Security Systems Tips

Gated Communities No Substitute for Home Security

Gated communities are not a substitute for home security. Too often homeowners wrongly see gated communities and guard stations as their personal home security. Residents develop a false sense of security.

In reality, the guards routinely allow in pizza deliveries, appliance repair people and contractors.

Homeowners may naively tell the staff at guard stations their vacation schedules, even though they know little about them or their associates.

Teens who live in these gated communities even may be responsible for some of the burglaries or petty theft.

There have been a number of cases across the nation where clusters of burglaries occurred in gated communities. Once a burglar mastered how to enter one house, others were hit.

The criminal was familiar with the subdivision, and used the same method for other break-ins. Homes in gated communities often are similar in structure and design to make repeat crimes easy.

Police officials say that burglar alarms provide more reliable protection than a wall around the subdivision where you live. The most secure home protection system is an electronic one with sensors that "watch" your home continually.

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Future Home Security Focuses on Convenience

It's hard to believe, but we are at the Model T stage in the technology revolution. Early autos led to luxury SUVs of today.

In the technology revolution, computers are transforming our lives at home. Imagine a day in the near future, when home electronics converge into one convenient system. You are in control at your computer screen.

Touch the screen or keypad to choose your favorite movie, arm your home security, turn up the heat, or talk to the delivery person at the door.

Your home's functions may operate through your broadband computer network, and your PC may be central command.

If you're away from home, you may manage your home's functions -- lights, appliances and heating -- from your laptop.

Is someone at your gate or door? Your security system will let you know via voice communication and a surveillance camera that shows images on your PC, or a hybrid of your computer and TV screens.

Is there a new movie you want to watch? Scan the offerings on your PC and set the evening's entertainment.

Did someone leave the back door ajar? You will receive a warning from your security system via your PC.

Is the battery running low on your smoke detector? Your security system will text message you or there will be an alert on your computer's home page.

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Keep Garage Secure with an Automatic Opener

Garages are common targets for thieves. It's easy to see why. They may not be connected to a burglar alarm system, or have any security.

• Garage doors often are left open. Manual ones are easy to open.
• They hold a lot of expensive stuff that is portable and easy to carry away, including bicycles and power tools.
• Garages also are unattended a lot. Most often they are not used at night, except to park a vehicle.

You also need to protect the things stored in your garage. Add up the cost of the items inside -- your lawn mower, snow blower, tools, bicycles, sports equipment -- and it easily may top $5,000 or $10,000.

Here are some tips for keeping your garage safe:

• Use an automatic garage door opener. It's harder for thieves to force open the door.

• Automatic garage door openers use a touch pad or a handheld button, so make sure you pick a combination that is not simple to figure out.

• Check the condition of the garage door itself. Look for weak or damaged spots, and loose panels.

• Don't leave the garage door open. It takes seconds for a thief to pedal off with your bicycle, or grab some tools and run.

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Security Systems Part of New Home Construction

Security systems have not been a standard part of new home construction. But that is changing.

Builders are discovering that home security installation is inexpensive and attracts buyers. Along with dishwashers and central air conditioning, home security is a desirable feature in mid-priced homes.

Home security systems have been around for generations, but they were not a routine part of new home construction. Costs were too high for hardwiring systems, which required specialized technicians.

But the new generation of wireless systems are affordable and convenient. Financing plans enable consumers to pay for monthly monitoring of their home security, after they move in. The builder does not have to assume the costs.

Security systems impress new home buyers. They are still unusual enough in new homes, that builders can try promoting the feature as a marketing tool. It makes their homes distinctive.

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Alarm Systems Come with Pagers, Panic Buttons

When shopping for a burglar alarm, you will find most systems have similar standard features: motion detectors, sirens and sensors. But some systems offer additional features that add protection and convenience without driving up the price.

You may want to check out some of these state-of-the-art features when shopping for a new alarm system:

• One-touch activation that lets you arm the system by pushing a single button.
• Pagers that will contact you when the system is not turned on or off as scheduled. For example, if your housekeeper does not arrive at a scheduled time and disarm the system, you will be paged.
• Additional user codes. Give your baby sitter, pet sitter and house cleaner their own code to access the house. You can delete a code when you no longer need it.
• Emergency button that lets you summon immediate help 24 hours a day.
• Self-testing that allows the control panel to alert you if the system has malfunctioned.
• Battery backup that keeps the system running if there is a power failure.
• Chime that lets you know if someone opens the front or back door, when the system is turned off.

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Choose an Alternative to VOIP for Home Security Monitoring

VOIP lets users make phone calls over the Internet. It is cheap to use, but can be vulnerable to hackers. VOIP is so new, that it does not have direct 911 service, and may not be super reliable.

So it's no surprise that home protection companies do not recommend VOIP to link with monitored security services. Instead homeowners are advised to use a broadband Internet connection. LAN lines are the standard option.

VOIP may let your security system communicate with the monitoring facility, but most home protection companies will not stand behind the connection.

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Keep Doors Locked When You Are Home

Living in a safe neighborhood will not make you immune to crime. Be aware of suspicious cars or people in your neighborhood and also teach your children to be safe.

• Always keep doors locked. Don't assume that a burglar or intruder will avoid an occupied house.
• Never allow strangers inside your house, even if they are wearing uniforms or asking for help.
• Only let technicians in your house for pre-arranged visits. Ask to see company ID and a photo. If you still feel uncomfortable, ask a neighbor to stay with you until the service technician leaves.

• Install a home security system. Burglar alarms are affordable and have a proven track record for preventing crime and keeping people safe. You can teach your children how to use the system.

• Advise your children not to open the door when someone knocks without checking first to see who it is. The child should look through the window or a peep hole, or summon an adult to answer the door. If the visitor is a stranger, the child should not open the door, even if the person is asking for help or wearing a uniform.

• Burglars may case a home to learn your routine. It's a good idea to vary your activities.

• Invest in a home security system that will alert you or sound an alarm when any doors or windows are opened in restricted areas.

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Internet Connects Home Security Systems to Monitors

With portable cell phones that go where you go, who needs LAN lines?

Many Americans are asking themselves this very question. Their answer may be to disconnect LAN lines, because they duplicate cell phone service.

Home security companies have responded to the change by offering 24-hour-a-day monitoring services that do not require a LAN line.

Check out the following options:

1. Broadband monitoring is the choice for home security customers who use cell phones exclusively at home. Instead of plugging into a traditional phone line, the master control panel plugs into your modem or router. Your home security system is linked to the critical monitoring service via your home computer. If your burglar alarm sounds, a signal is sent through the Internet to the monitoring facility.
2. LAN line connections are still the most common way for home security systems to alert monitoring facilities. Most Americans still have LAN lines and have the choice to link to monitoring services through their telephone line or the Internet.
3. Two-way voice command links your home with the monitoring facility via an intercom. The intercom service relies on traditional phone lines to work. If your alarm goes off, the monitoring facility speaks directly over the intercom to check on your well being. This option is especially appealing to seniors and shut-ins.

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What is New For Home Intruder Detection?

If you are concerned about intruders, unexpected visitors, theft, mail tampering, or even dangerous areas for your children around the house, look no further than the newly patented and wireless Voice Alert Protection System. It notifies you of any intruder with your own voice.

This Voice Alert System is a new system featuring wireless sensors, transmitters and a remote receiver/speaker base unit. Users record their own alert messages and are then notified with their own voice message when activity in a monitored is detected.

The System allows a maximum of six user recorded messages. Each message is specific to one zone. For instance, zone one could be for a driveway alarm -“Car coming up the driveway” while zone two could be for a sensor monitoring the back yard- “Alert! Child by the pool!” Perhaps a third sensor guards a side entrance against intruders. However, when this sensor detects movement, the base unit plays “Intruder on patio” and triggers a floodlight using one of four relays included on the base unit. The most recent system can monitor all three zones simultaneously and still have three additional zones available when needed. Users can alter their messages and place the wireless sensors wherever they wish.

Key applications include:

• Wireless Driveway Alarm
• Residential and Small Business Security
• Child Monitoring and Pool Safety
• Home Automation

Technology moves so quickly that it is worth it to keep up with new items for home security.

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