Posts Tagged: home security


29
Sep 10

The Advantages of Baby Gates

Babies are natural explorers with a tremendous amount of curiosity that never seems to be satisfied. Our job as parents is to encourage their learning and exploring while keeping the baby safe. With so many baby safety products available and so many baby gate types, a parent’s job has become much easier. Babies can be given a tremendous amount of freedom to roam a particular area that is safe and enclosed by a baby gate.

Using baby gates to keep toddlers out of certain dangerous areas such as the kitchen, securing staircases and guarding fireplaces are just some of the advantages of baby gates. The gate assures a certain amount of safety while allowing the toddler to explore. While baby gates may add a bit of strain to a parent’s credit cards, the amount of anxiety they reduce makes them well worthwhile.

There are several varieties of gates available, however the two main types of gates are pressure gates and hardware mounted gates.

Pressure gates can be quickly installed with no tools. These gates have the advantages of not only being completely removable, they can be transferred from area to area. You may use a pressure gate to keep the toddler out of the kitchen while you are cooking then move the gate to keep the toddler from exiting the living room while you enjoy some after dinner family activities. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the gate. Pressure gates are not recommended for use at the top or bottom of a staircase. One additional advantage to pressure gates is the ability to take them with you when you travel, allowing that extra measure of safety while you are away from home.

Hardware mounted gates have many advantages as well. These gates being permanently attached to the wall can more easily be operated by one hand, leaving the other hand free to deal with the toddler. Hardware mounted gates are always recommended for the top of a staircase. The weight of a toddler leaning against a pressure gate can dislodge the gate and cause a nasty fall down the stairs. Hardware mounted gates at the bottom of a staircase insure that the gate cannot be accidentally dislodged allowing the toddler access to the staircase and potential dangers. Gates mounted at the top of the stairs should always be set up to swing in over the landing not over the stairs.

Baby gates are the cornerstone of baby proofing your home. These devices allow more freedom than a playpen giving your child the opportunity to explore and allowing additional mental development.


5
Jul 10

Master Key Safe Cabinets and Key Coded Boxes

One type of coded key box suitable for all healthcare workers is the GE Sentico key safe model. The model is also useful to care providers or the emergency service personnel when the need to access restricted property arises. The key coded box and a high-tech master key safe are two safe units designed to provide secure and independent living arrangements to older people. A system of this sort will include software that controls the setting of alarms and various security features.

The GE master key safes and the Sentico key coded boxes come with various options for communities and individuals alike granting the ability of lowering expenses through one system which coordinates all things from the same place in the event of frequent deliveries and emergencies.

The Key box manual

If you haven’t previously owned such a system then a small secure box is a good choice because it can be bolted to a wall or placed on the floor of your choice. Access codes are generated live when a person enters the premises and they reset to a new code on each separate entry so they don’t become a threat by being active too long.

A proper solution to a master key safe with one single-use code

A live code ensures a high level of security and maintains the information flow to the minimum necessary so there are no information leaks that will end up in compromising your residence or access areas. Only the persons decided by you will have access to the generated code so there are no chances that strangers become aware of it and you get a security breach.

Access to the property is done by special personnel only and they are also recorded on every entry regardless of the reason. The system can be managed in an easy fashion and any movement of the employees or personnel is traceable. User account management is done easy through changing or deleting access by the push of a button.

The key boxes have simple instructions for installment and no special wiring or power requirements are necessary unlike the other system, the digital master key safe unit. A box of this sort draws its power from 4 batteries.

The best key cabinets are considered to be single boxes, each property or site having one central management system active.


6
Jun 10

Home security starts with common sense

Outdoor security cameras are an excellent addition to your home security system. However, they are no substitute for getting the basics right. Home security starts with common sense. You’d be amazed how many people leave their homes unlocked when they go out. Either through complacency or laziness they don’t lock their doors and close their windows.

It’s easy to think that a burglar won’t choose your home, especially if you live in a good neighborhood and have not heard of any other break-ins in the area but many burglaries are opportunistic. A passing thief, on the prowl for an easy crime, may see an opportunity as you drive away or disappear into your neighbor’s front door. It only takes a second to walk into a house and grab the nearest wallet, iPod, video camera, spare set of house keys etc. Don’t give them that chance, always lock up even if you’re only going around the corner to get the paper.

After the basics have been taken care of you might want to invest in a more technological solution. An alarm system provides protection by monitoring the connections between locks and frame and even sensing for movement within the house. If these connections are broken the alarm sounds, hopefully causing the thief to panic and flee the scene. However, the best part of a burglar alarm is the way it acts as a deterrent. The box on the wall outside immediately tells the burglar he will have a tougher time if he pick your house instead of your neighbors to try and break into.

But, perhaps the ultimate deterrent is an outdoor wireless security camera. Because of their wireless capability they provide extra versatility such as protecting sheds or garages or even creating a video intercom system at your gates if you have them.

These high tech solutions are all well and good but home security starts with commons sense and being vigilant in one’s neighborhood.


28
May 10

Comparison of CCTV and Outdoor Wireless Security Cameras

When you’re choosing a home security camera system, you’ll have two options when you first start looking.  You can opt for either CCTV cameras our a system of outdoor wireless security cameras.  Which one you choose will depend on how much work you are willing to put into the system and how secure you want your property to be.  Here is a comparison of the two major types of cameras.

On the surface, wireless cameras appear to be much better and more advanced than wired cameras.  They’re wireless so you can place them anywhere you want within the range of the receiver.  They also take much less time to install because you won’t have to run any wires.  All that’s required of you is to place the camera fixture, turn it on and you’re ready to go.

Appearances are a little deceiving though.  While wireless cameras are much easier to install, they do require a wire to go to a power outlet.  This means setting up the cameras isn’t simply as easy as mounting them and forgetting about them.  You also have to worry about where available power outlets are and run power to them as well.

Also, since the signal from wireless cameras operates at almost the same level as many other household electronics, you are liable to have the signal disrupted when you turn on a microwave, talk on the phone, or even surf the internet wirelessly.  Newer cameras generally resolve this problem, but some cheaper cameras still suffer, so make sure that you can try out your camera and return it if need be.

Wired cameras, on the other hand, take a little bit more effort to install, but they are much more reliable.  You do have to run wires from the cameras to the receiver, but you won’t be in danger or your signal being disrupted by a late night case of munchies when you go to make some popcorn.

Look at the pros and cons and determine what type of camera is best for you before you start searching for your system.


26
Apr 10

Four Great Tips in Choosing the Right Security Door

There are a lot of things that you have to take into careful consideration when selecting a security door. Keeping in mind the the style and design of your home are important indicators to spot the right type. However, it is quite difficult to find one that will seamlessly complement most home décor. Wooden doors are great options but they are not as sturdy as their steel counterparts.

So, to help you find a safe, reliable, and applicable door specifically designed for security purposes, keep the following tips in mind:

Tip #1 – Get Acquainted with the Available Door Types

Security doors usually come in fiberglass, wood, stainless steel, and aluminum variety. The versatility of wooden doors will ensure that they will coordinate well with most home designs, however, in terms of durability and protection, the stainless steel door is a more viable choice. Fortunately, some stainless steel doors are decorated or laminated with wooden designs, which allow for a perfect compromise.

Tip #2 – Find Extremely Durable Doors

Make certain that the door that you will be purchasing features a sturdy frame to hinder intruders from entering your home. If you choose to invest in wooden doors, always go for those made from strong wood species like oak.

Tip #3 – Consider Installation Concerns

If you plan to install the door on your own, make sure to find those that include detailed and easy-to-understand installation manuals. Also, check the kind of lock used, and determine whether you need to hire the services of a professional installer. Since these kind of doors need to snugly fit unto the door frame, it might be better to leave the task to a professional.

Tip #4 – Decide How Much You are Willing to Spend for the Door

Remember that they are sold in varying prices. Hence, conducting a market research to compare prices of different door models will allow you to find the one that falls within your budget range.

Hopefully, the preceding tips will help you find the appropriate type of security door that will perfectly satisfy your home requirements and security needs!


24
Jan 10

You, Responsible Firearms Owner, Need a Biometric Gun Safe

Firearms bring a lot of things to the table, but whether it be fun, fear, or function, everyone can agree that they bring respect.  I’m not talking about forced respect that a gangster demands when he puts a Glock in your face.  I’m talking about the respect that any gun owner needs to have for his firearms.  Because the second you start acting casual with the way you handle and store your guns, the second potential arises for someone to get killed.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with employing a pistol to protect your home and family (at least in most of America), but in order to maximize its effectiveness, should you need to, you have to find the perfect balance between quick access and security.  The antidote to this predicament is a biometric gun safe.  A firearm won’t do you any good locked away in a difficult to access location, but on the flip side, you’re putting everyone, including your children, at risk if you just leave it lying around.  Biometric safes make it easy to get a hold of your handgun in under a second, while maximizing the safety and security of your loved ones.

Both the speed and security advantage exist through the utilization of fingerprint reading technology.  When you purchase the safe, you, the owner, can input your fingerprint pattern into the system.  And from that point forward, you need only to swipe your finger over the scanner to open the box.  This configuration is perfect for placement underneath the bed or next to the nightstand.  After a few practice runs, no-look entry will be a breeze.  This means that should you wake up to a downstairs window breaking, you won’t have to fumble around to get the light on before you’re armed and ready.

If you are in a position where multiple members of your household require access to the fingerprint safe, or you’d like to scan in your other fingers for redundant security, many top of the line biometric safes allow for multiple print storage – some, like the GunVault Multivault recognize up to 30 different fingerprints!  There’s no better way to ensure that only those to whom you explicitly grant access can get into your handguns.  For a great selection of safes like the GunVault series, be sure to visit gunsafes.com

It’s your right to ensure that your home and family are protected under necessary measures.  That said, it’s your responsibility that you keep your guns out of the hands of which they don’t belong, and guarantee that you can put them in yours should you have to.  There’s truly no better option that a biometric gun safe.


19
Jan 10

Why Your Home Needs Video Security

These days, most of us have become used to the idea that we’re being watched. Cameras follow our every move at work, in stores, and on the street. It’s logical then that ever-increasing numbers of homeowners would turn to these same video surveillance methods to protect their properties, watch their children, and keep tabs on employees like nannies, housekeepers and elder care workers.

You may think that home surveillance cameras are only for the wealthiest among us; those living in exclusive gated communities, with fine art collections and expensive jewelry to protect. This may have been the case decades ago, but no longer. Like most high-tech products, video surveillance equipment for the home has become increasingly affordable in recent years. Today, surveillance technology that was unimaginable to our grandparents is commonplace and reasonably priced.

The components of a home video security system can individually run less than $100 each, if low end models are used. Thus a reasonably secure system can be assembled for less than $1000. If the homeowner’s budget is especially tight, the system can be augmented with fake security cameras, which give potential criminals the impression that they are being watched, possibly averting crimes such as burglary.

Security cameras can be installed with one of two intentions: to be hidden or seen. Hidden cameras are an excellent choice for indoor use, to check up on maids or nannies, and to investigate “inside job” crimes. Outdoor cameras tend to be installed with the opposite intent: the more visible the better. This is due to the deterrent effect cameras can have upon vandals and burglars. Signs indicating the the property is under surveillance can help to augment this effect.

Remote surveillance over the internet is now commonplace as well. With a few hundred dollars more to spend (and a reliably fast internet connection), homeowners can monitor their properties, children and employees from anywhere in the world.

For the best advice on choosing and installing a home video security system, consult a security professional. These experts can help you gain priceless peace of mind without breaking the bank.