During the next year one in four homes in the United States will be burglarized. Despite the threat of burglary, nine out of ten residences are not protected by home security systems.

Now that low-cost home security products are available, many homeowners are customizing and installing burglary prevention systems for their own specific needs. For less than $100, for example, a motion sensor can be installed to protect the perimeter of a home. The motion sensor detects the presence of heat in motion. When someone crosses its overlapping detection fields, the motion sensor instantly switches on an outdoor light to create the impression that someone is home, even when they aren’t.

Another interesting home security device also uses a motion sensor, but for a completely different purpose. When someone crosses the motion detection field, a signal is sent to an indoor alarm that begins barking to scare away potential intruders. The “barking dog security alarm system” retails for less than $60.

Darkened homes or businesses invite intruders and could lead to accidents. But well-chosen, strategically located home security lighting lighting can protect you from break-ins, enable you to get more use from outdoor areas, make your home or business more attractive and add to its value.

Here are some ideas about how to put home security lighting to work for you.

Start by taking a night-time stroll around your house or business. You should be able to clearly see your way from the street or the garage to your doors. Entrances should be bright enough for you to identify callers before you open the door. Potential hiding places on your property should be lighted. Photocell electric controls can be installed to automatically turn outdoor lights on at dusk, off at dawn.

Meanwhile, on the inside, you should make sure that stairs and hallways are properly lighted to help prevent falls. You can discourage intruders by using automatic controls to make your house appear to be occupied when you’re not there.

For example, use timers to simulate your normal usage patterns, turning living room lamps on at dusk and bedroom lamps on an hour or so before your normal bedtime. After determining where you need to add security lighting or to improve what you already have, you are ready to pick the types of lights and controls that best meet specific needs.

Here are the most common types of home security lighting:

• Incandescent: Advantages of incandescent lights include a wide choice of sizes and lighting fixture styles, low initial cost and instant on/off capability. The standard is 120 volts, but low-voltage (12 volt) systems are also available for pathway lights. A disadvantage is a relatively low efficiency rating.

• Fluorescent: More cost efficient than incandescent, fluorescent is somewhat more limited in choice and sizes and fixture styles.

• Mercury vapor: These have the advantage of a low purchase price. And they are good for outdoor use because they provide high light output. They affect color perception by accentuating blues and greens.

• Metal halide: As do mercury vapor lights, metal halides offer greater efficiency. Color characteristics are similar to those of incandescent light.

• High pressure sodium: Highly efficient with high light output, they are also good for outdoor use. They are available in a variety of sizes and have low installation cost. Sodium lamps also affect color perception by accentuating earth tones.

Lighting controls also play an important role in the safety and security of your home or business, and modern technology provides us with a number of choices when it comes to lighting controls.

• Programmable timers can be set to turn lamps on and off once or several times during each 24-hour period.

• Photocell units turn on lamps when natural light falls below a preset level.

• Motion sensors activate lights when someone crosses the path of a detector.

• Sound-activated units turn on lights in response to noise (their sensitivity level usually can be adjusted).

Many insurance companies will offer discounts for approved home security systems that are connected to 24-hour answering services. The cost of these systems will generally be several hundreds of dollars and while the insurance discount won’t pay for the system for many years, the extra security could suddenly come in handy.

Doors and windows – especially basement windows – are perhaps the most vulnerable areas in a home to the prying hands of a thief. For that reason, home owners should install deadbolts on their doors and purchase bars for their windows.

Any home – new or old – should be considered for new locks. Many new houses aren’t equipped with deadbolts and home owners should pay the few extyra dollars to have them installed. Having locks rekeyed every few years for extra safety is also recommended.

Keys can be lost or misplaced and by changing locks, a home owner can prevent someone from using an old key to enter. When people move into a home, they should also change locks on all doors including the garage.

Home owners should be aware of three defenses to break-ins. The first defence against intrusion is a system of secure locks, preferably deadbolts. Even patio doors should have special locks added to prevent entry. These doors are susceptible to illegal entry and can often be lifted right out of their tracks.

The second defense involves putting bars – inside the house or outside – on windows. Swing-type bars are available for interior use. These can be quickly released by tenants for escape from fire. At least one swing-type bar assembly should be used in each basement room.

The fire department has concerns about bars and you want to be able to get out if there is a fire. They say home owners shouldn’t use padlocks on window bars. Even a two-year-old can release the swing-type bars. Deadbolts and basement window bars could be the best deterrent to theft a home owner can invest in.

Home owners should also keep trees and bushes away from windows so the house is easily visible. Thieves can use bushes for concealment. Home owners should also mark property with an engraver. Identifiable property can be a deterrent, especially for juvenile offenders who often boast of their exploits to friends who in turn may break into the same homes.

Door locks should have a good one-inch throw bolt and a strike that is screwed right into the house’s studs to prevent someone from easily kicking the door open. Sliding glass windows can be secured with a screw stuck in the upper track to prevent it from opening all the way.

Home combination locks may be an alternative home security system options for families with lots of people coming and going. The combinations can be changed occasionally to prevent the wrong people from obtaining access. Doors equipped with combinations automatically lock when they’re closed. With these locks, a gardener won’t have to worry about securing doors before wandering out into the yard.

The third defense is a full-scale electronic home security system which uses various detectors and ear-splitting sirens inside and outside the house. Electronic systems can be easily installed in existing homes or be pre-wired into new homes and added later as budgets permit.

Detectors utilized include contact, motion, and glass-breaking types. A contact detector triggers the alarm if a door ir forced opened.

A motion detector responds to movement in a house while the alarm is on while the glass-breaking detector will trigger an alarm if a thief breaks a window or glass door. People who have expansive glass areas in their homes might seriously want to consider several of the latter detectors.

Smoke detectors can also be wired into these systems so if fire breaks out while the home owner is away, fire crews can respond quickly. The 15-watt interior siren is deafening while the 30-watt exterior one can be heard three blocks away.

Infrared security lighting for the home and yard are other home security system options gaining in popularity. Sensor lights should be installed out of normal reach on homes so the bulbs can’t easily be broken and the units put out commission.

People who keep valuables in the home may want to invest in a hidden floor safe for the basement. Home safes aren’t as good as a bank vault, but may be valuable for people with collections or items they prefer to keep at home.

A dome security camera can suit most home security requirements because it can monitor an object in a 360 degree range meaning you will be able to keep an eye on all the areas around your home.

There are a few different types of dome security cameras which are designed for indoor and/or outdoor use. In simple words, these dome security security cameras are inconspicuous cameras that are easily installed into houses and offices. Although it seems that nearly all dome cameras look very alike, they could be distinguished by a variety of different features. Some of these features are weather proof domes, infrared lighting, wireless capability, vandal proof domes, and/or day / night facilities. Also, black and white dome cameras with different video quality and resolution can be found. In addition to these features there are also multi-camera dome security systems which help you monitor multiple angles outside or multiple rooms inside of your home or business offices.

The price of a dome security camera depends on its quality and features. Individual dome security cameras online can vary in price from $60 to as much as $1,200. Very expensive models for surveillance have higher picture quality while some other types of these cameras have features like sensors and automatic intelligent tracking.. More expensive models are usually weather and vandal proof as well which can be very suitable for equipping offices providing that your budget is not small. However, if your budget is limited there are less expensive dome cameras with basic features which can still secure your home effectively.

A good thing about deciding to get a dome security camera is that burglars will never find out they are being watched. So, don’t run a risk of being robbed and start doing your research as soon as possible in order to prevent your family from unwanted intrusions.

Wireless Video Surveillance Systems

It is really not difficult to use these systems. They include transmitter, camera, receiver, cable, antenna, monitor or VCR, motion detectors, alarm and about 12-volt dc. Examine your house carefully and find the most convenient position for putting a camera. Decide whether you are going to install a covert or overt style of surveillance system. If you choose a covert style then make sure you find the best positions for your cameras in order to hide it from curious eyes. It is a different thing if you choose an overt style as in that case people might see that you have cameras, which can make criminals abandon the idea of a burglary.

Despite the fact that video surveillance system has its advantages such as capturing criminals while they are breaking into your house, its disadvantages might occur when the cameras themselves become the aims of possible burglars. The other reason is that it demands a constant maintenance.

Night Vision Cameras

Night vision cameras could be built-up on thermal projecting or the improvement of image technologies. They are used for detection of movements, which people cannot perceive in the night. They can be a good additional equipment to your home security systems.

Web Cameras

A lot of people have decided to set up web cameras instead of low-priced video surveillance systems. People install alarm systems that permit pc’s to call homeowners to their cell phones to warn them of a possible burglary. It is much easier to use these networking cameras as they could give parents precise information about their home security as well as their kids’ security, but the quality of the images might not be high.

No matter how good these security systems are, it is necessary to make your doors, and windows harder and thus prevent a burglar breaking into your house. Good choice would be a high priced top end CCTV surveillance system, which gives you better control, security and calmness!

It is extremely important to secure your home, especially when you leave your children alone while you are at work, or when you go on a vacation. So, make sure you find a good home security system that suits your budget and make the most of it!

Exterior Home Security Lighting

There are passive infrared motion detectors that are set in such a way that they light up each time someone makes a movement. But, this has to be carefully done and the PIR devices need to be placed without lighting up each time your neighbor walks around his house! Even if some animal moves around, it can activate these devices. Still, generally speaking, they are very helpful because they light up areas and warn homeowners of a possible burglary. As a way to detect motion, flood light sensors, post lantern sensors, box mount sensors, and small swivel sensors are used. Some people choose a Dusk-to-Dawn photocell light where the property is lit the whole night. This could make problems, because when it happens that a burglar wants to break in, the owner of the house might not know it, as the lights stay on all night. However, the best choice would be to have the HI-low motion activated home security lighting as it lights up the property all night with lights illuminated at 20% of their wattage but will continue to light up fully when motion is noticed. Sometimes, people use solar powered floodlights with sensors, as their price is effective.

Interior Home Security Lighting

Great options are given in order to provide the interior of your home with light and thus enhance home security, as getting back to a dark home can be frightening and very unpleasant. Timer activated lights can be helpful, especially while you are on your holiday. With these timers you can switch lights constantly on and off which will give any stranger an impression that there is someone in the house. Some of them can be integrated also with electronics such as TV or radio. There are remote controlled lights that can be switched on, as you get into the drive using sophisticated remote controls that can be included in your key chain. Make sure you do not switch just a single light on in the living room while you are absent from your home. Let your choice be a secure timer system and light both the exterior and interior of your home, since they will surely protect your house from vandals and intruders. Select proper home security lighting to make your home safe in the best possible way.