Reasons To Get A Video Surveillance System

Posted on April 16, 2011

Security professionals continue to debate whether a video surveillance system makes a real difference to your home’s security. Many of the major home security system companies advocate video surveillance as a way to keep an eye on your house both when you’re home and away. Although its effectiveness remains inconclusive, here’s what the experts in favor want you to know.

Crime

Your video surveillance cameras are a deterrent. Thieves know what they are. The best home security system monitoring system is one that’s highly visible. When cameras are aimed at your doors and windows in such a way that potential intruders can’t miss them, they can prevent break-ins. Of course, if they don’t prevent break-ins, they can help detectives solve crimes and potentially assist with you recovering your stolen goods.

Remote Monitoring

With a more recent video surveillance enabled security system, you can easily Continue reading →

Top Five Security System Complaints

Posted on April 14, 2011

Just like with every product, there are common pitfalls to home security systems. Either through poor choices by consumers or poor sales and service from security system companies, people become quickly disenchanted with their home security systems. In order to make a better selection, it helps to understand what doesn’t work for many people.

1. A false alarm without a security system company follow-up call. It’s not uncommon for  a resident to accidentally trigger an alarm and then immediately deactivate it. However, a good home security system provider should call immediately and ask for a personal identification code to ensure it’s really the resident who turned off the alarm.

2. The police took more than an hour to show up. Some security system owners have gotten calls at work from the alarm company and rushed home, only to discover that the police had not showed up yet. Then they wonder about the value of their home security system when the police do not bother to show up when needed.

3. Proprietary security systems. In most cases, homeowners buy their security systems outright. When down the road they want to switch their monitoring service, they find their alarm equipment is Continue reading →

Choosing Your DIY Security System

Posted on April 10, 2011

Selecting a security system to install yourself takes a lot of thought. You’ll find no shortage of options as you look around at some of the big DIY security system vendors like Security Systems Pro. Because you’re not going through one of the major security alarm companies, you’ll have to be even more informed than the average consumer.

Think through your home and family needs before making your important selection.

  • Consult with a reputable home security system adviser. Select someone from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (www.iapsc.org) to ensure you get someone with a standard of honesty, ethics and integrity.
  • Choose a security system with a control panel that can monitor all the zones you have in your home. Each window or door integrated into the system is considered a zone. A basic security system is capable of controlling eight zones. However, many panels permit the addition of expansion modules that allow the system to watch up to 32 zones.
  • Determine if the routing of the wires for a hard-wired security system might be too long. With a wired system, you will have to drill holes in walls where wires will have to be routed. If the wire run appears too long to you, choose a wireless security system.
  • Make certain that a wireless security system can perform up to the distance of the farthest zone.

Enhanced Features

Posted on April 7, 2011

Not everyone sees the value and importance of a home security system. Especially if you live in a safe neighborhood or have very good locks, it’s easy to feel a home security system is nothing but an unnecessary cost.

However, with the right upgrades, you might feel a home security system can add a little more fun as well as critical safety to your home.

Advances in technology now allow for sophisticated home security systems to interface with your home’s lighting and entertainment systems.

Adjust your home lighting from one of the sleek, digital security system control panels placed around your home. You can do the same with your TV, DVD and other entertainment devices. Enhance it further by adding wireless remotes that run through the security system interface Continue reading →

Security Systems and Medical Emergencies

Posted on April 5, 2011

Unfortunately, many families have loved ones who are sick, suffer from chronic medical conditions or are simply aging. It can be difficult to leave someone with medical issues alone in the house and many families end up paying large amounts of money for day care and personal care services.

Just as importantly, people with conditions like epilepsy and heart disease may feel insecure and struggle with leading independent lives for fear of their condition.

Often, people don’t consider that home security systems offer new options for to help people with medical and personal safety needs.

Home security systems do the obvious for anyone home alone – they ensure they are safe from outside danger. Security systems which have sensors installed Continue reading →

Spring Break

Posted on April 2, 2011

Spring is here and so are spring breaks. It’s a great time for families to make a quick getaway – especially for those in places that haven’t yet thawed out from winter cold or who are bummed from too many spring showers.

While you head off to warm, sunny places for a little R&R, don’t forget to consider the safety of your home. Your home security system is a critical component to protecting your home. A security system with  both perimeter (doors and windows) and interior (motion sensors and pressure sensitive mats) can go a long way to protecting your home and valuables while you’re away.

However, you have to help your security system to do its job. First, make sure you prominently display signs that indicate you have a  home security system. Your security system company will provide this to you for free. Companies like ADT and Broadview Security always advise their clients about the value of signage.

Then, run through this checklist of additional steps that will ensure your security system is as effective as possible.

•  Have newspaper and mail Continue reading →

Shopping For A Home Security System

Posted on March 29, 2011

Some security systems are designed only to ring a bell and maybe illuminate your home to scare off an intruder. These local security systems send a signal from a sensor directly to a light system or to a bell or siren located in your attic or on the outside of your home.

When a sensor detects an intruder, it activates the sounding device and the house lights turn on. The purpose of such a security system is that the lights or sound will alert the homeowner, a neighbor or a cruising police unit. Since the typical residential burglar is not a professional, a local security system will usually cause him to leave immediately.

Many companies install combination security systems which includes a local alarm – bell and/or lights – and a central reporting alarm. Central reporting alarms add value because they facilitate a security system company to monitor your security system . If the alarm goes off, the security system company notifies the police department.

It is a good idea to have at least one smoke detector built into your security system. Smoke is the primary killer in fires and a smoke detector placed in a hallway between bedrooms can save lives.

Back-up power supplies add extra security by Continue reading →

Interviews With Burglars

Posted on March 26, 2011

The following are actual statements from police interviews with caught burglars.

•  Of course I look familiar, I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new TV.

•  Thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week.  While I was in there I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

•  Those nice yard toys your kids leave out make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

•  I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

•  If glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if the alarm is set.

•  If you don’t alarm your windows, install motion detectors in the rooms I might enter, including the master bedroom where you usually keep your jewelry and home safe.

•  Don’t forget to Continue reading →

Why You Need A Commercial Security System

Posted on March 23, 2011

Small business face numerous challenges and need every chance possible for success.  Theft and loss are huge risks with which small businesses have to contend. Preventing theft before it occurs is, of course the best strategy.

While the cost of a commercial security system may seem significant, especially to a business that’s just making it – the investment will pay for itself several times over.

The key to a good commercial security system is finding one that works for you. While it would be convenient and seem desirable to get the most affordable security system possible, the truth is that only a security system that adequately does its job is worth anything. Depending on your business’ space, layout and needs, it may mean paying for a more extensive security system.

At minimum, you need your perimeter protected. This means security system sensors on each window and door. If you have an attic, basement, storm cellar or any other potential entrances – consider arming these as well.

Interior motion sensors are also critical to Continue reading →

User Interface Anatomy

Posted on March 20, 2011

Just like every part of the body has a specific purpose and function, security systems too have an important anatomy. Before purchasing or contracting a security system, take the time to understand the user interface  basics.

Control Panel – it’s the security system’s brain. The control panel of security system can be located in a hidden area of your bedroom or garage or it can be installed at any part of the home that will decrease it’s visibility and thereby increase your security.

Motion Detectors – use invisible beams of light to sense movement in your home. They activate the security system in case of intruder. Police often describe motion detectors as one of the most important parts of a good home security system. For effective coverage, a number of motion detectors are usually advisable.

Keypads – may be located at or near each entrance to your home and even in your bedroom. Users activate and deactivate the security system using a secret code. Keypads usually have sounds and sometimes digital screens to help users verify they are entering the password correctly.

Panic Buttons – are often located on Continue reading →