Using a professional company can safeguard you in ways that you cannot do on your own. You also can add a surveillance camera to your package if you choose to for added protection such as seeing who is at your front door without having to go there. There are also options that let you know who and when a person will enter and exit the home. For example, if you have teenagers and want to know when the get home from school you can do so with a security system.

Many systems will also give you the option of checking your home when you are not there. Many newer systems allow you to view your home from your computer anywhere you are. Others allow the additional option of checking your home from your enabled cell phone or PDA device.

An alarm system can also detect emergencies such as a possible fire. When temperature rises abnormally in your home or smoke then the system will alert the company and emergency services. The protocol will be whatever you and your security system set up for protection. The same is true if live in an area that has potential for flooding.

Many seniors do not want to give up their independence. Having the professional services will be a safeguard for them and give them and you peace of mind for emergency response if needed. This will give the freedom to get around and still call for help. Devices can go with them around the house or be close by.

Systematically the system will have a two-way voice intercom that the resident can use to call out for help. It can go for a range of up to 300 feet and be set on a table or on the wall. Many are waterproof and can be used in the bathroom with no damage to the unit. For those with epilepsy this is essential as some patients can suffer from episodes with running water.

A professional security company comes with trained professionals who will be there when you need them. When you search for a security company ensure that this is a viable option for services rendered on a twenty-four hour, seven day a week capacity. It is worth knowing that whether you are at home or away that there is someone monitoring and safeguarding your home.

Most security companies have different packages that can be catered to your needs. The cost can be deducted on the yearly taxes that you claim for your home and make sure to let your insurance company know about your new security system. Some insurance carriers will lower your premiums for this added home protection. Check with the Security Company that you are considering asking what packages and options they have available for you.

For a free consultation for your home, visit AZ Security or go to ADT Security to compare different systems.

Different types of alarms do different things. An alarm can tell if there is a fire in a house, or if there is a high level of carbon monoxide. Some alarms do both. Other alarms are purely to deter burglars and people trying to invade a home. Alarm systems can be monitored by a central system that keeps track of how many pets are in a home or what a house’s floor plan might be.

People should consider using house alarms if they have valuables in their house that can’t be replaced easily. Many people collect things like rare coins or ancient artifacts. People who go to cottages should also use a house alarm if they are going to be away for a while. Yet, another reason for getting a home alarm would be if a house is in a remote area where neighbors can’t monitor what’s going on.

Perimeter alarms are a very typical type of alarm system. They are generally connected to the windows and doors of a home and any other entryways. With a magnetic contact, a vibration detector or a strip of special foil tape, the alarm is triggered once the intruder breaks the seal. There are also small round discs that can be placed in the corners of window frames that are able to detect the sound waves and vibrations of a window breaking.

Area alarms protect an area of the home. This can be a portion of a room or a hallway. Sophisticated electronic sensors sweep their beams along the area to be protected, typically an area that an intruder will have to pass through. They will respond to changes in light or pressure, temperature, even sound or movement.

Area home alarms can be found in several different types. One type uses photoelectric eyes to cast unseen beams through the area to be protected. It is usually one that traffic has to pass through to get from one part of the house or property to another. Truly sophisticated systems use infrared detectors to sense the body heat of an intruder, or use microwaves to detect the motion of someone where they shouldn’t be.

Detection alarms are intended to trigger a noise that is loud enough to scare off burglars and other dangerous intruders. It’s also good to have alarms that turn the lights on, indoors and out. This will make your house more noticeable to neighbors and the police, while lighting up areas that would be ideal for a burglar to hide.

Homes can be protected without using expensive home alarms as well. Good quality windows and doors can help prevent someone from breaking in, and proper exterior lighting can make an intruder think twice. A home that doesn’t stand out from the ones around it is also safer. If you are going to choose one of the many home alarms available, consider getting one that is monitored for extra protection.

For a free consultation for your home, visit ADT Security or go to AZ Security to compare different systems.

Protect yourself against home burglary

Whether you live in a house, a condo or an apartment, a break-in can permanently shatter your feeling of security at home.

According to the FBI, a house, apartment or condominium is burglarized once every 15 seconds.

Fortunately, burglary is probably the most preventable of crimes. By taking a few simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce the risks.

Of course, every home and every situation is different, and there are no guarantees.

The first step is to determine what kind of threat you are trying to protect against. For example, defending against personal threats, such as assault, requires different measures than defending against burglary.

Most home burglars do not give great amounts of thought to planning the job and assessing the benefits vs. dangers, but understanding how they choose a target can go a long way in reducing your chances of being a victim.

Most burglars look for:

* Something worth stealing
* Easy access combined with low visibility
* A home that is unoccupied

Did you know? More residential burglaries occur during the day because homes tend to be vacant more often.

How to prevent break-ins:

* Fool them by making your home look occupied all the time.
* Use automatic timers on lights when away from home.
* Always park your cars in the garage with the garage door shut. A burglar may otherwise notice a pattern that a closed garage door or no cars in the driveway means no one is home. Closing the garage door and having curtains or blinds on the garage windows also hides some of your belongings.
* Place radios on automatic timers and raise the volume so they can be heard outside.
* Lower the sound of your telephone ringer and answering machine so that they can’t be heard outside.
* Never leave notes on your door that can tip off burglars.

When away for more than a day:

* If possible, have your telephone calls forwarded when you are away from home. Burglars sometimes check to see if someone is home by making a telephone call.

* Have a trusted neighbor pick up the mail and newspaper. If possible, do not have either stopped. That gives information about you being away from home to others whom you do not know.

* If away for an extended period, have a plan in place to have the grass mowed or snow shoveled.

* If you are away from home on garbage pickup day, ask a trusted neighbor to put your garbage cans out to the street and take them back in. You may wish to have your neighbor use your garbage cans while you are out. Burglars sometimes check for empty cans as a sign the family is away.

* There are systems available that will open and close window draperies by timer. Constantly open or closed curtains can tip the burglar off that no one is home.

* Even if you don’t need specific help, always tell a trusted neighbor if you are going to be gone for a few days.

* If you are going to be gone for an extended period, ask your local police to check your home periodically.

In short, make your house look the same whether you are away or at home.

Eliminate hiding places

* Make sure there is good lighting around the place where you park.

* Install motion detector lights around your house instead of just leaving lights on at night. The lights coming on and turning off attract the attention of neighbors. Install these lights at least 8 feet above the ground so they are more difficult to disable.

* Install the motion detector lights so they light all doors and windows. Doors, since they are the preferred entry point, should be the first priority to illuminate, followed by windows.

* Remove bushes and shrubs from around the house, especially under windows and next to doors. Keep your yard free of overgrowth.

* If you DO have shrubs and bushes, select ones with thorns to deter potential intruders from hiding in them.

* Install a security alarm system with a loud alarm and/or flashing lights. This will attract the attention of neighbors. If you install an alarm, display the decals, and remember to test the system periodically.

Use common sense caution

* Always lock all doors and windows when you leave the house.
* Use a peephole to identify visitors before opening your door.
* Do not hide spare keys outside your home, instead give one to a trusted neighbor.
* Do not provide your house keys to service people.
* Do not invite strangers into your home.
* Do not have money or jewelry lying out in view from a window. If possible, keep jewelry and other small valuables and important documents in a safe deposit box.
* Do not tell strangers your daily routines.
* If you are at home working outside, leave all other doors that are out of sight locked.
* Avoid telling others about the valuables in your home.
* If you have children, discuss home security with them, such as not talking with strangers about their home, its contents or family schedules.

Make your home a harder target

Did you know? The average burglar will spend no more than four to five minutes trying to break into a residence.

* When moving into a new residence, have the locks changed.

* Consult a good locksmith to make sure you have the correct types of locks on your doors and windows.

* Secure your exterior doors and any doors from attached garages by installing:
o Good quality deadbolt door locks
o Security-type door strikes
o Strong, properly installed doors and doorframes that cannot be spread apart
o Security-type hinge
* Secure your windows by installing additional locks and installing impact-resistant glass on any windows within 42″ of a door lock. This will make it more difficult to break the glass, reach in, and unlock the lock.

* Prune lower branches of trees near your house if they could help a burglar gain access to a second story window.

* Secure your patio door with a pin-type lock, a key lock, or a steel rod inserted into the door channel.

* Secure your garage by installing automatic openers or bolt-type locks on each end of the garage doors.

Take time to become knowledgeable about your situation and your options so that you can best decide what to do. And remember, you can also ask your local police department for advice.

Inventory and mark your belongings.

Use our free resources to complete a home inventory.

Mark your belongings with an engraving pen so that they can be traced and return them to you if stolen. These pens are usually available at your local police station. Ask your police department what numbers to use when marking your belongings. Never mark them with your social security number.