Alarms to Alert You

A l a r m s t o A l e r t Y o u

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It has been reported that a burglary

now happens every 15 seconds. As

such, the chances of your own home

actually being at risk from a break in

are greatly increased, and it doesn't

count where you live. Inside this

eBook, we look at what are

considered to be some of the areas in

your home security routine which

could possibly help to prevent any

kind of break-in from occurring.

Alarms to

Alert You Home Security Advice

“The Alarm Guy” David Ross

http://www.alarms-to-alert-you.com

http://www.alarms-to-alert-you.com/


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Home Security Advice ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Fire Escape Ladders and Your Home ....................................................................................................... 3

Guard dogs and Home Security ................................................................................................................... 4

Guns and Home Security ................................................................................................................................. 5

How Home Video Surveillance Works ..................................................................................................... 6

How Pepper Spray Works .............................................................................................................................. 7

Improving your Security and Privacy ...................................................................................................... 8

Information about Security Cameras ....................................................................................................... 9

Location Importance and Crime .............................................................................................................. 10

Making a Safe Room ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Preventing Burglary with Adequate Lighting .................................................................................. 12

Spy Camera and Home Protection .......................................................................................................... 13

The Best Ways to Prevent a Burglary ................................................................................................... 14

The Cons of Home Intruder Alarms ....................................................................................................... 16

Theft Proofing your Mailbox ..................................................................................................................... 17

The Internet and Home Surveillance .................................................................................................... 18

Vacations and Home Security ................................................................................................................... 20

Wireless Alarms for your Driveway ...................................................................................................... 21

Wireless Security Systems .......................................................................................................................... 22



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Home Security Advice

When the topic of home security springs to mind, most people seem to think of burglar alarms and

little to nothing else. Alarms can be a great way to protect your home, although they are only a

small part of what makes up an effective home security system. Burglar alarms are a key to

protecting your home – although there are other things you’ll need as well.

Believe it or not, the windows are actually the key to home security. Homes that have poor

constructed windows tend to get broken into a lot more than homes with secure and sturdy

windows. When you are dealing with your windows, you should make sure that you have tough

glass and locks that fit to the windows. When you are away from home, you should always make

sure that your windows are locked. Even though some windows may be hard to reach, you should

always lock them. Burglars make a living out of stealing – and they will normally find a way in if

they see the opening.

Along with the windows, doors are also known to be a weakness of security around the home.

Doors should always be strong and sturdy, complete with tough locks that aren’t easy to force open.

If you have a spare key, you should be careful where you leave it. Losing your keys can also make

you a target, especially if you have anything on your key ring that reveals your home address.

To better protect their homes, most people choose to invest in a home surveillance system. These

systems are great for monitoring the home, as they can record video and keep it stored for you to

view later. If you travel a lot, a home surveillance system can be an ideal way to keep a check on

your home while you’re away.

Guard dogs are also common with home security as well. A guard dog can protect your home from

burglars, thieves, and other types of trouble. Guard dogs can be very handy to have around, as most

dogs are more than capable of scaring away trouble with their bark. The only downside to guard

dogs is the fact that you’ll need to train them and ensure that they always have food and water.

Last, but certainly not least are burglar alarms. Burglar alarms can be effective to an extent,

although they are primarily good for scaring thieves away. If you put an alarm in a visible location

from the outside of the home, most burglars won’t even attempt to enter your home. Even though

burglar alarms are great for scaring off thieves – you’ll still need to have other areas of your home

safe and secure as well to get the most of your home security.



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Fire Escape Ladders and Your Home

If you own a home - a fire escape ladder is always great to have. It can save your life, and should

therefore be an integral part of your residential safety. A fire at can completely engulf your home in

no time at all, normally in less than a minute. Even though you may have smoke alarms and fire

extinguishers there, the fire can get out of control fast and surround you with smoke, making it

impossible for you to get out. To protect yourself and your entire family, you should always a fire

escape ladder at your home at all times.

You don’t need to pay a lot of money for an expensive fire escape ladder; all you need is one that is

durable and sturdy. Fixed structure residential fire escape ladders are the best to get, simply

because you don’t need to assemble then. With a fixed structure ladder, all you need to do is climb

down to safety. They are permanently attached to your home - so they will always be there when

you need them.

When you look for a residential fire escape ladder, you’ll find that there are several different styles

to choose from. There are chain and rung fire escape ladders that are designed for multiple stories,

to those that reach even higher. You can also get permanent interior ladders, exterior permanent

ladders, collapsible fire escape ladders, and even retractable fire escape ladders. Fire escape

ladders are a great thing to have as a method of fire safety.

If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building or seen the outside of one, you’ve probably noticed

their fire escape. Fire escapes, depending on how many stories the building may be, will vary from

simple ladders to steps. The fire escape is very important, especially with tall buildings. Those who

live on the higher floors of apartment buildings absolutely must have a fire escape so they too can

exit the building in the event of a fire.

For your home, you can also purchase a fire escape kit that includes a heavy duty escape ladder that

can be assembled up to 40 feet in length. These kits also include smoke hoods as well, in order to

help keep the smoke out of your face. Most come with chemical sticks and a horn as well, so you

can let rescuers know where you are in the home when they arrive.

As you can tell, a fire escape ladder is very important to have with your home. Homes that are 2

stories or more simply must have an escape ladder. Fire escape ladders are perfect for safety, and

may one day save your life. Even though they may cost you a bit of money and time to install, they

are one investment that you’ll never go wrong with.



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Guard Dogs and Home Security

These days, home security is simply a must have. Burglaries and crime are always on the rise,

which makes it all the more important to protect your home. There are various burglar alarms and

home surveillance systems available, designed to help you protect your home. Although they are

good in their own rights, nothing compares to an old fashioned guard dog. Guard dogs have been

used for generations – to help people protect their homes and their belongings.

For many years, guard dogs have helped to scare off burglars and thieves. Although most have

gotten used to dogs now days, nothing fends off a thief more than a vicious dog grabbing his ankle

and clamping down. Almost all guard dogs have serious bites and can seriously injure a burglar.

Guard dogs are trained to protect one’s home – and they will do so no matter what.

When you get a guard dog, you should always make sure that you let him know who is safe to be

around your home. You don’t want the dog to be vicious towards everyone, as friends and family

are certainly allowed to be around your home. Most guard dogs are left outside of the home, with

some deciding to keep them indoors. Indoor dogs are great, as they will instantly catch a burglar

the second he decides to break into your home.

If you plan to keep your guard dog indoors, you should always have a supply of food and water

available, as he will be there when you aren’t. You will also need to give him access to an outdoor

area as well, so he can use the bathroom. A fenced in yard is an ideal place for a guard dog to go

outside, as he can come and go as he pleases. Sometimes, a burglar will try and sneak around the

back entrance – which is where giving a guard dog outside access can really come in handy.

Before buying the dog, you should always carefully research the species and where you plan to get

your dog from. Police dogs or dogs that have been trained for protection are ideal, as they already

know how to defend things. Dobermans and Pit Bulls are great for protection as well, simply

because they are well known for being very vicious.

If you carefully research your options and get your guard dog from a reliable source, you shouldn’t

have much of anything to worry about. You should never get your dog from a lesser known or poor

source, as the dog may be poorly trained or not in good health. A guard dog can be a great addition

to any home – providing you get a dog in good health and more than capable to fend of burglars.



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Guns and Home Security

Guns have always been a sure way to protect yourself and your home, although things have

changed quite a bit over the years. Even though those who live in the United States have a right to

bear arms, there are also certain responsibilities that come along as well. Those who own guns

have the responsibility of protecting their home and their family - and also their guns. Anyone who

owns a gun may have self-protection in mind - although he also has a priority to protect his guns as

well.

Anyone who owns a gun should never allow them to fall into someone else’s hands. To ensure this

never happens, the gun owner should always keep his gun collection locked away in a safe or gun

cabinet. You can get many different sizes of gun safes, which will hold a variable amount of guns.

Anything can happen if the wrong individual gets a hold of your guns, which is why you should

always make sure that they are well protected - and locked up.

Gun owners can protect their own property as well, by storing their guns in fireproof gun safes.

Fireproof gun safes can protect guns and keep them safe, even if everything else burns to the

ground. Even though gun owners have the responsibility to keep their guns out of the reach of

others, they also have the right to ensure that no harm comes to their guns as well.

Fireproof guns safes will also keep guns safe from children as well. All children are curious, and like

to get their hands on anything they can. If you leave your guns lying around and not locked up, a

child will eventually find it. You should also ensure that your guns are never loaded either, as a

child can really hurt himself if he finds a loaded gun. Although you may keep your guns locked up in

a fireproof safe - you should also make sure that the ammo is out of the guns and locked away in the

safe as well.

Keep in mind that children may look for your gun on purpose, knowing that the guns are something

that you use. Therefore, simply putting your guns on a higher shelf doesn’t really protect your

children. If a child wants something bad enough, he or she will do anything possible to get it. The

only real way to keep your guns safe from children is to ensure that they are always locked up in

fireproof safe or traditional gun safe.

Children may show interest in guns at an early age, which can be a good thing but can also be a bad

thing. At a young age, a child won’t know anything about gun safety. Therefore, if a child happens

to come across your guns, bad things can happen. If you have guns if your home, you should always

make a point to teach your children gun safety. This way, they will know that they aren’t allowed to

handle your guns, and they’ll be aware of what can happen if they do.

By keeping your guns in a fireproof safe or traditional gun safe, you’ll keep your guns safe from

children or others. Fireproof safes will also keep your guns safe from fire as well, which makes

them an ideal investment. Although you can also get a traditional gun safe if you prefer, fireproof

safes are by far the best way to go. You can keep your guns safe from children, others, and even fire

- which makes them more than worth the money.



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How Home Video Surveillance Works

When they were first introduced, video surveillance systems were mostly used with medium to

large businesses. These days however, they are becoming more and more common in homes.

Video surveillance security systems are also known as Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) and are used to

monitor certain areas around the home and help to protect it from burglars and thieves.

The monitor is a key aspect to the video surveillance setup. The monitor will feed the video from

the cameras that make up the system. The monitors are normally black and white and feature a

higher resolution than that of a standard television set. Monitors vary in size and resolution,

although the standard resolution is between 500 and 1000 lines.

Cameras are also important. When setting up the home video surveillance system, the cameras are

placed strategically around the outside of the home, in the most vulnerable areas. They should be

set up in areas where they are nearly impossible to see. The cameras are always working, sending

the video transmissions to the monitors on a frequent basis.

Coaxial cables are also a must have for video surveillance systems. The coaxial cables are what

transfers the video signals from the camera to the monitor. The cables are available in a variety of

sizes. You can find them at a local electronics store in your area. Your home video surveillance

system will come with coaxial cables, although you may need more depending on where you plan to

set the cameras up at.

Home video surveillance systems also use switchers. Switchers allow you to run multiple camera

feeds to one monitor. Normally, a switcher will cycle through feeds unless it detects movement

going on around a camera. When the switcher detects any type of movement, it will automatically

lock in to the camera that has detected the movement.

There are some video surveillance systems that you can get for the home that make full use of VCRs.

These systems will use the VCR to record any live video feed that you program. This can come in

handy if you travel a lot, as the VCR can capture a break in as it happens. If you end up going to

court or to the police, you can use the video tape as evidence. VCRs can catch burglars in the act –

especially if you set the camera up to a location that is hard to see.

By utilizing the combination of a monitor and video camera, home video surveillance systems can

easily catch burglaries and break-ins. They are very affordable these days, and used in thousands of

homes throughout North America. If you’ve been looking for the ideal way to protect your home – a

home video surveillance system is something you should look into immediately.



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How Pepper Spray Works

Also referred to as an OC or capsicum spray, pepper spray is a very effective inflammatory agent

that can easily irritate the eyes and result in pain, temporary blindness, and tears. Pepper spray is

an organic based agent that comes from cayenne peppers. The spray will normally come in canister

form, which his often times small enough to be carried in your pocket or in a woman’s purse.

Once the spray is used it will immediately result in dilating of the capillaries in the eyes, resulting in

temporary blindness, chocking, coughing, and tearing of the eyes. The spray will also cause an

extremely intense burning on the skin and result in nausea. The mucous membranes will also begin

to swell, making breathing very difficult. The spray is very painful, often resulting in the individual

who was sprayed to double over and fall to the ground. It causes temporary incapacitation, due to

the fact that the individual won’t be able to breathe or see properly.

Although the spray is very effective with most, it may not have as much of an effect on individuals

who are on drugs, drunk, or already hysterical. With these types of people, you may need to give

them a couple of quick sprays to the face to get the right effect. The overall effect on the length of

the spray will all depend on the strength of the pepper spray. Most pepper spray effects will last

anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour.

Often times the spray is used with controlling riots or in self-defense situations. Pepper spray is

very handy to have in violent assault situations, as a violent assault occurs every few seconds in the

United States alone. Pepper spray is safer to use than guns or knives. It is also non-lethal, although

there have been rare cases where pepper spray has led to death. In these cases however, there

were medical conditions present that the spray aggravated – leading to death.

Pepper spray is great to have around your home, or to carry with you at all times. If a burglar

breaks into your home while you are there, you obviously want something to protect yourself with.

A can of pepper spray is very effective, and can easily stop someone from attacking you. All it takes

is a direct spray to the eyes.

Although it is very effective to have with you, pepper spray is illegal to have in some countries, such

as the United Kingdom. In the United States however, there are some areas that require you to have

a license before you can legally carry pepper spray. Before you buy some pepper spray, you should

always make sure that you can legally carry it in the area you live in.



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Improving Your Security and Privacy

Due to the increase in door-to-door salesman, criminals looking to scope out your residence, and

other annoyances, you may sometimes feel that answering your door isn’t worth it. When you do

finally answer your door and find a door-to-door salesman, you may have a very tough time getting

rid of them. They will continue to hassle you and keep coming back until you support their group

or buy one of their “innovative” products.

To prevent this from happening and keep unwanted company from bothering you, you should use a

protective barrier between your door and the street. You don’t really need a 15 foot high electric

fence, as even the most basic of fencing will do the trick. You can install a simple decorative fence

around your yard, complete with locking gate, to keep any type of solicitors at bay.

Although a fence is a great way to achieve privacy, not everyone has a yard that they can build a

fence on. You can also use a gate that blocks entry to your porch or front door, as this way you can

keep the gate locked at all times. The main idea and theory here is to make it difficult to approach

the door to your home. This way, salesman, solicitors, and even snoops will see that it requires a lot

of effort to reach you - and they will normally just give up and move on.

Even though a fence or locked gate is great, you can’t overlook a dog either. A barking dog can be

very effective, as trespassers simply can’t look over a dog that is barking. Barking dogs aren’t the

same as a fence or gate, although they are very common these days. Keep in mind however, that the

effectiveness of a dog with scaring off unwanted guests will greatly depend on the disposition and

character of the dog you have.

Nearly every dog will bark when it sees a stranger, although not every dog will prevent someone

from coming to your door unless it has been trained to do so. A lot of door-to-door salesman and

snoops deal with dogs on a daily basis, and will normally just ignore the dog and the barking and

proceed to come to your door. If the dog is more of a violent nature and appears ready to strike,

then it will be a different store. If the salesman or snoop notices the dog is ready to bite, he will

normally stop in his tracks and turn around - out of the fear of getting bit.

Keep in mind that having a dog doesn’t mean that you have to blood train him or put him on

steroids to keep unwanted visitors away. What you need, is an aggressive dog that will stand his

ground and help you keep your privacy. When a solicitor visits your home and sees your aggressive

dog, he won’t want to sacrifice a sale at the risk of getting bit by your dog.

As annoying as door-to-door solicitors are, there are ways that you can improve your security and

your privacy around your home. You can also invest in home surveillance systems as well, to

further enhance your privacy and security. For solicitors, fencing with a locked gate is the best way

to go, if you have the room for it. On the other hand, if you don’t have the space for a fence, you can

always use a dog or other options. Privacy and security is very important - which is why you don’t

want solicitors invading your space.



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Information about Security Cameras

As crime and theft with businesses continues to get stronger and stronger, the need for security

increases as well. Although security personnel is a must have, businesses need another form of

security that isn’t quite as noticeable. Crooks can spot an individual without a problem, which is

where security cameras come into play.

Security cameras are very popular these days, coming in many shapes and sizes. The wired types

can fit in speakers, clocks, and even smoke detectors. The wireless types on the other hand are far

more flexible and can be placed nearly anywhere. Wireless security systems are a great addition to

any home or business, as they can be placed in areas that a thief wouldn’t even begin to suspect.

For the home or business, Internet wireless security cameras are a great way to monitor remote

video. The system camera will transfer signals through a LAN adapter or wireless network on to a

specific IP (Internet Protocol) address. This can be a great way to keep a watchful eye on your

property while you are on vacation or out of town. There are some Internet systems that will alert

you via email if there is any detection in movement.

The cameras that work with home surveillance systems are power driven, normally by 9 volt

batteries, providing up to 10 hours of energy. They are very powerful cameras, as even the slightest

amount of movement will activate the motion sensors in the cameras. Once the camera has been

triggered, it will immediately start recording video, taking pictures, or transfer the live video feed to

another computer.

There are also digital security cameras as well. Even though they are smaller in size, they can still

record video for a long period of time. They are so popular these days due to the fact that the video

or pictures that are stored on them can be saved and edited on a computer. Digital security

cameras also eliminate the needs for recording tapes as well, which can take up a lot of space and

aren’t very safe for keeping in areas with high temperatures. Digital security cameras store the

information within their memory, which will help you keep up with the pictures and video feed.

Security cameras have been around for many years, gaining their reputation and popularity with

businesses. As years went by and they became more affordable people began to use them in their

homes. A security camera at home can be a great way to protect yourself from burglars and break-

ins, keep an eye on the babysitter, or just monitor things while you are away. Security cameras are

very affordable and they can easily give the peace of mind in knowing that your home is protected

no matter where you go.



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Location Importance and Crime

When looking to buy a house, the location of the house is very important. Most people want to buy

a home in a decent neighborhood, as they have the intention to remain at their home for many

years to come. If someone is planning to buy a home strictly for the resale value, then the location

will prove to be even more important. The resale factor of a home is very dependent on the

location, simply because someone wouldn’t want to buy a home that wasn’t in a decent

neighborhood.

When buying a home, the general rule of thumb is to purchase a home that will appeal to a large

number of potential buyers. To do this, you’ll need to look at the location of the home. The

community is very important, especially in terms of crime. If you buy a home in a neighborhood

that is well known for crime you’ll more than likely have difficulty when you try to sale. Bad

neighborhoods generally spark little to no interest. These days, people want to buy homes in the

best possible neighborhoods that they can afford.

When buying your home, you should always narrow the choices down a few of the best cities

around you. You’ll want to buy your home in a community that has a very stable economy and

plenty of commercial and business districts. This way, when you decide to sell your house, you can

rest assured that your house is in a good selling area. You should also look at the crime statistics for

the area as well. If the crime rate is high, you should look into another area.

You should also look into the local school system as well. Even though you may not have kids now,

you should always think about the future. A home that is within a short distance to shopping

centers and quality schools are always easy to sale. If you buy a home that is in a bad neighborhood

and has poor schools, you’ll quickly regret that decision. If you can’t afford to purchase a home that

is in a good location, you should work on your credit and save up some money until you are able to

purchase a home that is in a desirable location.

Although the size of a home is important, the location is one of the most important aspects to

buying a home. The location is important for those living in the home as well as the resale value. A

home that is in a desirable location is always easy to sale, for the simple fact that the location

speaks for itself. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home for the resale value – you should

always make sure that you pay close attention to the location.



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Making a Safe Room

The safe room, which is also known as a panic room, is a secure location within a home or building

that is designed to provide safety for families during terrorist attacks, nature, burglaries, or other

types of threats. A safe room is an ideal investment for any home owner, although the more

fortified rooms with heavy security are normally found in the homes of rich people. Those that

have a lot of money really have no budget - therefore they can easily spend thousands on making

their safe room the best place to go in the event of an emergency.

For most of us, a safe room is a location that family members can run to and hide, or call for help in

an emergency situation. You don’t really need to go all out and put steel walls and a steel door in

the room, although you do need a fortified door that opens outward with fortified walls. You can

have a door constructed of wood or other material, although the key should be a material that is

very hard to break through. No matter what type of door you choose, the doorjamb should be steel,

to prevent the door from being kicked in.

It’s almost important that your safe room doesn’t contain any windows. Windows can provide

entry for burglars, which is something you obviously don’t want. You should also make sure that

you keep a phone in the room, along with water, first aid kits, food, and any type of defensive

weapons that you can get. It’s also a good idea to keep medical supplies in the safe room as well,

just in case you need them.

No matter how hard you may try, it’s impossible to predict how long you will be locked in your safe

room when an emergency happens. Therefore, you should always think about ventilation, lighting,

and even hygiene. Being locked in a room for several days or possibly even weeks can affect your

hygiene, which is why you should keep proper hygiene supplies in your room at all times.

The reason why most people invest in a safe room is burglars, as they present a real threat. No

matter where you live, or how nice the neighborhood may be, a burglary can happen at any given

time. When a burglary happens, the last thing you want to try to do is to reason with the burglars,

or attempt to cooperate with them.

When you have a safe room, you can take your family there. You should always make sure that

everyone in your family knows where the safe room is located and how to use it. If you have

children, you should teach them about the room and how important it is. The room should never be

used for recreation purposes or for children to play in. Instead, it should only be used in case of an

emergency or a place for you and your family to hide.

If you have a safe room or just interested in one, you should always make sure that you keep the

proper supplies on hand, just in case. When you finally do use the safe room, you should always

make sure that you keep the keys to open the room inside, so no one else can get in. While you are

in the room you can call the local authorities, and then wait inside your safe room until they get to

your house and the problem is solved. Never, under any circumstances should you come out of

your safe room before the police arrive. If a burglary is taking place, you will only make the

situation worse.



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Preventing Burglary with Adequate Lighting

As many already know, adequate lighting is a critical part of keeping your home safe. Even though

lighting is very important to home safety, a lot of homeowners don’t look at their lighting as being

an integral aspect of safety. No matter where you may live, you should always make sure that there

is plenty of lighting in place and that the lights are out of reach for those without a ladder.

The lighting that is around the doors of your home is very important, as most burglars like to focus

on doors before anything else. When it comes to the doors of your home, any lighting at all is better

than no lighting. If a burglar sees lights around your home, chances are he’ll move on. If the lights

are off however, the burglar will more than likely proceed as planned.

If you own a garage, you should always use an automatic garage opener. Once they have been

activated, most will automatically turn on the lights. Your carport is also important to safety. If you

are going to be away from home, you should always make sure that the leave the light on your

carport on. You can also use motion detected lights as well. When these lights detect any type of

movement, they will automatically turn on – which could easily startle a burglar.

For the exterior of your home, motion detected lights are the way to go. If you have a large

backyard, you should always make sure that you use motion detected lights. To be on the safe side,

you can always connect an alarm to the lights. This way if someone was to move through your yard,

the lights would sound the alarm. Burglars don’t like alarms and they will normally flee the instant

they hear an alarm sound.

If you are planning to use motion sensors in your front yard, you should make sure that you have

planned the locations carefully. People walking by the sensor or kids playing nearby can easily

trigger it. When you set the motion sensors up you should always make sure that you hook lights

up to them as well. This way, those in your family will know where the motion detectors are and

they can easily avoid them.

Having the right amount of lighting around your home will go a long way in keeping your family

safe. Burglars don’t like to be around light, which is why it is so very important. If you don’t have a

lot of lights around your home, you should do something about it. It doesn’t have to be anything

fancy – all you need is enough lighting to make sure that a burglar thinks twice about breaking into

your home.



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Spy Cameras and Home Protection

With crime on the rise, technology has led to a decrease in home security prices. Although many

devices have dropped in prices over the years, the spy camera is one of the most popular to

experience a decrease in price. What was once only dreamed about in movies such as James Bond

is now a reality that is very affordable.

The spy cameras of today are included with pin cameras, pens, and even cameras that are hidden in

a pair of sunglasses. Most kits cost a few hundred bucks and will come with sensors and remote

Internet access – complete with alarms. This way, you’ll have the chance to hook up your house

wide cameras to your main cable system and watch the spy camera from any screen in your house.

To watch the video though, you’ll need to have your television set to a specific channel.

Along with spy cameras there is also a variety of other devices that you can use to protect your

home and yourself such as motion sensors, alarms, trip wires, spy cameras, surveillance cameras,

finger print locks, digital locks, and many more. Almost everything is available at an affordable

price, unless you choose to have professional installation. Professional installation will cost a lot

more money, possibly even thousands of dollars if you have a big house.

If you aren’t familiar with the way spy cameras and other spy related security works, it may be in

your best interest to hire a professional. A professional can show you how to work the equipment

and answer any questions that you may have. Even though it will cost you a lot more than if you

were to do it yourself, it would be a lot better than messing something up. Spy cameras and

equipment can be very tricky – especially if you have no experience with home security.

The pin and sunglasses spy camera is among the most popular. These cameras may require

professional installation, as you’ll need to hook the wireless panel up to a monitor or your

computer. Depending on the type of spy camera that you are using, hooking everything up can be

anywhere from novice to professional level. Sunglasses can be great to use at home or anywhere

else you travel within distance, as the camera is completely undetectable to those who are standing

within your field of vision.

For protection around the home or anywhere else you travel, a spy camera can be a great

investment. These cameras are becoming more and more popular these days due to the drop in

price. Although they were very expensive when they were first introduced, those times have

changed. You can get a spy camera now for just a few hundred bucks – making it an investment you

can never go wrong with.



Page 14

The Best Ways to Prevent Burglary

These days, home burglary is one the rise. Over 70% of all crime these days relates to property

crimes, normally involving the home. Although police and local authorities are doing everything

they can to put a stop to crime, burglary is something that cannot be stopped. Even though there

are ways to protect yourself, burglars will always be lurking out there - waiting for their next

victim.

Even though there are ways to prevent unwanted entry to your home, a determined burglar will

always find a way to get in. Breaking and entering is his job, and most burglars are extremely good

at it. Statistics show that burglaries occur every 15 seconds. What that means, is that every 15

seconds there is someone out there getting robbed.

Over the years, home burglaries have received a lot of attention, some of which have even been on

the news. Although some burglars eventually get caught and arrested, most seem to disappear

without a trace. To protect yourself and your home, there are tactics such as security alarms,

burglar alarms, and even security cameras that you can use.

Property marking is a great way to protect you as well. Property marking involves marking

everything that you own with a signature or mark that you can easily identify once the property has

been recovered. You can use micro dots, UV pens, or even laser pens. The idea here is to mark your

property so it won’t be easy to sell on the black market. Even though it may sound weird, most

burglars do study their targets quite a bit before they decide to rob them.

One of the most effective forms of home security is the home security system. If a burglar tries to

rob your home and notices that you have a security system set up, he will normally start to get

second thoughts and eventually change his plans. On the other hand, if the burglar decides to go

ahead and rob a home with a surveillance system anyway, the system will normally catch him on

video, making it easy for the police to identify who he is. Home surveillance and security cameras

are great to have, and can either be wireless or wired, dummy or real, outdoor or indoor, or even a

combination of several.

Alarms are also a great way to prevent burglary. The police will tell you that home burglar alarms

prevent over 50% of attempted burglaries in the home. There are several types of burglar alarms,

from those that aren’t expensive to those that are monitored around the clock. Alarms will let

burglars know that robbing your home isn’t going to be easy, and those they should really give it a

second thought. Tried and true over the years, alarms have been proven to be very effective and

above all else - they work.

No matter what direction you decide to take, there are indeed ways that you can protect your home

from burglary. In the United States, home security systems have really become a big business.

Millions of home owners throughout the U.S. are investing in security and surveillance systems,

knowing that the day will come when they will come in very handy. Even though you may never be

robbed, there is always a chance. Burglaries can happen at any time, which is why you should

always be protected. If you think ahead and invest in a security system, you’ll be prepared for



Page 15

anything that happens. You have to think in terms of self-defense - and ensure that your home is

protected for anyone who decides to make you a target.



Page 16

The Cons of Home Intruder Alarms

Although home intruder alarms are thought of being an integral aspect of home security, research

has shown that these alarms aren’t difficult at all for professional burglars. The reason for this is

due to the fact that most homeowners tend to forget to set the alarm or fails to lock up the windows

and doors like they should. Although the technology behind home intruder alarms is great, the

technology can’t really do anything for you unless you use it properly.

Even though you may set your alarms when you leave, there is always that one chance that you may

forget. On that very day that you forget a burglar can easily cash in on your mistake and break into

your home. Most professional burglars are very familiar with home intruder alarms and know

exactly how to deal with them. Even though you may have the most expensive alarm on the market

today, it won’t be able to do anything if you forget to program it.

Almost all home intruder alarms need to have the windows and doors properly shut before they are

activated. When you enter or leave your home, you’ll need to enter a password into the control

panel to activate or deactivate the alarm. If you arrive home and forget to deactivate the system, it

could go off on you. This can be very embarrassing, especially if the alarm sounds and the police

show up – only to find that you are trying to “break in” to your own home!

Most burglars out there can rob a home in as little as 15 minutes. Although some burglars choose

to work with others, most prefer to work along. The experienced burglars almost always do their

research first, and go from there. A professional burglar will never enter a home he isn’t familiar

with, for the simple fact that he could get caught. Instead, he will spend a lot of time studying the

home and the family. If there is a home intruder alarm present, the burglar will watch from the

shadows until he has learned how the system works. Once he sees that you have failed to input

your password or activate the system, he will make his move. Once the burglar is inside the house

and the alarm is off – he can be nearly impossible to catch.

If the alarm is set and the burglar happens to trip it, he will immediately flee from the area and

move on to a different home. Home intruder alarms can be very loud, with most contacting the

police or other law enforcement agency the second they notice a break in. Even though they may

have their faults – home intruder alarms are still great to use with home security as long as you

remember to activate them before you leave your house.



Page 17

Theft Proofing Your Mailbox

Although most people only think about their home and property when dealing with home security,

the mailbox is equally as important. On a daily basis, there is a lot of personal information that goes

through your mailbox. Even though burglary is a concern, identity theft is just as big of a concern as

well. Most people don’t even think about theft proofing their mailboxes, which easily explains the

increase in identity theft over the years. Almost all mailboxes can be easily broken into, giving

thieves instant access to personal information.

Even though there are many mailbox designs in the United States, most of them are outdated in

terms of security. They may perform their duties of receiving mail quite well, although they

normally don’t offer the security needed to protect people from identity theft. These days, identity

theft is a common thing – simply because people don’t do a better job with protecting their mailbox.

Each and every day we all get personal information delivered to us by mail. In some cases, we get

credit card offers or bills that contain our personal information. Although we don’t think anything

about it, most of us head out to our mailbox, collect the mail, and then go back in our houses. All it

takes is a thief to beat you to the mailbox, just a couple of minutes. Once the thief has collected a

few pieces of your mail, he can easily use your personal information to charge credit cards and

other bad things using your identity.

To protect yourself against identity theft you should always include your mailbox in your plans for

home security. The mailbox is very important, and should always be protected. If you have a

traditional mailbox now, you should get rid of it immediately. As a replacement, you should look

into a safe and secure mailbox. The ideal types are those made of solid steel. The top of the box

should be accessible to the mailman, allowing him to put the mail in without a problem. The

bottom side of the mailbox however, should only be accessed via key. Mailboxes that require a key

to get into will protect you from identity theft – as the thief simply won’t have access to your mail.

You can find secure mailboxes at a local hardware or department store, even online. There are very

affordable these days and will go a long way in protecting you for identity theft. Mailboxes that are

constructed from solid steel are nearly impossible to break into, yet they will open easily for you to

check your mail with the lock and key system. The next time you go out to the mailbox to check

your mail – you should think twice about your safety and theft proof your mailbox to protect

yourself and your loved ones from identity theft.



Page 18

The Internet and Home Surveillance

In the past, many have often wondered how they can keep check on things at home while they were

on a trip or vacation – hundreds of thousands of miles away. These days however, keeping tabs on

your home while you’re away is quite possible. With the Internet and today’s technology – you can

keep watch on your home no matter how far away you may be.

Although the technology may sound a bit out there at first, this day and age it certainly isn’t out of

reach. The hardware used for surveillance is inexpensive these days, and ready to use all over the

world. All it takes is someone with a bit of common sense and the curiosity to try new and exciting

technology.

To use these types of equipment, you’ll need a reliable connection the Internet. The Internet is the

heart and soul of distance surveillance equipment, enabling you to keep a check on your home from

hundreds of thousands of miles away. If you are planning to invest in an Internet powered

surveillance system, you should first make sure that you can get a high speed Internet connection to

your home. Dial-up isn’t recommended, as the speeds are far too slow to broadcast video.

There are two solutions that you can choose from, each one varying in features and complexity.

The first solution utilizes a personal computer. Several home surveillance cameras are connected

together to a system that will survey their areas and record what they see at either a set rate per

second, or going by movement they detect. Depending on the system you get, you may or may not

be able to adjust these settings.

The computer will play back the video via the monitor, and record the video to the HDD, or hard

disk drive. You’ll need to connect the computer to the Internet through an ISP (Internet Service

Provider), in order to watch the video from a distance. To watch the video while you are away from

home you will need to log into the computer with a unique username and password. You can log in

at any time, and to operate the computer or watch the video images that the computer surveillance

system has recorded.

The other solution you have available is much easier. Normally, this solution is used to check on a

home through a single surveillance camera. Setting things up this way will allow you to use a single

camera through your IP (Internet Protocol) address. By setting it up through your IP, all you need

to do is check on things is to link directly to your IP. Once you have brought up your IP address, you

can see live views through the camera. This method works similar to a webcam, in the sense that it

streams video around the clock.

No matter which solution you choose, both are somewhat easy to use. Of course the second

solution is much easier to use and setup, although it does have its downsides as well. Both have

great things to offer you as well, including the ability to log in at any time. You can check video any

time you wish, even chance your preferences based on what you need.

Anytime you need to monitor your home from far away, home surveillance and the Internet is all

you need. The Internet is a common commodity these days, capable of doing far more than anyone



Page 19

ever thought possible. By investing in a surveillance system that utilizes the Internet – you’ll be

able to keep a watchful eye on your home from wherever the road takes you.



Page 20

Vacations and Home Security

Nothing is more stressful, disappointing, or downright sickening than returning home from a hard

earned vacation – only to find that your home had been robbed. Burglary is a common thing these

days, with burglary around the home occurring quite frequently. When you go on a vacation, you

shouldn’t have to worry about the condition of your home and your things. Your vacation should be

relaxing, without having to worry about anything. If you plan ahead before you go on your vacation

– you can help to minimize the risks of anything going wrong.

One way to fend off burglars is by hiring a house sitter. A house sitter is one of the best ways to get

rid of any type of trouble as well. All you need to do is find someone who will swing by your house

a few times a day, check on things, and turn the lights on at night. If you have animals at your

house, you may want to hire a house sitter to care for your animals as well as your home. In most

cases, peace of mind is worth any price. If you decide to hire a house sitter, you should always

make sure that you choose someone reliable who you can trust while you are away.

In the event that you are unable to get a house sitter, you should strive to make it appear as if

someone is living in your home. To be on the safe side, you can have a neighbor whom you trust

keep an eye on your home. Whoever you choose to watch your property should have a number to

contact you with in case something goes wrong.

You can buy various timers and such that will make it appear as if people are in your home. Radio

timers and light timers can go a long way in making criminals believe someone is at your house.

You’ll also want to consider your lawn before you leave as well. If the grass is too high, people will

wonder if anyone is home. You should always cut it before you leave, and have someone else cut it

for you if you are going to be gone for more than a week.

You’ll also want someone to pick up your mail as well. If the mail starts to pile up in your box,

criminals will know that you aren’t home. Even though you may not be on vacation for long, you

should always make sure that your door is locked and that you leave the spare key with someone

whom you trust who can keep an eye on things for you.

When that individual comes by your home to check on things, they should be sure to turn the lights

and television on in the evening. You should also make sure that your trusted person knows to

check on the interior of your home, and look for anything out of the ordinary. If something is

wrong, that person shouldn’t hesitate to contact the police. A broken widow, door, or furniture out

of place is the first sign that something is wrong.

Vacations are something we all need to take. Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, with

no worries about anything else. If you take the necessary steps before you leave, you shouldn’t

have anything to worry about. Whether it’s a friend or family member stopping by to check on

things or a house sitter that you’ve hired – peace of mind goes a long way in helping you make the

most of your very important vacation.



Page 21

Wireless Alarms for Your Driveway

Those of you who want to protect your home from possible annoyances and intrusions, never miss

out on a home delivery, or always be aware of someone coming up your driveway - should invest in

a wireless driveway alarm. There are a variety of different styles, with each one offering you a truly

unique and innovative way to keep up with what’s going on around your property.

You can get either wireless or handheld models, which vary in detection ranges, from the average

1,000 feet for small driveways to the larger driveways which span 2 miles or more. Some models

will warn you of visitors with tones, while others use prerecorded messages. The more advanced

models on the other hand, well you communicate with visitors through the use of an intercom

system, which you install at the end of your driveway.

All types of wireless driveway alarms feature a receiver and a transmitter. Any presence in your

driveway is detected by the transmitter, normally through infrared equipment, which notifies you

through the receiver. Most models will allow you to speak through the receiver, transmitting your

voice through the transmitter. If a solicitor or burglary is trying to visit your home, your voice is

normally all it takes to turn them around in the other direction.

Even though the technical name is “wireless driveway alarm”, there are several uses for this

technology. You can install the equipment in your yard, out of plain view, or even use the system as

an intercom for anyone who pulls up to your gate. You can also install the system on your roof, or

just use it strategically around your property. There are several uses for wireless systems, although

the intention is to alert you when there is any type of human presence or movement on your

property.

When you set up your wireless driveway system, you should always place it somewhere where it

isn’t easy to see. You don’t want someone who visits your property to have plain view of your

equipment, as it can easily give you away. Instead, you want to make sure that you are alert of any

visitors, yet they aren’t aware that you are using any type of alarms.

Depending on how much money you have to spend, the systems that you can choose from will vary.

There are simple wireless driveway alarms out there, yet there are also systems that can do just

about anything you want. If you live in a suburban area, you may want to go with a standard

wireless alarm. Standard alarms are best for this type of neighborhood, as they are easy to install

and will immediately alert you whenever there is presence on your property. Another great thing

about these types of systems is the fact that you can act immediately without having to physically

be in touch with the receiver.

All in all, wireless driveway alarms are a great security measure for anyone who owns a home and

wants to protect themselves from unwanted visitors. You can get a slew of features as well,

depending on the type of alarm that you select. You can install most alarms yourself, although the

more advanced models will require professional installation. The self-installation types will come

with instructions as well, so you won’t encounter any problems. Even if you’ve never used them

before - wireless driveway alarms are a great investment that will alert you anytime someone

decides to visit your property.



Page 22

Wireless Security Systems

With crime on the rise, home security systems are a must have. With burglars becoming more and

more common, you simply must protect your loved ones as well as your possessions. There are

several different types of security systems available for you to choose from. For your home, there

are wired and wireless security systems available. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages,

along with the differences in price as well.

The driving technology found with both wired and wireless security systems are quite different.

Wireless security systems don’t need to be wired through the house; they will instead send transfer

messages to the control panel through radio signals. When they were first introduced, wireless

security systems were proved to be unreliable when compared to the wired systems. As time went

by and more and more people looked into them, wireless systems began to take form.

When compared to wired systems, wireless security systems are a lot easier and more convenient

to install due to the fact of there being no wires. Wireless systems can save you a lot of money,

time, and effort due to there being no ripping of the floors or walls in your home. Wireless systems

on the other hand are more expensive than wired systems and you’ll need to replace their batteries

on a periodic basis. The primary advantage to wireless security systems is the fact that they are

easy to relocate, meaning that you can easily shift them from one home to another.

Wireless security systems use the same components as other security systems such as the

touchpad, control panel, cameras, detectors, and alarms. Wireless systems rely on radio

frequencies that are transmitted by the door contacts, windows, and motion activated sensors. The

touch pads that are located at the entrances to the home will provide activation and deactivation of

the system. In the event of the power failing, a backup system will take over the wireless system

and continue to provide security for your home.

To use a wireless system, all you need to do is input the code through the control panel. Normally,

this is done prior to entering and leaving your home. Once the code is input into the control panel,

the control panel will send remote signals to the rest of the system that will activate the alarms.

Depending on the system you have, an alarm will go off either by motion detection or a window or

door being opened.

If you look around you can find several different wireless security systems, many of which you can

install yourself. Before you buy a system though, you should always consult a professional who can

survey your home and suggest the equipment you need. Even though it may cost a bit more money,

it will be more than worth it down the road.


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Alarms to Alert You