Home Security News

GPS Allows Parents to Keep an Eye on Kids When They're Out

Many parents consider ways to keep an eye on their children a part of their home security plan.  When their teenage kids go out for the evening, parents want to know what they're up to.  According to newspaper article "Parents Now Can Be Super Snoopers" GPS is a new way in which they can keep an eye on their kids when they're out: "Global-positioning system (GPS) satellite technology, now in cell phones as well as cars, is the latest advance for parental snooping -- pinpointing, 007-style, the exact location of users."  Parents can tuck a locating device on their kids' cars and keep track of where they are whenever they take a vehicle out. 

Original Article

How to Install Motion-sensing Lights

Motion-sensing lights are a must for home security.  Since burglars prefer to work in the dark, they'll be more likely to shy away from a well-lit yard at night.  You don't want your lights to stay on 24/7 and suck up energy, though.  That's why motion-sensing lights make sense.  You can buy them at the local hardware store and do the installation yourself.  Here's a look at how to replace your current outdoor lights with security lights:

Remove the Existing Fixture

Find the circuit on your fuse box that controls the lights that you're going to replace.  Turn the breaker off.  Go outside and remove the bulb and fixture to expose the wires and junction box.  Use a voltage tester to make sure the power is off, then remove the old fixture completely.  Separate the wires, reactivate the circuit, and test them to make sure power is flowing properly.  Turn the power back off.  Wrap the exposed wires with electrical tape, leaving the last 1.5" bare.

Connect the Fixture

On the new light unit, separate the black, white, and bare/green grounding wires.  Strip 1.5" of insulation from the ends of each, then connect the wires.  Black to black, white to white, and ground to the junction box ground screw.  Using a wire nut, wwist the ends of each wire pair together, then reactivate the circuit.  Use the foltage tester to make sure power is flowing to and from the fixture.  Then turn off the power again and connect each wire pair with a wire nut, and cover them with tape to waterproof your splice.

Mount the Fixture

Tuck the now-connected wires into the junction box and put the fixture housing over it.  Mount the fixture to the box with the provided screws.  It's important that all the wires are completely contained and protected by the housing fixture.

Install the Bulb

Lastly, you will install the bulb.  Wear lightweight gloves to install the fixture's halogen bulb.  Next seal the housing and reactivate the circuit.  Test the light at night with the switch first, and then, leave the switch in the ON position.  Don't move, and watch for the light to turn off in a few minutes.  It should reactivate when you move.  Use the manufacturer's instructions to adjust the motion sensors as necessary.

Source: Garage Solutions

Fingerprint Garage Door Opener

We've talked about new technologies like fingerprint doorlocks for residential use, but how about a fingerprint garage door opener?  This isn't a portable garage door opener like the one you keep in your car; rather, it gets installed on the side of your house by the garage.  Press your finger to the opener, and the garage door flips open.  Instead of giving your kids (or other family or friends) a pin code to a home security system that they have to remember or a house key that could be lost, you can simply add their print to this unique security device.  Assuming your garage allows entrance to the rest of the house, it can be the only "key" anyone will need. 

The Biometrix smartTOUCH Model GD-A1 garage door opener is, according to the company, easy for a DIY type to install, and it comes with a control pad you can use to input people's fingerprints.  It's no problem giving people like workmen temporary access and then wiping their prints from memory when they're no longer needed (the device holds prints for up to nine people). 

http://www.biometrx.net

10 Mistakes Burglars Love It When You Make

by "An ex-burglar (reformed. really.)"

1. Leave the doors unlocked.  Hello, McFly!  Did you want me to just walk in and swipe your jewelry and that phat new plasma TV?
2. Leave the windows unlocked.  Almost as good.  If you don't think a window is just another door for me, you lack imagination.  And no, second floor heights don't vex me much either.
3. Leave your tool shed unlocked.  Notice a locking theme here?  People are always leaving their tool/garden/potting sheds unlocked because they don't think there's anything valuable inside, so why bother?  Because things like ladders, shovels, and axes help heaps when I need to break a window or get to the second story.  Why would I even bother lugging my own tools around when y'all are always so accomodating?
4. Build a high fence/private yard.  Oh, yeah.  You don't like the neighbors peeping you while you're relaxing in the backyard.  Well, guess what?  Private secluded yards mean I can saunter around, doing my thing, knowing no irritatingly alert neighbor will see me and call the cops.
5. No outdoor lighting. I love dark and shady nooks to hide in.  By failing to put in heat- or motion-sensing lighting around your home, you're just inviting me to creep in some night.
6. No home security system.  What are you?  New?  Without a home security system, there's nothing from keeping me from throwing a rock through your window, letting myself in, and taking off with all your stuff.  Better make sure you have an up-to-date security system that rings the cops or a monitoring company when something happens.  Otherwise, well, I'll see you later.
7. Keys in the car in the driveway/garage.  Some people make it so easy.  You'll never hear me get in and cruise off with your favorite ride.
8. Webcam as "home surveillance system."  You're kidding, right?  First off, I'm wearing a mask, so all that footage you're going to get is some depressing pictures of an anonymous figure swiping all your stuff.  Second, I'm taking your computer when I go, so you better be storing that footage somewhere off site.  Even if you are, I'll be long gone by the time you check it and come running home.
9. Safes that aren't bolted down.  I love it when people have these twenty pound safes sitting on a bookshelf with all their valuables in them.  Like I've got a genetic lifting disorder or something.  Nothing's stopping me from taking the whole safe with me, then having my safe-cracking buddies pry it open at their leisure.
10. "Hidden keys." I especially love homeowners who hide spare keys under doormats, planters, rocks, and other spots in the yard, thinking they're oh-so-clever.  Come on people, I do this for a living.  I know where you're gonna hide that key before you do.

Fingerprint Door Lock Review

We've talked about fingerprint (biometric) door locks a couple times, but they're still pretty rare in the residential arena.  I did manage to scrounge up a review (two reviews actually) over at epinions for the 1Touch Fingerprint Lock.  Both are positive (though it sounds like programming the lock could require a true geek):

"All in all, this is a great lock to use, and if you and your family don't want to ever worry about keys, passwords or combinations again, try this lock."

"I debated buying a less expensive unit but as I know that being in the technology industry that you get what you pay for. Hats off to the folks at Fingerprintdoorlocks.com as this product rocks!"

To read the reviews in their entirety, here's the epinions link: http://www.epinions.com/1Touch_Fingerprint_Lock/display_~reviews