

Effective home security does not begin right at your door step, windows or other entry points to the house. If you have a garden, a separate garage or shed for your tools and other equipment, they should be as secure as the house itself because they could be hiding places for intruders observing and making plans or just waiting for the right time to enter the house. If you have a perimeter fence, your security system should start there because if the intruder is caught before any attempt to enter the house, you are safer.
A safe garden is one that does not obstruct a clear view of the house from passersby. You may need to have lights or surveillance cameras that cover all the surrounding areas. Lights will make your garden look more beautiful but unattractive for burglars. Position some lights to focus on the entry points to the house.
Burglars can steal expensive equipment or even your car from your tools shed or garage. They could also use some tools or your ladder to make it easier for them to enter the house. It’s scary to think that somebody that could harm you is listening sensitive information you’re sharing with family members.
In designing your home alarm system always include the areas and boundaries surrounding your home to maintain the farthest line of defense from the house.
Few homeowners would question the importance of home security systems. There have been many instances where lives have been saved and burglaries have been stopped in homes with security systems installed. Modern security systems offer not only peace of mind for the homeowners but also convenience and energy savings.
However, there is one very important home security feature that some homeowners don’t take advantage of – home monitoring. One major reason is that there’s always somebody at home to take the appropriate action if anything sets off any of the alarms.
In many cases it’s true that there’s no need to pay monthly for a monitoring fee. But what if it’s a robbery and the household members can’t do anything because they are held captive or they are far from the telephone or other communication devices? With home alarm monitoring, there’s a third party to take action like calling the police or the fire fighters.
With the downtrend in the prices of home security equipment, it’s time for homeowners to review the total cost of their security systems. The monthly savings may not be comparable to the losses due to burglaries, fire or other accidents. Walker Home Security can help you find an affordable security system that includes home alarm monitoring.
The best way to get the best price quotation for your home alarm system is still to search for the various home alarm system companies, ask for a price quotation and compare the features and prices. And don’t forget to check each company’s reputation or legitimacy at your local business bureaus. Ask also people you know if they have experienced the services of the companies in your short list.
You’ll do most of your searches online but it will still take time. In addition some companies will just give you the various plans they offer and the respective costs. Unless you are already knowledgeable about home security, it’s most like that you don’t understand the real function of the features listed.
You could also be wondering which of the plans would be best for you. In short you need expert advice. It’s risky to get a security plan that’s not appropriate for your needs because you may not be adequately protected. So, get an expert’s advice at Walker Home Security, your one stop home alarm shopping site. Save time searching and comparing because the helpful and knowledgeable staff will help you find the company which can provide the system that fits your needs.
The police in a neighborhood credit the surveillance camera in one of the houses for the arrest of two suspected burglars. Dozens of homes have been burglarized in the area in the past two weeks but the police have been unsuccessful in apprehending the burglar.
The burglar’s string of successful missions was cut when he made the mistake of attempting to enter a house with a surveillance camera. He was already caught on video from the time he was walking to a door. When he attempted entry, the alarm was triggered and he immediately left while his actions were being recorded by the surveillance camera.
With his face caught clearly in the video, police were able to arrest the man who was under investigation as the news was being reported. The man must be the real burglar because there was no more burglary reported in the succeeding days. One surveillance camera saved the rest of the neighborhood temporarily. But what if the burglar did not attempt to enter the house with a surveillance camera?
Contribute to the safety of your neighborhood by adding a surveillance camera to your security system. If you don’t have a home alarm system yet, visit http://www.walkerhomesecurity.com to find one that will fit your needs – preferably one that includes a surveillance camera.
All machines and devices like home security equipment need regular maintenance for them to function as expected. Some parts could wear out or get dirty while batteries could run out of power.
In one of the recent news articles, fire fighters found two smoke alarm detectors without batteries in a house where a late-night fire left a man dead. While equipment repairs may need the expertise of trained technicians, there are regular tests that homeowners can do to make sure the system is functioning well.
Homeowners should establish a schedule to test their home security equipment. Having a fixed schedule with the participation of other household members will prevent forgetfulness of the routine check. Some of the easy maintenance activities are: cleaning the equipment, changing batteries, arming and disarming the security system and testing if the sensors and cameras are still working.
For the last test, ask your home security company how it should be done. Ask also for the calibration of the glass break sensors. Make the various tests a family activity so that the other members are also trained and share the burden of keeping your family home safe.
Lighting, if properly used with other home security measures, is an effective deterrent against burglars that find unoccupied homes attractive targets over the occupied ones. Interior as well as exterior lights have their roles in keeping your home secure.
Interior Lights
A house without interior lights the whole day, for a number of days is generally considered unoccupied. Before you go on a trip or vacation, it is important to maintain the pattern of interior lighting if you’re at home. Using timers is inexpensive but if the times when the lights turn On and Off are exactly the same every day, it could also be cause of suspicion that the activity is not done by the occupants.
Exterior Lights
Exterior lights help eliminate hiding places in the immediate surroundings of your home. Good exterior lighting also allows homeowners to make sure that there are no threats on their way to the front door or to the garage. Check if your exterior lighting is bright enough to serve this purpose from the road in front of the house. The whole house should be clearly visible.
As with your interior lights, the On and Off pattern of the exterior lights should also be maintained. This is no longer difficult or expensive to maintain lights pattern now if your home security monitoring system has this feature. You can remotely turn your lights On and Off at varying times within the pattern established when you’re at home. No one would think it’s the work of the timer.
According to statistics from law enforcers, 34 percent of burglars use the front door to enter their victims’ houses and 23 percent use the first floor windows. So, it seems that they prefer the first possible entry points they encounter because they want to finish their missions as fast as they can. In case you’re wondering about the back doors, 22 percent of them go through the back entrances.
It appears that burglars have mastered how to successfully enter windows and doors. How do you provide extra reinforcement against these forcible entry attempts? Here are some suggestions:
1. Keep your door free of any visual obstruction. If there are bushes or overgrown trees that hide your door from the clear view of passersby, cut them or keep the door and the tree well illuminated. Don’t provide any hiding place for the burglars.
2. Check your door if it could withstand a strong kick, I there are no gaps with the jamb wide enough to insert a blade or thin instrument to forcibly pry the door open. Are the hinges installed correctly, with the screws hidden?
3. Do you have secure door locks and bolts? Ask security experts for secure locks for your door. Some locks are easy to open with small picks.
Burglars are encouraged to break into homes which they believe have no occupant at the moment and look easy to open. If you are sure you have strong and secure doors and windows, a home alarm monitoring system would provide more protection for your home. A surveillance camera on the front and back doors would discourage burglars for fear that they would be caught in the video.
The best home security system is user or household-specific. It depends on the kind of house and surroundings you have, the activities of all household members and of course, the budget for home security. You would need to assess and summarize your security needs before choosing a home security alarm.
Write down your reasons for getting a home security system. Is it because of the increasing crime rate and needing strong perimeter protection? Do you have a small child that you want to monitor from time to time? Your needs will determine the appropriate home security system for you.
Take photos or video clips of your home from different views as reference. It will also be easier to explain your requirements to the staff of the home security company. If you know an expert in home security, ask for an assessment. Home security companies may sometimes offer you a free walk through but always keep in mind that they are sales persons who want to make a sale and their recommendations may not be the best for your needs.
Get consultations and price quotations from other companies and compare where you can get the best offer. Do not forget to ask about installation cost, monthly monitoring fees and any other applicable fees. Are you required to sign a minimum term contract to be included in their central monitoring system?
Ask people you know for the business reputation of each company. If you are knowledgeable about do-it-yourself installations, check various dealers if they have the equipment you need.
Searching for a home security system that fits your needs takes time and effort and you’re not even sure if you have included the best in your list. To save time and to be sure that the top home security companies are in your list of choices, visit http://walkerhomesecurity.com/. Walker Home Security is your one stop shopping site if you want the best prices and great service from reputable home alarm companies.
Cost is a major factor for many people who are trying to decide which home security monitoring system to choose. Some people can easily afford home security systems but they just want to get their money’s worth. On the other hand, some homeowners have just enough to pay for a security system so they want to get the best protection for their home and family at an amount they can afford.
To search and compare home security companies is an effective way to find the best in terms of quality of the system, quality of installation and monitoring service, reliability, features and cost. Here are some of the important information you should verify from any home security company:
1. List of features included in the home security plan. Does your initial payment include ownership of the equipment or are they just leased to you?
2. Inquire about the job knowledge and experience of the company’s employees. How are the employees trained? Are they certified to do their jobs?
3. Search the company’s track record at the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association, Better Business Bureau as well as with the law enforcement agencies in your locality. Has the company acquired the necessary licenses to engage in business in your area?
4. Read and understand any written documents before signing. Ask about upfront fees if any and have it in writing. How much will you pay as installation fees?
5. Discuss the proposed agreement with friend and family members. Ask your neighbors about their security system and monitoring provider. What are some of the problems they encountered and what should you watch out for?
6. Be cautious about door-to-door salesperson offering monitoring system at a lower price. They are most likely not dependable to be there when their services are needed.
Actually, you don’t have to exert that much effort and spend that much time to find the best home security system that you can afford. Save time by visiting http://walkerhomesecurity.com your one stop shopping site to see which alarm company is best for you in terms of prices and services. .
You may have a home security system in place but if you are guilty of committing the following mistakes, you are putting your home and loved ones at risk.
1. Hiding Keys
If this is your way to allow entry of family members or to ensure you will not be locked out of your home, there are easier and more secure ways. Give family members spare keys or bring one yourself. Don’t think that your key is safe because you don’t use the typical hiding places such as under the doormat, over the door jamb or under a rock. You never know who is observing family members as they pick up the key under a stone or reach above the door for the key. Another alternative is to get a home security system that includes automatic door locks.
2. Broken Locks
Broken locks should be replaced at once. If the lock is easy to open, the burglars will risk triggering the alarm, enter and leave the house with your valuables.
3. Broken Windows/ Dilapidated Doors
Through broken windows, burglars can find creative ways to reach and turn the door knob. They can also make the opening bigger and let a smaller person pass through it. If your door is almost falling apart, the burglars could easily open it with a strong kick.
4. House Keys in the Car
Any extra house key outside your home that is not in your possession is like a windfall just waiting for the burglars to pick up and enjoy.
5. Open Outdoor Storage Area
Giving burglars access to your tools or ladder is like a go signal for them to forcibly enter your home if they can.
Home security is the combined efforts by all household members with the help of security alarm companies.