About Angie Tucker

Angie Tucker is a writer and consultant who’s worked in the consumer electronics and security industry for nearly 20 years. She specializes in home security and has consulted celebrity and high net worth clients on topics ranging from personal safety to home system integration. She is a mother of two teens, a high school tutor and an avid baseball fan. She lives with her husband and children in Las Vegas.

Travel Smart – Take 25 Hotel Safety Tips with You

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Angie Tucker

Most of us use common sense while traveling and take extra precautions to keep ourselves and our belonging secure. But with all that goes into a trip, it’s sometimes easy to forget or not even be aware of the hidden security dangers while staying in hotels. By remembering these tips, you’re sure to reduce your risks and hopefully have a safe, enjoyable time.

Choosing a Location

Once you’ve narrowed your search, note the part of town and cross streets. Trip Advisor and many other travel sites have guest reviews that can help you determine what a hotel is like. Or call the local police to ask about the hotel’s location. Using a travel agent who’s familiar with your destination is also very helpful. If you’re traveling internationally, contact the Continue reading →

Home Office Security – Staying Safe While Working from Home

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Angie Tucker

Today, more people are working from home than ever. Whether you’re telecommuting a few days a week or running a home business, don’t forget to plan for your safety.

It’s easy to take your home office security for granted during working hours; it’s light outside and there’s activity on your street. But, did you know that 62 percent of burglaries happen during the hours of 9 am and 3 pm? That’s when a burglar suspects no one is home.

Burglaries aren’t your only risk. Securing business assets and customer information is critical. Above all, ensuring your personal safety is paramount. While your clients may be your first priority, be sure to take these simple precautions to avoid becoming a victim while in your home office.

Keep doors and windows locked. Burglars are looking for an easy way in. If your home office is in the back or upstairs, you may not hear or Continue reading →

Lowe’s Brings Affordable Cloud-Based Home Automation

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Angie Tucker

It is 2012 and home automation may not be quite what we thought it would be 20 or 30 years ago. Though we don’t all have a household iRobot, our homes are becoming more automated as the technology continues to go mainstream. Lowe’s Home Improvement has introduced a new cloud-based smart home solution called Iris. The Iris home system allows you to monitor and control system devices from your smartphone, computer or tablet.

Though Iris is not new technology, and home automation is not new to the big box stores, Iris is one of the first home automation systems offered by a big retailer. In addition to offering the hardware, Lowe’s provides a free basic self-monitoring service.

Iris Home Automation Kits

Iris helps make home automation simple and affordable for more consumers than ever before. It can be customized to fit your lifestyle needs and is available in three different starter kits.

Iris Safe & Secure Kit ($179) - Safe & Secure gives you a basic level of home security including a motion detector, contact sensors for doors, windows or Continue reading →

Smart Surveillance Software and DIY Home Security

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Angie Tucker

Using surveillance software with a do-it-yourself security camera system gives you some key advantages in controlling and customizing what you see. Aside from the obvious benefits of recording and viewing what’s happening when you aren’t around, here is an “intelligent” way to customize those views.

Vitamin D Pro Software

Vitamin D Pro Edition supports multiple web or IP cameras and runs on a Mac or PC. What makes Vitamin D unique is that it uses “smart video” – not just motion detection. Software motion detectors can often trigger false alarms, especially if detecting movement from pets, swaying branches or cars turning around in the driveway.

This sophisticated object recognition capability has only been available in Continue reading →

7-Ways to Make Your Home Less Appealing to Burglars

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Angie Tucker

Does your home have appeal? Is your home among the most attractive on the block to a would-be burglar? Did you know home security starts at the curb?

By taking a thief’s view of your home, you can easily spot areas of potential trouble. A prowler casing your neighborhood is looking for some very specific things that will help him get in and get out fast. These include:

Overgrown landscape
No lighting
Open or unlocked windows and doors
No visible security sign or window stickers
No outdoor Continue reading →

Smart Tools: Home Alarm Monitoring via Your Smartphone

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Angie Tucker

Would you be lost without your smartphone? Do you have an “app” for every conceivable convenience from Shop Savvy to Flashlight? If so, here’s another thing you can add to the list of smart tools your smartphone can help you manage, home alarm system monitoring.

Yes, you can even control things at home through your smartphone. Now you can receive reminders to activate your alarm system, remotely activate your air conditioner and view video images of what‘s happening when you aren‘t there.

This technology is not new, but until now was really only available for high end homes with high dollar price tags. We all know how fast technology advances, and now home automation is more affordable and ready to go mainstream.

Last year ADT Security launched its award winning service called Continue reading →