Home security systems are available as hardwired and wireless systems. While hardwired systems may initially cost less, the costs of installation may outweigh any savings you might have on the initial purchase of the components. There are benefits and advantages of each type of system, which we will cover here. Hardwired security systems use wires to connect all of the components to the control panel. Traditional hardwired systems also relied on landlines. These systems may cost less initially, but the cost savings can be quickly swallowed by the installation costs. If your home has not been prewired for a home security system, installing a hardwired system will require significant drilling and running wires throughout your home. If you live in a historic home, a home with a lot of interior brickwork or are a renter, a hardwired system may not be the best option for you. Since these systems often rely on landline telephones, you might also want to opt for a wireless system if you do not have a landline telephone. Hardwired systems may be more reliable in some circumstances than wireless systems that depend on your WiFi or cellular connection. However, burglars may be able to disarm some hardwired systems by cutting your telephone line.

The FBI developed statistics showing that about 2,200,000 burglaries occur each year, and basic math equates that to about 250 per hour. Of course, not all thefts involve breaking through a window, but many do. Some home security experts claim that as many as a third of all burglaries occur through an unlocked door or window. Residential burglaries account for about three-quarters of all such events. As the most vulnerable location in a home, windows have glass that breaks easily and usually attracts no attention from neighbors. An unlocked window that has protection from shrubs provides an invitation to a burglar who wants to get in and out of a house within minutes and without notice. Some practical and inexpensive options offer homeowners the protection that may restrict access to the ground floor or basement windows. Burglars tend to use experience in choosing a house to burgle, and the ones that have the fewest challenges win their favor, Homeowners can make the approach to a window an unattractive option that may deter would-be burglars.

Any deadbolt can make a door harder to open than an ordinary lock, according to Consumer Reports. However, they can have defects that render them ineffective. Short screws on the strike plate on the door frame may “catch only the jamb and not the framing of the house,” reducing kick-in resistance. Homeowners can improve front door security by replacing the short screws in a strike plate with 3-inch screws. Burglars can use an ordinary cordless drill to disable the cylinders as well. The conventional type of deadbolt provides less protection than connected smart locks, but each device has benefits as well as disadvantages. The standard models range from high-end, drill-proof deadbolts to the inexpensive products at home improvement stores. They share a common single-cylinder construction that responds to a key from the outside or thumb pressure from the inside. Prices make them attractive to homeowners who want to harden the security of a front door without breaking the bank with a smart lock or a high-security lock by Medeco. Features such as “unique pin configurations and hardened cylinders” distinguish high-security locks from others, but the packaging may not indicate that a product contains them. A search of company websites may show a product rating from Consumer Reports.

Whether you call them security, surveillance or video cameras, the meaning remains the same. Shakespeare’s opinion that “a rose by any other name smells as sweet” confirms that a camera that takes a picture of an intruder provides proof of illegal entry. The reasons for wanting a security camera can determine the number that you need. Deterrence may rank as one of the most important reasons to install security cameras in your home or business. Cameras that remain visible in the outdoors but out of reach of vandals and those at entry points may help deter burglars who know what they mean. Indoors and out, they can gather vital information from these locations: Price usually does not receive top billing when something that you want to buy comes up for discussion, but it certainly deserves consideration. The adage that “you get what you pay for” applies to security cameras as it does to any other purchase. The value of cheap equipment may not equal what you pay for it, and you end up getting nothing for the money that you spent. Low-grade cameras that cost less than 20 bucks can disappoint you with blurred images, poor video quality and signal loss. Many high-quality indoor security cameras come in a range of affordable options.

So you have finally decided to beef up your home security and have installed a set of exterior lights around your property. If you are using the type that runs off a timer or automatically comes on after dark and stays on all night, you may not be as safe as you think. The element of surprise – it can win wars and as part of a security strategy, it can stop a criminal in his tracks. When you use a security lighting system that is always on, you are giving away this advantage. The common reason given for lighting the exterior of your home in this fashion is that it eliminates all the dark spots that a burglar can use to conceal himself. Unless you are lighting up your property like a football field during a night game, there are going to be a few dark spots that can conceal an assailant. If your security lights are always on, you are showing a intruder exactly where theses areas are and allowing him the opportunity to plan the best way to approach and enter your home.

If you are currently shopping for a home safe, you will soon find that the market is literally flooded with choices. Everything from inexpensive security chests costing twenty dollars, to high-security floor safes that will set you back almost two hundred thousand. The amount that you will ultimately pay for your safe will be determined by three primary factors. The UL burglary resistance rating, the storage capacity of the safe and its fire rating. How is the burglary resistance rating determined? The burglar resistance rating of a safe is determined by how long it takes a criminal possessing the proper tools to open the door, or to create an opening in the body large enough to remove the valuables inside.

Over half of the residential fires studied by the U.S. Fire Administration in 2015 were cooking-related. Food, towels or potholders caught on fire, grease ignited when overheated or splashed onto an open flame, overloaded electrical circuits shorted or heat sources were accidentally turned on. Candles are another significant cause of residential fires, resulting in an average of 25 reported fires daily. Almost 60 percent of these fires happened because combustible materials came too close to the flame or were left in the candle’s proximity. Fires caused by heating equipment spike during the winter months. Fireplaces, portable space heaters, furnaces and wood stoves are the primary types of equipment involved in residential fires.

It’s best to avoid confrontations with unknown assailants, but this isn’t always possible. Think about purchasing a small weapon or alarm that you can activate in an emergency. You don’t really need to carry a firearm. Only one out of 10 criminals use guns when they target random individuals, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Pepper spray provides a convenient, inexpensive solution. It stings and temporarily blinds human or canine attackers. You can easily buy a pocket-size canister for under $10; don’t forget to check the expiration date. To ensure that it will work when you need it, remember to test the spray every three to six months. Another potent non-lethal weapon is a stun gun. After charging its battery, you can use the device to deliver powerful electric shocks. Many models also contain bright flashlights. A disadvantage of this equipment is that you may need to obtain a permit. Stun guns cost more than pepper spray canisters, but they last considerably longer.

It is difficult to know how long you will have to wait before help arrives. The length of time that you and your family will go without food, water, electricity or other basic services depends on the scope of the emergency and the needs of others who have been affected by the event. Because it can be difficult to determine how long you will have to wait during an emergency, it is best to be prepared to be without services and conveniences for several days. It is possible for emergency personnel to reach you within a few hours, but it is best not to rely on this possibility. The best course of action is to be prepared to survive without help for at least 72 hours. Including enough supplies to sustain you and your family for a whole week is preferable. Going above and beyond when it comes to emergency preparedness ensures that you will not be struggling in case of an emergency.

Statistics show how important it is to have a solid home security plan for keeping your home safe. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 3.7 million homes are broken into and 1.03 million homes are invaded each year. Most burglaries take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at least one resident is in the present during 1 million of these incidents. About 58 percent of burglaries and unlawful intrusions involve some kind of forced entry, and burglars make off with an average of $2,251 worth of property each time. When you have a comprehensive plan for home security, you don’t have to worry about burglaries, home invaders or disasters. A strong security system and a plan to prepare you for emergency situations allows you to rest in the assurance of knowing your home is protected and you’re ready for any situation.

Are you seeking to keep your home safe? Due to all the things that can wreak havoc on a home, it is a good idea to make use of strategies in order to keep it as safe as you can. The below article contains excellent advice that will help you in achieving this. Do not give the key to your home to your cleaning person unless you are certain they are worthy of your trust. Anyone you give the keys to your home to should be unarguably honest. Do a background check on them. If the house cleaner is employed by a company, check with the BBB of your area to determine their reputation.

Do you worry about how safe you are in your home? Burglaries, home invasions, fires and natural disasters are common concerns for homeowners, but you don't have to live in fear. Advances in technology have taken home security to a whole new level, creating systems capable of monitoring every nook and cranny of your house and sending alerts to the proper authorities when something is amiss. With a range of options available from many different companies, you can build a comprehensive network to secure your entire home. Statistics show how important it is to have a solid plan for keeping your home safe. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 3.7 million homes are broken into and 1.03 million homes are invaded each year. Most burglaries take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at least one resident is in the present during 1 million of these incidents. About 58 percent of burglaries and unlawful intrusions involve some kind of forced entry, and burglars make off with an average of $2,251 worth of property each time.

The very fact that you are visiting this page tells me that you are either hopelessly lost, or must really want to know more about me, or this fabulous site. For those of you that are not lost, my name is Perry, and I am the author, editor, webmaster and creative genius behind Homesafetydot.com. As a relatively new website maintained by a single person, I have numerous ideas for fresh content and site features that I hope will improve my visitors experience. What I don’t have is unlimited time or the resources needed to implement them all. Providing me with a few suggestions for what you would like to see improved, or added to this site will go a long way towards helping me prioritize my future projects.

Be Safe With These Outstanding Home Security Tips - If you have wondered what to do about your home security needs, then now is the time to settle this ordeal. You want to know your many options, and you are in the right place. Do not let the options out there or the advertising overwhelm you or motivate you in the wrong direction. Instead, use the following tips to guide you. Always have the locks changed when you buy a new home. This is because you really have no idea who has keys, and therefore access to your home. Call a locksmith as soon as you can for maximum security. You should also do this if your keys ever get lost.