Do Silent Alarms Really Provide Security for Homes and Businesses?

Most people who are considering an upgrade in security efforts ask this question. The problem is that the answer isn't a simple yes or no but a very long, drawn, out and complicated answer that is both 'yes' and 'no'. The explanation should help you make the best decision for your home or business security needs. You are the only one that can make the final decision as to whether or not a silent alarm is best for the needs of your home or business.

Combined with a monitoring service, a silent alarm can let the monitoring service know immediately that there is a problem. The problem is that it takes time for the security company to respond. Most home and business owners have the option of response by the company in charge of your security system or response by police. There are pros and cons on both sides of the issue. The ultimate answer is that the alarm company representatives are likely to show up in less time than it would take police to respond (intrusions-even for businesses are not a high priority crime these days) but the hired security guards are generally unarmed, somewhat unskilled, and offer very little to deter a determined criminal.

Private security firms often employ low wage workers; some who have criminal records themselves. This is enough for many people to elect the option of having the police respond to alarms. Be aware however, that in many areas there is a charge involved when police respond to false alarms. Some police will allow two false alarms and then charge rather serious charges in order to avoid wasting the time of officers that could be protecting and serving elsewhere. All in all, many people will take the risks of security companies over the risks of being forced to shell out too much money in the event of false alarms. Be sure to check with the policies of your local security companies as well as your local police before deciding which is in the best interest of your home or business.

When it comes to criminals, most of the good ones have been around the block a time or two and are well aware of what the average response time in the area is for both police and various security companies. For this reason many of them will have staked out the place, have a good idea of what company handles your security, where valuable items are located, and have a quick escape route planned. In other words, having a silent alarm offers no real deterrent for the criminal with a game plan and more often than not he or she will be in and out and have what he or she is looking for well within the time frame of police or security company response.

More importantly however, silent alarms do not attract attention. Attention is something that the wise intruder seeks to avoid as it leads to capture and identification. Loud alarms work best for getting the attention of neighbors and passersby (for businesses) if nothing else for the annoyance factor. Neighbors will head outdoors in hopes of getting you to turn your alarm off only to discover that it isn't a false alarm. A neighbor reporting a crime in the act (an eyewitness) is far more likely to gain a faster police response than an alarm company reporting what may amount to a false alarm.

It is a great idea to have a security system installed in your home or business. It is also great that many home and business owners are considerate of their neighbors when choosing a silent alarm system. The truth of the matter is though that silent alarms offer no real deterrent to criminals and that is what most people seek when installing an alarm system.

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Improving Your Security And Privacy

Due to the increase in door-to-door salesman, criminals looking to scope out your residence, and other annoyances, you may sometimes feel that answering your door isn’t worth it. When you do finally answer your door and find a door-to-door salesman, you may have a very tough time getting rid of them. They will continue to hassle you and keep coming back until you support their group or buy one of their “innovative” products.

To prevent this from happening and keep unwanted company from bothering you, you should use a protective barrier between your door and the street. You don’t really need a 15 foot high electric fence, as even the most basic of fencing will do the trick. You can install a simple decorative fence around your yard, complete with locking gate, to keep any type of solicitors at bay.

Although a fence is a great way to achieve privacy, not everyone has a yard that they can build a fence on. You can also use a gate that blocks entry to your porch or front door, as this way you can keep the gate locked at all times. The main idea and theory here is to make it difficult to approach the door to your home. This way, salesman, solicitors, and even snoops will see that it requires a lot of effort to reach you - and they will normally just give up and move on.

Even though a fence or locked gate are great, you can’t overlook a dog either. A barking dog can be very effective, as trespassers simply can’ t look over a dog that is barking. Barking dogs aren’t the same as a fence or gate, although they are very common these days. Keep in mind however, that the effectiveness of a dog with scaring off unwanted guests will greatly depend on the disposition and character of the dog you have.

Nearly every dog will bark when it sees a stranger, although not every dog will prevent someone from coming to your door unless it has been trained to do so. A lot of door-to-door salesman and snoops deal with dogs on a daily basis, and will normally just ignore the dog and the barking and proceed to come to your door. If the dog is more of a violent nature and appears ready to strike, then it will be a different store. If the salesman or snoop notices the dog is ready to bite, he will normally stop in his tracks and turn around - out of the fear of getting bit.

Keep in mind that having a dog doesn’t mean that you have to blood train him or put him on steroids to keep unwanted visitors away. What you need, is an aggressive dog that will stand his ground and help you keep your privacy. When a solicitor visits your home and sees your aggressive dog, he won’t want to sacrifice a sale at the risk of getting bit by your dog.

As annoying as door-to-door solicitors are, there are ways that you can improve your security and your privacy around your home. You can also invest in home surveillance systems as well, to further enhance your privacy and security. For solicitors, fencing with a locked gate is the best way to go, if you have the room for it. On the other hand, if you don’t have the space for a fence, you can always use a dog or other options. Privacy and security is very important - which is why you don’t want solicitors invading your space.

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Security Cameras

As crime and theft with businesses continues to get stronger and stronger, the need for security increases as well. Although security personnel is a must have, businesses need another form of security that isn’t quite as noticeable. Crooks can spot an individual without a problem, which is where security cameras come into play.

Security cameras are very popular these days, coming in many shapes and sizes. The wired types can fit in speakers, clocks, and even smoke detectors. The wireless types on the other hand are far more flexible and can be placed nearly anywhere. Wireless security systems are a great addition to any home or business, as they can be placed in areas that a thief wouldn’t even begin to suspect.

For the home or business, Internet wireless security cameras are a great way to monitor remote video. The system camera will transfer signals through a LAN adapter or wireless network on to a specific IP (Internet Protocol) address. This can be a great way to keep a watchful eye on your property while you are on vacation or out of town. There are some Internet systems that will alert you via email if there is any detection in movement.

The cameras that work with home surveillance systems are power driven, normally by 9 volt batteries, providing up to 10 hours of energy. They are very powerful cameras, as even the slightest amount of movement will activate the motion sensors in the cameras. Once the camera has been triggered, it will immediately start recording video, taking pictures, or transfer the live video feed to another computer.

There are also digital security cameras as well. Even though they are smaller in size, they can still record video for a long period of time. They are so popular these days due to the fact that the video or pictures that are stored on them can be saved and edited on a computer. Digital security cameras also eliminate the needs for recording tapes as well, which can take up a lot of space and aren’t very safe for keeping in areas with high temperatures. Digital security cameras store the information within their memory, which will help you keep up with the pictures and video feed.

Security cameras have been around for many years, gaining their reputation and popularity with businesses. As years went by and they became more affordable people began to use them in their homes. A security camera at home can be a great way to protect yourself from burglars and break-ins, keep an eye on the babysitter, or just monitor things while you are away. Security cameras are very affordable and they can easily give the peace of mind in knowing that your home is protected no matter where you go.

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Wireless Security Systems

With crime on the rise, home security systems are a must have. With burglars becoming more and more common, you simply must protect your loved ones as well as your possessions. There are several different types of security systems available for you to choose from. For your home, there are wired and wireless security systems available. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, along with the differences in price as well.

The driving technology found with both wired and wireless security systems are quite different. Wireless security systems don’t need to be wired through the house; they will instead send transfer messages to the control panel through radio signals. When they were first introduced, wireless security systems were proved to be unreliable when compared to the wired systems. As time went by and more and more people looked into them, wireless systems began to take form.

When compared to wired systems, wireless security systems are a lot easier and more convenient to install due to the fact of there being no wires. Wireless systems can save you a lot of money, time, and effort due to there being no ripping of the floors or walls in your home. Wireless systems on the other hand are more expensive than wired systems and you’ll need to replace their batteries on a periodic basis. The primary advantage to wireless security systems is the fact that they are easy to relocate, meaning that you can easily shift them from one home to another.

Wireless security systems use the same components as other security systems such as the touchpad, control panel, cameras, detectors, and alarms. Wireless systems rely on radio frequencies that are transmitted by the door contacts, windows, and motion activated sensors. The touch pads that are located at the entrances to the home will provide activation and deactivation of the system. In the event of the power failing, a backup system will take over the wireless system and continue to provide security for your home.

To use a wireless system, all you need to do is input the code through the control panel. Normally, this is done prior to entering and leaving your home. Once the code is input into the control panel, the control panel will send remote signals to the rest of the system that will activate the alarms. Depending on the system you have, an alarm will go off either by motion detection or a window or door being opened.

If you look around you can find several different wireless security systems, many of which you can install yourself. Before you buy a system though, you should always consult a professional who can survey your home and suggest the equipment you need. Even though it may cost a bit more money, it will be more than worth it down the road.

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How Home Video Surveillance Works

When they were first introduced, video surveillance systems were mostly used with medium to large businesses. These days however, they are becoming more and more common in homes. Video surveillance security systems are also known as Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) and are used to monitor certain areas around the home and help to protect it from burglars and thieves.

The monitor is a key aspect to the video surveillance setup. The monitor will feed the video from the cameras that make up the system. The monitors are normally black and white and feature a higher resolution than that of a standard television set. Monitors vary in size and resolution, although the standard resolution is between 500 and 1000 lines.

Cameras are also important. When setting up the home video surveillance system, the cameras are placed strategically around the outside of the home, in the most vulnerable areas. They should be set up in areas where they are nearly impossible to see. The cameras are always working, sending the video transmissions to the monitors on a frequent basis.

Coaxial cables are also a must have for video surveillance systems. The coaxial cables are what transfers the video signals from the camera to the monitor. The cables are available in a variety of sizes. You can find them at a local electronics store in your area. Your home video surveillance system will come with coaxial cables, although you may need more depending on where you plan to set the cameras up at.

Home video surveillance systems also use switchers. Switchers allow you to run multiple camera feeds to one monitor. Normally, a switcher will cycle through feeds unless it detects movement going on around a camera. When the switcher detects any type of movement, it will automatically lock in to the camera that has detected the movement.

There are some video surveillance systems that you can get for the home that make full use of VCRs. These systems will use the VCR to record any live video feed that you program. This can come in handy if you travel a lot, as the VCR can capture a break in as it happens. If you end up going to court or to the police, you can use the video tape as evidence. VCRs can catch burglars in the act – especially if you set the camera up to a location that is hard to see.

By utilizing the combination of a monitor and video camera, home video surveillance systems can easily catch burglaries and break-ins. They are very affordable these days, and used in thousands of homes throughout North America. If you’ve been looking for the ideal way to protect your home – a home video surveillance system is something you should look into immediately.

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How to secure home when on Vacation

Burglary is a common thing these days, with burglary around the home occurring quite frequently. When you go on a vacation, you shouldn’t have to worry about the condition of your home and your things. Your vacation should be relaxing, without having to worry about anything. If you plan ahead before you go on your vacation – you can help to minimize the risks of anything going wrong. Nothing is more stressful, disappointing, or downright sickening than returning home from a hard earned vacation – only to find that your home had been robbed.

One way to fend off burglars is by hiring a house sitter. A house sitter is one of the best ways to get rid of any type of trouble as well. All you need to do is find someone who will swing by your house a few times a day, check on things, and turn the lights on at night. If you have animals at your house, you may want to hire a house sitter to care for your animals as well as your home. In most cases, peace of mind is worth any price. If you decide to hire a house sitter, you should always make sure that you choose someone reliable who you can trust while you are away.

In the event that you are unable to get a house sitter, you should strive to make it appear as if someone is living in your home. To be on the safe side, you can have a neighbor whom you trust keep an eye on your home. Whoever you choose to watch your property should have a number to contact you with in case something goes wrong.

You can buy various timers and such that will make it appear as if people are in your home. Radio timers and light timers can go a long way in making criminals believe someone is at your house. You’ll also want to consider your lawn before you leave as well. If the grass is too high, people will wonder if anyone is home. You should always cut it before you leave, and have someone else cut it for you if you are going to be gone for more than a week.

You’ll also want someone to pick up your mail as well. If the mail starts to pile up in your box, criminals will know that you aren’t home. Even though you may not be on vacation for long, you should always make sure that your door is locked and that you leave the spare key with someone whom you trust who can keep an eye on things for you.

When that individual comes by your home to check on things, they should be sure to turn the lights and television on in the evening. You should also make sure that your trusted person knows to check on the interior of your home, and look for anything out of the ordinary. If something is wrong, that person shouldn’t hesitate to contact the police. A broken widow, door, or furniture out of place is the first sign that something is wrong.

Vacations are something we all need to take. Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, with no worries about anything else. If you take the necessary steps before you leave, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Whether it’s a friend or family member stopping by to check on things or a house sitter that you’ve hired – peace of mind goes a long way in helping you make the most of your very important vacation.

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The Cons Of Home Intruder Alarms

Although home intruder alarms are thought of being an integral aspect of home security, research has shown that these alarms aren’t difficult at all for professional burglars. The reason for this is due to the fact that most homeowners tend to forget to set the alarm or fails to lock up the windows and doors like they should. Although the technology behind home intruder alarms is great, the technology can’t really do anything for you unless you use it properly.

Even though you may set your alarms when you leave, there is always that one chance that you may forget. On that very day that you forget a burglar can easily cash in on your mistake and break into your home. Most professional burglars are very familiar with home intruder alarms and know exactly how to deal with them. Even though you may have the most expensive alarm on the market today, it won’t be able to do anything if you forget to program it.

Almost all home intruder alarms need to have the windows and doors properly shut before they are activated. When you enter or leave your home, you’ll need to enter a password into the control panel to activate or deactivate the alarm. If you arrive home and forget to deactivate the system, it could go off on you. This can be very embarrassing, especially if the alarm sounds and the police show up – only to find that you are trying to “break in” to your own home!

Most burglars out there can rob a home in as little as 15 minutes. Although some burglars choose to work with others, most prefer to work along. The experienced burglars almost always do their research first, and go from there. A professional burglar will never enter a home he isn’t familiar with, for the simple fact that he could get caught. Instead, he will spend a lot of time studying the home and the family. If there is a home intruder alarm present, the burglar will watch from the shadows until he has learned how the system works. Once he sees that you have failed to input your password or activate the system, he will make his move. Once the burglar is inside the house and the alarm is off – he can be nearly impossible to catch.

If the alarm is set and the burglar happens to trip it, he will immediately flee from the area and move on to a different home. Home intruder alarms can be very loud, with most contacting the police or other law enforcement agency the second they notice a break in. Even though they may have their faults – home intruder alarms are still great to use with home security as long as you remember to activate them before you leave your house.

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The Best Ways To Prevent Burglary

These days, home burglary is one the rise. Over 70% of all crime these days relates to property crimes, normally involving the home. Although police and local authorities are doing everything they can to put a stop to crime, burglary is something that cannot be stopped. Even though there are ways to protect yourself, burglars will always be lurking out there - waiting for their next victim.

Even though there are ways to prevent unwanted entry to your home, a determined burglar will always find a way to get in. Breaking and entering is his job, and most burglars are extremely good at it. Statistics show that burglaries occur every 15 seconds. What that means, is that every 15 seconds there is someone out there getting robbed.

Over the years, home burglaries have received a lot of attention, some of which have even been on the news. Although some burglars eventually get caught and arrested, most seem to disappear without a trace. To protect yourself and your home, there are tactics such as security alarms, burglar alarms, and even security cameras that you can use.

Property marking is a great way to protect yourself as well. Property marking involves marking everything that you own with a signature or mark that you can easily identify once the property has been recovered. You can use micro dots, UV pens, or even laser pens. The idea here is to mark your property so it won’t be easy to sell on the black market. Even though it may sound weird, most burglars do study their targets quite a bit before they decide to rob them.

One of the most effective forms of home security is the home security system. If a burglar tries to rob your home and notices that you have a security system set up, he will normally start to get second thoughts and eventually change his plans. On the other hand, if the burglar decides to go ahead and rob a home with a surveillance system anyway, the system will normally catch him on video, making it easy for the police to identify who he is. Home surveillance and security cameras are great to have, and can either be wireless or wired, dummy or real, outdoor or indoor, or even a combination of several.

Alarms are also a great way to prevent burglary. The police will tell you that home burglar alarms prevent over 50% of attempted burglaries in the home. There are several types of burglar alarms, from those that aren’t expensive to those that are monitored around the clock. Alarms will let burglars know that robbing your home isn’t going to be easy, and that they should really give it a second thought. Tried and true over the years, alarms have be proven to be very effective and above all else - they work.

No matter what direction you decide to take, there are indeed ways that you can protect your home from burglary. In the United States, home security systems have really become a big business. Millions of home owners throughout the U.S. are investing in security and surveillance systems, knowing that the day will come when they will come in very handy. Even though you may never be robbed, there is always a chance. Burglaries can happen at any time, which is why you should always be protected. If you think ahead and invest in a security system, you’ll be prepared for anything that happens. You have to think in terms of self defense - and ensure that your home is protected for anyone who decides to make you a target.

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Basic Knowledge About Home Surveillance

If you are interested in protecting your home with a surveillance system, you should first grasp the concepts of the technology. There are several home surveillance systems to choose from, making it in your best interest to learn all you can. Most aren’t hard to install or monitor - providing you have the right guide to assist you.

No matter how hard you may try, it can be nearly impossible to ask the right questions or complete your goals without first finding yourself overwhelmed by possibility. There are many alternatives and “what ifs” to any home surveillance system. Selecting which type is best for you can be a bit easier, if you know what they offer and which one will work the best for you.

Closed circuit television and several other types of electronic devices are much more common these days, and easier to operate than ever before. They are also more affordable as well, and becoming more and more popular with home owners everywhere. The basics behind closed circuit systems lets you know that the signals the camera picks up aren’t broadcast through the air, but instead sent directly to the monitor, which can be observed from virtually anywhere - at anytime.

If you learn more of the basic concepts involved with home surveillance systems, you can make more sense of the language when you talk to salesman and others in the trade. If you aren’t familiar with any of the technology or systems at hand, you won’t know what salesman or others in the trade are talking about when you inquire about your home surveillance system.

Therefore, you should always strive to learn as much as you can about the terms and subjects of home surveillance. It’s actually easier than you may think, as long as you keep it simple. Once you have built the foundation, you’ll find it easier to learn more.

The first thing to know is that the camera is responsible for all images that are displayed on the monitor or captured. The performance of the camera will vary on the reflected light available on the area that you are surveying, the quality of the components that you are using, and the overall performance of the camera. Some cameras are high quality, while others can be very poor and lack in direction.

Overall quality with a home surveillance system however, will greatly depend on the weakest area of the chain. To get the most from your system, you should always make sure that each and every component is of the same quality. This way, you can get great display images without having to worry about shoddy quality. If you do your research and compare, you can even get great quality at very affordable prices.

When you select the home surveillance system that you will be using, you should always take the time to research and compare. If you understand the basic concepts of home surveillance, you’ll have a much easier of time of selecting your equipment and components.

To make the best decision possible, you’ll need to look at certain areas of home surveillance systems, such as the illumination, lighting, resolution, sensitivity, and the video signal that is sent to the monitor. The quality will vary among the different options you have available, which is why you should always look for the best system that you can afford. This way, you’ll have the surveillance protection you need for your home - at a price you can afford.

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Information About Home Security

A majority of people that reside in the United States are worried about leaving home while either at work or on vacation. If the neighborhood is considered to be bad in terms of crime, it may be troublesome going to sleep. A lot of people live in fear or leaving their kids or an old person at home due to the fact that someone could easily break in to their home and harm them. Due to this fear, some may even hide weapons in the house.

Each and every one of these fears that people develop stems from incidents that have happened in the past to others. These days, people are getting more cautious about protecting their loved ones and their homes. Most use burglar alarms, keep their doors locked at all times, never open their doors to strangers, and keep their windows locked. When going out of town, they will inform neighbors that they will be away – and then will invest in a home security system.

Burglars and intruders alike will often keep a watchful eye on any opportunities that present themselves to gain entrance to a home. Thieves do their research well and look for any entry that they can use to enter the home such as doors, windows, skylights, and chimneys. They will also pay attention to any surveillance systems as well, and do their homework on how to disable or avoid them. If a house is well equipped with alarms, cameras, and motion detectors, a burglar may actually think twice before he attempts to ransack a home.

What many fail to realize is the fact that burglars are smart people. They spend a lot of time planning to rob a home, carefully studying and watching. Although locking your doors and windows will help to an extent, it normally won’t keep a determined burglar out of your home. If a burglar sets his mind to something and has a plan in mind, simply locking your windows and doors isn’t enough.

If you have sturdy and strong doors and windows on your home, it will take the burglar extra time to break in. In the process, he can easily get caught due to the high level of noise he will make trying to get into the home. If you have a lot of valuables in your home, you can always invest in a strong fireproof safe to store them in. To protect the exterior of your home you should have always have good lighting in your yard.

Alarms are popular to use as well, as most will go off the second a burglar tries to open a window or a door. They are very popular these days, providing a high level of security for your home. Alarms and surveillance systems include a variety of detectors, control panels, alarms, and cameras. Although they may cost you a bit of money – the peace of mind and safety of your family is more than worth the investment.

No matter what area you may live in, you can always secure your home. To better secure your home and know what equipment you need, you should always try and understand the frame of mind that burglars use. This way, you’ll know what you need to protect your home. Home security is a common issue these days and for good reason. With crime steadily on the rise – protecting your home, your family, and your belongings becomes more and more important.

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