Home Security System are used throughout the United States, people know what Burglar alarms are and what they are used for. Nevertheless they may not know how they operate. Let?s see how this protection system works in detail. The Circuit Home Security Systems are a simple electric circuit. To open or close a light, you simply throw a switch. In a burglar alarm it?s the same except the switch detects the movements of the intruder such as the opening a door or window. Two categories In a closed-circuit system, the electric circuit is closed when the door is shut. This means that as long as the door is closed, electricity can flow from one end of the circuit to the other.

But if somebody opens the door, the circuit is opened, and electricity can’t flow. This triggers an alarm. In an open-circuit system, opening the door closes the circuit, so electricity begins to flow. Also in this system, The Alarm is triggered when the circuit is completed. Magnetic sensor A magnetic sensor in a closed circuit consists of a few simple components. – a battery powering a circuit – a spring-driven metal switch built into a door frame – a magnet embedded in the door, lined up with the switch – a separately-powered buzzer with a relay-driven switch. Control box The control box is hooked up to one or more alarm circuits, but it also has its own power supply. Once the alarm is triggered, the control box won’t cut it off until somebody enters a security code at a connected keypad. In most installations the control box is kept in a veered place so that the burglar can’t even think of disabling it then the alarm goes off.

The NOOA is saying that 2006 could be one of the worst hurricane seasons we have ever experienced. Worse than last year with 27 named storms, 15 hurricanes with 4 of those being a Category 5? Hurricanes Cindy, Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita Wilma as well as Tropical Storms Arlene Tammy touched the United States in 2005. The NOAA says (11/29/2005): With six months until the official start of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA urges hurricane-prone residents to take proactive measures during this time. «The battle against the hurricane season is won during the off season. Winter and spring is the time to conduct hurricane preparations, such as stocking supplies, assembling a safety kit that includes a NOAA Weather Radio and preparing an evacuation plan,» said Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center. It is just not the east coast that should be preparing. There are many situations where Mother Nature will continue to show us her reign; tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, thunderstorms, and mudslides just to name a few.

Think about this for a moment: What would you if you were told to evacuate your house within 15 minutes? What would you take with you? Some of us can’t figure this out even if we were given a weeks notice! Do you have your insurance agent’s name your policy numbers memorized? Do you have proper identification for you and your family members? How about your medicines or glasses? What about basic necessities – food, water, shelter, hygiene – how will you locate important items once you leave your house? Clothes – will you need extra clothes or just take the clothes on your back? Cash? Maybe some quarters for pay phones? Out-of-state relative’s addresses phone numbers? What will you carry all your things in? How about your pets – what will you do with them? In a stressful situation, your mind races and things will be forgotten. Chances are you are not going to remember everything that you your family will need. As with life, planning helps keep stress to a minimum. A 72-hour kit will aid as a stress minimizer! A 72-hour kit can also be called an Emergency Supplies Kit, Disaster Kit, or Emergency Kit.

How will it minimize stress? Well, if you had food, water, shelter, extra clothes, important papers, medications, in a durable, waterproof bag located in an easy-to-get-to area…grab and go…you won’t have to take those precious 15 minutes to think about what you will need for the next 3 days.

Your stress would be minimized because you will have the peace of mind knowing that you have your necessities in one convenient, easy to locate, bag. Now, all you will have to focus on is your family, their safety and overall welfare. Think about this for another moment: Floodwaters are coming up – and coming up fast! You your family race up the attic stairs. You manage to bust your way through to the roof of your home with your bare hands or maybe with something that you have “stored” in your attic. Thankfully, the rescue helicopter picks you your family from the roof and drops you off at the closest “safe place”. Now, what do you do? What do you have with you? Yes, hopefully, you will have your family that will be a blessing but what about the basic human needs? You will now need to seek food, water, shelter, and maybe some hygiene items – not to mention any specific medicinal needs. Why 72 hours? It is recommended by Red Cross, FEMA, as well as many state governments to have a 3-day supply. It takes about 3 days before relief makes its way to disaster-stricken citizens. This was witnessed during last year’s hurricane season.

It is our responsibility to take care of our families ourselves. No one on this earth can assume that responsibility for us. With a little planning before the time of need arises, we can help ourselves and be better prepared to help others around us. I’ve researched quite a few 72-hour kits for my family I. These are some of the things that kept me from purchasing them:  The bags were not waterproof – everything could get wet. Most natural disasters involve water.  The bags were not strong enough to sustain a major beating.  There wasn’t enough water (some had none or Ѕ cup every 8 hours).  There wasn’t enough food. Some had only one 3600-calorie food bar for 72 hours – that’s only 1200 calories a day during a situation when your body will require energy the most!  Would you want a lightweight, rip-prone tube tent to protect your family from the harsh elements?  Many tools were not of the high quality that should be demanded during a life-threatening situation. These are just a few of the reasons that prompted a company called Gorgimi to build a 72 hour kit that was durable, waterproof, ample food water, as well as tools that will work when our lives would depended on it. Countless hours have been spent designing, prototyping, and evaluating the Gorgimi bag and its contents. Gorgimi has been determined to keep their kits within a reasonable price and maintain a high standard of quality. Gorgimi’s mission is to help everyone prepare for whatever Mother Nature has in store. Please visit www.gorgimi.com to see how we can help you prepare while the urgency is not prevailing. Plan now. Spend your 15 minutes focusing on your family their immediate safety. Rest easy for you will have your basic necessities taken care of during your time of need.

www.

gorgimi.com Coupon Code: CP100

There are so many companies that manufacture burglar alarms. The most recommended and approved by the UK government are ADT systems, AGS systems and British gas home security. ADT systems They are the leading provider of electronic fire and security services in the whole United Kingdom.

They specialize in home security, and commercial security including, electronic article surveillance (EAS), fire detection, alarm systems, gaseous extinguishing and asset tracking solutions to a wide range of people and organizations. They protect 89 out of the UK’s top 100 companies and more than 120,000 homes. ASG systems They have been manufacturing home securities for the past 40 years. Their company has its base in Washington. An example of their astonishing product is the digital video recording and management system. This system can be discreet or fully integrated with: • Enterprise Level Access Control • Surveillance • Badging • Intrusion Detection • RFID Asset Management • Visitor Management British gas home security They are the leading firm that manufactures and installs home security in the United kingdoms. They also give tips and information on home improvement projects. Their security systems are: The Intruder Response/24 system: This is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) which monitors your alarm 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If there is a break-in, the ARC phones your home for password identification.

If it is not given the ARC contacts a key holder and possibly the police. The Intruder Alert/24: This immediately calls up to four telephone numbers with a pre-recorded message alerting you to a break-in. An external siren is triggered to alert neighbours and deters burglars. The Intruder Alarm/24 triggers an external siren, alerting neighbors and deterring burglars.

People employ various ways and means of enhancing their home security and wireless home security systems are often touted as one of the best ways of implementing home security. Other ways are – use of watchdog, use of wired camera security systems, joining a neighborhood watch group, use of alarm systems, sophisticated locks and a plethora of other security systems and measures (some of which are quite weird). There is none denying the fact that all these traditional home security measures are quite effective. However, wireless home security systems seem to have an edge over these traditional home security measures. The wireless security systems (e.g. Wireless camera security system) have 6 main advantages over their wired counterparts: 1. Easy to install: The wireless home security systems are so easy to install that you can install them all by yourself. There is no need for getting outside help for installation/ configuration of a wireless security system. This is an advantage because in such a case only you would know the location of your wireless security cameras and the security codes etc.

On the other hand, most wired security systems are quite a hassle owing to their inherent ‘wire-ful’ nature. Managing these wires is quite a task in itself and in tackling those wires, you often tend to lose focus from the actual task i.e. proper and intelligent installation of a home security system. With wireless home security systems, you just need to concentrate on your home security plan without worrying about where you would run the wires from etc etc. 2. Install anywhere: Since wireless security systems forego the use of wires, you can install them anywhere you wish (as long as they are in the range of their controller). This really makes things very convenient. You can install the wireless home security cameras in the bushes, on the terrace or just about any point that you want to monitor. This is something that you would not be able to achieve with a wired security camera. Moreover, wireless home security also comes in camouflaged forms e.g. wireless home security cameras pre-fitted (or pre-hidden) in a lamp or a show piece etc.

3.

Flexibility (in altering your home security plan): With a wireless security system, you can easily alter your home security plan whenever you want e.g. the location of outdoor wireless security cameras can be easily changed in a hassle-free manner. On the contrary, a wired home security system would have you thinking about the wiring plan and the related hassle even before you can think of altering your home security plan. 4. Cleaner look: One very distinctive advantage with wireless home security systems is that they are not at all messy. While a wired security system would have wires running all through your house (unless you want to compromise on your home security), a wireless security system (due to its inherent ‘wireless’ nature) would give a much cleaner look and without any compromises on the security of your home. 5. Extra safe: Wireless security can also be considered safer than the wired security. A wired security system can quickly become un-operational if the wires get severed either due to lack of maintenance or due to intentional tampering by burglars etc. However, wireless home security is difficult to tamper with in that sense (sophisticated thieves/burglars might still be able to tamper low-end wireless security systems using devices that disrupt the wireless signals).

6. Ease of maintenance: A wired security system is as such bulky (since the wires used for a wired security system also form part of the security system). Maintaining a bulky system is generally tougher and needs much more effort than a simple, less bulky one. The wires might need replacements or re-anchoring or re-routing etc. In case you go for a home improvement, your wired security systems might get affected quite a bit. However, with wireless security all these problems are non existent and hence their maintenance is quite easy . Wireless security is often treated as the most apt answer to the home security concerns. However, the best thing to do is to use a combination of traditional home security techniques together with some of the wireless home security systems. http://www.wirelesssecuritymaster.com

One of the best ways new homeowners can protect their families is by installing a residential fire sprinkler system. There is no better tool at saving lives and protecting property than fire sprinklers. Nearly 3,000 people perish in home fires each year, more than all other natural disasters combined. The National Fire Protection Association recently revised its Life Safety Code to require all new one – and two-family homes constructed in the U.S. to include a fire sprinkler system. Tyco Fire and Building Products, a world leader in fire protection technology, recently introduced Rapid Response (www.tyco-rapid response.com), the industry’s first branded fire sprinkler system designed specifically for homes. Roy Marshall, a retired state fire marshal and president of the Residential Fire Safety Institute, says: «In 30 years of fire service, I have never pulled a lifeless body out of a home where fire sprinklers were installed. I urge homeowners to ensure the next home they build has a fire sprinkler system. Your family’s safety depends on it.» Still, fire sprinklers fall victim to some common myths: Myth #1: The entire system could go off accidentally and ruin my house. All the sprinklers in a system do not activate at once. Only the sprinklers closest to the fire activate, and quickly suppress the fire while it is still small.

In 90 percent of cases, fires are controlled by a single sprinkler. Myth #2: Smoking or burning toast can set off sprinklers. Fire sprinklers are activated by extremely high temperatures, not by smoke. Only a threatening fire can generate enough heat to activate a sprinkler. Myth #3: The water from the sprinkler system will create more damage than a fire. The average property loss in a fire contained by sprinklers is $2,200, while the average loss in a home fire without sprinklers is $45,000. Myth #4: Smoke detectors are enough fire protection for my home. Smoke detectors are excellent at detecting smoke and alerting homeowners, but they cannot suppress a fire, as sprinklers can. Myth #5: Fire sprinklers will ruin the look of my new home. Fire sprinklers are less obtrusive and no more noticeable than light switch plates. Myth #6: Fire sprinklers are expensive. A home fire sprinkler system costs roughly 1-1.5 percent of the cost of building a new home, or less than $2 per square foot. Systems often pay for themselves in home insurance discounts over the life of a mortgage. More families are opting for safety and are choosing to install fire sprinkler systems in their new homes.

Installing a Home Alarm System – Home security alarm systems fall into two general categories: hard wired alarm system and wireless security alarm systems. Hard wired security alarm system are lower in cost compared to the wireless system, but it consumes more time to install and it requires the ability to hide wires in walls for a neat installation. A security alarm control panel:
Keypad control to turn the security system on and off. Major alarm companies and their authorized dealers market security alarms through telemarketing, direct mail, media advertising and other marketing techniques. The cost of the wireless security alarm is very high and the cost of the hardwired security system is cheaper. Once the system is installed the consumer has signed a term contract. The dealers sell the contract to the major alarm companies. In some cases the contract includes in home service but in the most cases service is billed after the initial warranty period of 120 days to 2 years has passed. In actual fact, most apartment owners or homeowners can easily install a wireless alarm system themselves.

This security alarm system is designed to be informative and useful for both. Having a home security alarm is very important to protect your property.You can be confident that your home will be as you left it when you return from work or holiday. You will have peace of mind, knowing that your home is protected by a home security alarm system. So using this security alarm system we prevent our properties from uninvited guests.

The most basic home security alarm systems include a control panel, a keypad, a siren, access monitors and, in the case of monitored systems, an off site control station.

These basic features are adequate for simple home protection against burglars but some people may opt for more advanced home security alarm systems that incorporate more advanced features. Home security alarm systems may include a smoke detection system, glass break detectors, panic buttons and motion detectors. When most people think of a home security alarm system, they think of a burglar alarm system. While it is true that the primary function of a home security alarm system is to protect your home and your possessions from burglars, this is not the only function of home security alarm systems. As the name home security alarm system implies, the system is devised to protect your home. This includes protecting your home from damage due to fires. For this reason, many people have a smoke detection system linked to their home security alarm system. This will sound an alarm and alert the control station if smoke is detected. Glass break detectors are another advanced feature that some individuals like to include in their home security alarm system.

These systems are able to identify the sound of glass breaking and will activate the home security alarm system when this sound is identified.

This is helpful because most home security alarm systems include access monitors that determine when doors or windows or opened. This makes your home vulnerable to burglars who break a window rather than opening the window to access the home. Installing glass break detectors in your home security alarm system will minimize this problem. Panic buttons are another optional feature in a home security alarm system. These are hand held devices that can be placed in strategic locations throughout the house. These panic buttons enable the homeowner to send and immediate message that they are in trouble to the monitoring center. This alarm can be sent silently or can be an audible siren that sounds throughout the house. Another feature that many individuals elect to incorporate into their home security alarm system is a set of motion detectors. These motion detectors act as a second line of defense in the home security alarm system. If the burglar is able to enter your home without triggering the alarm, the motion detectors will sense that he has entered your home and will trip the alarm, thus sounding the siren and sending a message to the monitoring center if your system is monitored.

Your home security alarm system can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Incorporating some of the more advanced features into your home security alarm system can provide your home with better protection. These home security alarm features can be very valuable in the case where a burglar knows how to work around the confines of a standard home security alarm system.

Safety training is something that every person in the world should have. Of course, this isn’t a logical option. So, that means that those who can have this type of training should have it. Safety training is not only about protecting you and your loved ones, but also the strangers that happen into your life. Because you just do not know when an accident will happen, you need to be prepared ahead of time. This is the most crucial part of safety training: getting it in time. Safety training is more than just learning how to take care of a cut or a scrape. There are a number of different things that you will be needing to know how to do in your everyday life. For example, you may need to learn to help someone who is choking. You may need to help someone who has just fallen. You may also need to help someone who is having a heart attack or can no longer breath on their own. Safety training can be taught through a variety of ways. For many people, it is taught through hospitals, doctor’s offices and through community centers. You can also find the training you need from organizations like the Red Cross. The point is not really where to get the training or what training to get, but to just get moving on it.

Learn what you can so that you can help someone who is in need whenever it is needed. Whether you need safety training for your job or because you realize the value in having it, there are many forms to learn. For example, you may learn what to do with chemicals or you may find out what is the best way to pick up a heavy box. On top of this, you will want to learn things that deal with your specific needs in the personal world such as food safety training. Safety training is necessary and helpful throughout lifes’ many adventures.

Sometimes the simplest steps are the smartest! By placing a sign that advertises your home security system in your yard, you can dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted by thieves. In a study published in the Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, Dr. Yochanan Shachmurove, Dr. Gideon Fishman and Dr. Simon Hakim studied the motivating factors behind a burglar’s decision to rob one home over another. Their findings indicated that isolation and occupancy were the two major considerations. The study indicated that while you are reclining in your lazy chair and flipping through 100 channels of Cable TV (and still finding nothing to watch) you can rest easy. Ok, the study did not read quite that way – but it does tell us that burglars rarely target homes with occupants in residence. Homes that are more frequently targeted tend to be secluded or isolated. Keep in mind that this definition encompasses homes with an entrance that is not visible from the street, due to foliage or other visual obstructions. The ideal ‘pigeon’ for a thief is an expensive home that is detached with no security measures and is located less than a mile from a major highway or road. The study also revealed that the third most important factor is highly visible security measures.

Deadbolt locks can’t be seen so they did not deter burglars. However, advertising the fact that your home is protected by a security system was a major deterrent. The professors found that if a house is protected by an alarm system, the chances of a burglar’s choosing it are virtually zero. Those are pretty great odds! In the study’s conclusion, the professors determined that homes without security systems were 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized than those with protection. If a thief does victimize a home with a security system, they spend far less time in the house during the robbery and therefore remove fewer pieces of property. This research and similar studies have led insurance companies, such as State Farm, to advise their clients to install home security systems. In fact, many times homeowners with alarm systems will receive an incentive in premiums. The National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, D.C. has also endorsed security systems as a deterrent to crime. A home security system can range in cost from less than fifty dollars to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.

Sometimes you can actually get a system for free, when you sign a contract with a monitoring company.

You can also opt for a wireless system, which is quite easy to install. In fact, these systems typically fall under the «do it yourself» category. But before you decide to tackle that particular project, you need to be armed with a working knowledge of all your security system options. No pun intended! First, there are two basic types of systems. One option sounds an alarm and turns on various lights throughout the home. The other offers those features, but is also connected to a monitoring company twenty-four hours a day. With this system, an employee at the monitoring company automatically calls the police for you, when the alarm is tripped. These systems not only protect against intruders, but can also be hooked up to fire alarms and carbon monoxide protectors. You may also want to consider a system that provides you with the option to place «panic buttons» throughout your home. These are particularly valuable, for those with a medically fragile family member. The most expensive systems have surveillance cameras placed at checkpoints throughout your property. You can actually monitor your home yourself from any location, by connecting to a closed circuit program on your laptop.

Detectors can be found not only on doors and windows, but also underneath rugs and in every room in the house. When a detector is tripped, the homeowner checks his control panel to see exactly where the disturbance is occurring. If there is no danger, the homeowner can opt to cancel the phone call to the monitoring company, or shut down the alarm by entering a pass code on the control center. To avoid sending false alarms, family members should be taught how to use the password system. If the system is not halted, the monitoring company phones the police and they are dispatched to your home. Now how do you translate all this information into practical applications, when it comes to actually keeping your home from being burglarized? Let’s summarize: – Put a sign up in your front yard advertising your system. Decals on the windows are not as effective. – Buy a system that sounds an alarm. – Invest in a system that provides protection against fire and carbon monoxide. One smoke detector in your kitchen is not as effective as a series of smoke and heat detectors placed strategically throughout your home. If your house catches fire when you are not at home, your monitoring company alerts the police immediately. – Monitoring companies are very valuable in emergencies, but you will also need to educate family members and household guests to maximize the benefits of your system. – If your house is secluded or in the country, your best defense is a system connected to a monitoring company. A sounding alarm may not offer enough protection. – Burglars may cut the outside telephone wires before they enter a house. If you don’t have a cell phone, you won’t be able to call the police and your system won’t be able to call the monitoring company. So consider adding a second phone line. – Cut any foliage hiding doors and windows.

Burglars deliberately pick houses that they can enter without detection from the street. – Join a Neighborhood Watch group or start one yourself.

Depending on the money you have and the neighborhood you are living in, you have probably wondered how to choose the right home security system.

This is indeed a tough question and hopefully by the end of this small guide you will at least have a hint.

The first step to choosing the right home security system is to put yourself in the role of a villain. Look at your home with some evil eyes. Where would you make your entry point – through the window, the back door, or the basement perhaps? Imagine the most probable route that a thief might choose. This will help you establish the weak points in the security system. One of the best ways to ward off potential burglars is simply to place alarm signs and decals on the premises. These will make the potential burglar think twice about attempting a break-in. A good strategy to provide a relatively cheap, yet effective home security system is to leave a seemingly unguarded path. Typically the villain will choose it. This area should be guarded in a more subtle way.

For example, if you leave a backdoor “unprotected” you could install a motion detector that emits a loud sound when activated. The key here is to leave the potential thief a way out, so you avoid confrontation and possible personal endangerment. The typical scenario would involve him almost feeling that he succeeded and then right before the entry point he would have a very nasty surprise which will make him run away in a panic.

Unfortunately though, the above strategy might not always work. This is why additional security installations should be installed. Depending on the budget you have available, you can choose from quite a large array of alternatives. These can involve the installation of security cameras, door alarms, glass break detectors and even photoelectric beams. No matter what your choice is, you should never leave anything to chance. Thieves do not always follow the easiest path. If they are skilled in detecting home security systems and overriding them, you might be in for some real trouble. The trick lies in setting up redundant home security installations to make them feel overwhelmed and not so sure about their success. These are just a few general guidelines to determine how to choose the right home security system. Depending on your specific circumstances and the specifics of the area you are living in, you might feel that the security measures must be tightened or relaxed. Regardless of the condition, you must always be prepared for the worst. The fact remains, crime is on the rise and there are no signals that this trend will decrease.

If you are still unsure about what security systems to choose, let a security expert help you by doing a detailed evaluation of your needs. After all, your family and home are much too important to leave to chance.

Surveillance cameras are being used every where these days, all the malls and almost all stores and small shops have installed surveillance cams to stop thefts and burglaries. You must have probably heard of the net of cams in the Las Vegas casinos, yes without cameras the surveillance staff won’t be 1/10th as effective. Taking the cue from the commercial segment many companies introduced home security camera a few years back, but, back then only the rich could afford the expensive home security camera systems.

However, nowadays with development of technology, as home security camera is getting cheaper more and more people are able to afford them. Yes, today even a $30 cam can be turned into a home security camera, it’s no more a rich only option. When selecting a home security camera, make sure it can take clear pictures in the radius you want to set it up. Systems like analogue closed circuit television may run cheap but it’s not worth the money. It saves recorded coverage to tapes which are not only expensive in the long run but will also take up a lot of space. With the advent of internet and like I said earlier, development of technology, we have cheap yet good quality home security camera available that send live feeds to the internet and save coverage at a secured location. You can either watch the feds live or browse through the saved data at any point of time. Install two-three home security camera in a room depending on how big the room is and you can watch what is going on in your house from 5 miles or 5,000 miles away. For those on a very tight budget, there are the fake home security camera which are very much like the original ones and some even swivel on their axis like the original ones but this strategy is only effective in preventing the crime rather than catching the crime. However, if you aren’t on a budget you should go for tiny cams which can be hidden behind or within objects and are hard to find. These cams when combined with the right software can give you the perfect home security camera system. On the other hand if you want to make it clear to the burglars that your house is not a good choice, install a large cam, a must do for people installing fake cameras, at a location where it can easily be seen.

Your home is your haven where you feel comfortable and secure, and it should be the last thing you should have to worry about.

Thanks to technology, now you can pick and choose from a variety of home security systems, residential alarm systems, installation kits, do-it-yourself electronic goods and services, and secure your home or business in an easy but effective way. A home security system can foil the attempts of the burglars. In an advanced system, the control box will activate a siren or other loud alarm noise flashing outdoor lights and a telephone auto-dialer. This alerts the occupants and neighbors that someone has broken into the house. It drives the intruder away and cna inform the police which house has been broken into. The telephone auto-dialer can dial the police directly and play a pre-recorded message giving the address of the house and any other relevant information. This message will usually play over and over again to allow the police to hear it even if the call is put on hold for some time. Alternatively, it can dial the security company that installed the equipment that will then relay this information to the police. They can even dial your cellphone to alert you! Home security is a rapidly growing field, and there are new and improved burglar alarms being invented all the time. All these systems are more or less built around the same basic structure. There is a central control box that monitors several motion detectors and the perimeter guards and sounds an alarm when any of them are triggered. It is now quite common to have burglar alarms installed not only in stores and other businesses, but in private homes as well. These systems range from inexpensive do-it-yourself kits to sophisticated whole-house security networks that must be installed by professionals. However, some of the most effective alarm systems are also the simplest. The most basic burglar alarm is a simple electric circuit built into an entry way; it is as effective as the family dog. But the problem with it is that the intruder can cut off the connection by snapping the wires and render it useless.

To overcome this flaw the modern burglar alarms incorporate the control box into the circuit. It has its own power supply and monitors the circuits and sounds the alarm. The control box won’t cut off the alarm until somebody enters a security code at a connected keypad. To make it even more secure, you should place the control box in an out-of-the-way spot, so the intruder can’t find it and try to destroy it. Another simple option of home security is the basic floor mat that uses an open circuit design with two metal strips spaced apart. These metal strips are pushed together when somebody steps on the mat and the circuit is completed. All of these circuit systems are effective home security devices for guarding the perimeter of a house or business from the points an intruder is likely to enter the building. Once the entry points are taken care of your home security system is in place and you can feel absolutely safe and secure in your house.

Many older Americans are taking steps to help secure their personal safety and security, especially as they balance the desire for independence with the challenges of declining health.

The good news is that crime rates affecting older Americans are actually lower than they may seem. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that the number of violent crimes has decreased during the last decade. The even better news is that, by taking a few simple safety precautions, seniors can reduce their risk and increase their sense of security in their daily lives. Check door locks. Replace any nonfunctioning or poorly installed locks. Make sure that your garage is equipped with a sturdy lock as well. Install exterior lighting. A well-lit home can deter nighttime break-ins. Make your house look occupied. When you’re out of town, use light timers to mimic your normal routine. Cancel newspaper and mail delivery, so that papers don’t pile up outside. Know your neighbors. Keep neighbors’ phone numbers near your phone with emergency information. Inform neighbors of your travel plans and any scheduled deliveries or home maintenance appointments. Install an alarm. Security companies offer a wide range of alarm options, including systems that provide medical alert services. Stay safe on the street. Always walk in well-lit areas. Ask a friend to accompany you or tell someone where you’re going. Neighborhood involvement is another key to deterring crime on a street or block. Seniors who want to protect their homes and help raise awareness in the community can join neighborhood watch groups.

Anyone who has had a car or truck stolen knows the anxiety, helplessness and inconvenience that one goes through. If you are on vacation and have your vehicle stolen it can be even more damaging because you may not have other family and friends to help you get through the initial shock of it. Not all vehicles that have been stolen come back in the same shape you last left it in. It can be trashed inside and out. After all, the people that have taken your vehicle have no respect whatsoever for your hard earned dollars that purchased the vehicle in the first place. And that is what a criminal is, someone who takes but does not give. There is no valid exchange that has occurred and they really don’t care.

So how do you protect yourself and loved ones? Here are a few tips to help keep you and your vehicle safe: 1) Never leave your car running while you run in to get something from a gas station or convenience store.

A high percentage of theft occurs there. Thieves love this easy in easy out method. 2) Always lock your car. Almost half of all theft occurs in unlocked cars. 3) Never leave your keys in the ignition. It’s the same easy in and out method thieves love. Don’t give them that opportunity. 4) Don’t put that spare key hidden under your car. Thieves are well versed on that and will find them quick and easy. 5) Don’t leave your title or registration in your vehicle. Thieves can easily use this to dispose of your car. 6) If you live in a hot climate you may be tempted to leave the windows open a bit while parked. Don’t! You don’t want to give thieves any opportunity whatsoever to get in your vehicle. 7) Leaving valuables in sight attracts thieves.
Before getting out of your car, scan the area quickly to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Often thieves work in twos or threes. If you see any unusual loitering you may want to go somewhere else. 9) When you go inside somewhere do a quick scan for the same reason. 10) Make it a habit that wherever you go whether it is a restaurant, theater etc.

that you do a quick scan of where the exits are.

Knowing ahead of time where they are may help you in an emergency situation. 11) If you are in a restaurant make it a point that one of you (usually the man) sit facing the entrance so you can observe potential danger. 12) With your family devise an emergency plan. Drill it until you all know what your role is so that you can act instantly if danger does arise. The bottom line is that criminals look for the quick and easy steal and individuals that are not prepared. They count on using that element of surprise to get to you or your car. You can avoid being a victim by using your common sense and having a plan. A little preparation ahead of time and learning to be aware of what’s around you at all times can significantly reduce you chances of being a victim.

In this world of uncertainty, deciding what the best home security products are among the myriad of security products can be confusing. This guide will address these uncertainties and clarify the buying process. A simple check with search engines will reveal hundreds of companies willing to sell you their security related products and all of them promising the “burglar-proof” system. My first advice is to go to a company that specializes in the very device you are interested in. For example if you need a surveillance camera, Panasonic can show up as a possible choice. However, they are more well-known for producing TV sets than security cameras. A manufacturer such as Clearvu, on the other hand, specializes in surveillance cameras. They will quickly show you a large variety of professional equipment which will suit your needs much better. While Panasonic appears to be a credible security system player in the marketplace, their expertise lags behind these highly specialized manufacturers. Big brands, therefore, do not necessarily mean good brands. Check for the country of manufacture. Products manufactured in a country with a strong tradition of quality will probably feel proud enough to advertise it. If the manufacturing country does not show up in the ad, the company is probably cutting costs by producing them in a country where wages are low and labor lower-skilled.

Unfortunately, this also means that they have compromised on the product’s quality at your expense. Another factor when it comes to choosing the right home security equipment is to check the product specifications. Be extra careful when doing this. For example, a photoelectric motion sensitive system that is triggered by falling leaves won’t be very effective. These are the sort of details you must always ask and check. There truly are no dumb questions; if you feel uncertain about any specifications, just ask. If the answer from the sales person appears evasive, you might want to consider another brand or shop somewhere else. Perhaps the single most important and most difficult part of the home security system buying process is to clearly distinguish between the various products offered by competitors that offer pretty much the same features at comparable quality, but at slightly different prices.

In these instances, I recommend ignoring brands altogether and strip the products of their sales hype. Try seeing facts, parameters and guarantees. If details are sketchy, don’t be afraid to ask the seller about details. Price should be the secondary factor here. Aim for quality and a sense of reassurance that when a burglar strikes your home, your home security system will be ready to handle and thwart the burglar’s break-in attempt.

To observe what’s going on, you can add to your home security system a security camera system. They are the ultimate home security product. Whether you live in a spacious estate, in a gated community, or have a house in the suburbs, they are designed fit your needs. Video cameras are an advanced addition for your home security system. The most basic security camera system would be a single camera connected directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video. Types: There are several different types of security cameras. A few security cameras are black and white security cameras, color security cameras, wireless security cameras, night vision security cameras, and vandal resistant security cameras. Besides differing in function and design, security cameras also vary in price. Some security cameras also allow remote access, therefore allowing access to the monitors through an Internet connection. Size Resolution: Video monitors come in a variety of sizes. It is best to buy a larger monitor because the smaller ones may be hard to view. CCTV monitors may have as many as 1000 lines of screen resolution as compared to 550 lines on ordinary televisions. This shows that security monitors do have their place in a home security system. Advantages: The advantages to owning a security camera in your home include: · It has the ability to monitor people in your home. · They can even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance. · It’s easy for you to know who is in your home at all times with remote access. Security: CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Security Systems is a fast growing segment of the security market. They are a relatively cheap addition home security systems. The security system consists of cctv security cameras, security monitors, sensors and cabling. Wireless cameras provide an extra measure of coverage since they can be positioned anywhere quickly.

These are good trends in the security industry.

If you do not already have a home security monitoring system, you might be completely unaware of the options that are available to you. Even if you already have home security monitoring, you still might not be fully aware of the options available beyond your current home security monitoring system. In its most basic sense home security monitoring protects your family and possessions from burglary but it can do so much more than that. Protection from fire is just one of the other capabilities of a home security monitoring system. While a home security monitoring system will not prevent fires, it can sound an alarm that could summon the fire department quickly enough to prevent catastrophic damage to your property. Many home security monitoring systems have a built in smoke detection system that enables the security system to detect the presence of smoke which could indicate a fire in the house. When this alarm is triggered, a message is sent to the home security monitoring station which alerts the staff that smoke has been detected in the home. The personnel will then contact the property owner to determine whether it is a false alarm or a true emergency.

If it is an emergency the home security monitoring staff member will contact the local fire department to alert them to the fire on the property. Another aspect of home security monitoring is the use of security cameras inside the home. Security cameras are often installed in the home when there are employees such as daycare providers or cleaning personnel who are unsupervised in the house. Using security cameras for home security monitoring enables the homeowners to oversee the work of their employees while they are out of the house or to review the recordings from the cameras when they return home. Home security monitoring can also be used to view the outside of your property while you are home. Security cameras can be installed so that they provide a view of your front door. This enables you to check the television monitor to determine who is at the door if your doorbell rings. This type of home security monitoring is largely a matter of convenience because it enables you to not answer the door to solicitors. It can have some security value though. If you install two way communication devices you can use this home security monitoring feature to ask service personnel to display their identification badges before answering the door to ensure that they really work for the company that they say they represent. Home security monitoring can have many different components. Your home security monitoring system can help to prevent extensive fire damage, can allow you to supervise employees in your home and can allow you to see who is at your door before answering the door.

Covert listening devices are those items that are hidden and meant to listen in on others’ conversations. These devices are often very small and hidden, or they may be disguised to look like ordinary household items. There are a variety of covert listening devices, and they are essential to the success of any surveillance operation or surveillance business. Convert listening devices can add context where some cameras do not offer adequate information. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what a visual actually means without the accompanying audio. This makes the incorporation of listening devices very important in any surveillance mission. While the visual may serve to identify, you may miss crucial spoken information without listening devices.

In addition to adding to the visual, covert listening devices have other uses. In some cases it is impossible to get a camera in place. At such times a listening device can be very helpful. These devices ensure that there is some information gleaned and that the surveillance mission is not a complete wash. Audio can provide valuable clues, especially when listening is the only option. Whether or not you are a surveillance professional, or just a private person, covert listening devices can be very helpful. For the professional, listening devices present a picture of someone who knows what he or she is doing. You look more reputable, and the information is more likely to be helpful, if you use bugs to get information. If you are a private person, there are many uses for covert listening devices. You can use them to record conversations you have with others that may need to be referred to, you can use them listen in on what your children are doing, and you can even use them to check your partner for infidelity. There are many different covert listening devices, ranging in price from under $50 to costing more than $5,000, depending upon your needs. Additionally, you can get them to look like nearly anything, from buttons and pens to cell phones and alarm clocks. But not matter you buy, or how you use them, it is possible to keep on top of things by making use of covert listening devices. (c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Covert Listening Devices.

We all want to make sure that our homes are protected and safe while we are away for the day or for any extended period of time.

There is no way to know for sure if something is going to happen while we are gone.

The only thing that we can do is prepared for out homes to stay safe while we are not there. There are a few things that we can do in order to provide safety for our homes. One way is to tell our neighbors that we trust about not being home. It is very important that we only tell the neighbors that we have trust in and that we know about being gone. We have to be confident enough that they will look out for our home and take care of it while we are away. Tell them to check on the pets and plants while you are gone as well. This will make it look like someone is their taking care of things. They can also gather the mail and the newspaper everyday as well. This will keep potential prey thinking someone is home. You can also tell the local police department if you are going away for an extended period of time. Tell them the dates that you will be gone and ask them to patrol the home every once in a while. This is good especially if you live in a secured area. You always want to make sure that the doors and the windows are always locked when you leave to go anywhere. Do not make it easy for an intruder to get inside your home. Keep things secure and well protected with good quality locks that will be tough for anyone to pass by.

You will also want to make sure that everything is secure inside the home too. If you are just leaving for the day, make sure that lights are off and anything electrical if turned off as well. If you are leaving for a few days, you may want to turn the water main off in the home as well as the hot water heater too. This will protect your home from an unexpected breaks or leaks that can occur at any given time. You do not want to come home to the surprise of having a flood in your home. Check all doors in your house that lead to the outside or into a garage. These should be metal or solid wood and at least 1.75” thick. Be sure door frames are secure and cannot be taken apart easily. Make sure doors fit into frames without gaps. Even with strong locks, good burglars can get into your house if your doors or doorframes are weak.

Pepper spray is a generic term for all self-defense sprays that contain oleoresin capsicum, a carrier, and a propellant. Oleoresin capsicum is the active ingredient in pepper spray, harvested or derived from cayenne peppers or other peppers. Its effects are physically incapacitating rather than painfully irritating; this makes it ideal for self-defense sprays that are intended for use on assailants who are immune to pain (psychotics, those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just “tough guys”). Tear gas, on the other hand, is commonly made of one of two chemical compounds: CS (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) or CN (choroacetophenone). These compounds, when sprayed into the face of an assailant, work to irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory system. They work on the pain principle, and so are not effective against those who are impervious to pain. Mace is a brand name that used to offer only tear gas. Now, Mace offers several different types of self-defense spray, including: Mace Triple Action is pepper spray, tear gas, and Ultra-Violet dye.

The pepper spray physically incapacitates the assailant by forcing his eyes shut and tightening his bronchial tubes, making it impossible for him to see and very difficult for him to breathe. The tear gas irritates the bronchial tubes, causing him to cough.

The UV dye brands the assailant with a purple mess, making him easily identifiable.

Pepper Mace uses a 10-percent oleoresin capsicum solution and UV dye. The OC solution is a particularly strong one; it doesn’t kick in as quickly as a smaller concentration like 1-5 percent, but the effects are longer, sometimes up to 45 minutes. Pepper foam is the same as pepper Mace, but it sprays as foam rather than a liquid. So as you can see, it is not a question of mace vs. pepper spray, since Mace is simply a brand name. The question is really one of Tear Gas vs. Pepper Spray. The winner? Pepper spray, hands down.

In many cases, most people feel pretty secure with a basic/standard home security system, but with today’s criminals/robbers its shocking to know how many of them know there way around a security system.

There are a couple of small inexpensive things you can do for you and your family that may prevent that awful robbery.

A. Window Alert is home security device that attaches to windows and set off by vibrations if someone tries to break through. Installs easily on any window, There is so many cases that robbers use there window cutting device that can not be detected from a basic Security system. This little window alarm was an essential in saving the millions of lives that were threatened by a robber. B. A Home Security Device such as the Watchdog is ideal for home protection, because it accomplishes what even the best living, breathing watchdog cannot do. Rex’s electronic radar eyes, the Electronic Watch Dog Home Security Device can «see» through thick doors, walls and glass. And once his cord is plugged in, he’ll stay on duty around the clock, indefinitely. The Electronic Watch Dog Home Security Device can protect homes, apartments, mobile homes, RV’s, jewelry stores, factories, warehouses, public and private buildings of virtually every kind. For example, most apartment complexes do not have a security system in the apartment units. You only go in good faith that the apartment is safe. Rex, the electronic watch dog, what an easy solution to cure a robbery scare.

• Barking gets louder and more frequent as the intruder gets closer. • Switches from the watchdog to the tranquil sounds of nature with the simple switch of a button. • Variable distance sensitivity (up to 30′) as well as volume control. • Supplements your regular home security system by detecting robbers before they attempt to break into your home. C. A Nightmare Situation There are preventive solutions!!! 1. The Big Jammer is a home security device that is a strong 20 gauge steel adjustable door brace that installs easily under door knobs and provides added security. Adjusts easily to fit most hinged doors. End caps can be removed to allow for use on sliding glass doors as well. Clean, baked enamel finish makes it attractive for in-house use. 2. The base of the alarm is bolted to door or window frame, the actuator is connected to the window or door. The alarm is activated by opening the door or window. Great for any door particularly those hard to protect sliding glass doors.

Why have monitored alarm systems? The point of having a monitored security system is that if a break-in occurs, the right authorities can be notified and dispatched.

Your business or home is protected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This gives peace of mind knowing that your home or business is protected. You also have the use of the three panic buttons (police, fire medical). And further, having a monitored alarm system can save you up to 20% off your home insurance. Is the security system easy to use? A security system is very easy to use; the installer will provide basic training on the system after installation. Usually a security system comes with a complete manual that will provide further information about the security system. Some companies offer a 14-day orientation program. And if you attend the orientation program, there will be no dispatch until the 14-day period is over. Also the customer care department from you installer will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Is the system hard-wired or wireless? You can get both hardwired and wireless equipment. It all depends on the location you are on. In a residential setting where the basement is finished and where there is no access to the ceiling, then it is possible to install a wireless system. If there is access to the basement ceiling then you need to install the hardwired system.

Every home is different, and security consultants are trained to be able to present you the most suitable system and design for your location and your needs. Can I use my system only when no one is home? A security system can be designed in many ways to suit your way of life. You can pick from various levels of protection. For instance when you are not home you can have all the motion sensors and contacts activated. And if you are at home you can choose which zones are activated. Some peripherals such as smoke detectors must always be active, whether the system is armed or disarmed. Your security consultant can usually help you design a system that would best fit your needs and everyday life. What happens if the burglar cuts my phone line? Generally monitored alarm systems use the phone line to send a signal to the monitoring station. If the line is cut no one knows there is a break-in. The siren will still be audible though. If you want to have equipment that can handle the case where your phone line is cut, that is possible. Your security consultant can advise you the best course of action.

If you think of intrusion detection as you would for intrusions into your home, you will find that once someone ‘breaks in’ they have destroyed much of your hard work, both physically and emotionally.

They have done damage and invaded your space.

Effectively detecting whether or not these ‘break ins’ are happening is very important for your business. Effective intrusion detection can protect confidentiality, integrity and availability resources. You have two choices here. You can go with manual intrusion detection or automated. In manual, you will need to perform searches to exam log files or look for other signs that someone has gotten in. But, with automated intrusion detection, the system will take care of the work for you allowing for a more complete exam as well as one that can be counted on and done on a timely basis. They can be host based or network based. Automated systems are generally called IDS’s. When something is found by the IDS, it will alert you that a possible intrusion has occurred. This can be done through sending an email alert, by logging relevant information or even by contacting via mobile phone or pager. It will be up to you to determine what has happened and how it happened though. Usually, intrusion detection does not prevent intrusion, nor does it fix any problems that arise due to it. But, effective intrusion detection is still necessary and relying on an automated system will make sure you are up to date as needed.

There are also many information portals now devoted to the subject and we recommend reading about it at one of these. Try googling for “intrusion detection” and you will be surprised by the abundance of information on the subject. Alternatively you may try looking on Yahoo, MSN or even a decent directory site, all are good sources of this information.

Since thefts and burglaries are happening more and more often, people should be made aware of the measures that should be taken in order to increase or improve home security.

At least one fourth of the burglaries and property violations are committed very easy because burglars find open doors and windows that they can get in through, so you everyone should know a few basic things about home and family security. The first thing that you should do and that will greatly reduce the chances of becoming the victim of a robbery is to acquire a home security system, and to make sure that people around know that you have a home alarm system installed, and maybe even put a part of it in a more visible place so that burglars can see that you own one. This will most likely drive them away from your house. Unfortunately people only buy home security systems after they have been burglarized. Almost all people who have been the victims of a robbery bought more that a basic home alarm system afterwards, but everything could have been prevented if they owned a basic one before. After purchasing a home security system most of the danger is gone, but you still need to do some things to increase safety: Use the best locks, and not only for your doors, but for your windows too. Burglars do not only enter houses through doors. Try to make it seem like you are home even if you are not. In order to do this you can leave some clothes outside and ask a friend collect your mail and newspapers. You can even use a special device that turns the lights on when the night falls. Do not leave valuable things outside, or near windows and other places that make them visible, because they will attract burglars. Anyway the best method of securing your home is to have a home alarm system installed. It will monitor your house 24 hours a day and send an alarm signal whenever there is trouble. In some cases home security systems even saved the lives of people. It does not take long to set up an alarm system, and after you do that it will function permanently. It only requires a little maintenance once in a while to make sure that it works fine. It even has an emergency power supply in case a power failure occurs, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

We in UK are quite accustomed to moving around under other’s surveillance than a general person in many third world countries. More than 400,000 cameras are always monitoring us in a car park, station, shopping complex, on our way to office or may be even in our private spaces, unwanted. General people are day by day supporting its presence to fight against internal and international crime. In post 9/11 scenario, CCTV cameras are being installed more and more round the corner primarily for better and entrusted public security. This CCTV monitoring is widespread not simply in our own country. Recorders are being installed on the Trans Europe Motorway from the Greek border through Turkey towards Ankara.

This is covering a distance of 700 kilometres. This huge project supports over 1,400 camera inputs and 480 audio channels and it is probably the largest networked recording Security surveillance system contracted until today. Fifty wi-fi enabled CCTV cameras are installed across central London that may revolutionize the police patrolling system within 18 months of trial period. In recent future, police will be able to track a suspect from a handheld device as the system can be controlled locally within that network coverage. One thing must be mentioned here that, general people may also use such technology as IFSEC hand-held PDA applications provide security personnel with the ability to view both live or recorded camera images from any installation, located anywhere in the world. However, this may end up the age long debate that these closed circuit TV cameras only can record a crime in progress. Now the police persons will have more opportunity to reach the spot and take necessary actions on time. Future really holds hard for drug dealers, peddlers, and an easy finder of parking spaces for citizens. Nevertheless, currently there are no cost effective night vision systems available for object identification for distances from 150 metres to 2000 metres. On the other hand, active infrared systems have a narrow field of view that makes navigation and orientation difficult. Still there are some cameras available in the market that can serve the purpose as good. These cameras are ideal for covert applications since they utilises a laser light that operates below the visible spectrum to illuminate the target area.

However, it all depends on the needs of the users. There is a good lot of software like EVIS that can provide tailor-made solution for the end users and is flexible enough to meet all custom requests by the use of a modular system. Is there any harm in taking protection beforehand if the users are conscious of their social limits and responsibilities! Time to decide.

The average pedophile will victimize between 50-150 children before he comes to the attention of law enforcement. A large and growing number of predators have gravitated towards the internet, reasoning that browsing the personal profiles children themselves post on instant message services and anonymously lurking in chat rooms is less risky and more effective than hanging around playgrounds and schoolyards.

The number of predators using the internet to groom children for future exploitation rises every month. How do internet predators select their victims? Here are some important factors:  Almost by definition, internet predators favor children who have regular (and private) access to a computer. Most victims live in suburban or rural areas while relatively few live in inner cities.  Internet predators gravitate towards children who are online for lengthy periods of time each day, and usually at the same time of day. Predators seek children whose schedules mesh with their own, children who are online most days during a consistent time frame. Think about it… predators have little chance to groom a child for future exploitation if that child is rarely online or is online at various times of the day. Children who do not have a lot of activities outside of school tend to be online longer and at the same times of day compared to those children who have lots of activities. These children are more often targeted by internet predators.  Internet predators prefer children who have instant message accounts. Although some predators use email, many prefer communicating with their victims through instant messages. Predators know that while emails are saved automatically and have to be manually deleted, instant messages tend to evaporate into the ether once the instant message window is closed. Parents can keep a permanent record of instant message conversations by installing instant message monitoring software on their children’s computers. PCSentinel Software ( www.pcsentinelsoftware.

com ) is one vendor of such software.  Internet predators search out children who will speak to them. Again this seems self-evident, but predators are forced to pass over children who refuse to communicate with strangers they have not met offline. Teach your children never to communicate online with someone they have not met offline.  Internet predators search out children who are vulnerable and lonely, sheltered and naive. Predators seek to develop a relationship with their targets, often posing as children or teenagers themselves, and then use that relationship to initiate sexual discussion and activity or lure the child into an offline meeting.  Internet predators are all the more emboldened if they find out a child is from a single parent family, having trouble at school or with the law, or has been experimenting with drugs, alcohol or sexual activity.  Internet predators search out children who post personal profiles on the internet, especially those that provide name, age, photos, gender, physical description, telephone number, address, etc.

Internet predators favor targets who own webcams or digital cameras.

Predators often coerce children into using these devices to send images of themselves to the predator. If a child does not own a camera, predators sometimes send one to their targets for the purpose of photographing themselves.  To be successful, internet predators require children who will not terminate the relationship at the first suggestion of sexual activity. Even if a vulnerable child with few friends is uncomfortable with sexual talk, they will sometimes put up with the unpleasantness of the conversation for fear of losing their new “friend”.  Internet predators seem to favor victims between the ages of 12-15. These are the ages where children are discovering their own sexuality and independence, and also the ages where they are most likely to be conned into meeting with a stranger without telling their parents. Younger and older children are also solicited, but as a whole tend to be harder targets.

Electric gates are made up of two main parts: the motor and the opener.

There are also some accessories that you can use together with them. Knowing these will allow you to determine common electric gate problems. Perhaps you’ve seen them, but you are just aren’t sure what they are made of. Electric gates are composed of some parts that help make them work. It’s very important that you know about them, so when something happens to your gate, you can easily pinpoint the problem and conduct at least the most basic repair. Common Parts of Electric Gates There are two main parts that make up electric gates: 1. Electric gate motor. This is considered to be the most important component in your electric gates. This allows them to move—open and close—without any human intervention. There are different kinds of motor for electric gates; and they vary in terms of where they are going to be used and the amount of power they generate. You can’t expect the same motor to be installed in double-swing gate, in the same way that the motor used in a single swing is not the one you can find in the latter.

Nevertheless, you have to main options as where you are going to place it.

You can have it on the ground or, better yet, under it. 2. Electric gate openers. As the name suggests, openers are meant to help you open the gates. Before, there were only a few who can afford to add an opener in the gates. But with the integration of new technologies and their affordability, there are more and more people who are employing the use of electric gates at their own home. There are various kinds of openers for electric gates; and they range from wireless to wired keypads, automated gate locks, or entry transmitters. What you are going to use is basically dependent on your preference. However, if you want the one that offers the best convenience, you can go for the entry transmitters. They make use of an RF (radio frequency) card that the person who wants to enter needs to swipe into the reader. There’s no need to press any more button, memorise any code, or wait much longer, which is the case with intercom systems. Electric Gate Accessories Aside from the regular parts, you can also add some more accessories to your electronic gate. One of these is the electronic timer. You can actually set a good time where you will grant a “free pass” to your gate.

You simply need to set up the best time for it using the timer. It can run for as long as 20 hours and powered through a battery. You can also make use of a fire control switch key, especially when there is fire in your home, and your electronic gate is not working properly anymore. Where to Buy Components for Electric Gates There are a lot of options as to where you can purchase these parts. You can simply visit your local gate makers. Usually, they have at least the motor and the opener. You can also shop online, as there are a lot of people who are currently selling them right now.

Bombs. Armed intruders. Fires. These are real events that can threaten your safety, even your life, in the building where you work.

Experts agree that if you know what’s going on and what actions to take, you have a good chance of escaping a dangerous situation. However, distributing speedy and accurate emergency information to building occupants, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical professionals is a constant challenge for building owners and managers. In pursuit of workable, cost-effective solutions, the security industry is taking note of a new emergency alert approach known as the Immediate Response Information System, or IRIS. Activated through a special Web page or toll-free number, IRIS can reach thousands of people in a matter of seconds through the contact methods people use the most, such as home and cell phones, e-mail, digital pagers, PDAs and fax machines. With IRIS, a uniform message, in both voice and text formats, reaches building managers, occupants and emergency responders. When it encounters busy lines or no answer, IRIS continues to redial until it makes contact. Recipients can pre-select any of 10 different language preferences. This state-of-the-art alert system also sends important yet non-emergency information to building occupants alerting them of adverse weather conditions, building maintenance plans or changes in parking restrictions, for example. IRIS distributes these paperless messages quickly and verifies their receipt. IRIS requires no hardware, software or system installation for setup. In the event of an emergency, people designated to send the messages can access the service from any phone or Internet-connected computer from a safe location.

Before departing for your much earned holiday be wise and review your home security.

The latest figures from the FBI show a burglary occurs every 15.4 seconds in the USA. The majority of these break ins take place when the householder is away from the home. A great number of these burglaries could be prevented by beefing up your home security and installing a home security system. The installation of a home security alarm, and home security surveillance cameras is one of the most common and effective ways to improve the security of your home instantly. Many of these home security products also have the option of home security monitoring. But the installation of these devices does not guarantee you immunity, other steps and precautions need to taken to improve you overall security. Some of the less expensive options available include installing motion sensor lighting around the perimeter of your home. As well as the external security there is a great deal that can be done inside the home to improve security. Check all locks on doors and windows replace any defective locks. Patio sliding doors offer the opportunist thief just what they are looking for easy access , the reason is usually poor maintenance or security (broken lock) don’t get caught out this way thinking it will never happen, it does and it will. Take these steps to make your sliding door even more secure consider installing a blocking device such as a “Charlie bar” or some other type of track blocker to prevent the door from sliding open. At the very least you should block the track with a steel rod or wooden dowel to prevent any movement. Where possible use a home safe to store any valuables include such items as keys to outbuildings, garages, other vehicles and any other device that requires a key. You should also hide any personal documents and identity information in your home safe as well.

If you don’t have a home safe consider using a post office vault especially if you live in a high crime area. Giving the impression someone is at home is a great way to dissuade a burglar and is key to improving home security. This can be achieved by using timers in various rooms to switch lights an appliances off and on at differing times of the day. Be smart though and apply this tactic to more than one room in your house. Other security measures include stopping your mail and paper deliveries. If you have two vehicles leave one parked on your driveway or ask a neighbor to park in your driveway whilst you are away. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor or relative and ask them to check your home periodically. Switch off any answering machine don’t be tempted to leave a message saying you are on vacation. Ensure all outbuildings are secure, making sure any tools in your garage that could be used to gain access are under lock and key. No matter what steps and security measures you take your home will never be 100% secure. But the harder you make it for a burglar to gain entry the stronger your home security will be.

Whether we like it or not, spy technology is here to stay. Even if you aren’t the type of person who wants or needs to use such technology in your every day life, you may find that you need to protect yourself from being spied upon. Just as there are various ways to listen, record or video tape someone secretly, there are numerous ways to detect those same devices.

These bug detectors are capable of finding not only the various types of bugs, but they are also capable of finding them regardless of where they might be hidden.

Some bug detectors can sweep a room or person and tell you immediately if they are bugged, regardless if the device is hard wired, radiating or just sitting there not even turned on yet. These bug detectors range in size and are anywhere from the size of a suitcase, to a hand held portable, to as small as a ball point pen, which, with a push of a button can detect hidden cameras and even wire taps. Bug detectors also can be cleverly disguised to resemble something as ordinary as a smoke detector that alerts you to the presence of radio transmitters, regardless if they were secretly placed in your home or office or if they are carried onto your premises. Regardless of your needs, you can assure yourself and your customers of total and complete privacy when you when you use one of the many types available on the market today.

During the turbulent birth of our country, our forefathers gave us the right to bear arms via the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.

There are many ongoing debates, pro con on this topic.

I for one, am grateful for the 2nd Amendment. Having worked in the law enforcement field for several years, I fully understand that most often, police respond to a call well after the crime has been committed. Crime prevention is relinquished to the individual. In those States that offers the privilege of offering conceal carry licenses, the crime rates have shown to be substantially less than those States with stringent gun control. New York Washington D.C. Are prime example of States with strict anti-gun laws, yet their crime rates are well above average. Would you dare to stroll Central Park in the dark hours? One thing is for certain, Criminals will never have shortage of guns, no matter what State they happen to be in, and very often their firepower exceed those of our law enforcement agencies, we are however making great progress in that aspect. Long ago, I made the decision that my home and family would be protected via firearms. This is a decision that may not be viable for all. Believing that brandishing a weapon toward an intruder will be all that is needed to safeguard your family, could be a fatal error! Protecting with a firearm requires a mind set of being able to use that firearm, to pull the trigger if the situation requires it, and continue to do so until the threat has been dealt with.

This may sound harsh, but seasoned criminals will often be able to tell if home owner is using his weapon for show or is actually serious about using it. There have been many instances where a home owner did not have the mind set to actually use his/her weapon, only to have it snatched by the intruder and get injured or killed by their own gun. In my case, should an intruder invade my home and poses a threat to myself or loved ones, I will not hesitate to shoot him/her until the threat has been dealt with. My aim will be for center of mass, a double tap will be fired (2 shots), then I will evaluate the situation and if the threat persists will again fire until there is no more threats and the intruder if able follows my instructions. If a member of my family has not called 911 by that time, a call will be made for police help medical services for the intruder. All those living under my roof, have received training in the use of firearms and are quite proficient in their use. Having firearms in the home also requires extensive precautions in terms of safety. All my weapons are kept in either my large gun safe or in handgun safe boxes, out of reach from little fingers as well as out of sight. Only at bed time will I have handguns/shotgun out by our bed, a charged cell phone is also next to our bed during that time. Protection of one’s family is a very important decision which should involve all adults in the home. Firearms are not the answer for everyone. Many people feel that they will never become victims in their own home that if need arises, their local police agency will be there to protect them. My reality does not follow that line of thinking, therefore I am prepared should problems arise. I hope and pray that the day for the use of my training never materialize. These are the weapons that we would use and are proficient with should trouble comes knocking on our door.

HK USP45 = full size pistol in .45acp Glock 23 = compact .40SW (wife’s) Mossberg 500 Defender model = 12gauge loaded with #4 buckshot Ruger Mini 30 = 7.62×39 (20rds mags) in unlikely case where shots would be needed past 30/40 yards. My conceal carry favorite pistol is the Kel-Tec P11 in 9mm, followed closely by a Walther PPKS in .380. When fishing or hiking in areas where dangerous predators reside, a SW Mountain Gun in .44mag is always carried in my shoulder holster. I suggest that home protection be a subject discussed at home among adults, that a plan be decided upon should trouble find you, if it involves firearms make sure that SAFETY is your first objective and followed by proficiency with whatever weapon you choose. Do not get weapons that are too much for you, it is much better to be able to hit your target with a smaller caliber than to just miss and make loud noises. Wishing All a Great Quiet Life.

Securing your cabin can be a difficult task – especially if you’re «off the grid» and don’t have the easy luxury of electricity and an «alarm system». But, there are some common sense steps to follow and a couple tricks of the trade, that’ll help secure your property in the off season. If you’re in the position of not having purchased your cabin or land yet, you might begin by considering the security conundrum right off the top. Location, location, location is imperative here, and if you can avoid purchasing a piece of property that is overly exposed to the public and main thorough fair traffic than you’re definitely ahead of the game. Private access roads and secured gating are both pluses. If you’re building your cabin from scratch think about limiting expensive building materials. You might also go for the «shabby chic» cabin look over designing with lush curtains and fancy, expensive furniture – these tend to be indicators of more wealth inside.

If you must have such luxury items at least store them away as best as possible when you’re away – or take them home! Think about security as you’re building your cabin and build the home in a way that intruders won’t be able to get in.

When you leave for the season, make sure you seal up everything. Try putting boards or barriers on your doors and windows. Go as «fortress» like as you see fit – esthetics won’t matter so much when you’re not at home! Intruders generally go for path of least resistance – so don’t give them any opportunity to think yours will be an easy steal. If you’re not intending to board up your windows, at the very least put up some dark blinds and close them before you go. You don’t want your valuables to be visible. You can also install heavy duty dead-bolts on all doors and use lock-bars on sliding doors. Never leave alcohol in your cabin. Much of the trespassing population tend to be young kids looking for a «cheap» or for that matter a «free» good time. Some people even put up signs: «No Alcohol on the Premises», as a deterrent for the cheap thrill type of vandals. Never leave firearms on the premises. If you have to, then make sure they are trigger locked and kept in a locked gun cabinet. If you can, hire someone over the off season to keep your lawn mowed, plants and flowers watered, the driveways plowed and sidewalks shoveled – anything and everything to give the appearance of a constant presence.

Although you may not be capable of installing a full alarm system if your cabin is «off the grid», you can try trip-wire systems.

With such systems you can trigger a sound device to go off, or rig it so objects fall with a crashing sound. Yes, it’s sort of a seemingly archaic alarm system, but you have to work with what you got. And you’d be surprised at what’ll work. Some systems will allow you to trip-wire to a battery operated alarm system or camera monitors that you can see from home! If you’re looking for protection and safety while you’re at the cabin, a dog with a good strong bark is a good idea. Not only will they protect the fort, but you’ll have their canine companionship to boot! One last hint: remember that not all intruders are human. Thrill seeking teenagers are one problem, but rats, mice and bugs are a whole other ball game. The best way to avoid rodents is to ensure that there isn’t a scrap of food in the house when you leave. Foods also have the potential to attract wintering insects as well, so take it all – sugar, flour and every measly scrap you find. Be smart and thorough in securing your cabin for the off season and you’ll have much less of a problem with intruders of all kinds!

Wireless security alarm systems are ideal for installation in a home that wasn’t wired for an alarm system when it was built.

Motion sensors, door contacts and window contacts can all be wireless, and not need to be hardwired back to the main control panel. Even the control keypad can be wireless. The various wireless components use RF (radio waves) to transmit their signals back to the main control panel. The only real disadvantage compared to wired systems is that the wireless components run on batteries, which will need to be replaced once in a while. These batteries generally last for years, however, and many alarm companies offer service and maintenance plans that will cover the replacement batteries and the installation of them. The most common wireless alarm components are the following: Control Panel This is essentially the «brains» of the alarm system. It’s usually mounted somewhere out of the way, like a closet or the basement. It monitors the signals from all the wireless components, and triggers the alarm (and a call to the monitoring station if the system is monitored) if any of the sensors detect an intrusion. Keypad The keypad is used to arm and disarm the system, as well as change various settings. It’s usually located somewhere near the entrance door for easy access. Magnetic Switches These contacts are used to monitor windows and doors. They’re made up of a switch that attaches to the window or door and a magnet that is mounted on the frame. If the switch and magnet are separated (the window or door is opened or broken) it will trigger the alarm. Motion Sensors Motion sensors can be mounted in large rooms or areas like hallways. They will detect motion – and in some cases body heat – and trigger the alarm if it is out of the acceptable range. Video Cameras Wireless security cameras can send a video feed back to a monitor and/or a VCR in the house. They can be used to monitor outside areas that are not very visible from the street, as well as a way of seeing who is at the door before opening it.

Remote Keys Remote keys are much like the remotes you get with car alarms. They can be used from a distance to arm or disarm the alarm, as well as things like turning lights on or off or unlocking doors.

Your home is a safe haven from the world, a place to relax and unwind with family and friends. Unfortunately, hidden dangers may be lurking behind the walls that threaten your safety and that of your loved ones. That’s why it’s a good time to find out just how safe your home is from electrical hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there’s plenty of reason for concern: Nearly 32,000 fires in the home were caused by faulty house wiring or damaged wiring devices each year between 1999 and 2002. However, there is something you can do to safeguard your home from dangerous electrical hazards. The Leviton Institute recommends that with May being National Electrical Safety Month, homeowners conduct an inspection of their home and outdoor areas as part of their regular spring-cleaning projects.

First, make sure pool pumps, hot tubs and outdoor appliances that require electricity are plugged into GFCI-protected outlets with weatherproof covers.

Ground fault circuit interruptors safeguard you and your loved ones from dangerous electrical shock. GFCIs detect when current is leaking from an electrical circuit to ground and automatically shut off the power at the receptacle. They have saved thousands of lives since their introduction in 1972. When choosing a GFCI, it’s important to ensure the device is stamped with the UL logo. In addition, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any other place around the house that has a water source within six feet of the receptacle needs GFCI protection. Check all outlets and switches for cracks, broken parts or loose-fitting plugs. Replace defective devices immediately, as well as those that feel hot to the touch. You should also inspect all power cords and extension cords: Those showing signs of cracking, fraying or obvious wear should be replaced immediately. Never run extensions under rugs, carpets or furniture where damage can hide. Make sure outlets are not overloaded. Most household outlets are typically rated around 15-20 amps. Plugging too many appliances into one outlet can exceed that rating and create a fire or shock hazard.

When you use an extension cord, always plug the appliance into the extension cord first before plugging the extension cord into the outlet.

Convenience stores seem to be one of the most vulnerable places for a robbery, especially all night convenience stores. The need for hidden covert cameras is not only great but a virtual must. Sure the cameras in the ceiling may be good for catching the action during a robbery, but often times, the view of the person’s face isn’t always the greatest. But if you have hidden covert cameras up front and personal, like the one that comes hidden inside a “We ID” counter sign, you are sure to get a great portrait picture of the would be thief that will help police and prosecutors send him packing off to jail in no time at all. They also work just fine for banks and packaging stores. If someone is cashing a stolen check at a bank or planning on holding it up, they will leave a nice up close and personal picture of themselves and never even know it.

Would you like another way to secretly get a shot of those would be thieves as they are leaving your place of business? What better place to hide hidden covert cameras than in the non-threatening, ever present, totally ignored exit sign.

Anyone coming into or going out of your place of business has to pass by it. Exit signs are so common place that unless you are specifically looking for one, you don’t pay any attention to their presence, and even if you are looking for one, you certainly would not think that there are covert hidden cameras hidden inside of them. The exit sign hidden covert cameras come in your choice of black and white or full, living color.

An identity thief doesn’t just steal your credit card and personal information to start buying crazily in your name.

He gets new cards, opens new loans, and leaves a long trail of unpaid bills in your name. He even uses your identity to commit acts of terrorism or other crimes. What are you to do? Identity theft occurs more frequently than you would like to believe – and is committed frequently by someone you know. This is what happened to Linda Foley, a magazine writer, who learned that her own employer had swiped her identity to open cell phone and credit card accounts. Now Foley, along with her husband, fight back as the Co-Executive Directors of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) in San Diego, California.Can This Happen to You?After Bridget J. Thomas learned that her identity was stolen by a bank employee at a branch 300 miles from the one she used, she was shocked. And that was just the beginning of her nightmare! When the thief was caught, she was working at a different bank in a different state. After her arrest, collection agencies continued to hound Ms Thomas.Setting the Record Straight Might Not Be All That Easy – or Quick!Setting the record straight is the tip of a nightmarish iceberg that can take months – even years to accomplish – often with undue pain and suffering for the victim.

In serious cases victims spend an average of 600 hours and $1,400 in out-of-pocket expenses to repair their credit.

Until they can prove their innocence, they are more likely to be: • charged higher rates for insurance and fees for credit cards, • rejected for student loans or home mortgages, • arrested for crimes they did not commit, • unable to get or keep a job.A Call From A Collection Agency Or A turndown For A Loan Is Often the Only Tip-off That Your Identity Was Stolen.A thief needs only one thing to open the doors to his windfall – your Social Security number. Unfortunately it is routinely used by government agencies, health care providers, utility companies, merchants, employers, and financial institutions. Often, your Social Security number is publicly available. That’s how General John M. Shalikashvili, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, became a victim. His Social Security number and those of many other military officers were published in the«Congressional Record»and were later posted on the internet. Thieves used their identities to open 273 new credit cards accounts and run up a bill of over $200,000.00 in charges.Develop a Form of DefenseTo stop identity thieves in their steps, there are several things you can do.

You can begin by freezing access to your credit file. By doing so, you cause your file to become off-limits to anyone who does not know the secret PIN (Personal Information Number) of your choosing. This sets the wheels in motion to protect you from the bad guys – anyone who attempts to apply for credit in your name. It causes their application to be rejected; although your credit cards won’t be affected. And if you want to apply for new credit or let a bank, store, or agency run a background check on you, you can get a credit thaw. For example, if you decided to shop for a big-ticket item, like a car, you might thaw your history for auto dealers.Other Things You Can Do – Starting NOW!• Periodically check your credit report for suspicious activities. Americans are now entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. • If you elect to shop online, use a credit card rather than a debit card. With a credit card, you have the extra protection of maximum liability of $50.00 for unauthorized purchased. • Learn more about «phishing» email scams, and other schemes, frauds, and cons to separate you from your identity and your money.In the Event You Do Become A VictimHere are some steps to take: • Act fast and prepare yourself for an uphill battle uncooperative and unsupportive credit card and law enforcement agencies. For guidance and support, I suggest that you turn to organizations and agencies likeITRC, the Federal Trade Commission, and others. • Call the fraud dept. of one of the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit reports. (The other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified.

) The alert lasts for 90 days and requires creditors to call you before opening new accounts in your name; however, a word of caution is in order here. There are no legal requirements to honor alerts and merchants who are eager to make a sale may ignore them. • Close your credit card accounts and change the passwords on all your financial and banking accounts. • File a police report. Although credit bureaus won’t extend a fraud alert without it, be aware that local police departments may be reluctant to provide a report. Many may lack the resources to properly investigate the crime. • Mail copies of the police report to all three credit bureaus with a cover letter demanding your complete credit file. • Call every credit where you know a bogus account has been created and have them close your file immediately. Demand copies of all fraudulent applications for credit and billing statements. Creditors don’t want to divulge that information, but they will if you enclose a copy of a police report and forward your request it in writing via certified mail.Conclusion:Face it, identity theft is a growing problem affecting everyone in some way or another. With the increase popularity of internet usage, it has become easier for cybercriminals to steal our identity. In 2002 alone, the victim total due to identity theft climbed to 10 million, a new high. The cost to the economy was up an astonishing 41 percent to $52.6 billion, according to The Identity Theft Survey Report, available from the Federal Trade Commission at the website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft/). Each year these totals are climbing with no apparent sign of slowing down.

What are your chances of becoming a victim of some form of identity theft? According to the Federal Trade Commission is one in ten. “So what am I to do?” you ask. My recommendation is that first you educate yourself with information and resources at your disposal. Next, purchase identity theft insurance.

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. The shape of your camera will also play a big part in how well hidden the camera is, and how secure you can keep your home or business. Many times, if a surveillance camera is very obvious or large, criminals will immediately try to destroy the camera before stealing merchandise or money, or otherwise damaging the property.

If a CCTV camera is well hidden, it will be difficult for burglars to find the camera, and it is much more likely that you will catch the trespassing on tape accurately. A discreet camera will also make customers or others in your home feel safer. So, small cameras, dome-shaped cameras, and even submergible cameras are a good idea if you want to add a little extra security to your home or business. For more information on CCTV go towww.musthavesecurity.com/cctv-kits.asp

There is nothing more important than preserving the safety of your family and home.

Whether you are away on vacation and the house is left unattended or you work late at night and want your spouse and children to be safe, a family security system may be the answer. A family security system will typically feature a keypad, which is programmed with a set of numbers used to activate, or deactivate, the alarm system. If any disturbances should occur, the alarm would sound and authorities would be notified. Many family security alarm companies offer this feature, but others require that the homeowner notify the authorities directly. For this reason, it is a good idea to have cordless telephones placed conveniently throughout the house and make sure that you understand the system contract completely. Many burglaries occur when a home is empty, which is why many choose to install a family security system. An alarm will likely frighten the perpetrator and protect your home from any unwelcome entries. A family security system is designed to protect the family and their belongings. The home that you live in and the items contained inside were purchased with hard-earned money. A family security system is one way of making sure that nobody is able to take that away.

While many family security systems can be self-installed, it is recommended that a trusted professional take care of the installation. This is not a home feature that you can afford to have improperly installed or fail when you need it the most. A few common sense acts will help to keep your security code a private number that only your family knows. Never give the family security system code to anyone for any reason and make sure that your children understand the importance of this. In addition, study the family security code and memorize it. Never leave it written on a piece of paper and allow it to float around the house or simply be thrown away. Did you know that many criminals search through garbage in order to gain private information? You do not want your family security code to be available to them so, once your code is memorized, use a paper shredder or scissors to make sure the written numbers cannot be placed back together before throwing them away. As a final thought on family security systems, they are designed to protect you and your family. If a system is so complex that you feel like a prisoner in your own home, it may be time to find another system. A family security system should not be difficult to operate and should not be intimidating. It should make your family feel secure and anything less is just plain unacceptable.

The Home Safety Council reports that fires and burns are the third leading cause of home injury in the United States. The sad fact is, much of the time, these fires could have been prevented. Many homeowners have fire alarm systems and – while the fire alarms are effective in notifying you and your monitoring company of a fire in progress – the alarms don’t prevent fires. Don’t put yourself and your family at unnecessary risk. If you know where the primary trouble spots for fire are, you can do a room-by-room assessment and make any needed changes before you and your family become victims. Most people focus on the kitchen when it comes to fire safety. They make sure their fire alarm systems include smoke and fire detectors in the kitchen as well as fire extinguishers. Most people already know they should: · never leave the kitchen while cooking · never wear loose clothing around burners or gas flames · always carefully watch splattering oils during frying · never have paper, plastic or other flammables near burners However, the majority of homeowners stop there. Unfortunately, we all have fire hazards throughout our homes. Each room needs to be given due attention in order to prevent fires from occurring. Installing fire alarms is a great idea, but you can’t stop there.

To be thorough, use the following checklist to conduct a room-by-room survey.

Once you’re finished, you can feel much more confident that you and your family are safe from potential fires.

Living Room___ Fireplace has a screen, glass door or other protective device to prevent sparks from exiting the fireplace. ___ Matches and lighters are stored in a locked cabinet if small children are in the home. ___ The fireplace has been inspected annually and cleaned by a professional as needed.Garage or Outdoor Area___ Chemicals (including fertilizers) are locked and out of reach of children. ___ Gasoline and kerosene are stored outside the home in a cool place in properly ventilated containers. ___ Grills are kept at least two feet away from anything flammable including bushes and tree branches. ___ Grills have been cleaned of all grease drippings, inside and out.All Rooms___ Cigarettes are dipped in water before being disposed of. ___ Candles are never left unattended. ___ Space heaters are kept several feet away from curtains and drapes, newspapers, magazines, books, blankets, towels or other flammables. ___ Electrical outlets are not overloaded. ___ Power cords are in good condition and are not frayed. When you take just an hour or two to inspect your home, you can dramatically reduce your chances of falling victim to a fire.

Alarm systems are a tremendous help in times of trouble, but by taking a few preventative steps, you greatly reduce the likelihood of an accident happening in your home

In the 30 – 35 years following 1960 about 93% of American households had their homes protected by installing fire alarms. This was not limited to any one form but apartments, single or family homes and dormitories all got their homes installed with some kind of alarms as required by the law which was made mandatory in 1980s. How Will Fire Alarms Help Alarm goes off hooting and alerting you in the event of fire breakout. Very sensitive, as they are, fire alarms alert you early facilitating escape with your kin and kith to safety.

It protects loss of lives and property. It has been the single most important savior of lives and properties from fire hazards over years, according to a survey; no doubts about that. It is fine, but how will it alert the hearing impaired persons who can’t hear the hooter going off? The Federal law, popularly known as Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 makes it mandatory for manufacturers of fire alarms to include strobe lights in addition to audible alarms. Audible Alarms Often fire fighters complain of hearing problems early in their lives. And they are not unjustified with this especially when fire alarms making loud sounds in the range of 90 – 100 decibels. The hooter or horn is designed to produce a variety of sounds depending on the distinct purposes. For example, ‘code 3 temporal pattern’ is used only when evacuation is necessary; and thus the alarm pulses too, vary in times. Other patterns include continuous tone, march time etc. Fire alarms get triggered by sensors which detect either heat or smoke or both in fractions of a second.

You can imagine the efficiency of the systems which detect the cause of fire (heat or smoke) first and trigger the hooter to go and still giving the residents enough time to escape.

Buying Fire Alarms While buying fire alarms you may want to consider a few points. Generally, in public places where large number of people work together, ‘code 3 temporal pattern’ suits better which can well be heard over the rolling noise generated by the crowd, and for a home purpose a continuous tone type would suffice. Buy fire UL listed alarms.

In case of confusion, don’t hesitate to consult the fire department. Occasionally, fire departments offer alarms at discounts too. Offensive fire alarm pranks in hostels or dormitories, when students pull alarms are not viewed lightly in America. Students and pranksters must understand that it wastes the precious time of fire departments and needs evacuation of entire buildings at times. Get tips on installation and mock drills from fire department.

Going on a vacation is wonderful and you deserve it. Coming home to find that your home has been broken into will make all those good times be forgotten in an instant. One of the times your home is most vulnerable is when it is left empty for an extended period of time such as when the occupants are on vacation or on extended business trips. Darkened windows, unretrieved mail or newspapers and closed windows in hotter weather all tell of your absence to a potential burglar. The best protection for your house or apartment during your absence is to have a house sitter. A friend you trust staying at your house can take care of your pets and/or plants in addition to making sure the house is occupied. Of course this scenario is not always an option. Here are some precautions that should be taken by the owner or inhabitants to take before leaving on their trip away from home. • Have a neighbor check on your apartment or house while you’re away – turning on lights, radios or TVs and opening and closing curtains will give your apartment or house the appearance of someone home. • If you don’t have a friend or neighbor to house sit or check your apartment while you’re away – perhaps even if you do – you should keep not only lights on but also a TV or radio on at all times unless you have a timer which is recommended.

If you’re like many others you have your TV on almost all the time you’re home, not for viewing but just as background noise. It is the absence of the sound and that blueish light in the windows that announces you’re not there. Using readily available timers you could also have lights, radios, and TV’s going on and off at different times adding to the illusion to a potential thief that someone is home. • Make sure whoever is checking your apartment or house while you’re away knows how to work any alarm system and who to call in case of a problem. • Unless you have a house sitter, stop your mail by notifying the post office and any newspapers or other items that are delivered to your home on a regular basis. Nothing broadcasts an empty apartment or house better than a stack of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox. Ask a nearby neighbor if they could pick up any packages that happens to be delivered any way while you’re gone. • If you have a garden or plants on your balcony, make sure someone is watering the plants regularly or put the plants where they can’t be seen.

Plants slowly dying due to lack of water may announce your absence to the would be thief.

• If you rent check your lease. Many landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left empty for any period of time so they can enter in case of emergency even if they can’t reach you. Naturally if you’ve got a house sitter this isn’t necessary. • If you are away from home in winter make arrangements to have your place shoveled and plowed. If you are away during the warmer months make arrangements for someone to mow your lawn if it looks like it needs some attention. Of course, many of these recommendations are just common sense. With a little planning ahead and thinking on your part you can make sure there are no nasty surprises when you return from you vacation or business trip.

Burglary is one of the most commonly committed crimes in the United States.

Most homeowners fear that their homes are at risk of being broken into that they purchase insurance to protect them from losses due to burglary and fires. But more than the insurance to protect them from the losses, a more important thing to consider is to install alarms to monitor and alert authorities on unauthorized entry and in cases of fire. No insurance company can recover the losses due to damaged or stolen files, pictures, and items of sentimental value. Insurance companies also cannot restore you the delay and the time lost due to the hassles in filing for a claim. It is because of this that alarm systems are as important, if not more valuable, than insurance to one’s home. In buying alarm system, don’t just purchase whatever is popular in the market. Consider your needs, the house structure, its wiring system and other aspects of your household before deciding on what to install for your house. Remember that what could have been effective for another house or establishment may not be effective for yours. Here are a few things to think about before going about buying one.  How many entrances are going to be integrated into the alarm system? Consider the number of windows and doors in the house. It is advisable that all windows and doors, even the smaller attic windows, should be connected to the alarm system. The number of entrances determines the complexity of the wirings and it also determines where you should put control centers to turn the alarm on or off.  Decide on the alarm system company to install the security devices. Consult a security system specialist, an insurance agency, the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) or the police department for recommendations.

Make sure that the company does a free survey and inspection. Ask for the installer’s recommendation, explanation for his assessment and the price quote. Have it properly documented so you can compare it with the contract, once you decided to avail of the services of the company. You also have an option to buy a do-it-yourself alarm system, although this may not be as reliable as a system install by professionals. This is usually the «bells only» system where the homeowner is alerted by a sound if unauthorized entry sets the alarm off.  Should you subscribe to monitoring station? An advanced alarm system can connect to 24-hour monitoring company and alerts them if the system has recorded a breaking-in. The monitoring company then alarms the local police. This is the best option, though an agreement with a monitoring company requires a monthly fee. Another option, which is less expensive, is to install dialer accessories that will b linked to your phone line. In case a break-in was detected, the dialer can call several pre-programmed numbers such as your cell phone number to inform you of the intruder.

A problem that can occur with this, however, is that if the burglar had cut-off the phone lines before the entry, the dialer accessories will be of no good.

Decide on the sensors’ location and sensitivity. This is very important if the people who live in the house gets up at night and roams around the house. Also, consider the presence of pets that can set the alarm system off. If you have a motion sensor, make sure that this is install in places high enough not be disturbed by pets. You can also ask about motion sensors that will not be triggered by pets. These sensors can identify the size and the weight of the target. If you have an infrared sensor, make sure it is properly located so it wouldn’t detect areas that have heat sources.  Assess the proper location for the control panel and keypads. Ideally, a keypad is near the front door for ease in turning the alarm on/off when leaving the house or upon getting home. Another keypad may be mounted near the bedrooms, to be a manual trigger, in case an entry was not detected by the alarm system.  Check the possibility of home automation. There are burglar alarm systems that can also be connected to carbon monoxide and smoke sensors, flood detectors and the lighting system. This may be helpful in turning on all the lights during emergencies.

Type of controls The controls should be easy to use that the household members can remember how to use it during emergency situations. The switches should also be properly protected to prevent damages of freezing when the climate changes.  Should you go wired or wireless? The difference here depends on the complexity of the installation. A wired system is complex and requires drilling holes on the walls. A wireless system costs a little more than the wired system but its installation is not inconvenient. With this information, you can be prepared when selecting what type of alarm system will be needed for your home.