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homesecurity Today is Saturday, May 19, 2012
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Burglary Targets--Apartment

Apr17

According to the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), apartments are 85% more likely to be victimized by a burglary than any other form of housing.

apartment

There are many reasons why apartments are targeted for burglaries. Here are a few:

Problem: In an apartment setting the residents live among other people. One tenant in a complex who has a propensity for theft may target units within. When he knows you aren’t home, that’s when he breaks in.

Solution: Alarm it. Apartment security systems trump all other options. And keep your TV or radio on to give the impression you are home. Even if your car is gone and he knows it, the alarm will screech and alert the authorities when you’re gone.

Problem: Mailboxes often signal who lives at the apartment. A single name on a mailbox may give the burglar the impression you might not be home during the day due to the fact most people work 9-5.

Solution: Put Your Name and Another Name on the mailbox. Tell your landlord ahead of time so they understand why.

Problem: You go on vacation or travel on business and the mail piles up and the lights are always off. Your apartment is seen by many other who notice you’re gone. This is called: “a crime of opportunity”.

Solution: Give your apartment they lived in look. Keep a TV on, shades down, put your lights on timers and have a friend grab your mail.

Problem: People in apartments often do not lock windows on upper levels thinking they are more secure. They forget that ladders and fire escapes can provide access even 3-4 levels up.

Solution: Lock your windows and make sure your apartment security system is applied to your windows and alerts you via the alarm whenever they are opened. You can also install motion security camera and glass break sensors, motion sensors as extra layers of security.


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Complete guide for your home surveillance

Apr09

Nowadays, it’s becoming important for homeowners to choose some sort of home surveillance system that will help their home and lives protected. However, there are so many different types of systems on the market that it can be hard to choose the best one for your home.Afterall, you can take some time to learn about the different types of home surveillance equipment ,how they work and what they could offer you in terms of security.

One of the most common types of home security equipment happens to be the standard burglar alarm. These generally come in the forms of circuit alarms where the alarm is triggered when doors or windows are opened. Burglar alarms might also come with motion sensors that track down irregular movement, and then sound the alarm. Generally, these types of alarm systems come with control boxes that are mounted on the wall for ease of configuring the alarm and turning it off if it has been accidentally triggered. Generally, the control boxes are found far within the home so that it is not so easy for a criminal to tamper with it just after breaking into the home.

What are the best home surveillance systems?

A more common home surveillance option that is being used more in the home is CCTV surveillance camera. This is a type of surveillance that was, in the beginning, more popular with public venues and stores, as it provided a means for keeping a constant watch on various areas of a property. However, it is becoming more common in residential homes because it can provide an effective way to literally keep a lookout for criminals. The CCTV surveillance systems generally includes three major components, a camera for surveying, a lens for focusing on abnormal behavior, and a monitor unit that is stationed away from the other two components so that the homeowner can observe what is being filmed. Many times, people will also use hidden cameras in and outside their home, or within objects to keep a close watch over a certain area.

Is using wireless a good home surveillance option?

Another increasingly popular type of home surveillance equipment is the wireless security system, as it provides an easy means for installation and use. The alarm system can make use of motion detectors and other forms of home surveillance to sound an alarm and wirelessly notify the home owner. Generally, one of the major advantages of wireless home surveillance is the ease of keeping track of the home for the owner, and being able to survey the home while away.

Although there are many different types of home surveillance systems and equipment to choose from for your home, it’s a good idea to research all of them to choose the best fit. Depending on the circumstances, size of your home, and layout, there is a particular type of home alarm system that would be better for you than others. Instead of allowing your home to go unprotected, consider choosing among the many different types of home surveillance options to start protecting your home.


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Attention for installing fake security cameras

Apr05

dummy security

The best place to locate a fake security camera is where it can both be seen and appears to have an effective field of view just like real cameras. If adopting the recommended approach of mixing real and dummy CCTV cameras then precedence should be given to the real ones so that they can capture the most information, then use the fakes to make the system seem more comprehensive and to simply draw attention to the fact that there is a surveillance system in operation.

You never want to position a camera where it might be exposed to inspection or vandalism. Therefore high up is good as it prevents anyone taking a good looking at it or interfering with it. Also, real cameras tend to be mounted fairly up high not only to protect them but also because you can usually obtain a much wider field of view, and of course they’re much more visible. But don’t go to extremes – the point of CCTV surveillance cameras are usually to provide visual recognition and filming the tops of people’s heads doesn’t really help.

Something that will really give away a fake security camera is the absence of wires. Real cameras need at the very least a power supply cable and it can usually be seen either snaking along the outside or disappearing back into a hole drilled in the wall. So if you want to complete the illusion then you should ensure that you also fake the wiring; alternatively if you intend to maybe upgrade the dummy cases to functioning cameras later it might be worth actually laying out the cabling for real (just don’t plug it in, clearly).

At night it might not be possible for the cameras to be seen which rather defeats their purpose so another aspect to consider is lighting. Either place a dummy camera somewhere that gets illuminated by street lighting for example, or if possible install some lighting of your own. An effective solution is to simply install a regular PIR security light such that should anyone approach, it not only floods the place with light but also clearly reveals the presence of a camera.

Finally, even if you have done everything possible to ensure your security cameras are highly visible and that no-one can tell which if any are real or fake, some folk are just plain dumb. So for this group it doesn’t hurt to spell it out for them, literally, with a small notice on the front door or gate advising that CCTV surveillance is permanently in operation at your property. Also, you can easily thwart the determined yet stupid by adopting simple measures such as hiding valuables inside a diversion safe.


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Dome camera

Mar28

I like the dome cameras for its shape, a Dome Camera is basically a board camera built into protective dome housing. These camera types are small, low profile. They can be used inside or outside, for home or by business including retail stores, casinos and restaurants for surveillance purposes.

The purpose of the dome is to protect the camera as well as make the presence of a security camera less noticeable. Even if someone sees the dome and knows there is a camera behind it they still will not know if the camera is moving or fixed or in what direction the camera is pointed.

These cameras are very often used for CCTV surveillance systems but can be included in most camera systems, like a dome CCTV high resolution camera is popular among most of customers. They come in all sizes, and are available in high resolution, infrared, wide dynamic, outdoor weatherproof, and vandal proof models.

dome camera

There is also a PTZ dome camera version available that you can control either by computer software, a joystick or a remote control.

Mini versions of these cameras are a smaller, even less noticeable camera. They can be very economical and easy for do it yourselfers to install. These are the benefit of a dome camera, which would save you lots of trouble.


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Spring shopping list

Mar22

spring

Now spring is coming, you were dormant for the winter months and it’s time to clean up the house and grounds. This is also a good time to check out your security matures. Since security is the most concern to our house, as a home owner, we would like to keep both our beloved family members and valuable things safe and being protected.


Start with trimming those high bushes around your home. It makes for a good hiding place for an intruder or attacker. They should not be any higher than your window sills. To install an outdoor surveillance camera to watch out the outdoor for you, once have strangers near your house, then you will know by the alarming.


Now that the warm weather is back many people like to sleep with a window partially open. Put a screw into the channel of the window 1/3 of the way up. This will not let someone open the window and gain entry.


Don’t hide a key outside of the house. It will be found especially if you have a child coming home from school. A person can follow the school bus and watch where the child locates the key. You might get an unwanted visitor the next day.


Check to see if you boat registration needs renewing. It sure ruins a day on the water if you get a citation.


Again, some of the best measures to stop a possible home break in are a well manicured yard. Thieves know that when a yard looks good the owner has pride in his home and probably good security measures as well.


Check all the door and window locks. Yes, even the second story windows. You might not leave a ladder out in your yard but a neighbor might. It’s not a good idea to leave second story windows open when you are not at home.


Check all security lights. Remember, don’t leave the front porch light on during the day. Burglars know that you are away and you leave the light on when you return after dark. It’s best to have a dawn-to-dusk light or a motion sensor light.


I probably missed a lot of things to do, but always think “security”.


Home Security Systems - a great selection is the key.


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The reasons do not support wireless cameras

Mar18

Nowadays, many people ask questions about wireless cameras.I understand that running wires is full of trouble.Therefore; the thought of having a nice clean easy wireless install is appealing. And more and more people are exposed to wireless devices every day, like cell phones, wifi, etc.  So you’ve been exposed to these wireless devices, you hopefully understand surveillance has to ROCK SOLID, you still want to do wireless?  Sorry to be cruel here, but are you crazy?

wireless camera

Let’s start with the facts.  The government gave away the “good” part of the wireless spectrum a long time ago.  They gave that spectrum to TV & radio.  TV & radio signals are fairly good at traveling long distances, and going through obstacles such as trees & walls. And that was pretty much the end of it.  All that was left was, excuse my French, and is the shit part of the spectrum, which nobody wanted.  The parts of the spectrum that can be disrupted if you do something like, oh, I don’t know, turn on your microwave.  However industry persuaded the FCC to let them use the shit part of the wireless spectrum, and I have to hand to them, they made very good use of it.  Wifi, cordless phones, cell phones, and many products have been created on a part of the wireless spectrum that everyone considered useless.  But have you ever had a dropped call?  Wi-Fi cut out?  No?  Stop lying!

So ok, for the convenience it gives you, you can put up with your cell phone cutting out a little, or that wifi connection briefly sputtering while you’re watching that YouTube video, but do you want this happening while someone is say, robbing your house?  Because you were too lazy to run some wires, you miss that money shot you need to catch the criminal.

But even putting aside the lack of reliability of wireless signals, consider the practical side of it.  Sure the video & audio can be transmitted wirelessly, but you are still going to have to power the camera.  Most cameras are not conveniently mounted next to a power outlet unfortunately.  People ask about batteries…  Sorry not going to dignify that with a response.  You want to worry about keeping batteries charged, and think you can depend on them 24 x 7 good luck to you.

The ultimate proof is in our experience selling wireless cameras.  Due to continued demand from our customers we briefly sold wireless home security systems for a few months. People don’t believe me when I say this, but our return rate on wired systems is almost zero.  In the two years that we sold 4, 8, and 16 camera wired stand alone DVR systems, we got 1 return on a 4 camera system, zero returns on 8 & 16 camera systems.  We got some returns on DVR card systems where you had to install the DVR card in your own computer, but this was almost always due to the customer trying to install a DVR card on a PC which was running 64 bit operating system when our cards used to only be compatible with 32 bit.  Putting that aside the return rate on those systems was almost zero as well.  Our return rate on our 4 camera wireless camera system was about 40%.  Yes almost 40% of them were returned.  I explain all this to our customers, but it never sinks in.  Just think about it, if you are doing surveillance you have a good reason for it, and it has to be rock solid.  That level of reliability can only be achieved with a wired system, powered by the grid, hooked up to a UPS.  If you don’t want to run wires, you can fairly cheaply hire an electrician or handyman to do it, it’s not that hard.  And once it’s done you won’t have to worry about it again.  Wired surveillance is surveillance done right.  Everything else is just playing around.


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Bad guys are caught in the act

Mar12

There are many reasons for you to have a home security system installed. You can conceal them and use them to monitor what happens in your home during your absence; of example, if you want to know what your kids or babysitter are up to while you’re away. Or you can have them in plain view on the exterior of your home, to serve as a deterrent to potential intruders.

No matter what your intention is, when installing home security cameras, however, you need to make certain they will provide clear images even after dark; they will be of little use if you are unable to tell whether that rustling noise outside the living room window is a clumsy raccoon or a home invader waiting in the bushes for your family to retire for the night. If your interest tends toward keeping track of the household help–the nanny or babysitter, for instance–micro spy cameras are ideal. Their small size allows you to tuck them away inside floral arrangements or other hiding places from which they will record the interactions between the household staff and your children, pets, refrigerator, valuables, and uninvited guests. For protection against home intrusion, however, you need more sophisticated home security cameras. You’ll want an IR weatherproof security camera which can track movements invisible to the human eye. You can complement two or three functional exterior home security cameras with several more dummy cameras, to discourage home intruders even more. With the help of phony cameras, you can bulk up your home security and you will cut down on its costs as well. Some home security cameras are linked to a home alarm, which will react to either auditory or visual triggers. These home alarm systems respond to unexpected movement in the areas where they are located, and will both activate a sound alarm to scare off intruders, and provide instant notification to local law enforcement. With home security cameras working to protect your home, you’ll have a digital record of any intruders should they escape before the police arrive. This record will be invaluable in helping find the intruders and can be used against them if they end up on trial. Not only will home security cameras act as very powerful deterrents and save your home from becoming a target for invasion; they will assist in identifying the culprits if you are invaded, and may even lead to the recovery of your property. Security cameras can be integrated with an alarm system. The alarm systems can be activated by either visual or auditory signals. Alarm sensors used in conjunction with security cameras are tripped by unnecessary movement in protected areas. Usually, the alarms are all connected to a security system that provides triggers to the sound alarm and immediate notification to the police headquarters. If ever the criminals have escaped police arrest, the recorded video will provide lead for the identification of the criminals. The home security cameras not only serve as protection but have been established as reliable evidence in court. That is why home security cameras are usually the first choice of home defense available for a homeowner; they not only give a true picture of what is happening but can also give enough fear to would-be criminals or thieves.

Therefore, if you do want to catch the one who intrude in your home do some unlawful, or watch how the nanny treat your kids while you are away, or how people act in their daily time, the home security cameras are the best tool for you.


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How to choose a home alarm system for your house

Mar05

In recent two years, home alarm systems have become quite popular among a great mount of homeowners. Given the rapid increase of home break-ins, there is a need to install a burglar alarm so as to feel safe at night and when you are not at home. Although the desire for every homeowners is to get the best burglar alarm sesors, there are still something that you need to take into consideration before making your purchase.

home alarm

First of all, you need to think about why you need to install the home burglar system. Is it because you are looking for peace of mind knowing that your home is safeguarded 24/7 or because there have been reported cases of home break-ins in your neighborhood? If you are installing the infrared burglar alarm because of increased crime in your neighborhood, then you need to look for an alarm system that best suits the scenarios being reported.

After you know the need for the burglar system, the next step is to verify every access entry point in your house. Each door and window ought to have a working lock installed. Rather than purchasing a complete burglar alarm sensor, you need to ensure that your doors and windows have quality locks. In addition, you need to have a barrier erected around your house. Once erected, you need to confirm whether it can be breached or not. There are burglar alarm circuits that can be connected to a fenced area and linked to the house.

What’s more, if you have a fence around your house you should check if it can be accessed easily or not. In the first case you can combine alarm system for your fenced area with the one for your house. In the second case, all that is needed is a single camera to cover the area. For outdoor monitoring, it is best to purchase a surveillance camera alongside motion sensors. By installing surveillance security cameras with motion sensors, you will basically be covering your entire compound with ease. Thanks to technological development, there are 3G surveillance cameras that can send images to your smart phone in real-time, thus allowing you to monitor your home from wherever you are in the world so long as you have access to the web.

Installing a home burglar system is not mean that you have all security, if you want to make the best use of your home burglar alarm security system, it is important that you learn how to practice good security habits.

One of the benefits that you stand to gain by installing alarm systems for your home is reduced insurance premiums.


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Mini Camera—Spy DVR

Feb27

A Spy DVR is a mini camera that is so compact in size so as to be totally hidden from view from those who are being filmed. Its small size but great resolution makes it an ideal choice for recording activities without informing the person who is being captured about it. It is a very useful device in many ways as it is capable of being disguised as items of daily use like an alarm clock, a small radio, a chewing gum wrapper and even a pair of sunglasses. It can either be purchased separately and later on affixed to these items and can also be bought along with the above mentioned items.

spy dvrA Spy DVR can make your life simpler in many ways. The following are some of the ways in which it benefits different classes of people:

1.For students, a Spy DVR camera permanently solves the problem of having to take notes and attending class every day. It can be hidden inside a pen and can effectively record all the lectures that take place to be viewed later on during exam time. You do not really have to make much effort on a daily basis in your classes in this manner, like this spy pen camera, it is so conceal that no one would notice it if you are not telling anybody.

2. If you are a concerned parent who has to begrudgingly go to work leaving your children at the mercy of the nanny you have employed, a Spy DVR camera can help take away your doubts regarding your choice of babysitters and nannies. All you have to do is install Spy DVR cameras in key locations of your house to observe your nanny’s behavior. This is especially useful in cases where the employed nanny is not doing anything visibly wrong but is wrong in her approach and attitude toward children. You can establish such useful facts and change your nanny if you are not satisfied with the footage you see later on. For example, this hidden security camera in a smoke dector, which make people feel it is just a smoke detector but nothing more, so you can have peace of mind while you are not home, because this spy camera helps record everything happened in your home.

3. People who are employed by the secret service or detective agencies like the FBI greatly benefit from such cameras as their work demands a lot of evidence by way of pictures and videos that can be captured in the Spy DVR cameras. These cameras can then be carried along wherever they go in the form of sunglasses. The suspect will not even have a clue about the presence of such a camera in this way.

4. Spy DVR cameras can also be installed at a workplace or business organization that you own or supervise. You can view the footage whenever you want and you will never be away from your work even when you are at home as you can be well-informed about all the developments that take place at your place of work. You can easily find out which employee is efficient and which one is being lazy and needs to be asked to concentrate more.

Spy DVR cameras are available at numerous places online. Their features can be examined and then an order can be placed depending on the purpose that you need such a device for. They usually come with detailed instructions on installation with the whole process being quite simple to perform


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What can a home security cameras do?

Feb20

home security

Installing surveillance cameras outside your home can perform a number of functions acting as a safeguard for your home.

They can not only record images of burglars that can be useful to the police for identification as a evidence, but they also serve as a very potent visual deterrent. Once the burglars see that your home is protected by a surveillance camera system, he may well make up his mind to give up on your home for the risk is too great and move on another target.

Nowadsys, some outside home security cameras have the ability of not only recording, but also alerting you of an intrusion when you are away from your home. They can do this in several ways.

You can receive a text to your cell phone whenever a wireless motion detector is triggered and recording commences. If you have an internet enabled cell phone you can receive images alongside the text message so you can see what is happening at home and alert the authorities if necessary.

With some systems you can use your laptop or internet cell phone, from wherever you happen to be, to log in to a password protected site and view images from each of your outdoor cameras. In this way you can reassure yourself that everything is okay, or take appropriate action.

You may opt for going wireless with your choice of cameras. This will save you much of the work of laying wires and possibly give you a wider choice of where to install them.

You have to remember that though there is a wide choice of features for outdoor home security cameras, you do not have the need to buy them all. If a particular feature really is a benefit for you and adds to the security of your family, then it will be a wise choice, if not then it simply adds to the cost.

Theredore, it is very important to choose your outdoor security cameras carefully and enjoy your increased protection.


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