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Building Out a Home Security System
Home security alarms are just one part of your overall system. Generally, the alarm can be wired or installed as a wireless home security system and consists of keypads at each entrance, motion sensors, glass break sensors and open door and window sensors. The alarm panel should be installed in a relatively secure enclosure and in a relatively secure room within the house. The alarms communications go to the monitoring company and the local police can be wired or wireless or both. Wired are best and a cell wireless back up is even better.
Additional layers of protection include the stickers that come along with the alarm that are installed on doors and windows. Make use of any additional lawn signage depicting “Home Security System” installed.
Beyond an alarm system with a digital video recorder set to record motion. Set up security cameras to monitor the perimeter. Security cameras can send off an alarm triggering additional lighting, sirens and alerting the home owner to a potential breach via text and telephone calls. I can immediately see my cameras via my iPhone. Cameras inside the house are necessary as well. Just short of a camera pointing right at the kid’s bed, the house is wired to show all doors and living spaces. Once you take the leap you wonder how you lived without it. It’s a very cool tool to find your keys or wallet if you lose them in the house.
Recently, I found an Easter basket at my front door without a note. I thought maybe the note blew off or the Easter bunny forgot to attach a note. I wasn’t sure. My first move was to check my DVR and look for motion triggered events and pull them up and scan the footage. When I saw my neighbor walking down the street with the Easter basket then up onto my porch to drop it off, disappointment set in. I was really hoping to catch the Easter Bunny on camera.
Next Christmas I’m pointing this bad boy right at the chimney.
Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.
Comment
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Comment by Jay Taylor on July 29, 2010 at 10:15am -
It is great advice to have a home security system. Currently, I am in the process of building my own home security system which includes cameras and an alarm. Additionally, I am having the Sugarland Electrician from MisterSparky-Houston installing a few security lights.
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Comment by Eric L. on April 15, 2010 at 4:35pm -
All very good advice Robert... I started biulding my own system about 14 yrs ago after Chris P. suggested a new home automation system in his original Lockergnome newsletter (way back when he worked out of his basement Iowa (who knew it would ever turn into what it is today)) . The automation hardware has many add-on's one of which is home security... Supprizingly enough, adding onto it slowly over a five yr period was relitivly inexpensive... I started with automating every, then moved onto the security system add-on, and then finally after buying my house....I used some of the extra loan money and added the multi-camera onto all of that. No one gets passed the cameras and perimiter alarms and if they do the door and window sensor are there to assist.
The interior cam is a must...mine has both doors in it's sights when it's in it's in it's default location, It's also used to monitor what the kids are doing/getting into in the kitchen, and not only just the kids... it works well on finding out which dog is the one getting into trouble.
The exterior cams are not only used for keeping an eye on the cars and who's pulling in the driveway, walking to the door or snooping around the house (IE; the water & electric meter reader usually), we also use them to keep an eye on the dogs outside, and on the pool when the (older) kids are using it. So have a cam system is not only good for security, it has many other good uses, as my wife and I have found over the years of having them. I think it's also important if your going to think about buying them, to buy the robotic remote control for them also... so the you can use one came to monitor a wider range of area or follow whatever is moving on the property. I currenty have 4 cams, all robotic, that work along with all the motion sencors around the property, and the DVR.
The entire system including the Home Automation, Securiy, and Cam System only cost less than $1500... of course the nice part is... you can add on to it over time, so it's not one big hunk of change at once. Also you don't have to be an electrician to install anything, just some common electronic knowledge.
The other thing about the system that I'm using... There are no monitoring fees, but it still calls my cell and 911 I think thats the best part of the whole deal.
However, like Robert, even with everything I've got here... I have yet to catch the EasterBunny, or Santa Clause over the years.... I'll remain hopeful that someday I'll catch one of those holiday figures, maybe as I get older and my teeth start falling out, I'll be able to catch the Tooth Fairy.
--Eric
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Comment by Jerry Dunham on April 15, 2010 at 7:23am -
I've lived in neighborhoods where ours was the only house without an alarm system. Ours was also the only house never burglarized. Keeping a houseful of Great Danes will do that.
© 2012 Created by Chris Pirillo.
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