Home Security

The bad news is that crime statistics, death, injuries, home intrusions, and loss of property continue to rise. It is hard to believe, but according to FBI statistics a burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States.

The good news is that there has never been a time when such a variety of quality security equipment has been available, and at such affordable prices.

When talking about home security equipment, one size does not fit all. Security equipment must be tailored to meet the particular needs of each house or company. One may need entry detection, while another needs camera surveillance, and another may need motion-detection floodlights. Let's explore some available choices.

Home Security Systems - Many articles have been written on this subject and the basics are probably known by most readers. Systems are either wired or wireless, just as the names imply. For a renter, a wireless system is the logical choice, as the installation does little if any damage to the premises. And, the system can be taken when the renter moves. Wired is the system of choice in an owned residence, but it has its pros and cons. Because wires are run from every protected point to the alarm control panel, holes must be drilled and wires fastened. However, when installation of a wired system is performed by a professional company, the work is done with care and is mostly concealed.

Labor is the main contributor to the high cost of a wired system. At today's labor rates, several technicians working in your house for a week can run up quite a bill. A money saving tip here is to do-it-yourself. If you have the basic knowledge to fix a lamp cord, you can read the wiring diagrams and install a wired system at a budget cost. Your car, motorcycle, camper, or boat on trailer, can also be connected to the security system. Many types of motion detectors are available, some even "pet friendly". Regardless of wired or wireless, ultimately either system can sound a local alarm, connect to a monitoring station, call your mobile phone, or be custom tailored to meet the exact needs of the user.

Surveillance Cameras - Like home security systems, cameras come in two types, wired or wireless. When the door bell rings, it is comforting to see who is standing at the front door. Now, even low cost systems can view multiple points, and display all cameras on just one split-screen monitor. Camera products change rapidly, offering more and more features at lower and lower prices. One of the best recent offerings is an outdoor motion-activated floodlight and color camera combination. It does not get any better than that! Disturbing statistics show that we cannot always trust persons in our house, like the baby-sitter or a serviceman. A wireless hidden camera provides an ideal solution for this case. It is, in fact, one of the most popular home security items. Other uses for an indoor camera include keeping watch on your prized possessions, and of course keeping watch over your baby.

Home Automation - Here is an area of products you will want to look at while security shopping. The evolution of security products has blended into a new category of home automation products. We have traveled well beyond the wireless garage door opener. Your home computer can now be used to control appliances, lighting, cameras, store camera video files, check on your home, turn on and off your security lighting and even your sprinkler system!
 

One of the most popular trends in home security today is the installation of wireless alarm systems. Before you jump on the bandwagon, though, you should know a little more about how these systems work as well as the benefits (and drawbacks) to this technology. Let's start off by examining the two forms of wireless alarm system.

There are two dominant types of wireless home security systems on the market today: self installed systems and professionally installed systems. Both offer wireless benefits, but they are very different, as well. Self installed systems are usually very simple to install, though they are limited in their application as well as their usefulness to consumers. This is because they are not monitored and have no ability to alert police, fire or emergency authorities. A professionally installed system comes with dedicated monitoring capabilities (read that as 24-7) as well as the means to alert the right authorities (through the monitoring company).

Now that we know that a professionally installed system is the best option for comprehensive protection, let's move on to other aspects. The installation itself is not completely wireless. While all the sensors are wireless, the control unit(s) are not. These need to be wired into the home for several reasons, including being wired into your phone line. This is how the system communicates with the monitoring station. Some new systems offer wireless communication through your ISP, as well. Regardless, the installation of the control units is minimally invasive for your home.

A wireless home alarm communicates or sends signals to the control unit through RF signals (radio frequency). Some systems have been designed to use infrared beams, as well. When the system is armed, the detectors monitor the surrounding area for motion (actually registers as a temperature difference) and send the signal to the control unit. The control unit then sends a signal to the monitoring company and sets off the alarm. When the monitoring company receives the signal from the alarm system, they will contact the homeowner to ascertain the situation.

In addition, there are quite a few accessories or add-ons that can be included with this type of home alarm system. If there are elderly family members in the home, young children or anyone with health problems, you can include panic buttons that will alert the monitoring company and medical response authorities. Carbon monoxide detectors are another popular option, as are water monitoring sensors for areas in a home that are susceptible to flooding. There are numerous other aspects that can be added, as well, such as wireless video cameras and wireless arm/disarm devices that can be carried on your key ring for better security options.