Home Security News

KidSmart Smoke Detectors

According to KidSmart, kids tend to be heavy sleepers and won't always wake up to the sound of a smoke detector.  If they do wake up, they may be scared and hide instead of leaving the house. KidSmart offers an alternative smoke detector.  Instead of beeping, it plays a message that you, the parent, record (i.e. James, this is mom, there's a fire, you need to... etc.). It seems like a neat and practical idea as the sound of mom or dad's voice would certainly be reassuring to them if they woke up to a house fire.

KidSmart Vocal Fire Detector

Barcode Scanner Makes Home Inventory Easy

You probably know you're supposed to keep a thorough record of all your assets in order to prove your losses in the event of a burglary or natural disaster--that's the only way you'll be properly recouped by your home insurance company. But... it can be a real pain to keep a record up to date, especially when you start adding up all the small but valuable things like CDs, DVDs, computer games, and books.

There are several software packages out there designed to help you with your home inventory, but only a few come with barcode scanners.  These handheld devices zap your belongings and automatically record them on your computer, showing both the name of the item and a short description. This makes it easy to keep track of what you own both for personal reasons and more importantly for home insurance reasons.

The Cordless Collector, put out by Intelli Innovatons, Inc., comes with home barcode scanner and software. You can get scanners that work with either USB or wireless Bluetooth technology. http://www.intellisw.com/intelliscanner/express/index.html

Security Camera Reviews

Home surveillance security cameras run the range from low end under $100 to thousands of dollars, with the quality and features usually adjusting proportionately to the amount spent. Here are a couple reviews for home security cameras I found around the Internet (ever notice it's a lot easier to find pages selling than providing information?) that you may want to check out if you're thinking of setting up a home surveillance system:

Vanguard 44X Zoom Video Camera System Review

Wireless Security Camera and Monitor

D-Link DCS-5300G Securicam Wireless Internet Security Camera

Home Insurance Not up to Date?

A recent CNN Money article starts off with "As many as three-quarters of U.S. homeowners are carrying insurance policies that don't cover replacement cost if a fire or storm levels their house, according to a study released in 2002 by Wisconsin construction-data firm Marshall & Swift/Boeckh." The article goes on to mention that 35% of homeowners insurance policies are undervalued, meaning you won't get what your house is worth if something happens. People think about insurance when they get their mortgages, but then never revisit their policies (until it's too late). Among other things, if you've done any remodeling, you need to take a look at your homeowners insurance policy because the home improvements probably increased the value of your house. Just the general appreciation of homes in your neighborhood, may mean you need more coverage.

If the idea of paying more for insurance rates daunts you, remember installing a home security system (or even doing something as simple as adding deadbolts and window locks) can help reduce your rates, not to mention protecting you from burglars.

Read more at Beef up your home insurance or get free homeowners insurance quotes online at InsureMe.com.

Prevention Instead of Reaction

Why is it we only get smart about home security after something happens to us or to someone we know? Burglaries drive security sales, an article in the online version of the Delaware News Journal, notes that recent break ins in the area have spurred home security related purchases ("Deadbolts, window locks, floodlights and motion detectors have sailed off shelves at his Scott True Value store"). Though it's a local article, it's not a bad read if you're looking for some inexpensive security options that will still help make your home a less ideal target for thieves. Better to be prepared before something happens.

Upcoming Home Automation Expos

Sick of just reading about what's out there in the world of home automation and thinking you need to see and touch what's entering the market? A home automation expo isn't just for experts in the field; it's for anyone interested in the topic. If you're planning to turn your ho-hum home into a "smart home," you're looking at a sizable expenditure. It behooves you to fully explore what's available and make sure you're getting what you want. If you've got time, you might want to check out one of the upcomnig home automation expos:

• ICS Expo and the Home Automation Show will be in New York in August.
• The Cedia Custom Home Automation Networking expo will be in Indianapolis in September.
• The Space and Advanced Telecommunications expo covers more than just home automation, but smart home technology is a division. It will be in Italy at the end of September.

No Names on the Mailbox, Please

After watching a couple episodes of It Takes a Thief, I've noticed a trend... the would-be burglars always get the phone number of the target house after finding out the name and address from the mailbox. From that information, it's simple for them to call an operator and find out the number (you'd think in this era of rampant identity theft, phone companies would have to be stricter about giving out numbers, but apparently not). Then they call the homeowners to find out whether they're at home. If no one is, they know they can get to work.

The lesson? Don't put your name on your mailbox. Nobody needs to know that information. Instead, the show recommends putting your house numbers in large print on the mailbox. Using reflective stickers that can be seen in the dark by an ambulance or police car is the best choice.

Home Automation for Mac Users

PC-based home automation control is becoming increasingly popular, but Mac users don't always get a mention. Now, you can control your home's lighting and home theater systems with an Apple Mac, a wireless connection, and iHack software. For more information check out Controlling Your Shiny Love Nest With a Mac and a Hack Called iNest and Wireless technology delivers home automation to Mac users.

Cost vs. Savings (Alarm Systems)

A recent article in the Orlando Sentinel addresses the cost of installing a home security system versus the savings.  To arm your home with a security alarm system, the article suggests an expenditure of anywhere from $300 to $3,000. (Although advances in manufacturing and competition have dropped prices in recent years, new technology and added features keeps alarms from being cheap purchases.) In return, however, you can barter with your homeowners' insurance agent for a savings of 10%-20% on your homeowners insurance policy. And, of course, if a home security system keeps you from being robbed, the savings are priceless. The peace of mind alone is worth the cost for many.

Online quotes:
InsureMe.com
Netquote.com

Full article: Alarm systems wrap home in high-tech security blanket

Keyless Entry a Security Risk?

Keyless entry has been in use for several years, offering convenience for car owners. Recent PCWorld article "Does Your Car Key Pose a Security Risk?" suggests we you may be paying for that convenience with a lessening of security for your vehicle. The RFID chip, widely used by car manufacturers like Nissan, Ford, and Toyota (some 150 million may be in use in the US alone) may be cheap and easy to hack. The technology is also used in the ExxonMobil Speedpass, a key-tag for wireless transactions at gas pumps.

In a case study, "With just 'a few hundred dollars worth of equipment,' Rubin says his team was able to wirelessly interact with car keys and payment tags at close range, and obtain enough information to crack their security system."

What is Biometrics?

I keep reading the term biometrics, especially in relation to fingerprint authentication technology, and must confess I don't know exactly what it is. I hopped on over to Wikipedia and read that biometrics refers to "the science and technology of authentication (i.e. establishing the identity of an individual) by measuring the person's physiological or behavioral features."

So, how does that relate to home security? Well, biometrics is increasingly becoming available not just for big corporations protecting sensitive material but for residential door locks, including for safes and vaults. The article goes on to mention that "biometrics usually refers to technologies for measuring and analyzing human physiological characteristics such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns, and hand measurements, especially for authentication purposes."

Hm, are you looking forward to the day when you come home, give your doorlock that knowing look, and it clicks open based on what it sees in your eye? If nothing else, it'll be nice not to have to worry about lost keys anymore.

Biometrics at Wikipedia

Identity Theft Can Hurt Your Ability to Buy/Keep a Home

It's no secret that identity theft is one of the, if not the, fastest growing crimes. We don't always think what that could mean to us, though, beyond replacing credit cards and social security number.  It can effectively destroy your credit rating, which would make it difficult or impossible to obtain a home loan or even a credit card. Fraud, ID Theft Cast Half Billion Dollar Net In 2004 takes a closer look at some of the ramifications based on the government report National And State Trends In Fraud And Identity Theft January - December 2004. If you haven't thought much about identity theft, it's worth taking a look.

Lockpicking 101

There are a number of interesting lockpicking sites on the Internet. I think one of the the best ways to protect yourself in matters of home security is by understanding the vulnerabilities of doors and windows, including the locking mechanisms. If you want to know which locks are the most difficult to pick (and the best ones to install for that reason) or you're just curious about lockpicking basics, here are a few resources for you:

Lock Picking (Nice pictures, plus a forum where you can ask questions)
How Lock Picking Works How Stuff Works always does a thorough job with their articles, and this is no exception.
Lock Picking 101 An active forum on the subject.
Lockpicking Basics A manual that starts at the beginning and provides diagrams.

Door Lock Alternatives

Are you somebody who frequently misplaces your keys?  Or do you just like the idea of having a high tech door lock system to confound the nosey in-laws? Technology is bringing new alternatives to traditional door locks in residential housing. A couple of these options are:

• Digital Keypad Door Locks
• Card Readers
• Fingerprint Door Locks (Biometric Readers)
• Electric or Magnetic Door Strikes

See also: Smarthome's Access Control Security Products

For more information on some of these systems, the following articles might be helpful:

• Residential Fingerprint Door Locks
• High Tech Locks open with the Touch of a Button

Homeowners Insurance Quotes Online

There are a number of places online where you can get homeowner's insurance quotes and compare rates. Both InsureMe.com and Netquote.com can give you quotes for homeowners insurance as well as auto, health, and others.

One thing you want to remember, if you have added a home security alarm system to your house (or even just replaced the builder's window and door locks with something sturdier), is that you may be able to bargain for a discount to your homeowners insurance policy. Because you have taken steps to make your home safer and less burglar-prone, you are less of a risk. This should be reflected in your rates. Just as adding a car alarm to your vehicle can drop your auto insurance a couple dollars a month, coming up with a security plan shows you are more responsible than the average homeowner.

Another way you can save money with homeowners insurance is to bundle your insurance policies. By getting auto and homeowners insurance from the same agent, you may be able to barter for a discount. Remember, you are the buyer, so the power is in your hands. Look for insurance companies who are willing to deal.

InsureMe.com
Netquote.com

Wireless Security Cameras, How Much?

Wireless security cameras are much easier for the do-it-yourselfer to install than wired security cameras that involve digging into the walls to install wiring. The technology does tend to be more expensive, though. How much? As with many things home security related, it depends a lot on how exhaustive a system you want to install.

For a complete wireless video surveillance system that monitors the exterior entrances to your home (and possibly some interior areas as well) and is hooked up to a monitored home security system, expect to pay thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands for top of the line equipment.

If you're not ready to make that kind of investment, or just want to try maybe a single wireless security camera hooked up to a TV monitor/VCR recorder or computer, you can enter the field at a significantly lower cost. You can always start simple (read low cost), decide how well you like the technology and how well it works for you, and then move into more sophisticated equipment and coverage.

X10 has a color Wireless Video Camera for under $100 and there are a few more listed at Amazon.com in the $100-$200 range.  Examples are the SVAT Wireless Home Security Camera and the Sylvania SY4225 2.4 GHz Wireless 5-inch Black and White Video System which transmits in black and white but comes with both camera and a small tv monitor.

Reality TV Comes to Home Security

Just when you thought they couldn't possibly come up with any new avenues for reality shows... Discovery has a new television show called "It Takes a Thief." In this hour long show, security experts (including an ex-burglar) come to a homeowner's house, demonstrate the vulnerabilities, and proceed to create a new home security system.

To apply to be on the show (and get a complete home security system custom-designed for your house) you can find the email address at the It Takes a Thief application page (you need to be in the tri-state area for now).

And here is a more thorough review from someone who managed to catch more than 10 minutes: It Takes a Thief Critique

Wireless Home Automation

Wireless home automation is growing more and more popular as it provides a way to make a 'smart home' without tearing into the walls to install wiring. Z-Wave, Insteon, and ZigBee are all battling it out for dominance in the field of home automation. CommsDesign news article Wireless home automation battles heat up takes a look at what the future will bring from these players as well as what it will mean for you, the consumer.