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There aren't too many blogs out there on home security (unless they're run by a security company), but here's a new one that focuses on products, both for home and personal security:
Home Security Gadgets & Reviews
Both the fun and the serious is covered. Examples include this beer burglar alarm (that would be from the "fun" side of things) and this wall-mounted locking mailbox.
The blog is pretty new, but I'm sure there will be more posts coming down the line.
If you think only James Bond worries about who's spying on him, think again. More and more people are worried about who's got video cameras where and who might be watching them. This is hardly surprising considering how small devices are these days and how easy it is for people to sneak hidden cameras into places, not to mention all the corporate entities keeping an eye on their employees.
This has increased the number of people interested in buying counter-surveillance equipment, such as detectors that let you know when there's a camera in the room. Whether you don't want your bosses and co-workers spying on your or you're worried someone's cell phone is a camera snapping pictures of you in the locker room at the gym, there are devices to counter these measurements.
More at "Bosses Get into 007 Gadgets"
So you like the idea of a home security system, complete with video surveillance cameras, but you just can't afford the expense right now. To be safe, you can follow some common sense stuff (lock the doors and windows, don't leave tools out that burglars could use to break in, etc.), but you could also add some fake "dummy" security cameras around the outside of your house.
Usually fake cameras look, well, fake. But this motion-sensing dummy camera from SmartHome is a bit more realistic. When the motion sensor is triggered, the camera's scanner motor goes on and activates a flashing light, which simulates an actual motion-sensing security camera.
Most burglars don't want to be caught on tape (duh!), so just having something like this mounted by your front door may prove an effective deterrent against crime. The fake model is $24.99 and available online:
Believe it or not, security and spy gadgets can make excellent Christmas presents, especially for the man in your life. Think James Bond. What guy doesn't like to play with fun gadgets?
If you're looking for a good gift for him, this Spy Finder Hidden Camera Detector allows you to 
walk into a room or store and immediately know if there are any cameras monitoring you. The site suggests you can use it in dressing rooms or locker rooms to suss out hidden wireless cameras and immediately know if someone is watching you. The gadget runs on 2 AA batteries and is on sale for $100 at BrickHouse Security.
In keeping with the James Bond theme, what guy wouldn't like a pair of night vision goggles for Christmas (at least one of these NVG models should be on the "gifts for him" page)? With them, you can what's going on in your neighborhood, even when it's pitch dark outside. Prices for these start at just over $100.
One gift on the company's site that I felt was a little dorky was the covert wireless cigarette pack camera. I suppose it could work as kind of a gag gift for a smoker, but really, who is going to use something like this except for a kid? And I don't want to be giving my kids anything that looks like a pack of cigarettes.
All in all, though, the BrickHouse site has some fun security and spy gadgets that could make good Christmas presents for people.
If you've been on the fence about home security systems for a while (do I spend the money and invest in one or do I just hope nothing ever happens to my house?), then you may want to read this article from the Bradenton Herald, which discusses, "Home Security System, a Cost Worth Considering."
It talks about the cost of buying and installing a burglar alarm as well as monthly monitoring costs that come with professionally installed systems. But it also talks about the benefits of knowing your home is safe. At the end it has a list of questions you should ask a dealer before signing the dotted line. Knowing what to ask can save you some money and ensure you get exactly what you need for your home and family.
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f you've got good home security, you can protect your children when they're in the house. But what about when they're out and about, doing who knows what? If you want to keep an eye on your teenagers when they take out the family car, you might check into these GPS systems that allow you to see exactly where the vehicle is (which in turn gives you a pretty good idea of where your son or daughter is).
GPS Tracking may once have been something primarily used by hikers, truckers, and people who get lost often, er, travel a lot, but as you can see, it now has personal security applications. The LiveWire Real-Time GPS Tracking system lets you install a device in your car, wiring it into the electrical system, and then you can keep track of exactly where your vehicle is.
For homeowners, this probably means tracking wayward teens, but professionals in the work place can also use it to track fleet cars, delivery vehicles, etc. It helps you keep an eye on your assets even from a distance.
The LiveWire system costs just under $500 to set up and $39.95 for the tracking service. This may be a bit expensive for some homeowners, but if you've got it installed in the car, you really can make your kids think you've got "eyes in the back of your head."
Here is a home security alarm that gives you added protection for your windows without the cost or 
hassle of installing a whole house system, including wiring that involves tearing into walls and what not. Window Cop is a battery-operated alarm system (so no wires to worry about) that fits double-hung windows between 21" and 37". It's a screen that lets you open the windows and enjoy fresh air without putting your house at risk (especially if you have a tendency to leave those windows open when you go to sleep).
If someone tries to enter the house, the alarm will start up an ear-piercing siren to drive them away. It also keeps children from falling out windows or getting hurt, if you have toddlers running around the house.
Prices start at about $30.
Home security is all well and good, but you can't take your fancy alarm system with you when you leave the house. You can, however, take a keychain.
A keychain, you ask? How can you protect yourself with a keychain? Well, a Kubotan is a keychain designed specifically to help you defend yourself if the need arises. (Let's hope it never does, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!)
The Kubotan is 5 1/2 inches of solid aluminum that can be used to persuade an assailant to leave you alone without doing permanent damage. If you are attacked, you thrust the end of the metal bar into a tender area on your opponent's body. Examples include the eyes, trachea (throat), mastoid process (under nose/above lip), groin, or any pressure point. Of course, it's a good idea to take a self-defense class to really learn how to use this tool. And remember to keep your keys in hand when you leave a building and head to your car (attackers aren't likely to wait while you rummage in your purse to find your self-defense keychain...).
The self-defense keychain is $6.95 from Martial Arts Supplies.
When people buy a new home, they need to get homeowner's insurance, but many of them make a costly mistake. They insure their homes for the mortgage balance.
Why is this a mistake? Because when you buy a house, you're buying the property underneath it. That property is still going to be yours if there is a hurricane, earthquake, or other natural disaster. What you really need to cover is the cost of rebuilding your house and recovering your belonings. Depending on where you live, you could be paying 100,000s just for the land. That's not something you need to insure with homeowner's insurance.
Remember, when you're shopping for home insurance, you just want to cover the home's market value, and don't worry about the indestructable land your house is perched upon.
Even if you already have an insurance policy where you paid for the land, it's not too late to change. You can get quotes online from several insurers:
