Is it just me, or do we spend more time worrying about the safety of our computers these days than the safety of our own homes? You’ve got firewalls and virus protection for your CPU, but have you changed your door locks since you moved into your house? Do you have ladders, tools, and other things lying around your yard that a burglar could use to break a window and access your home? Do you have an alarm system you never arm? Windows you leave open? Doors left unlocked? When was the last time you walked around your house and, thinking like a burglar, considered just how easy it would be to break in? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Let’s take a look at some smart security tips that can help make your home safer for you and your family. And guess what? Most of them are easier to implement than the security software loaded on your computer.
First off, remember that in general burglars will avoid occupied houses. That doesn’t mean your family is always safe when they’re home, however. There always exceptions to the rule, and you shouldn’t assume that nothing can ever happen just because someone is there. If a burglar breaks in while you’re not there, your belongings are at risk. If a burglar breaks in when your family is home, your family is at risk as well.
Now that I’ve got you thinking, let’s look at some measures you can follow in order to minimize the risk of being targeted.
Keys: Don’t hand out keys to friends, even if they’re trustworthy. Make sure you know the location of all your house keys all the time. Never use hide-a-keys or leave the key under the doormat, above the door, in a flowerpot, or anywhere outside the house. You may think you’re being clever, but guess what? Burglars know all the tricks. It’s their job to (however despicable). Also, it’s a good idea to keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.
Don’t let strangers in the house: Adults have no problem telling this rule to their kids, but they don’t realize it should apply to them too! Home security means being cautious. Even before you open the front door to accept a package, you should ask for photo identification. This goes for anyone you don’t recognize. Don’t assume someone is “legit” just because they are wearing a uniform or driving some company’s truck (these things can be stolen). If somebody comes to your door and asks to make a phone call, offer to make it for them, but don’t let them some inside. If someone looks like they’re injured, call 911, but don’t open the door. When you walk away to make that call, lock the door behind you; you don’t want to leave the door unlocked and unmanned. A chain on the door helps insure people can’t force their way in while you’re home.
Locks: Keep your doors and windows locked, even if you’re at home. Get your children into this habit, too. It’s too easy to forget an open window when you leave the house, and that provides an easy way in for burglars. Don’t assume a second story window is out of reach for a thief. They’re good at finding ways in.
Don’t be predictable: If you always leave home at the same time every day and return at the same time, thieves can easily memorize your routine to take advantage of the times you’re not at home. Work is work, and you probably can’t change those hours, but if you always go to a class or the grocery store at the same time, try to make yourself less predictable. You can also consider automatic timers for your lights and electronics, to make it seem when someone is home, even when they’re not. Read More…
One very important decision that homeowners have to make regarding home security products is whether they opt for wireless or hardwired home security products. Obviously both wireless and hard wired home security products have their advantages and disadvantages. The decision to choose one type of home security products over the other is largely a matter of personal preference. This article will outline the advantage and disadvantage of these home security products and allow the reader to draw their own conclusion.
Wireless home security products certainly have their own advantages and disadvantages. For many the major advantage of wireless home security products is that the systems are easy and inexpensive to install. Home security products that do not require wires are so simple to install because you do not have to worry about installing complicated wiring into the walls. Another advantage of wireless home security products is that they can be easily moved from one location to another in the home. They can even be taken with you if you move to a new location. Finally another advantage is that wireless home products can be installed in locations where there is no access to a power supply because they have their own internal battery. Wireless home security products do have their disadvantages as well. One of these disadvantages is that wireless products often have design limitations that prevent these products from being placed too far from the central control panel. Another disadvantage is that wireless products require frequent battery changes.
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CCTV Cameras are among the most effective ways to reduce crime in your business or home, and there are a number of places to purchase CCTV equipment, even if you’re on a budget. Here are some things to look for when you’re shopping for CCTV cameras that will help you save time and money, as well as help you to better to protect your property.
First of all, you need to choose a CCTV camera that has both a wide range and a quality lens, so that you can see what’s going on no matter which part of the property you’re on, and you’ll be able to spot any suspicious people or activity right away.
Next, make sure that your CCTV camera is compact and is easily rotated. This way, the camera is not easily seen by intruders or customers, and the ability for the camera to rotate quickly and effectively will give you a total view of who comes in and out of your business or home. The Voltek Wireless CCTV camera is a great choice for this reason, and we also offer a number of great new product to compliment this camera.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that the CCTV equipment you purchase works well with the way that your property is set up in terms of how many enclosed walkways there are, whether or not there are open spaces throughout the office space or home, and how many rooms are usually occupied on the property. This will help you to determine how large of a camera you should purchase, and you may also want to purchase wireless CCTV equipment to eliminate the look of cables and plugs across the walls of your property.
Other equipment you’ll want to purchase in addition to the actual CCTV camera include a sign that you can post in front of your door or window on your property, which will let both potential criminals and customers know that the property is under surveillance. You’ll also want to make sure that you have a CCTV monitor that is hooked up to the camera, so that you can make sure that your property is safe, no matter where you are in your home or office. The monitors are available in both color and black and white, so you have the option of purchasing the monitors that are most affordable for you. If you’re just starting your business, or are switching alarm systems or moving into a new home or business building, you may also want to look into purchasing a dummy camera for a short period of time. The dummy cameras look very realistic, and you can use it to give the illusion of security on your property until you install a new CCTV camera. You may also want to look into the audio cameras we have to offer, such as the new Wireless Microcam Audio CCTV camera, so that you can hear what’s going on in your property as well as see it.
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The vast array of home security products available on the market today can be dizzying. Home security products can be wireless or hard wired, optional or required or simple or complex. Determining which home security products you need can be difficult enough and it becomes more complicated when you have to choose between the assortment of models that are available for each product. Wading through all of the available information can be overwhelming. For this reason choosing only the most basic home security products can greatly simplify the process. The control panel, keypad, access control sensors and an audible or visible alarm are some of the basic home security products that are used in just about every home security system.
The control panel is one of the most important home security products available. This is the heart of any security system. All of the wiring for the other home security products meets at the control panel and the entire system is tied together at this location. Without this valuable component, the security system would not function properly.
The keypad is another of many home security products that exists in just about every security system. The keypad is where the homeowner interacts with the system. The system can be activated and deactivated at this location. The keypad is also where the system displays messages for the homeowners. If there has been a breach of security while you were away or if one of your home security products is malfunctioning, the keypad will display these important messages for you. The other purpose that the keypad plays is to display the current status of the system.
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12 Jun 2011
