Thursday, May 14, 2009

Why You Should Install A Home Security System Yourself

Why You Should Install A Home Security System Yourself

You are taking a big risk if you do not have a home security system installed. Your family, your home and all your possessions could be in jeopardy by not having a security strategy to protect and defend against an intruder attack. So many people continue to bury their heads in the sand and simply don’t think it will happen to them. At some point throughout your life your will experience a burglary or will know someone close to you who has been burgled so don’t be naïve and trust to chance that it won’t happen to you.

When asked, most people admit they really do want a home security system but that it is not a high priority on their list of home improvements – mainly due to the expense of purchasing and installing such a system. Fortunately, it is as not as expensive as you first think. Alarm systems are not only far cheaper than they once were but are more sophisticated too. The good news is that the cost of a home security installation can be reduced substantially if you install it yourself. Believe it or not, most average DIY’ers can easily install a home security system so there is no need to invest in a professional alarm installation company to carry out the work. And there is an ideal security system that can be easily self installed and that is the wireless home security system.

The most important step when self installing your wireless alarm system is planning. It’s best to sketch out a plan layout of your property to help decide where the various components of the system will go. Observe the entry/exit points into your property and decide on one common way in and out. You will want to install the main control panel somewhere close to this location in your property. Although many wireless alarm systems come complete with a wireless keyfob to arm/disarm the system, you will still need easily access to the control panel’s keypad in case the keyfob does not work (e.g. the batteries have gone flat).

Make sure the siren/bell box is installed well out of reach and choose whether you want it visible (which acts as a great natural deterrent) or hidden from view. Some people opt for a silent alarm that simply contacts an alarm monitoring center when triggered.

There are a variety of wireless alarm sensors available so plan for the most beneficial location for these devices. For door and window sensors - allow for as many external doors and windows that your property has. Consider upstairs windows as well as downstairs as burglars climb in through upper level windows using ladders that are left lying around outside. For detecting movement inside your property install PIR movement detectors. These devices detect a change any heat that passes across the prism. Decide which interior rooms would most benefit from these devices. Ideally all interior rooms should have a PIR sensor but just install the rooms with the most valuables items in the first instance to help keep the cost down. The beauty of a wireless alarm system is that extra devices can be added at a later date – without the need to get professional installers back in.

For your safety it is recommended that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors be installed and added to your wireless system as these devices could save your life. Thousands of people die every year in house fires and in most cases could be prevented if they simply had a smoke detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors sense the poisonous gas which is odourless, colorless and tasteless and can be emitted from faulty gas appliances.

By: andyj00

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Best Home Security Help and Advice

Best Home Security Help and Advice
by Andy J Jones

Is home security important? Well, if you have already been burgled then you know the answer to that. So many people think that home security is something they must do, but don't really get around to doing anything about it. By not taking action and addressing your home security weaknesses you are running a big risk. TV's, hi-fi's and games machines can easily be replaced but can you really afford to lose all of your personal possessions, precious heirlooms and sentimental items of value and importance? The following are the many ways that you can improve your home security and give peace of mind that your home is properly protected.

Burglar Alarm Systems
This should be the first home improvement you must make if you want to increase your home security. Alarm systems generally consist of a control panel, siren and a variety of sensors to trigger a burglar intrusion. There is a choice of hard wired or wireless type systems. Wireless systems are a very popular choice as they are cheap and easy to install although sensors require a regular battery change. Technology has improved somewhat and they are less prone to false alerts nowadays. Hard wired systems are generally more permanent and more stable and used in professional installations. They have higher install costs and there will be a lot of disruption during installation.

Monitored Home Security
Monitored home security is when your home burglar alarm system is connected to a alarm monitoring company and their job is to watch over your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your alarm is triggered they will send out help to assist with your emergency, be it police, fire or ambulance. They will charge a small monthly fee but you may find that by having monitored home security your insurance premium may drop - thus offsetting the monitoring costs.

Security Cameras
Closed Circuit Television or CCTV is a popular method to visually and sometimes audibly, monitor and record activity directly outside your property. There are simple, inexpensive systems that simply send a signal to your TV or a monitor for you to view. Or there are more sophisticated systems that can record images and video digitally from many security cameras that may be monitoring your property. The digital images can sometimes be viewed remotely, all around the world via the internet. There are many choices of camera. Again, security cameras can be both hard wired and wireless, color or black and white and some even operate in the dark via infrared.

External Security Lighting
External security lighting is one of the cheapest - yet effective - home security improvements you can make. The burglar does not want to be seen when breaking into a property so external lighting will be sure to put him off. It is recommended to buy the security lighting with an attached PIR motion sensor this will switch on immediately when movement is detected.

Deadbolts Locks For Securing Doors
Deadbolt locks provide an additional security obstacle for your external doors and will make it nigh on impossible for the burglar to get into your property via the protected door. These days biometrics are becoming popular offering keyless locks with gadgets such as fingerprint readers to allow the door to be opened.

Driveway Monitors
A driveway monitor will detect the entry of someone onto your land giving you an early warning of someone's presence. It could be an expected visitor, friend or neighbour, but it could equally be an unwanted intruder.

Security Window Bars
Security window bars provide both a visual and physical deterrent to a burglar making them think twice about breaking into a property. A burglar does not want to draw attention to himself when breaking into a property and also wants to be very quick to enter the property. By installing window bars you will slow him down and he will create noise when trying to remove the window bars. This should be enough for him to move on, even before he has attempted a break-in.

These are just a few of the many ways to prevent to burglar entering your property and making off with your property and valuables.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_J_Jones
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