Looking Into the Best Home Security System Products for Contractors by Matt Peters

Contractors these days offer more than building and maintaining homes. It is not surprising, for example, that contractors also offer security services by form of installing security systems into the homes they build or repair. The home security system products for contractors to offer to homeowners has been going for years. With the current trend of technologically-enhanced and cheaper security products out in the market, contractors now have to compete just as well.

Alarms

Most homes will have the basic security systems built into them already. This includes different home security products like alarms. There are all sorts of alarms as well. The typical alarm is the burglar alarm, either hard-wired or wireless. They are installed by contractors to give homeowners a sense of security against burglars and intruders. Then there are other alarms, such as smoke or fire alarms. Fire alarms may not be so typical in homes but smoke alarms are pretty much basic and you may find these things installed in places like the bedroom and kitchen. These are safeguards that will help to warn people that there is a possible fire, prompting them to call the fire department or authorities for help.

Detectors

But more importantly, it is not the alarms but how they are triggered. For burglar alarms, homeowners can also ask their contractors to wire their house in such a way that when the wires are tripped (or cut in any way), the alarm will go off. However, it is more typical to see motion detectors now since technology has improved alarm systems. These motion detectors act much like wires but they use infrared beams instead of wires. Once these beams are crossed or disturbed in any way by some object, the alarms will go off. Motion detectors are not to be used in a house that is full of pets. Detectors are a great gadget because they can also be connected wirelessly to other components like wireless cameras and computers.

Locks

Contractors know that every house needs good locks. These home security system products for contractors are great to offer homeowners. Electronic locks are becoming more commonplace in areas around the world where house break-ins are just as common. Electronic locks are useful in that they can be controlled only by those who know their combinations. This means that everybody else who cannot use the electronic lock will more than likely set off an alarm. Contractors can use these locks as incentives for people to take advantage of their home building services.

Home security system products for contractors are becoming more sophisticated with each year that companies introduce new security products. What some of these contractors do is learn how to use and install these products and add them as a package with the houses that they help to build or repair. This is a great opportunity for them to gain more business aside from construction and maintenance. As a homeowner, get to know what contractors are offering as far as security is concerned so that you can make the decision on whom to go to for your home building and home protection needs.

Fire Alarm Systems - Why You Should Get One Now by David Faulkner

Just a few years back, a fire alarm system was considered a luxury and was generally seen only in affluent neighborhoods. But times have changed since then. Now, an efficient fire alarm system not only adds value to your property. It protects your home from fire and can even give you and your family security from intruders. How do fire alarm systems work?

Basically, fire alarm systems detect the occurrence of fire in your home, and alert you before the fire spreads. But how do they do that? It's really very simple.

Fire alarm systems use devices such as heat sensors and smoke detectors to track fire or smoke in the house. These devices are located in prime spots all throughout the house, and they are all connected to a central fire alarm control panel.

Once the sensors perceive a fire indicator, like extreme heat or smoke, the fire alarm system is activated. The sensors send a message to the control panel, then the control panel activates the alarms in the house. In many fire alarm systems, the fire alarm control panel is also programmed to send an alert to the local fire department.

In addition, in some fire alarm systems, the heat sensors and smoke indicators are connected to a sprinkler system which automatically turns on as soon as the alarms go off.

Back in the old days, fire alarm systems were very pricey, and that is why only the very rich could afford them. Now, you can have a fire alarm system installed for less than $1500! If you want your system monitored regularly, there will be an additional monthly fee to pay.

If a fire appears one day and burns down your house, imagine the losses you would have to suffer. It could be a very traumatic experience - emotionally, physically, psychologically, and financially.

You can avoid all that just by installing a reliable fire alarm system in your home. The fees you will have to pay will be nothing compared to the savings you will have in case of a fire.

If you want to save even more, you can do it by combining your fire alarm system with your burglar alarm system. In many cases, these alarm systems are able to share the same control panel and the same alarms within the house.

However, while the fire alarm system sends an alert to the fire department, the burglar alarm will go off in the police department. Combining these two alarm systems doubles the protection you can give your home and your family.

Some people might say, Oh, a fire will never happen to us...we check our electrical wiring regularly...we're careful with our matches...and so on and so forth. These people usually think that a fire alarm system is just not a practical investment. They couldn't be more wrong.

Fires can occur in any home, at any time. Even the most vigilant homeowner can fall victim to a fire. It's always best to be prepared. When the time comes that a fire does occur, it's better to be properly protected.

Essential Home Security and Home Alarm Components by John Leo

A man's home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today don't normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a home security alarm, and preferably a monitored home alarm system, is needed to ensure your home's security. Not only does installing a home burglar alarm system improve the safety of your family and possessions, but it can also decrease your home insurance costs. The Top Ten Home Alarm and House Security Devices list highlights ten devices and features of home security alarm systems that can make your house a safer place.

Ten Essential Home Alarm Security System Components:

1. Smoke Detectors - Add another layer of protection to your home, especially when they are integrated into the home alarm system. Not only do smoke detectors indicate a fire and give you time to escape safely, but when included in a home security package, they automatically notify the managing company and the fire department. Some systems even integrate the power supply to the smoke detectors. That means you don't have to change the batteries ever!

2. Back-Up Power Supply - Is important in maintaining home security even during a power outage, when the risk of break-ins and looting is increased. Your home alarm should be effective even when your power is not. The easiest to maintain back-up power supplies use standard size batteries. Look for a model that uses rechargeable batteries to lower your maintenance costs.

3. Master Control Panel - Is vital to any home alarm system. The heart of the home security alarm system, the master alarm control panel is typically installed on a wall in a location with easy access. The panel receives information from all other sensors and key pads, computes it, and transmits relevant information to the monitoring company. If you choose to arm the system from the panel when you leave the house, the master control panel also receives the disarm code when you return home. Some can even be disarmed by telephone!

4.Talking Devices - Make it easy for you to comprehend the status of your home security alarm and monitoring system and also make programming your alarm system simple and quick. Some security systems feature talking master control panels, key pads or remotes.

5. Installation, Monitoring, and Repair Services - These services increase not only the level of safety but the convenience of keeping your home safe. A house alarm alone cannot notify the police or fire department in the event of an emergency. The most complete systems include buttons to notify police departments, fire departments and medical help instantly. Another advantage offered by the best monitoring companies is live customer support and full service installation and repair of the system by employees who have been background checked, licensed and drug tested to ensure your safety. Lastly, some security companies can provide moving services to maintain your security even when you relocate.

6. Wireless Systems - Safeguard your residence without adding excessive wires which may create a tripping hazard or require professional installation of behind the wall alarm cable. In wireless home security alarm system magnetic alarm contacts, keypads and other devices transmit information to the master alarm control panel using radio signals or through available previously installed wiring in your residence. A burglar will never be able to disarm the system by snipping the alarm cable. This ensures the system is fully integrated and monitoring all parts of your home without using up your outlets or creating an obstacle course of alarm cable for you.

7. Key Pads - May not always be enough to keep burglars out. Magnetic Alarm Contacts on Windows and Doors reduce the risk of a burglar entering undetected and are a key part of a home alarm system. Security Motion Detectors within the home also increase the level of security. The most sophisticated security motion detectors include a feature to ignore pets' movement to avoid constantly setting the alarm off inadvertently.

8. Extra Key Pads - Are also important. Exterior mounted key pads can provide secure key less entry to your family. Some systems also offer remote control key pads which are lightweight and portable. A home alarm system that features a security code with a key pad increases the security of your home. A monitored system can also lock down entry after several repeated, failed attempts at entry which indicate a possible break-in attempt.

9. Yard Signs and House or Window Decals - Advertise your home's protection. The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company's yard sign (SIA Research Update, Security Industry Association, October 2001). Some choose to post the signs to deter possible break-ins without actually installing a home alarm system. While this effort will lower the odds of an attempted burglary, a yard sign alone cannot fully protect your home.

10. Extra Key Fobs and Remotes - Some home alarm systems include extras like Key Fobs and Remotes to control the system at a distance. Somewhat similar to a car's key fob, home security key fobs include buttons to activate and deactivate the house alarm system. Some even include a "panic" button that activates the house alarm and alerts the proper authorities in the event of an emergency. Remote controls are similar and often larger. The features of remotes vary greatly and can include a full key pad, a talking feature and a panic button as well. The talking feature may not result in great conversation, but it will help you understand your system a little better.

Of course, this list is not comprehensive, and the needs of every home and homeowner are different.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME BURGLARY PROOF by Chai Yong

Burglary ranks the second among the crimes in most of the countries in the world.

Burglary is unlawful or forcible entry or attempted entry of building, usually involving theft. Illegal entry may be by forces such breaking window, door or roof. It may be without force by entering through unlocked door or an open window.

The majority of burglary was committed in residence (household burglary) followed by business building (commercial burglary) and other locations like schools, sheds, substations, detached garages etc.

There are various ways to make your home burglary proof:-

i. Reinforcing door

Door grille can be fixed at the external side of your door. It can be front door, side door or rear door.

During the day time, your timber solid door may be left open with the door grille locked. Doing so has the advantages of having a nice view of movement outside your house and preventing burglar or unwanted people from entering your home. In the meantime, your house will have better ventilation with the solid door open.

ii. Reinforcing window

Window is one of the weakest points where a burglar likes to break in.

Window can be reinforced by fixing a window girlle. There are 2 types of window grille i.e. fixed window grille and slidng window grille.

Sliding window grille is preferred as compared to fixed one as a sliding window girlle can be padlocked. It can be opened for the purpose of cleaning teh window or escape during emergency. However, at times people tend to be panic during emergency like fire. They cannot find the right key to the padlock.

Both fixed window grille and sliding window grille with padlock are in fact a trap for residents during emergency.

Sliding window grille could be made safer by having a keyless window asfety lock.

iii. Reinforcing roof

Roof is another weakest point which is normally ignored.

The prevention steps must be started at the design stage.

Conventionally, roofing design is as follows:- top layer is the roof tile usually not nailed, insulation wool, sislation - a thin layer of aluminium foil followed by wire mesh.

From the above design, you can visualize that a burglar can open the roof tile easily as it is not nailed. The sisalation, insulation wool and wire mesh can be cut easily. Therefore, it is a weakest point from the view of burglary.

To reinforce the roof, a layer of flat zink sheet (0.7-0.9 mm) can be laid before fixing of roof timber batten where the roof tile sits on. Because of the thickness of zink sheet, it is not easy to cut. This could prevent a burglar from breaking in.

iv. Fixing burglar alarm system

Burlar alarm system can be fixed at all openings of your home like door, window, ceiling opening etc.

v. Fixing CCTV

CCTC can be bot preventive and detective measure. It could be made more useful if it is connected to a 24 hours recording device. This serves two purposes i.e. detecting any burglar so that immediate action could be taken and tracing any burglar if he has broken in and left.

vi. Good neighbourhood

A close neighborhood could keep an eye on any stranger approaching your house.

Sometimes, a neighborhood could have a neighborhood program whereby patrolling at night could be conducted to prevent crimes from happening.

vii. Fencing

Fencing around your house or neighborhood is definitely a proven way to prevent burglary.

Fencing has a psychology effect namely it prevents any stranger from trespassing your compound as it could be viewed as an illegal act or any act with wilful intent.

This article is written by Chai Yong from www.window-safety-lock.com which is about keyless Griloc window safety lock. Your navigation is welcome.