1 in 4 homes will be burglarized within the next ten years

8 out of 10 homeowners will be burglarized at some point in their lives

2 out of 3 burglaries are residential

In 13% of all break ins a burglar finds someone home

60% of all rapes are committed by burglars

74.3% of Burglaries are prevented by a home security system

Alarm systems can secure virtually everything in and around your house. Placing an alarm pool-side offers peace of mind and prevents accidents. Modern alarm systems alert can you to any danger in time. Using an alarm system to safeguard your firearms or your liquor cabinet ensures that these potentially dangerous items don’t wind up in young hands.

Rather than acting as a one way communication device between your home and the police department, modern alarm systems can be programmed to alert you or anyone else who you chose. Newer alarm systems can be programmed to send email alerts or even text messages which can be read directly from your wireless phone or PDA. Custom security passwords can be configured to alert you each time your home is entered. Not only that, custom alarm codes allow you to determine precisely who’s come home and when. This is a boon for working parents who aren’t always able to be home when the kids arrived. With the touch of a button, parents can know that their kids have arrived safely at home

Modern home alarm systems can be configured to instantly alert you in the event any part of the system is tampered with. This comes in handy should a burglar try to disable your alarm system before breaking into your home. You receive the text message and can contact law enforcement officials from where you are and the unsuspecting burglar can be caught red-handed.

Older alarm systems were easily disabled simply by cutting cabling or power cords. Today’s alarm systems use powerful technology to alert you the moment this happens, giving you the opportunity to contact law enforcement and prevent property damage or theft and to apprehend a burglar before they have the chance to get away.

Modern alarm systems offer far more options that the old clanging bell or siren varieties Modern alarms systems offer silent alarms as well as the old fashions audible type. With the advanced configuration options previously mentioned individual segments of the alarm system can be programmed with different notification options. For windows and doors a police notification alarm can be set, allowing the police to apprehend the burglar in time before they have the chance to get away.

Before investing in an alarm system, it is wise to view several models in order to familiarize yourself with current features and technology. After choosing the features which best suit your needs browse local alarm stores as well as internet sales agents. It is best to determine the true cost of an alarm system before purchase; some features such as email notifications, may not be included in the base price of your alarm system. Is installation included in the base price or is it extra? Prices and options range widely between companies as so supplemental options. Doing your homework, by contacting a number of alarm system providers, ensures that you receive the best value for your money. Finally, you may be able to save a substantial amount if you self install, rather than paying a professional installer.

Modern alarm systems often feature trouble free installation; choosing a wireless alarm system can potentially save you hundreds of dollars in installation charges. Remember, the primary job of an alarm system is to protect you and your loved ones from intruders, but keep in mind also, that some of the other advanced features modern alarms offer can be just as beneficial for keeping pets and little ones out of harms way. Protecting our homes is a strong consideration when purchasing an alarm system, the safety and well being of those who live in your household are worth more than any material item. Modern alarms systems offer protection for everyone you love as well as for all the things you cherish. You can’t put a price on being secure.

Most people who purchase home security systems consider the technology of their system to be the most important factor in their choice. While technology, such as cameras and motion detectors, is very important, the people who monitor your home security system are equally important to your safety. If the worst happens, your life and the life of your family may depend on your monitoring service.

Alerting the police to problems at your home in a timely fashion is critical to surviving a home security incident. Competent monitoring services watch over your home 365 days of the year. A reliable service can be trusted to act during situations in which you may be incapable of getting help on your own. Trustworthy monitoring services operate in the background; but their help may save your life one day.
Your monitoring service should hire well trained experts; there is no room for mistakes in a crisis. These monitoring agents should know what to do in every instance and not hesitate in performing their job duties. When police or fire response is required, these people are crucial in getting help and rescue to your family in time. It is critical that the people you trust to watch over the people you love are ready and able to step in and make the call for you. Without this, your security system is about as helpful in an emergency as your toaster.

Security monitoring services can also assist you in the event of medical emergencies. Once alerted the monitoring agency immediately contacts the emergency medical agency closest to you. When carried out correctly, these actions can protect you and your loved ones from serious injury and even death.

There is much more to consider in a home security system than what’s in the box; when the time comes what really matters is the reliability of the monitoring agency that stands behind the box. Make the right choice by choosing the best security monitoring agency you can.

The first step in securing one’s home should be to check the windows and doors. All windows should have a latch that is secured from the inside and unaffected by outside tampering. All door locks should be changed, so you can be sure no one has extra keys to your home. A helpful innovation is the keypad lock, so forgetting your keys and getting locked out of your home is a thing of the past; however the keypad is not as secure as a physical key.

No home or neighborhood is immune to break-ins. A security system is a great tool for knowing your loved ones and possessions will remain safe when you are at home and away. If your new home has an existing security system, it is essential you contact the company and create new codes. By using the existing code, you potentially allow entry by the previous owners and anyone else they told the code to. To create the necessary sense of safety, one needs to contact the company to become well versed in how to arm and disarm the system, and create a code that is unique and easy to remember.

When inspecting the area outside of the home, one needs to be mindful of vegetation and dark areas. Certain bushes or trees that provide hiding places or allow access to the upper floors of the house should be trimmed. Areas that are exceptionally dark should be lit with floodlights. One may use lights you turn on and off from inside the home, dusk until dawn lights, or motion sensitive lights (recommended for security and energy conservation). It is important that your security sticker on your door or window is visible from the street. To shore up your defenses further, cameras can be installed inside and outside of the home.

Creating a safe and peaceful environment is the number one priority when moving into a new home. By taking these steps, you and your family can relax, and safely spend your nights remodeling the kitchen, fixing the leaky water heater, and painting the baby’s bedroom an alarmingly bright shade of purple, safe in your new home.

Prices vary with between alarm brands and with the level of options selected. With your needs in mind, it’s a good idea to compare the different features and ask yourself which ones you must have, would like to have and absolutely don’t need. The internet can also be a good source for gathering information about alarm systems for those who have already purchased them. Take the time to make your home truly secure.

Modern wireless technology makes wireless burglar alarms just as effective as their wired counterparts. Wireless technology has transformed and automated many tasks that homeowners once preformed manually. Inexpensive devices placed around the house can provide control access for any household appliance allowing homeowners to control lighting, temperature and other household functions remotely simply by pressing a button. With the introduction of the internet, a home owner can manage their home from thousands of miles away.

Using wireless technology to manage simple household tasks is very convenient, but the technology is far more powerful than this. With the addition of computer processing power, homeowners can preprogram their automated homes to perform a variety of functions automatically. What’s more, once a household routine is saved into the computer, repetitive tasks (such as turning on heating or lighting), are performed continuously without the need for outside intervention. Eliminating the constant need to perform these chores is certainly a good thing, but wireless home automation can do much more for busy homeowners.

Easy to understand graphical software allows homeowners to quickly program their homes to carry out scheduled actions. In the event that a home will be unoccupied for long periods such as an extended business trip or vacation, wireless systems can be programmed to randomly activate lighting and other home appliances, this randomization creates the appearance of an occupied home, discouraging potential burglars.

Because of the decentralized nature of wireless home automation systems, certain parts of the system can be activated without the need to activate other parts. In the case of security, this allows for specific responses to certain household occurrences. New systems can tell the difference between your cat or dog, and a burglar.
Wireless Home Security Options

Wireless technology offers incredible advantages for home security. Installation is a far faster and easier process than traditional wired systems. Wireless systems also require far less space than conventional home security systems. The lack of wires also translates into a lower installation and maintenance cost than other systems.

When most people think of an advance security system, motion detectors spring to mind. Although wireless systems do offer motion detection, this is simply the beginning of what these systems offer, no the end all. Audio and video recording can be triggered by wireless systems recording the exact moment when motion begins and ends. Wireless security systems offer remote monitoring of homes from any distance, allowing homeowners to see exactly what’s happening in real time. Furthermore, wireless systems can be configured to communicate activity through any electronic means, from fax to email, ensuring that homeowners are never left out of touch.

The previous examples are just the beginning of what wireless home security systems can be configured to do. With current technology, the only limitation on these systems is that of the imagination of their owners. The least expensive wireless security systems and software offer options that are simply not available anywhere else. Wireless systems continue to improve in performance and lower in overall cost. Today’s wireless security systems are more than a match for their expensive home security system counterparts.

The most important step is to install a reliable security system in your home if you don’t already have one. If you already have a security system, considers changing your security password at least once per year, if not more. Updating passwords reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your home. The best security system on earth won’t protect you from the criminal who knows its password.

Hiring a competent home monitoring agency is crucial for the protection of your home. Home monitoring ensures that if anything ever goes wrong with your security system you and, if necessary, the proper fire, medical or law enforcement agency. Without adequate monitoring your home is unprotected and open to assault whether you are home or away.

The installation of cameras can also be a strong deterrent to criminal activity in and around your home burglars think twice when they know their actions are being recorded and possibly watched. Bright outdoor lights make your home a far less attractive target than homes which are concealed by darkness. Adding a few more lights around your home is a cheap method of increasing your overall level of security. Motion activated lights are good for this purpose as well. Adding a yard sign, provided by your home security system’s manufacturer, also helps to serve notice to burglars that your home is protected. Burglars look for the easiest targets; if your home looks like a difficult place to rob they’ll just as soon move on to a place with less apparent protections. The more visible signs of good home defense you display, the less likely you are to become a victim of criminals.

There is no such thing as to much home security today’s world. Whether you live in the big city, or in the suburbs, your home can be the target of criminals out for easy money. The more you protect your family by ensuring their safety, the less attractive your home becomes to those looking for a quick score. Too much security? You owe it to yourself, and to your family to have as much security as you can.

Burglars look for houses that are vulnerable; they try to find areas around your home where anyone can enter and exit without being seen from the street or by passing cars or neighbors. Examine you house through the eyes of someone looking for privacy while they work, see any tempting spots on your property?

You should make this inspection both in during daylight hours and at night. A disturbing trend in burglaries is break-ins that happen when someone is at home sleeping. This simple inspection could point out potentially insecure areas around your home. Write down any problems you see, and then go down the list addressing these problems until they’re eliminated.

After viewing your home from the street, make an up close inspection. Check first story windows and make sure they are securely closed and locked. Check the rear access of your house; many people have great security for the main entrance and dilapidated old doors on the backs of their houses. If you’re someone like this, its time to replace that old back door! You’ll never be safe if you relay on good luck and hoping. Safety should be the primary concern of any responsible homeowner.

How about your garage door? Is it opened or closed. Garage doors should be closed and locked when not in use period. Open doors, including garage doors, are one of the main ways burglars gain access to homes. An open or unlocked garage door is an invitation for a burglar to enter your home. Leaving your garage door open while you’re away from home could result in a nasty surprise; a confrontation with a surprised burglar caught mid-robbery. In these dangerous situations many burglars choose to fight causing potentially deadly bodily injury to unsuspecting home owners.

Small things such as keeping trees from growing too close to your home, adding sufficient lighting to the exterior of your home and making sure that all the door and window locks around your home are locked and functioning properly, can make a big difference. Nearly every house will experience an attempted break-in or robbery at one time or another, the safest house is the one that keeps intruders out before the worst happens. Safeguard your home and family,by keeping your property secure.

“We can just call uncle Ron to swing by and check things out now and then, make sure our mail is collected and the like. I know he doesn’t care for dogs, but we can leave Bowser with the neighbors if they are willing.”

Basically, we try to patch work a solution to a problem that can easily be solved with little affair. Why not hire a house sitter?

A house sitter is a living, breathing peace of mind in your absence. In exchange for free lodging, they will gladly lock the doors and windows at night, make sure the dog is fed and even water the lawn. What do they get out of it? A house sitter has the chance to test our a neighborhood they may have interest in moving to, without having to rely on simple reviews. It is also a chance to see different parts of their region, or even abroad. But the main reason someone house sits is for the all important free accommodations.

What a house sitter offers in return is something that Uncle Ron can’t. A person on premises to address situations or issues as they arise and manage them in a responsible fashion until you get back. Furthermore, you are a lot less likely to be a burglar’s target if it is quite obvious someone is at home. And that is the whole point of the service – someone at your home while you are not. You can clearly see why that would be a relief.

What a novel idea a house sitter is right? Well yes, but there are a few things to consider before using their services. As with any service you would engage in, make sure everything is written up so that all parties know their obligations and responsibilities. A monetary bond or deposit may also be a great way to deter any thought of a house party, or any other thought of irresponsible behavior. Finally, a background check or drivers abstract can ensure your home is being left in capable, not criminal hands.

Locking your windows and securing your doors isn’t much of a deterrent for an experienced criminal or burglar. With a little nerve and perseverance, these simple obstacles can quickly be overcome. Well trained burglars can open any door or window in seconds. The only real way to prevent break in is with a dedicated home security system.

Take a survey of your home paying close attention to its most vulnerable spots. These are to first areas you’ll need to protect with a good home security system. Some commonly overlooked areas are: areas with poor lighting such as back doors or rear facing windows; any area which is obscured by close growing trees or hedges: parts of your home which cannot be seen from the street; unlocked or poorly conditioned cellar windows; and unlocked out buildings such as garages or tool sheds.

Two options for home safety stand out from the rest. The home security alarm monitors the perimeter of your home acting as an immediate deterrent of intruders. Using these alarms on doors and windows is an excellent first line of defense. Motion detecting equipment protects the inside of your home should a burglar make it past your outer defenses. Once triggered, motion detectors can send out a loud alarm to scare off thieves and alert neighbors, or a silent alarm to quickly inform the police of trouble. Many home owners use both of these alarm options.

The next line of defense is the humble home security camera and its beefier cousin the home surveillance system. Cameras simply record all the action in a home for later use, potentially as evidence of theft. Home surveillance systems can be triggered for remote viewing and allow video to be sent outside of the home instantly for offsite examination.

For some of us man’s best friend is the home security system of choice. While it is true that guard dogs are a loyal and inexpensive option, Dogs simply cannot match the total piece of mind offered by modern home security systems. As an added advantage modern home security systems don’t require the care feeding and attention that dogs do. Homeowners can leave their homes for months on end with a modern home security system in place; the same cannot be said for a dog, no matter how loyal.

Modern home security systems continue to improve in their technological capability, while declining in price year after year. Perhaps the best thing about modern home security systems is that many systems can now be installed without the cost of a professional installer.

Overlooking your home’s security in a hurry to prepare for a vacation is opening a door to disaster. Statistics show that about 240 homes in US are burglarized every hour. These crimes often happen when there is no one home and many of them could have been avoided if the homeowner had installed a home security system.

One simple and effective way to secure your household, its’ contents and your family is to install a home security alarm and surveillance camera. Monitoring options are available with most home security devices, however, additional preventative measures need to be taken. Don’t think installing these products guarantees your safety. An inexpensive measure you can take is to install motion sensor lights around your home to scare off burglars and potential thieves. Aside from security measures on the outside your home, you can do more inside your home to increase security as well.

Make it look like there is someone in the house to prevent your home from being chosen as a target for burglary. Use electronic timers to turn lights and household appliances on and off at random intervals when you are not home. Do this throughout different rooms in the house to make it seem real.

Sliding glass doors are an easy target for burglars. There are products designed to improve the security of your sliding glass doors. Alternatively you can simply take a broom handle and cut it to fit in the track the door slides on, barring the door shut and making it safer when you are away from home. Check the locks on all windows and doors. Be sure to replace any faulty locking devices.

Some quick last minute security measures include stopping your mail and newspaper deliveries as buildup of mail is an invitation to potential intruders. Never leave a message on your answering machine indicating that you wont be at home.Keep at least one vehicle in your driveway, if you don’t have a second vehicle ask a neighbor or a friend to park in the driveway. Leave a trusted friend or relative in charge of a key and ask them to check in periodically. Keep your valuables such as keys, financial or personal documents, and any family heirlooms in a home safe or, for higher quality security, in a safe deposit box. Tools and other equipment need to be put away and locked up. Something as seemingly innocent as a ladder left out can allow a burglar to enter through an upper story window.

Your home can never be made completely secure, but making it more difficult for an invader can go a long way to protecting your home while you are away.