, rage, anger, confusion, disbelief and frustration. Even after the attack is over, such emotions can continue for a long time. It is not uncommon for many people to experience such emotions even months after the burglary occurred. The fear that they will be victimized again can linger for quite some time, making it difficult to function efficiently at home and at work. It can also affect personal relationships.

When you have become a victim of burglary or a home invasion, it is important to know what you can do to get back your peace of mind and feel secure in your own home once again.

As frightening as the thought may be, without adequate protection, there is no way that you can guarantee that your home will not be burglarized again. Once a burglar discovers that you are an easy mark they very well could return to burglarize your home once again.

The good news is that you can take steps to protect your home, your family and your peace of mind. There is absolutely no reason why you should live in fear and not feel comfortable in your own home. You can take back control of the situation and your life by having adequate security measures installed in your home.

Home security systems are much more reliable than they were in the past. The simple wired systems that were used fifteen or even twenty years ago are now a thing of the past. These systems were much too easy for burglars to bypass. Today's technology has made it possible for home security systems to be created with multiple layers of security. In addition, home security systems now are available with live monitoring to ensure that your home is fully protected twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. Even when you cannot be at home there will be someone watching over it.

The mere fact that you have had a home security system installed will often be enough to deter many would-be burglars. Many just simply are not willing to take the risk of trying to bypass the system because they know how difficult it can be and how much the risk increases that they will be caught. For those rare, brave burglars who do want to take the risk, the chances that they will be able to successfully enter the home, raid it and leave without being caught is significantly reduced.

Home burglaries have, unfortunately, become a sad part of life. Regardless of where you live, you cannot be fully assured that you will become a target. A home security system can give you the tools you need to feel safe again.

Do I Really Need Home Security?

Criminal statistics indicate that a home is burglarized approximately every fifteen seconds in the United States. Of all of these crimes approximately sixty-six percent are residential burglaries. Unfortunately only half of these crimes occurred during standard “business hours” of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., which means the rest occurred while someone was probably in the residence.

All of these figures demonstrate that almost any home is open to criminal invasion of some kind or another. Another interesting statistic indicates that roughly 80 percent of convicted criminals interviewed admitted to the fact they did not usually bother with homes or buildings that had security systems installed. This means that a simple window decal or yard sign from a security provider could reduce the chances of being burgled by around 80 percent!

Okay, clearly it is a good idea to have a home security system, but what should I look for in a provider? The answer to such a question can vary from household to household and from budget to budget. There are a lot of essential services available through most “basic” packages, but the primary issue should be “monitored”. This means that the security company ensures the equipment is up and running twenty-four hours a day and is also available to speak directly to the homeowner around the clock as well. Of course many monitored systems provide battery and cellular backup where available which is a double protection against power outages and downed telephone lines.

What else should the company provide besides “monitored” services? Technology makes it very simple for any security company to create “levels” of service in any home or property. They can install sensors able to detect breaking glass, smoke, carbon monoxide and differentiate between house pets, children and full-sized adults. This means a home could have an enormous amount of coverage and be easily protected from almost any possible threat.

What if we are planning on adding on in the next few years? Many security companies can offer equipment that is wireless and easily expanded. This means that an initial installation could monitor a home with several bedrooms and two floors and if the homeowners decide to add on more rooms the system could just have the appropriate equipment added and operating right away!

Another issue of concern should also be the reputation of the security company. Many services exist to offer home security equipment and monitoring, but if they are not able to back up their promises with a proven track record the homeowner may not get the kind of attention they need.

So, full monitoring, multiple levels of service, expandability and a good reputation are the keys to finding the right home security provider? Yes, and of course any interesting options should also be investigated to see if they would add to the value of a home security system. This could be “panic” buttons that send an instant alarm to the monitoring company, wall panels with two-way communications and cellular telephone alerts for the times when you are not at home.

Home Security in One Hour

Home burglary is on the rise because it is one of the easiest crimes to commit. Statistics from every crime bureau support this fact. In addition to the burglary, victims often experience financial problems, and time lost from work to handle the legal, insurance and personal problems associated with being a victim. So, as disturbing as this may be, we homeowners must accept this reality and take action to make our family, our home, and our possessions as safe as possible.

A good starting point is to have an active Neighborhood Watch in place. Members watch out for their neighbors and report suspicious activity to the police. There are other ways to cause a thief to bypass your home and move on to an easier target. These include using quality deadbolt locks, installing solid exterior doors, using motion sensing outdoor lighting, and further methods.

The best choice is to install a home security system. Ninety percent of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts. Now, there is really no excuse for not having a home security system of some type. There has never been a time when such good products have been available at such low prices. It is possible to install a wireless home security system in less than an hour at a cost of less than $100.00. You may be thinking that something this simple must be a toy. Quite the opposite is true. Sophisticated technology has it made it possible to produce these feature packed systems that are so simple to install.

You will probably be able to mount the main components, control console, sounding device, motion sensor, and door/window sensor just by looking at the layout diagram on the box! Most basic system kits include the parts necessary to protect a door or window, a motion detector, a key chain remote control, and the control console and a screaming siren sounding device. So, one hour and you have basic home security protection installed and working.

With the basic system in place, you can further tailor your system to meet your individual needs. You can add additional door/window sensors, motion detectors, outdoor lighting, smoke, fire, or other specialty sensors. Key chain remote controls can be given to your children. In most cases, a siren or alarm bell will scare off a home intruder. Tell your neighbors about your security system, so they will react when they hear the alarm sound. You can make a decision to have your system not just sound an audible alarm, but dial your mobile phone, or dial an alarm monitoring service.

Connecting your home security system to an alarm monitoring company provides you with additional peace of mind. Some people incorrectly believe that burglar alarms directly dial the police. Actually, most police departments will only accept an alarm notification call from a central monitoring station. Excessive false alarms have forced police departments to adopt this procedure. Alarm monitoring is especially great for elderly family members or loved ones with a medical condition. Panic alarms receive special priority over burglar alarms. The monitoring company can notify an ambulance service or dispatch the police. It is comforting to know that no matter where you are, if a break-in occurs police dispatch will be notified of the intruder in your home.

If you are just living as usual, with no security measures in place, you are putting your family, your home, and your property at unnecessary risk. Install a home security system, and make sure that your home is safe and secure.

Protect All of Your Loved Ones With a Home Security System

If you’ve been researching home security systems for a while, you’ve heard how they can protect your loved ones in an emergency - children, older adults, your spouse, and so on.  You don’t often hear how a home security system can protect your furry loved ones - the pets that make your life such a joy.

Robberies and break-ins can happen in any home, and a home security system certainly protects you from burglary.  A home security system should do so much more, though. 

A fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarm should come standard with any system you have professionally installed.  These are the alarms that offer real protection to your pets, because fires are much more common than burglaries.

When the home security system detects a fire or carbon monoxide, it sets off an alarm that’s transmitted to the call center monitors.  Customer service personnel attempt to contact you, and if they are not successful, they dispatch emergency personnel to your home to assess what’s needed. 

The extra few minutes gained by having a monitoring center contact emergency personnel when a fire alarm goes off could mean the difference between losing your precious pets and having the fire put out quickly.

Plus, you save thousands in fire damage to your home and possessions.  That might pale in comparison to keeping your loved ones (even furry loved ones) safe during an emergency, but it counts.  A quick alarm leads to a quick call for help.

Many people use the four-legged home security system to protect their possessions when they are away for the day at work.  A fiercely barking dog tends to scare off intruders if it’s a Pit Bull or German Shepherd. 

However, your Chihuahua or Pomeranian might not be that scary, even though he’ll bark like crazy if a stranger tries to break in to your home.   With some dogs, you’d swear they would hold the door open so a burglar could take the flat-screen out of your home easier!

Installing a home security system won’t teach your dog not to bark, but it will let you be away from home with fewer worries about emergencies.  Work without distraction, knowing intruders will be deterred and emergency personnel called if there’s a fire, flood, or freezing alarm.  Your pet can’t tell call center monitors what’s going on, but a barking dog gives operators yet another clue when assessing emergency situations.

Your dog would probably nap comfortably all day if he only knew there was a home security system installed which protects him and your home!  Well, you might not install your system so your pet can rest easier, but you’ll sure enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is safe even if you’re not there.

Your home security system’s sensitivity can be easily adjusted to accommodate the movements of a small pet through your home, so false alarms are kept to a minimum.  Keep intruders and home invaders out, and your pets safe, all day and night.

Home Security ? How Can I Improve It?

Burglars are often opportunists, but are very good at targeting properties that appear undefended that leave doors and windows open. The first thing you should look at when improving your home security is securing your doors and windows. Consider installing deadbolt door locks for your doors and secure window catches for windows, especially the catches that don’t allow your window to open more than a few inches. It may be worth replacing your doors and/or windows if they are old and in need of repair. The worse condition they are in, the easier it will be for an intruder to break into your property.

Improving your exterior lighting will considerably increase your home security as intruders obviously don’t want to be seen when breaking into a property. Make sure you choose a position to mount your security lighting so that very poor lit areas of your garden will be illuminated. A popular choice is the PIR motion sensor exterior security light which senses changes in heat and hence will illuminate when something is within its range. These can also act as a welcome-home light to illuminate your path when you arrive home at night. It is also worth cutting down overgrown bushes and trees as these often shield a burglars attempt at the break-in.

Interior lighting is just as important as you will want to give the impression that someone is always at home. A dark, unlit house is a magnet to the burglar. Use timers to switch your lights on and off. You could also leave a radio switched on.

One of the most effective ways to defend your home is to install a home alarm system. The visual presence of a siren/bell box together with signage will often put off a burglar, even before they set foot onto your land. But for those who think they are smarter than the alarm system will get a surprise when they trigger the sounder. A professionally installed alarm system will prevent virtually all burglaries attempted by opportunist intruders. Ultimately, when a burglar sees you have an alarm system, they will move on to an easier target.

For real peace of mind, install a monitored burglar alarm system. These systems are connected via your phone line to a monitoring center. If your alarm system is triggered then the monitoring center are notified and they immediately call your home. Unless whoever picks up the phone can give the correct pass-code or if there is no answer then they will call the authorities straight away. If you are concerned that the burglar may cut your phone line then you can install a wireless monitored alarm system. These use regular cell phone technology to dial the alarm center so no phone line is needed.

Always go for a quality alarm system and the best you can afford. Less expensive alarm systems may be easily disabled by a burglar. Take advice from a leading alarm company before you purchase a system so that you get the correct and most effective security solution for your requirements.

A Home Security System Is a Good Start, but Keep Going

Redundancy may be an evil word in the business world, where every manager is trying to streamline, trim the fat, downsize, and eliminate overhead.  When it comes to your home security system, redundancy is the law.

Start with Layer 1 and build your home security system from there.  A good foundation gives all the other parts something to rest on, so make it a good foundation by calling the professionals.

Layer 1:  Install a Home Security System

A professionally-installed alarm system is the perfect foundation for protecting your property.  Talk to your security company’s customer service representatives to find out what options are available and which ones will help you meet your goals of keeping your home and family safe. 

Door and window alarms, keyless touch pads, panic buttons, and fire, flood, and carbon monoxide alarms are all available.  If you live in a multi-story home, protect all levels with the same alarm system in a seamless net. 

Layer 2:  Strong Protection Starts at Home

A home security alarm system does little good if you do not have proper doors and windows.  Weak hinges, weak locks, and weak windows make it easy for a criminal to break in to your home.  Pay a professional for a consultation and replace anything that needs replacing.  Even something as simple as trimming the bushes may help prevent a burglary.

Layer 3:  Look Around for Areas of Weakness in the System

Spend some time considering where a burglar would break in if given a chance.  Imagine how long it would take you to get to the phone to call emergency services, if you should ever need emergency services.  It is always better to have someone else call the police and fire department so you can deal with the situation at hand.  Knowing help is on the way calms your nerves in an emergency.

Layer 4:  Remember to Use All These Systems Consistently

Turn on the home security alarm system even when you are at home.  Lock the doors and windows.  Keep the garage closed when you are not using it.  Lock your car, even inside the garage.  Keep expensive or valuable items tucked out of the sight of burglars and thieves.

Layer by layer, you must build redundancy into your home security.  Everything supports and reinforces everything else, giving you a true safety net you can count on for the most precious thing of all - peace of mind.

Even the multiple layers of redundancy at the home security company matter; make sure they have several call centers in case something goes wrong on their end, and ask them about their own response times and procedures so you know the security company has your safety as their primary concern.

Remember, the phrase “home security system” contains the word “system.”  All parts of your home security system should work together and support the biggest goal of all:  keeping your family, your belongings, and your property safe and secure.

Your Kids and Home Security

What’s the first thing we teach our children about home security? Don’t open the doors to strangers. This is a timeless bit of advice for people of all ages, but particularly true for younger children. Unfortunately there are people in the world who can sweet talk their way past the most powerful parental advice. This is part of the reason that crimes known as “home invasions” are on the increase.

These sorts of burglaries are now so common that most states have created laws and severe penalties around them. This includes burglars who come and go without even alerting the homeowners to their presence. Generally home invasions are not harmless issues, and to protect children from the potential for violence that exists, law enforcement agencies offer several bits of advice.

One of the first things to consider is an electronic home security system. They are now incredibly easy to use, most have the capabilities for differentiating between house pets, kids and full-size adults, they offer more than just protection from burglary and they can realistically serve as an emergency communication system if kids run into trouble of any kind. Imagine the relief that parents can experience when heading out for a quiet dinner at a restaurant, knowing that their teenagers are safely at home with a fully activated security alarm protecting them.

The next thing to consider is the stability and strength of doors and locks. Kids may not always remember to turn a bolt or slide a latch and this should be considered when assessing the strength of the doors in the home. Do they need self-locking mechanisms? Should chains or extra security measures be installed due to little ones who try to wander off on their own? Should a beeper or indicator be installed to let parents and kids know when certain doors have been opened? All of this is possible and should be considered in homes where children live.

Consider too that any electronic security systems tend to come with a few “back up” or contingency plans. Many offer wireless communications which will allow the systems to operate even if phone lines are down or have been tampered with. Some also use long-term battery back up which allows the entire system to function for a full day or more without electrical service of any kind. This too can be a good thing for kids who may be at home during bad weather or who happen to fall victim to a would-be burglar.

Even the greatest home security system may not be able to prevent a building or home from the attention of would-be criminals, but law enforcement statistics indicate that roughly 90% of convicted burglars interviewed admit that they totally avoided homes with window decals or yard signs that indicated an electronic home security system was in place.

Clearly it really pays off to consider any additional security measures that should be put in place in a home where there are children. An electronic security system can provide protection from burglary, but it should also be remembered that it can alert the proper authorities should there be a gas leak, fire, floor or other problem with the home while the parents are away.