Unique Home Security Devices to Keep Your Family Safe

A home security system can provide general, overall protection to your home, but there are a number of ways to increase security in specific areas of your house. Most burglars will at least expect the possibility of an alarm going off but they’re much more likely to be caught off guard by an outdoor motion detector or steel door brace. We’re not suggesting you completely pad lock your home with stainless steel, but if there is a particular area you are concerned with there are always ways to further secure your residence.

1. The dual function door security brace from Safety Basement is a 20-gauge steel device that can be inserted under a door knob to prevent someone from entering your house even if they have a key. This device is adjustable to fit different size doors and is easily installed and removed at your convenience.
2. While your alarm system protects the inside of your home it probably is not doing much to guard your outdoor belongings. A motion detector is a very useful device for monitoring outdoor activity. The Caddx Wireless Long Life Pet Immune PIR uses infrared technology to detect any unexpected visitors and then alert a control panel inside. You can set this device to not pick up animals in order to reduce false alarms.
3. Security cameras can serve many functions within a home or residence from deterrence to catching a thief. Surveillance Video offers an array of different surveillance systems. If you just want a camera for your front porch to monitor who visits or potentially scare away a burglar, then a wireless outdoor camera is an option to consider. However, if you suspect foul play, a covert spy camera such as one that is built into a wall clock or a bedside alarm is a more viable option.
4. Always remember the carbon monoxide detector! Many states have required the installation of these detective-alarms, but even if that is not the case where you live, you are taking a huge risk by not having one. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas and the only way you would ever know it was in your home is with a detector. Without one, serious damage could be done before you ever even knew there was a problem.
5. Don’t like dogs? Get a fake one. The Electronic Watch Dog from Safety Basement provides the deterrence of a watchdog as it replicates the sound of a barking dog as an intruder approaches. Most burglars admit to leaving a home alone if they notice or hear a dog. Now you can benefit from the uses of a guard dog without the vet bills, weekly bags of food and dog hair covering everything you own.

August 20th, 2010

Surprisingly Vulnerable Household Items

Everyone knows that expensive electronic systems, jewelry or firearms are targets for theft, but these aren’t the only ones. One of the biggest mistakes made by homeowners is to leave anything valuable sitting out in plain view of a person passing by. Think of it like window shopping, you’re much more likely to walk into a store where you’ve seen clothes or products you like displayed in the window. Next time you’re cleaning up the house, look around to see if you’re leaving any of these valuables exposed.Especially now that technological advancements have practically turned cell phones into mini-computers, these are a very appealing sight to a thief. Many people leave their cell phone on a kitchen counter over night, where they plug it into charge. Another common mistake is leaving your phone unattended in your car. Not only does this tempt a burglar to break into your home or car and take your phone, you are also leaving your identify unprotected. Personal information stored inside a smart phone can be used for identity fraud or as a way to find other information such as your address or bank account.Though you probably don’t think of your tool set as something that needs guarding, this is one of the most commonly stolen household items. Because many people keep tools in a garage, with the garage door open, this is an easy target. And if you stop to think about it, you’ve probably spent a good amount of money on all of those items. Always keep tools, building supplies, and lawn equipment in a closed garage or locked shed. And try to keep them out of plain sight of the garage windows if possible, because most garage doors can be opened manually.As much as you like to show off your fine, expensive silver collection, this should be done in a room that isn’t covered by windows. A silver collection is usually worth a lot of money as well as sentimental value and will be quite a find for a thief.

August 20th, 2010

Lock it Up

Locking your doors, setting your alarm and keeping valuables out of sight are key ingredients to a safe home. But, unfortunately, even taking these steps doesn’t ensure you won’t ever be the victim of a robbery. In order to ensure that the losses you suffer are minimal, consider investing in a safe. These devices can protect against man and nature, and will ensure your most valuable possessions are always safe.When purchasing a safe, there are a few features you should look for. Some safes offer fire protection, others protect against flood. However, the best safe, though it may cost a bit more, has multiple protective features. The Sentry Electronic Fire-Safe will protect your items for up to 2 hours while in a fire. It is also water resistant and can be bolted to the floor to prevent a burglar from attempting to carry it away. An electronic key pad also ensures that you’ll never find yourself having lost the key and therefore having no way to get to your belongings. If you’re looking for a discreet and easily hidden safe, the Sentry Floor Safe is a cylindrical safe that can be installed into wood or concrete.Once you’ve purchased a safe, it’s time to choose a password combination. Your password should be something completely random, nothing containing personal information such as birthdates or initials. If letters are an option, incorporate at least one capital and one punctuation mark. As easy and convenient as it is to use one password for many different accounts or safes, this is very dangerous. If someone is serious about stealing your belongings or identity, and they manage to hack one account or safe, they will start with that password when they begin to check all of the others. Once you’ve decided on a combination, commit it to memory and learn to type it quickly and efficiently so that this won’t be a problem in the event of an emergency.

August 20th, 2010

Inside the Mind of a Thief

You may think you’ve covered all your grounds and your house is perfectly safe but there are a probably a few things you might be overlooking. Police officers have managed to gain a great deal of information from convicted burglars as to what they look for in a home. In order to keep your home as safe as possible, make sure you don’t fall into one of these vulnerable categories.

1. Most home owners make the mistake of hiding all their valuables in predictable places. Even though you think putting jewelry or cash in a sock drawer or under a mattress is secretive, this is usually the first place burglars look. It is usually assumed that nothing of value will be found in a child’s room or a guest bedroom. Therefore, these areas of your house make good hiding spots. Although, we don’t suggest telling your five-year-old where the hiding spot is.
2. Don’t leave valuables unidentifiable. Electronic equipment and jewelry are two of the most common items stolen from a home. Usually these items have nothing to designate who they belong to. If you engrave your name onto your valuables, a burglar will not likely be able to pawn them and there is a better chance of your items being returned.
3. Your safe box may be fire proof, water proof and made of stainless steel, but if it’s not secured to your home somehow, there is nothing stopping a burglar from carrying it away. Many safes come with the option of being bolted to the floor or installed in a wall. This way, your items are completely secure and a thief probably won’t even bother with it.
4. Create an authentic image of activity when you’re away on vacation. Everyone knows the old tricks of leaving on a light or having the mail picked up when you’re out of town, but a professional criminal can see right through these elementary efforts. Set a few lights on daily timers so that certain lights aren’t always on or off. You should also turn down or mute your telephone ringer so a burglar wouldn’t notice a constantly unanswered telephone.
5. Never leave kids toys or lawn equipment lying around the yard. Not only are you inviting a burglar to walk up and take something, but you are advertising what you have. You are giving a criminal an idea of what valuables to expect and look for when they return when you’re not home.

August 20th, 2010