So, you’ve installed a do-it-yourself home security system. You’re one step closer to being fully protected. A home security system by itself, however, doesn’t guarantee your safety, and it doesn’t help you recover if your home is broken into. There are other important precautions you need to take.

Some of them – like locking your doors and windows, installing deadbolts, or putting lights on a timer when you’re not at home – are fairly intuitive. Other steps you can take might not be as obvious.

Here are some home security precautions you can take that you may not have considered:

• Don’t leave a key out for burglars. Burglars know where to look for keys. Doormats mailboxes, and even flower pots or beds. They also know to recognize those fake pebbles in your garden.
• Make a valuables inventory. If your home security system fails to prevent a burglary, you need to know what was there that may not be. Keep a detailed list of valued possessions, and include date of purchase, any serial numbers, and their value. Chances are your homeowner’s insurance company can help you put together a list. (more…)

The first question on everyone’s mind these days in home security is why one should have an alarm system in the first place. Are they really that helpful? The short answer is a resounding yes; the longer one concerns how having a security alarm system decreases the chances of a break in simply due to its existence in monitoring your property, and limits the amount of time an intruder can be present should a break in still occur.

So you’ve answered that question – having a security alarm system is simply prudent. Next comes the more involved question – what should an alarm system include, if one is purchased.

First of all, be aware that most security systems use a number of contacts or sensors positions at doors and windows. Indoor motion sensors primarily detect an intruder once they’ve entered your property, so they should be supplemented by sensors outside your home. Other basic elements of a successful home security system include the control panel, which connects your security system to a monitoring service and to its source of power; and a keypad where you’ll set and disarm your security system. Additional security features you may wish to include are smoke and fire detectors, panic buttons which can be activated in the event of an emergency, sensors or detectors that indicate any glass breakage, and closed circuit cameras that allow both monitoring and recording in your home or outside it.

Assuming you are utilizing a security system that contacts a monitoring service and/or local law enforcement authorities, you will obviously need a way to contact the central monitoring station, through your phone line or computer. You’ll also need to form an on-going (more…)

Home security is all about keeping your home, your loved ones, and your property safe from robbery. The loss of costly items is only one aspect of home security. Perhaps even more important is the prevention of personal violation, injury, and danger, which a home security system can go a long way toward preventing. Home security systems are a valuable, vital asset to keep your family and your valuables from harm. Remember that security systems can provide protection from fire, flood, and medical emergencies along with protection from robbery as well.

Home security systems should be evaluated by and installed in regard to the areas in which burglars are most likely to enter your residence. Studies have shown that most intruders or would be intruders will enter through a front door, by either forcing it open or simply kicking it in. Others enter through ground floor windows or the back door of the home which may offer more privacy and less lighting than a front door entrance. A smaller but still significant number of break ins occur through a basement or garage.

Once you’ve considered these entry points, be sure that the home security system you choose to install covers them all. Make certain that the system utilizes enough motion detecting sensors to monitor each area of your residence. Also be sure that the base unit that controls the motion sensors provides enough coverage to connect with sensors throughout your home. If you’re using a wireless system, be sure to always keep batteries charged and changed frequently. And in regard to the monitoring services that support your home security system, be sure that the monitoring company provides an adequate, rapid response time and will provide service call assistance if necessary to keep your system running smoothly.

Make your security system even more effective at preventing home robbery by (more…)

Unfortunately, your home security system isn’t self-sufficient when it comes to power. It’s going to need batteries. Now, most systems tell you when it’s time for your home alarm battery replacement. The system control panel may display a message such as “call technician” or it may flash a battery symbol. Depending on the type of system you’re working with, home alarm battery replacement may be a relatively simple endeavor or it may be something you need professional assistance with.

Here are the steps, generally speaking, that you’ll take in the home alarm battery replacement process:

1. Get the right replacement battery. The battery for your system isn’t something you’re going to find at the grocery store. You’re going to have to check with a hardware store or other type of do-it-yourself retailer. Check the owner’s manual to find out what kind of battery it is that you’re going to be looking for.
2. Start at the front panel. In most systems, the home alarm battery is located (more…)

There are alarm systems to prevent intruders from accessing your property, and systems to protect your home and family from fire, carbon monoxide and other environmental dangers. But if you have a pool or spa in your home or yard, a pool alarm is another security system you may need. Pool alarms are an important part of household safety, and while there are many types of pool alarm systems to choose from, every effective system must include some vital, basic components to keep your pool alarm functional and your pool safe.

First, every pool system must include a command station. This is the ‘brain’ of the system which controls and processes information sent from other parts of the pool alarm. The command station should be positioned away from the pool itself.

You’ll want to set up the remote keypad near the pool area itself. The key pad allows you to turn the alarm system on or off, and additionally set up a timer that allows the system to be turned on automatically. The status of your pool alarm will be displayed on the keypad.

Another element of your pool alarm is an underwater sensor or sensors. (more…)

One important element of home and business security is the use of an environmental security system. And one of the most important security alarms in the environmental area is a flood alarm warning system.

If you’re residing in an area that is prone to flooding, or in a climate that varies in temperature from hot to cold which can adversely effect water pipes and plumbing, investing in a flood security alarm system is a prudent idea.

All flood alarms have sensors which trigger an alarm system designed to alert you to potential floods and leaks. The sound these alarms generate alert home or business owners if there is a leak or if water reaches the sensors for any reason. Obviously, utilizing such a system is important for the safety of you and your family, and equally important in terms of minimizing damages to possessions and property.

Flood alarms function in a very simple fashion. Set the flood sensor at whatever level is appropriate – floor level or perhaps several feet up to alert you if a pond, ornamental fountain, pool, or other water producing unit is about to over flow or crests a safe level. Most flood alarms are manufactured using heavy, water proof plastic, with screws binding the device to prevent any water from damaging the actual alarm system. Most such alarms also utilize battery rather than electric power with battery components water tight to prevent shorting. (more…)

With home security a priority for so many home and business owners today, many owners have decided that a do-it-yourself option allows the greatest cost savings and convenience for installation. You can read about a variety of home security installation kits on line and purchase in stores or over the Internet. Customer reviews can be very helpful not only in terms of determining the quality and customer satisfaction of a particular home installation kit, but in terms of the elements each kit contains and whether it will meet your needs. Be sure to take into consideration your home size, how many entrances, windows, and garage areas you need to protect, and whether you wish to utilize motion sensors within your home before making a purchase selection.

Once you’ve chosen a kit and decided to take the self installation route, be sure to select a high quality system that contains easy to follow installation instructions, an actual alarm, sensors, and a control panel. If you’re utilizing the type of system that connects to a home monitoring service, be sure that you are comfortable with connecting any phone wiring or working with the monitoring service to assure proper connectivity of your system. Once you’ve followed those steps in system selection, doing the actual installation yourself is relatively simple, and a process that requires only  a few basic tools such as screwdriver and hammer. (more…)

Securing your home, business and car may be second nature to you today. Purchasing alarm systems for your vehicle, residence, and work place may seem like an absolute given. But when it comes to water craft, many boat owners consider their property a lower security risk than land-based property.

But boats require security, too. Docked or in the water, you need to provide security systems to keep your property and loved ones safe.

Step one in boat safety involves where you keep your boat when you’re not out on the water. While it may be simple to determine if a marina or other storage location is well maintained and protected from storm and tidal surges, it might take a little more investigative time to fully examine the security of your storage location. Storage security includes the actual location of your facility, and whether or not the area includes surveillance systems designed to protect against theft, vandalism, and other hazards. Find out if the storage location utilizes security cameras, and if anyone is regularly monitoring the camera’s view. Ask whether or not the facility employs security guards; and whether anyone checks the identity of visitors to the storage site before visitors are able to access the actual boats. Even if you’re only leaving your boat stored for a short period of time, survey your surroundings and make sure your boat’s marina, dock, or other storage facility takes these basic security concerns into consideration. (more…)

When it comes to marine security, boat owners are always looking for a sturdy, reliable security system to keep their vessel secure and safe. New technologies are constantly being developed to withstand the often harsh conditions of marine life – from wind and rain to salt water corrosion.

Several new security systems out on the market today offer some interesting possibilities in marine protection.

One of these systems is the Watch Yacht Surveillance System. This device can make any smart phone or a computer located off-site into a monitoring system that remotely captures and displays live images via on board security cameras.

This type of system allows boat owners to view live video feeds of their water-craft. Owners are able to see who’s on board, what vessels are docked near them, and of course any potential intrusion on their boat. They can also monitor any temperature changes on board, change of coordinates, bilge pump problems, or electrical and battery fluctuations. This system also lets boat owners capture video feeds of their boat through a data terminal or a global monitoring system. (more…)

Boat owners are no different than other property owners. Like home and business owners, vessel owners want both security and safety for their property and loved ones. The best way to provide both is using a marine security system. With many options to choose from, be sure that the security system that you select is actually made for boats. You’ll find some marine security products on the market that are basically just house or car alarms altered for marine usage.

House alarms are designed for dry, motionless environments. Your home will not be rocking on waves, or subject to daily exposure to ocean water and salty condensation. If you select an alarm that’s modified from home use, there’s the strong possibility that wires will corrode or control switches become unworkable. (more…)