Home Security Information

A home security alarm, from a basic perspective, is the use of a system or monitoring service to protect your home from theft, fire, and other emergencies such as home invasion. While a monitoring system in itself is certainly the most prominent way to protect one’s home, there are many other ways to protect one’s home, family and belongings that may seem simplistic but are brilliantly effective.

A home burglar will always look for an easy access and in-and-out job. The quicker it seems that your home is approachable and penetrable, the easier the job is made for a wanton thief. In fact research shows that if it takes more than four or five minutes to break into a home, most burglars will go elsewhere. There are plenty of simple ways to make a home safer from uninvited guests prior to considering if you require a professional home security system.

Address basic home protection and symptoms of a burglar-ready home first. Burglars won't find your home an "easy mark" if they are forced to work in the light, if they have to take a lot of time breaking in, or if they can't break in without making a lot of noise. Take the time to "case" your house or apartment, just as a burglar would. Where is the easiest entry? How can you make it more burglar-resistant?

Force any would-be burglar to confront a real enemy—light. Exterior lights and motion detectors, mounted out of easy reach, can reduce the darkness a burglar finds comforting. The simple act of adding lights to the front and rear of your home and property can help divert potential break-ins. Motion detector or lighting systems on a timer can assure that your property remains well lit even if you are away or asleep. Even simpler, keep trees and shrubs near doors and windows trimmed and high-boughed. Could a tree that grows near the side of your home inadvertently be a convenient ladder for a nimble thief?

And think carefully before installing a high fence around your back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add to your privacy, but can also be an asset to a burglar. The harder a neighbor may find convenient views from their windows, while comfortable nonetheless, can easily be used against you for a burglar who doesn’t want to be seen either. Consider trading a little extra privacy for a bit of added security.

Simple security devices—nails, screws, padlocks, door and window locks, grates, bars and bolts—can increase the amount of time it takes to break into your home. The longer it may seem to take a would-be burglar to force an entry into your home is many times enough to send them elsewhere without so much as an attempt on your property.

Walk around your home. Are any of your valuables – paintings, a silver collection or a computer – easy to see from outside the house? Rearranging your furnishings might be advisable if it makes your home less inviting to criminals. A burglar may attempt a secure looking home if the prize is right next to the window they will force entry through. This may seem like such a simple idea, but nonetheless I’ve seen plenty of instances on my own casual walks through town where one can look directly through a window and visibly see where the office of a home is with a clear view of multiple expensive computer systems and equipment. A thief wouldn’t even have to enter the window – just reach through it – for a nice profit.

Finally, as already said, the most secure will invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones also ring at an outside service. Current technology allows you to monitor your security system via web-cams over the internet. And the days of fooling even the most inexpensive alarms with a bubble gum wrapper or with the clip of a single wire are over – newer technologies don’t even require wires to ring their monitoring service. Cellular based technology has advanced into the home security arena.

Among the many that offer home security systems is the well-known ADT, which began as American District Telegraph in 1874, formed by affiliating 57 districts offering telegraph service. In 1901 it became part of Western Union. Shortly thereafter, in 1909, both companies became part of AT&T. From 1910-1930 ADT focused on security technology, but it was not until WWI & WWII that they would automate security systems.

Fast forward to the 1970's where the security monitoring systems would become computer driven. The 1980s brought about two changes for ADT. One was the name change from American District Telegraph to ADT Security Systems, Inc. Second, they relocated the headquarters from New York City, to Parsippany, New Jersey after being purchased by the Hawley Group Ltd. Only within the last decade was ADT acquired by Tyco International Ltd, a large conglomerate involved in a number of different industries. ADT today is well-known for its security systems for residential, commercial and government customers.

Many promotions exist that would provide free installation and equipment with the acceptance of a contract for outside monitoring. Outside monitoring is easily the safest system as it would not only reduce or eliminate false alarms, it would also ensure proper attention to real ones. Additionally, most insurance companies provide 2 percent to 20 percent discount for devices that make a home safer-dead-bolt locks, window grates, bars and smoke/fire/burglar alarms. This may offset most or sometimes all of the cost of the installation and monitoring of your home right off.

At the same time, when securing your home consider your own personal safety. If you create a fortress, then during a real emergency you might not be able to escape. Standard equipment for a home security system will include a keypad, motion detector, sensors for windows and doors, even a keyless fob to arm/disarm the unit without having to use the keypad and allowing you to do so as you enter or exit from your home. Monitoring services will allow the police or fire department to be notified if the alarm is triggered.

Simplicity and ease of use should also be considered when choosing a home security system. Will it be easy enough for the whole family to use? Can the alarm be accessed quickly in case the remote is misplaced? Will everyone be prudent in setting/disarming the alarm so that a burglar isn't given a free night or the police aren't notified unintentionally? Also consider the password codes used - are they easy to remember, but not so transparent that a burglar themselves could disarm it within a few guesses? You may think it's a simple thing, but I know more than one home secured with the simple code of "1 2 3 4". Easy to remember, yes, but easy to remember for the thief as well!

In conclusion, after the basics of securing your home have been assessed, a home security system is a good choice for a number of reasons. It will provide peace of mind for your home and property and quite possibly even provide a reduction in the amount you pay for homeowner's insurance.