Home Security News

iPhone Apps Let You Monitor Home Security Systems

 
The ability to remotely monitor a home security system isn't anything new; for a while we've been able to check on our houses through special internet pages or via our cell phones.  Well, now you can get all the stats and even camera pictures over your iPhone.

For example, if you are an Alarm.com customer, you can get their iPhone application, which lets you check on all sorts of information.  You can find out if the garage door has been left open, if the dog walker took your pooch out for a full session, if there's a leak in the basement, if medicine or liquor cabinets have been opened, if you forgot to turn on the system, etc.  You can also control your security system remotely (if you did forget to turn it on before you left for work, you can simply activate it over your phone).

If your home security company isn't offering these features yet, give them a call to see if it's in the works. 

Alarm.com

Home Security Important Even in Rural Areas

If you live out in the country, you may feel safe from the crime and dangers of modern city life.  However, the downside of living in a rural area is that your nearest neighbor may be out of earshot.  With houses few and far between, there's nobody to spot nefarious activity going on at your house.  In addition police stations are often farther away and less heavily manned.

In the city, a burglar has to be quiet and quick when trying to crack a safe, but with no need to worry about neighbors hearing, he can bring in heavy equipment to destroy your locks, get into your house, and find and get into a safe. 

"Increased affluence of farm and non-farm populations in rural areas, declines in the number of households with family members at home during the day, and the poor visibility of property between neighbors and from public roads have resulted in increased crime in rural communities.

Like their city neighbors, rural residents tempt criminals with easily 'fenced' items such as jewelry, guns, computers, home entertainment systems and other items found in city dwellings. But rural areas have additional problems such as arson and vandalism of property and theft of high valued farm equipment, crops, and livestock." ~ Delta Farm Press

And since we're entering uncertain economic times, we can expect crime to rise.

So don't let the idea that you're safe because you live in the country keep you from making smart home security decisions.  

"Burglar Deterrent" CDs and MP3s Now on the Market

You've probably heard of programmed lights on timers that make it appear that someone is at home even if you're away on vacation or working late.  Well, now there are a number of outfits selling CDs or downloadable MP3s full of "burglar deterrent sounds."

The idea is that you can leave these sounds playing while you're gone, and it's supposed to fool a potential thief into believing someone is at home, thus encouraging them to move on to an easier target. 

I suppose it's somewhat logical (I could see it working in a dorm or apartment setting) but it seems like a silly thing to pay for.  Would you actually want to leave your stereo on and running (and wasting power) while you were away from home for a week?  Or even a work day? 

Now if the home automation pros come up with a device that plays a cd only when motion is detected in the yard (such as how motion-sensing lights work), that might be more practical.  But then your neighbors might get ticked when they come over to borrow flour (does anyone do that any more?), hear you rummaging around inside, but then are left standing on the porch when no one answers the door.

Police Assessing Your House for Security

I caught a short news article from the Mexia Daily News that said the Wortham, Texas Police Department was offering free security assessments for residents.  I think this is a great idea and should be put into practice all across the country.  It's really hard to look at your own home the way a burglar might and honestly assess the security of the house.  But an expert can certainly see things you walk past every day without even realizing it's a security problem. 

Here's what the Wortham police are doing:

"This will consist of an overall security evaluation of homes, such as door and window locks, lighting and other safety checks. Home owners can also receive crime prevention tips and recommendations for better home security against personal and property crimes. The evaluations will be done by a licensed police officer of the Wortham Police Department. Home owners can be given a safety certificate from the police department that may save money on homeowners insurance."

Sounds like a good deal to me.  Who wouldn't want to get a break on home insurance (and know your home is safer at the same time)?  Let's hope more police departments follow suit....

New Home Security Blog

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.

Should You Buy a Burglar Alarm?

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.

Should You Install a Home Security System?

Should you have a home security system?  I don't necessarily think everyone needs a full-blown electronic system that includes video surveillance, alarms, and all the bells and whistles.  I do think everyone needs to have a home security plan, good door and window locks, and some often missing common sense (i.e. lock up when you leave the house, don't leave windows open and unlocked, don't have your personal information available for the world to see on the mailbox, etc.).  But if you're waffling back on forth on whether to make the investment of an actual home security system, the following article from Insurance.com might help:

Should I Install a Home Security System?

Not only does it ask pertinent questions such as "Do you live in a high-crime area?" and "Can you afford it [a home security system]?" but the article also offers some tips on how to make your home less of a target for burglars and how to "minimize the need for a home security system."

Home Security Learning Tool (AKA a Game)

Over at the Discovery Channel site, they've got a interactive game on their "It Takes a Thief" page.  There's a house, and you have to poke around with your "flashlight" to identify all the security concerns.  There are ten things total (I got the first seven pretty easily, then had to hunt for the last three) with a "hint" option if you get stumped.  Useful advice goes along with all the items, so why don't you check your home security acumen by seeing if you know everything in the game? Here's the link:

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/ittakesathief/interactive/interactive.html

Thieves Often Strike During the Holidays

With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, most people are more interested in making vacation plans to visit family and friends than thinking about home security.  According to news article Police Say Thieves Often Thrive During the Holidays, the holidays are often a time when burglars are making plans too.  Not to visit family but to visit your house when you're not away.  Browse through sites like Home Security Information and Crime Doctor to learn how to protect your house when you're not home.  There are also lots of tidbits in this blog if you check out the home security and home automation categories.

Steps to Home Security

The approach of cold and snow won't stop burglars from scouting neighborhoods, looking for likely targets.  A number of recent news articles offer some simple advice for keeping your home secure and making it a less enticing target.

Check out:

Steps to Home Security
Top 10 Home Security Lapses Revealed
Home Security Checklist