Lower Your Insurance Premiums With Home Security Systems
Dec 9th
Did you know that home insurance companies smile favorably upon home owners with home security systems? It’s true. It only makes practical sense because it equates to lowering the number of claims they need to process. It also means you are in line for discounts on your home insurance premiums. Of course each insurance company will have its own set of guidelines for what makes you less of a risk.
Insurance Companies Have Specific Expectations
Your insurance company may require that you have deadbolts on all your doors and windows, reinforcement on the entry points into your home and a burglar alarm system. Some even give you credit for participating in a Neighborhood Watch Program.
Having a security company that actively monitors your premises is a huge plus. For the insurance company it means your risk of being robbed is greatly reduces. Most burglars shy away from homes with alarms because they don’t like to be detected when they are stealing your valuables. They also know the sound of an alarm means the local authorities will be on the scene momentarily. Your entire family is less at risk because of fire and smoke detectors and motion sensors that come with the home security system.
You can end up saving up so much money on your insurance that your protective services are covered. Some companies offer a premium discount as high as 20%. It means that you may only pay $5 – $15 a month for insurance that is normally $30 – $40 a month. Imagine if you could insure your family and the contents of your home for only $5 a month.
Are You Eligible for Home Insurance Premium Discounts?
Ask your insurance agent about the discounts available for using security services. You deserve to have the benefit of lower insurance premiums and security equipment that scares off potential intruders from targeting your home. Your family is definitely worth it!
Home Security For The Holidays
Dec 9th
This is the time of the year when we are bustling around getting ready for the holidays and home security may not be foremost in our thoughts. We tend to be out a lot more than usual doing holiday shopping and attending get-togethers and parties. It’s simply a busy time and burglars are opportunists – they will gladly take advantage of the fact you are preoccupied with other things and break into your home when you least expect it.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings When Holiday Shopping
The entire break and enter criminal element that resides in your city is well aware that you are spending a lot of money on expensive items you intend to give as gifts. When you are out shopping be sure to park your car in a well-lit public parking facility away from shadows and trees or bushes where thieves can hide. Remember to lock your car when you leave it. Never stacks boxes and bags with your purchases in the back seat where they can be seen by passersby. This is too much of a temptation so keep them hidden in your locked trunk.
When you get home with your purchases put them away in a hidden location. It’s not so much about keeping them a surprise as making it more of a challenge for unwanted intruders looking for free gifts. Do not leave them sitting out in the open or in front of windows. Beware of unloading your vehicle, especially if you get home after dark. Make sure the exterior of your home is well-lit and keep your eyes open for suspicious characters lurking around the neighborhood.
Give Yourself the Gift of Peace of Mind
If you plan to be out for any length of time at a holiday gathering lock all your windows and doors. Arm your home security system as you leave. If you don’t have a security system, this is a perfect time to purchase one. Place your order before the gift opening happens – this is another high risk time for neighborhoods. Burglars can’t wait to break in at the peak of the holidays because they know your home is filled with items they can exchange for cash.
34 DIY Burglar Prevention Tips
Dec 2nd
A lot of people just want to “do it yourself” no matter what the undertaking is. For you independents and engineers out there, here are some websites to help you secure your home all by yourself!
Informative:
Burglar Alarm Wiki – Wikipedia should always be the first place you look.
How Burglar Alarms Work – from howstuffworks.com, they describe how burglar alarms work.
How Lock Picking Works – another information howstuffworks.com article on lock picking.
How do motion sensing lights and burglar alarms work? – It isn’t magic, there is some science there.
How Safecracking Works – Ocean’s 11 and Mission Impossible comes to mind.
How-to Guides:
How to Discourage Burglars – guide on how to make your house less likely to be burglarized.
How to Install a Lockset – if you buy a new door, you need to add a lock to it.
How to Install a Home Security System – a how-to guide on installer certain DIY home security kits.
How to Use a Driveway Monitor Alarm – know when someone is lurking around your driveway.
How to Protect your Home with a Heat Detector – DIY heat detector sensor installation.
Build Stuff Yourself:
Protect Your Home with Laserbeams – video on diy laser beam alarm.
Super loud security alarm – instructions for building a motion detecting alarm that speaks to you.
Passive switch alarm system – guide for improving a magnetic alarm on your front door.
Home Built DIY Home Security Alarm System – a fully functional diy security system.
How to make an All in One Detector – it detects smoke, heat, and intrusion.
15 minutes SMS door entry alarm – build a cheap alarm that notifies you using text messages.
Designing a Home Security System – enough said.
Increase a Home’s Security – step by step guide with 3 in-depth parts.
Install a Security Light – install a motion-sensing security light.
Security Forums:
diysecurityforum.com – diy forum.
diyalarmforum.com – another diy security forum.
forums.securityinfowatch.com – for security professionals, in all walks of life.
forum.safemart.com – community on a website that sells wireless security systems.
Home Defense:
Choose a Firearm for Personal or Home Defense – many people buy guns to feel safer.
The Best Guns for Home Defense – a guide for choosing a weapon to use for home defense.
Defense of Home – a very American page on home defense.
Shotgun recommendations – blog post for beginner shotgun help.
Home Defense Shotgun – review of one of many home defense shotguns.
Bushmaster Home Defense – top gun manufacturer can’t be wrong, now that’s intimidating!
Ultimate Home Defense Loads – Remington provides you with rounds specifically for home defense.
Self-Defense:
Self-Defense Blog – on martial arts and defending yourself.
Self-defense Sense – Self-defense and security in an unsafe world.
No Nonsense Self Defense – lots of good info on self defense here.
Women’s self defense – that’s all folks!
The Real Truth About Teen Violence And Home Security Systems
Nov 3rd
We tend to think of home security systems as a series of electronic gadgets that protect our property and possessions from being stolen or vandalized. In fact, the essential goal behind home protection is keeping you and the people you care about the most from being harmed. In this regard a security system entails all the preventative measures needed to keep your loved ones safe. With teen violence being at an all time high, it is imperative that you talk to your children about the warning signs that may eventually lead to putting them at risk. Although it may be difficult for your children to admit, the kids they “hang” with may not have the best influence.
- Young people with violent, abusive parents can develop the same character traits.
- Teens involved in street gangs are very likely to be violent.
- Youth with drug problems can demonstrate violent behavior.
- Young people suffering from emotional problems and depression can become violent.
How Do I Know What to Watch For?
It makes no difference if you are going out on a first date with someone you just met or if you are spending time with a person you have known for a long time, you could be at risk. If the person you are with starts treating you with disrespect, putting you down or humiliating you, these are signs violence may be just around the corner. If they threaten you, make you feel afraid, attempt to control your activities, force you to do things you don’t want to do, control who your friends are, shove or hit you, then you need to pay attention. You may find yourself trying to draw back from the relationship with that person but they threaten you and refuse to accept a break up. Get help. Ask a parent or a trusted adult to intervene.
Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Violence
Parents – be proactive by getting an education about teen violence and talking to your children about the problem. Monitoring your own behavior and refraining from violence in your home sends a strong message to your children that it is not acceptable. Paying attention to your teen’s activities and establishing rules with consequences makes a difference. Teach your children how to recognize the danger signs and how to take charge of the situation. Family safety is the most crucial element in home security systems.
The Top Home Security Gadget For Carbon Monoxide Detection
Nov 3rd
Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the “Silent Killer” in the U.S. because it is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths. What is most frightening about this murderous gas is the fact that it can lead to brain damage and death but it can’t be seen, tasted or smelled while it is harming you. The Centers for Disease Control report that around 500 people die each year. The best home security gadget for detecting this gas is a carbon monoxide sensor that sounds an alarm when it is present.
You will be surprised at the number of household appliances and other items you own or use that produce CO. Propane stoves and heaters, gas water heaters, charcoal grills, cigarette smoke, kerosene space heaters, solvents, spray paints, paint remover, degreasers and your car engine are just a few. Operating any of these in an enclosed space without sufficient ventilation will cause problems.
At first when you are being affected by CO you will not realize it and may attribute it to other causes. It gives you the same symptoms as the flu – nausea, headaches and fatigue. Eventually it progresses to dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain. When it gets really bad you will experience depression, confusion, impaired judgment, changes in your vision, hallucinations, vomiting, abdominal pain, fainting, seizures, agitation, memory loss and trouble standing and walking.
If you suspect you have carbon monoxide poisoning you should head right to an emergency room. You will need to have a blood test to know for certain. It can affect your pets too. If CO poisoning is confirmed you will need medical attention – there are no home remedied that can resolve the symptoms. You need to be treated with pure oxygen. The hospital staff will monitor your blood for the level of CO it contains until it is reduced enough for you to be released. You may need to be treated with very high levels of oxygen inside a hyperbaric chamber.
Make sure you remove the source of the CO inside your home and get plenty of fresh air moving through your rooms. If you are unsure of the source contact your local fire department and request assistance. The best prevention is having your home security company install carbon monoxide sensors on every floor of your home, including the garage. If the alarm goes off, you and your family need to evacuate immediately.
How To Use Home Security Systems Against Violent Crime
Oct 23rd
We hear stories in the media every day about innocent citizens that have been assaulted in some way, mugged, robbed or raped. It is very frightening when this happens so you need to take care never to put yourself at risk when you are out in public. The same warning applies to the times when you are at home. The fact is that many violent crimes take place right where a person lives because the perpetrator followed them home. Home security systems are designed to keep the people inside a home safe, as well as preventing their valuable possessions stolen or vandalized. The following tips will help you get home safely when you suspect you may be in danger:
- If you are out in public and think you are being followed, don’t run home. Go into a public place such as a store or restaurant and call the police. Do not let a potential assailant know where you live.
- If you must go out early in the morning or late at night to walk or jog, take someone with you and stay along populated and well-lit pathways. Arm your security system before you leave.
- Do not flash money, credit cards or any expensive electronics or jewelry in public, even if you are at a private party. Be discreet – you never know who is watching you.
- If you must withdraw cash from an ATM, keep your car parked nearby with the doors locked. Return to your car immediately after getting the cash and lock the door when you get in. Don’t open the windows until you are safely out of the parking lot.
- Do not ever allow a stranger to get inside your car with you. If they force their way into your car, get out immediately and leave the area to call the police. Endangering your life to save your vehicle is not worth the risk.
- Keep your car locked at all times, even at home in your driveway. When you are in public, park in well-lighted areas close to people and activities with good visibility. Have you car keys out in advance when returning to the car.
- Upon returning home, have your house keys out as you approach your door. Do not worry about triggering your home security system if you must enter quickly because you suspect you are being followed. This is not a false alarm. Call the police.
- If you are attacked, hand over your valuables no matter how frightened or angry you are. Nothing you own is worth risking your life. Note the details of your assailant so you can give the police an accurate description.
Home Security Thwarts Graffiti Vandalism
Oct 23rd
One of the most costly expenses in a municipal budget is the fight against vandalism. According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Justice it represents 35% of the total types of property vandalism and is the most common. In 2006 a total of $17.5 million was spent by the cities of Phoenix, San Jose, Las Vegas and Chicago to clean up graffiti. Stepping up home security measures is an effective way to help prevent the incidents of graffiti vandalism. By demonstrating an attitude that you care about what happens to your home and neighborhood discourages graffiti artists from targeting the area where you live.
If you discover your home has been decorated with graffiti the best action you can take is to remove it as quickly as possible. Graffiti artists get a kick from the publicity that can follow an attack so don’t draw media attention to it. Call the local police department and let them know about it. Removing it right away typically results in a zero rate of recurrence.
Do your part to keep your neighborhood looking good. Organize the people on the street where you live to pick up trash, mend broken structures and fences and maintain the landscaping even on vacant properties. The LA police say vandals most frequently target areas that are unkempt and where it appears nobody cares about it. Keeping your own home in good repair, mowing your grass and trimming your trees shows that you care about the appearance of your property and you will not tolerate graffiti vandalism.
Ask your local police department if there are existing anti-graffiti laws you can help to enforce. Doing your part to ensure vandals are apprehended is a strong deterrent to the graffiti culture as a whole. The top reason given by these vandals after being arrested when asked what would get them to stop committing the crime was their fear of getting caught. Installing home security video surveillance cameras is another highly effective deterrent. Although graffiti artists enjoy the publicity from the destruction they create, they are threatened by the idea of being identified and charged with the crime.
Home Security Systems Join In The War Against Vandals
Oct 23rd
Here’s a bit of trivia you probably did not know – the word “vandalism” is derived from the word “Vandals” and this was a tribe from East Germany in the 5th century that entered into the Roman Empire. They are best remembered for bringing Rome to her knees in 455. The Vandals were not in essence more destructive than other warring tribes, but due to the fact that Rome was held in such high esteem by other European cultures, this tribe became associated with wanton, senseless destruction and those seeking to destroy beautiful objects and works that had been created with great labor and were treated with veneration.
In current times acts of vandalism describe any sort of criminally inflicted damages, defacement of respected property such as through graffiti and the erection of strongly distasteful eyesores. There is an element of contempt on the part of the perpetrators for society and members of such. Home security systems have been developed in the effort to support the authorities in thwarting the angry efforts of vandals to wreak havoc and destruction. Although certain sectors of the population view acts of vandalism as artistic expressions it is hurtful to others when done illegally and without permission.
Vandals can be motivated by any number of reasons:
- Anger or disgruntlement with a targeted victim
- General anger with their culture
- Jealousy or desire to retaliate
- Revenge
- Spontaneous acts of rage
- Peer acceptance as is common in gang cultures
If a vandal trespasses on your property or forces entry into your home you may discover nothing has been stolen but that your property has been severely damaged or destroyed. You could return home or wake up to find your walls and works of art have been spray painted, your furniture has been slashed with a knife, rooms have been flooded, appliances have been smashed, your home has been set on fire and so on.
There is no real way to know if a vandal or gang of vandals will decide they want to target your home, so the best thing you can do to protect your home and property is to be proactive about it. A home security system is the ultimate method to discourage unwanted intruders like this, since they have no desire to get caught in the act.