Saturday, May 9, 2009

Is A Burglar Alarm Enough To Protect Your Home?

Is A Burglar Alarm Enough To Protect Your HomeWhen thinking about home security, many people assume that means burglar alarm systems and nothing more. Alarm systems are a good way to maintain a safe and secure home, but they are only one of many home security tools. An alarm system is only effective when a homeowner also takes some seemingly obvious precautions.

Windows are a common entry point for burglars. They can be the most vulnerable part of your home security system. Homes with poorly constructed or poorly installed windows are inevitably the target of experienced burglars.

To know your windows are secure, make sure they have strong glass and properly fitting locks. And remember to lock your windows before you leave the house. An unlocked window is the sure way to waste every dime you spend on an elaborate home security system.

Your doors are the second most vulnerable part of your home security system. They must be constructed of strong, durable materials, secured by tough locks that can't be forced easily. Dead bolts are great unless the door frame is poorly installed or made of soft, easily damaged lumber.

If you keep a spare key for accidental lock-outs, be absolutely sure to hide it in a place no one would think of. Many a homeowner leaves their spare key on the top of the doorframe or under their welcome matt. Big mistake. Be cautious about using fake rocks or yard ornaments as hiding places, too, as every burglar knows that's why they were created!

One other important tip about keys. Losing your keys is a common and costly mistake, especially when you have your home address or information that might reveal your home address on the key ring.

Some modern homeowners rely on home surveillance systems that allow them to monitor their homes from other locations. These systems are great for recording activity and storing it for later viewing if there is a security breach. They're particularly valuable for people that travel frequently, since they involve a considerable investment. One point, though, to remember is that the surveillance system that's not also connected to an alarm system will only be helpful after the fact. It will not prevent the intrusion, though it may help get the intruder arrested later on.

Your dog could be important to your home security as well. Trained guard dogs are very effective at discouraging burglars and vandals. And they're portable! You can take your guard dog with you for personal protection as well. But remember, a trained guard dog can be expensive, and it may not be safe for your children. Like any dog, you must always be sure to leave plenty of food and fresh water for your guard dog.

You can also rely on less well-trained, but equally imposing large dog breeds to protect your home. It may be the same breed as the formally-trained guard dog, but it's a family pet whose love for you and your children are you main protection. Good breeds for this purpose include German and Belgian Shepherds, Doberman, Akita, Bouvier des Flandres, Pitt Bull Terrier, Rottweiller, American Bulldog, Mastiff, and Giant Schnauzer.

The pinnacle of the effective home security system is a good burglar alarm. Their great value lies in prevention. The screaming alarm usually scares a burglar away. And most security service companies provide signs and window decals to inform potential intruders that an alarm protects the home. The market offers a wide range of designs, features, and technology in burglar alarms, so you'll need to know what you need, how much you can afford to pay, and which systems best meet your requirements before you make the purchase.

Remember, though, that even the best and most technologically-advanced home security burglar alarm system will fail if you leave a window unlocked or have low-quality windows and doors. Home security is more than a system. It's solid construction, durable materials, and homeowner vigilance.

Can Home Security Gates Be Useful?

Can Home Security Gates Be Useful?The purpose of home security gates is to limit access to your private property, but how useful or useless these are in living up to that is what we consider here in this article on practical home security measures.

Practical home security measures include a variety of devices such as burglar alarms and magnetic switches that alert the home owner to any instance of unlawful entry into their premises via a monitoring system that senses this and lets them know instantly so they can take corrective measures to deal with this!

However, among the most basic kind of home security device is the home security gate option, which many independent home owners and small office or farm owners are keen on trying out.

We try to understand their reasoning behind using this fundamental idea for limiting access to their property and educate our readers about what can be done in order to raise the utility and scope of this very functional but basis home security unit! Take a look at the below-mentioned points and check out whether the scenario applies to you or not; then work on the points that do apply to you so you are an aware and informed home owner in today’s fast-paced, crime-ridden times and can act intelligently to keep your home and property safe – always!

The rising crime rates may be the hottest topic of discussion anywhere at any given time, but that is really no reason for you as a modern home owner not to be clued in to the latest and best home security developments so you can move up from the basics to the top-level products available at an affordable cost. Yes, this includes doing a re-think on simply depending on your old-time, falling-to-pieces gate system that merely limits access to your property, but doesn’t do much as a deterrent for the smart burglars of today!

Burglars mean business when they are out on the prowl and so you need to think one step ahead of potential burglars looking to endanger your family and property with their unwanted visit: simply having security gates do not provide adequate security for the home today.

If you live in the outskirts or in a village type area, you are more at threat from burglaries and other crimes than those in the heart of the city as overly populated regions have advantages of being peopled and also typically have local patrolling units that are up-to-date with latest surveillance and other security breach correction gadgets and human teams to control these

If you do invest in an advanced home security gate system, it is advisable to opt for the ones you can operate via a keypad, so you decide who you want to allow entry to. For family members and close friends, you may want to decide on a code that allows them access to the home, but do try and limit this to a small number to increase your chances at a security breach;
alternately, you can opt for a home security gate unit that also has video cameras and intercom system so visitors identify themselves and then you can allow them entry, if you so wish.

Since these are not easy to crack open, home security gates act as a burglar deterrent on most occasions. Choose those made of solid wood or metal for added privacy along with security!