Sunday, January 13, 2013

New Years' Home Security Resolutions for Consumers This 2013



The colorful fireworks and vibrant festivities have marked the beginning of another year for everyone. Surviving the apocalyptic prediction of the Mayan Calendar has relieved billions around the globe. Indeed, the New Year holds a lot of great things to look forward to. It is also the time to ensure that you forgo of all the home security shortcomings that you have committed in 2012. This is the perfect period to ensure that you beef up your security systems within your backyard.

Here are some New Year's security resolutions recommended for you this 2013:

o For those with elders at home: wireless security systems are highly suggested for the elders. There are security measures that are already attached or integrated with jewelries like necklaces, bracelets and watches. You can also install one-click communication systems that will automatically ring hospitals, fire stations and police in case of emergencies.

For those with kids at home: Frontpoint offers top of the line home security alarms that are perfect for families with kids. They have security options that allow parents to monitor their children while they are at work. One of the company's assets aside from its equipment and comprehensive service plans is its exemplary customer service according to most Frontpoint reviews. While you are tailoring home security systems with what you need, Frontpoint's reps can provide you with sound advice.

For those who travel frequently: Who says you cannot control the locks of your homes while you are travelling? The updates in security technologies are now allowing professionals who frequently travel and who are rarely home to monitor and control safekeeping of their properties while they are away. You can also place sensors around in case of fires and break-ins.
Conventional home alarm systems are vulnerable. It is high time for you to invest in up-to-date technologies that can secure your homes and properties better--something that works 24/7 and senses when a burglar is just around the corner.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Keeping Your House Safe during Your Vacation


The trouble with common knowledge is that the bad guys know it as well. We all know that when we pack up and get ready to leave on vacation we are told to stop the newspaper delivery, ask the postmen to hold the mail, make sure the house is locked tight and leave a light burning. These are great suggestions but they can stand a dusting off.

There is no problem with stopping newspaper delivery, even a burglar doesn't know if your simply cancelled your subscription or not, not so with the mail. Everyone gets mail, even though most of it goes to junk, so if you stop mail delivery it's a giveaway to a determined thief. It’s far better to have your neighbor collect it, take it in the front door and then leave your house by the back door.

If you just leave a light on 24 hours a day while you are away it looks very unnatural. There are simple timers that can be programmed to turn the light off during the day and on at night. For a few extra dollars you can get a timer that can be programmed to turn the light on and off several times making it appear that someone is home. The same timer can be used to turn the TV or radio on and off which makes it look even more occupied.

If you have yet to get a Protect America home security system this may be the time to consider the installation. Plan well ahead if you are going to have the installation because even the best home alarm company in the country cannot make miracles happen. You may wish to interview several alarm companies without pressure, and make sure that the system you get is monitored. An audible alarm is good but you are relying on a neighbor to call the authorities, not so if the system is monitored.

When and if you do install an alarm system, make sure you let the alarm company know you are going away, give them the dates of your vacation. When you read a Protect America review you will often see comments alluding to the fact that the companies tend to pay more attention to your home if they know in advance that you are away.

Over and above the basics and an alarm system, nothing beats all of them combined.

A Wireless Alarm System Gives Safety, Security and Serenity


With the ever increasing crime rate one of the only ways to give peace of mind and to know your home is safe is to install a Vivint wireless burglar alarm. The valuables in your home may not have a lot of value to anyone but you, but that doesn't mean you want to have them taken from you. It does not matter what a house contains, a wireless alarm system will protect it, remember, a skilled burglar can strike in seconds but he will think twice if he knows the house is protected.

Home security does not have to be expensive, a security expert will be the first to tell you that the front door and windows close to the front of the house are the primary targets for a smash and grab thief. When you consider how few entrance points absolutely need to be protected with sensors you realize that the installation is within almost everyone's budget, especially when you also take into account a reduced premium for your homeowners insurance.

There is no need to hire a crew to install a wireless system; it can easily be done by the homeowner, even if he or she is not technically inclined. Vivint reviews point to the ease of installation, simply place the sensors on the door and windows and plug the control panel into the phone jack. This system will allow your home to be remotely monitored, once again at a very reasonable monthly cost, often significantly less than your other utilities.

Do not think that just because your home may not be in a rich neighborhood that you won't be targeted by thieves. If you think this you are sadly mistaken, homes in less affluent neighborhoods are usually not protected so the opportunities for a burglar are greater than they are in an affluent area where the homes most definitely will be protected. A thief would rather take his chances with an economical home than a large fancy house. You do not have to be rich to afford a burglar alarm, nor do you have to be rich to attract burglars. There are very few homes, rich or not, that don't have TVs, game systems, laptops and appliances, exactly what the burglar is looking for.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Safety Tips for Night Shift Workers

To help make ends meet at home, I took on a part-time job. I've been a late night staff in a convenience store for about two weeks now. I have always deemed my hometown safe; then again, I've never had to walk home alone at 3 am every day.

During my walk home, I had a constant fear of being surprised by thugs. My friends suggested that I arm myself with pepper spray. However, I soon heard of a new scheme where the hooligans stalk you until you get home and then attack you and rob your home. These stories brought me to think in a broader sense and raised my concern on our overall safety at home.

I soon found myself checking out the internet to find out the best home alarm companies that I could turn to in order to safeguard my home. My mom and I browsed several websites to find out what can be expected from the best home alarm company. We learned about home alarm systems as well.

We found out that the most fitting alarm system to protect our home is either one that's connected to a round-the-clock central monitoring system that can quickly respond in case of an emergency or one that's connected to an automatic dialer that can call up emergency contacts once the alarms get triggered.

A central monitoring system is operated by a security-providing company. Normally, the agent who receives a distress signal from a certain residence places a call to that location. If the call confirms the threat, if it remains unanswered, or if the alarm is not disarmed, the monitoring center dispatches a response team.

Those with automatic dialers are so-called 'unmonitored' security systems. The reviews we read through say that on a tight budget, it may be wiser to opt for this type of security alarm because such tend to be friendlier on the budget.

We're yet to make a decision on which type of security system to go with. What's certain is that we will no longer take chances when it comes to our overall safety and security.

Advances in Home Security Technology

The best home alarm companies have always incorporated state of the art technology in their products. Every generation of equipment has always taken full advantage of the best available, whether it is electronic or mechanical. The problem was; equipment that was state of the art was always quite expensive meaning that many consumers had to make do without the high end equipment and it was only business owners that could access the very best.

As in all modern technologies, times have changed. The best of the best in home security systems is now affordable, putting them in reach of the average home owner. The high end systems are no longer the domain of business operators only. The cost of acquisition of these high end systems have also been impacted by home insurance companies who routinely offer discounts of as much as 20% on premiums for those who protect their homes, occupants and contents. As high tech systems are rapidly becoming the norm, many new home contractors are installing high end systems at the same time as they install the rest of the infrastructure. It has reached a point where people are expecting a home to be fitted with a security system and this rapid increase in volume has driven the unit costs down.

The best home alarm company will now tell you that an entry level system of today is equal to the best of the best 10 years ago and the cost of this system is within reach of most homeowners. An entry level system today includes just about everything that is required to protect the average suburban home; exterior door and window sensors, a motion sensor control panel, audible alarm and warning signs. These few components will ward off a potential intruder most of the time and for a few dollars more a month, the system can be remotely monitored so that local authorities are quickly alerted to a crime in progress.

Far more elaborate systems are readily available; they can include CCTV cameras, recording devices, infra red sensors, medical alerts and fire alarms.