Category: home improvement

Many diy home security systems interface directly with your home computer so the homeowners can manage and monitor the system themselves. To make it easy for homeowners to install their home security system, manufacturers include a CD or DVD to walk you through the steps. These wireless systems that include wireless cameras and other security devices eliminate the need for hard wiring the property which greatly reduces the cost. Never before has it been easier for homeowners to secure their property.

Thanks to today's technology, we have many more options when it comes to home security systems. Many of the large companies offer 24/7 monitoring of your alarm and will immediately contact authorities when a security point has been breeched. New wireless systems can be hooked up to a computer and monitored from there. These are convenient to use when you are away for extended periods of time and just want to check on your property. This allows you to have complete control over the camera and select the room in the house or in the yard to view.

Twenty years ago, if you wanted to add more security devices to your home, you would have to call the security company and schedule another appointment for more wiring that would be needed to connect the new devices. With a wireless system, you would only have to reconfigure the variables for the monitored area. Even if you needed help to get this done, it is far cheaper than having to rely on the security company.

Wireless Home Security Systems are fully wireless and have built-in power supplies; even if the phone, power and Internet connections are down, your Wireless Home Security System will continue to monitor and protect your property. This feature will come in handy if an intruder cuts the power and phone lines, or there is a blackout and burglars are on the prowl.

Unfortunately, too many people feel secure in their home and neighborhood. With the increase in teenage and gang crime, a simple home invasion could be the last thing you think about. Make sure your property and the lives of your family are protected. There's no reason for you to be the next victim when home security systems and devices are now so convenient and affordable.

Halloween is celebrated by millions of American every year. It is the time of the year where businesses stock their shelves with candies, costumes and Halloween decorations. People allow their children to dress up as ghosts, fairies, witches or anything they can possibly think of. It is also this time of the year where common fire incidents occurs because of hidden dangers associated with costumes, treats and decorations used for Halloween. It is important to be equipped with fire prevention methods and firefighting equipment to lessen the risk of fire injuries and deaths. Here are some suggestions you can do to celebrate this fun season without experiencing a fire emergency.

In planning your Halloween costumes and decorations, consider using battery powered lanterns or chemical light sticks instead of candles. Also keep decorative materials such as dried flowers and crepe paper which are combustible materials away from candles.

Costumes should be bright and reflective and makes sure that they are short enough to avoid tripping incidents. It is also best to use materials that will not easily ignite when they come in contact with flame. When shopping for costume accessories and wigs, buy only those that are flame resistant.

Inspect your smoke and fire alarms if it needs new batteries to ensure it is working properly on Halloween.

Eliminate tripping hazards on your walkway for children coming to your house for trick and treating. Put away flower pots, garden hoses and wires that may be present in your front porch to avoid minor accidents to young children rushing to your house.

Let your children bring flashlights and cell phones. Teach your children how to contact your home phone number and the local fire department if they encountered an emergency.

When using lighting or special effects, be very careful in using sockets and electrical plugs. Do not overload electrical sockets and if possible avoid using torch lights which may come in contact with costumes of trick-or-treaters.

For Jack-O-Lanterns, use long fireplace style matches when lighting the candles inside and place it in a location away from doorsteps and anything that can burn.

Clear fire exits from Halloween decorations and props so it is not obstructed or blocked when you need to evacuate in the event of a fire.

Be prepared with fire fighting equipment such as fire blankets and fire extinguishers for possible fire outbreaks.

Instruct your children to stay away from heat sources or flames. Teach them the stop, drop and roll method in case they catch fire with their costumes. It is recommended that children?s costumes are seen in the dark so they will be visible in case of a fire outbreak.

Planning ahead can make your Halloween celebration a fun and memorable one. Remember these simple steps and safety precautions and you are on your way to a fire-free Halloween experience.

There are step by step instruction kits on how to install surveillance cameras available which helps a lay person to do a professional job. One needs to go through the manual and follow the instructions carefully and then go ahead with the work.Before you start the work, first consider the type of cameras that one needs. First select the right variety of camera to cover the area. Today, there are two types of cameras available, with or without the wires. One with the wire connection comes with the other accessories like the digital video recorder (DVR) and a screen to watch the footage. The initial purchase of the cameras is costly but then the other expenses can be avoided. The cables used should not be visible, to keep the installation safe.Installing a security camera without the cable connections can be done in places of your choice and can be connected with a network that works without cables. Care should be taken to keep the cameras safe and working. With the help of net the footage can be viewed from any part of the world. The cameras must be placed in angles to capture right from the moment a person enters the area.Many online shopping centers offer the surveillance systems at affordable prices. Installing a security camera involves a lot of precision. It would be advisable to get the professionals to do the surveillance cameras installation so that the CCTV system works efficiently and the footage covered serves to protect the homes and belongings.Now a days with the advanced technology, surveillance cameras and the surveillance cameras installations has become very easy. Most of the new surveillance cameras are self operating ones and there are varieties that can be passed off as everyday items. The self working pieces are such that they are not visible very easily. Quite a few of them have an illuminating energy to illuminate about a hundred feet. The light should be able to get the images of moving figures too.If the installation of surveillance equipments includes the exterior of the home or work premise.. The system should be fixed in such a way that it is not seen easily; but at the same time work efficiently.

One of the most common mistake committed, is opening the door to a stranger without prior verification. Before answering the door, it is necessary to authenticate the identity of the person at the door. Generally housewives and children have this tendency to open the door to any unknown visitor, especially salesmen. They do not have the slightest idea, that these people might be burglars in the disguise of salesmen. In a way the home owners invite danger for themselves unknowingly. However to avoid such possibilities, you can install video intercom systems to communicate with any person before opening the door. It is an access control system that is increasingly used as a home security measure. Intercoms are one way video components that allows the home owner to view the concerned person at the door before opening it. Many of these intercom systems provide you with the option of speaking to the person at the door. So you can not only view the person but also talk to him via intercom, without having to open the door. This gives you a fair idea whether or not to open the door.

Installing an intercom system is quite easy. All you need to do is install the camera outside your house near the doorbell, and the display unit or rather the monitor anywhere within your house. When someone rings the doorbell, you are required to press the intercom button, the camera will get activated and you will be able to view the person at the door. Intercoms are one of the effective tools of security systems for preventing thefts and intrusions. Even in your absence, these intercom systems can automatically view and record the arrival of any visitor along with date and time. They have integrated memory chips and sensory devices that allow them to perform such activities when you are not at home.

Even if nobody is at the door, still you go ahead and press the intercom button to view the outside of your house for safety reasons. If you feel something suspicious about a particular person outside the vicinity of your house, you can also take pictures through the intercom system by simply pressing the monitor button and holding it for few moments while it takes the photograph of the concerned person.

Intercom systems are highly recommended for people living in apartments, because majority of the intrusions take place in such places, especially when children are alone. Since intercoms are user-friendly devices, hence you can instruct your children to view through the intercom first before opening the door to a stranger. In this way you can not only safeguard your family but also inform police if you feel apprehensive about the person outside your doorstep. Before letting the person in, you can ask irrelevant questions to authenticate his identity. This will give the legal authorities the required amount of time to reach your place to get hold of the culprit. Intercom is yet another device to help you to fight against crime.

Let us summarize the benefits that an intercom system can provide for your home security:
Before answering the door, you can view the person outside through the intercom.

Since intercoms have integrated recording devices, you can view the recording to find who had come to visit your house in your absence.

You can restrict your children from opening the door to the strangers.

Through an intercom system you can take snapshots of the stranger outside your outside if necessary.

Intercoms increase the overall security of your house and your family members in your absence.