People may actually be advertently advertising the types of items that are inside their homes. When people throw empty boxes in alley or trash bins, it alerts a prowler that there are some nice things available. Since the presents are often groups under the tree, stealing is actually very easy. Other crimes, such as strong-armed robbery and pocket-picking, are also more common during the holiday season. People need to be alert to the possibility of crime during the holiday season.

There are a number of things people can do help safeguard their property during holidays. When out shopping, double check the locks on car doors and keep packages in the trunk of the car. Not only is the trunk more secure, but the packages are out of sight. When carrying packages from the car, people should be certain both the car door and the door to their house or apartment are locked behind them.

Though it is tempting to leave one or both open to avoid fumbling for keys with an armload of packages, doing so leaves and opportunity for theft. It only takes a second for someone to follow you to the door, slip in and steal your valuables. Security is especially important at home.

Basic home security tips

• Know who holds the keys to the home. Have the locks have rekeyed since you moved in? Apartment dwellers should be sure the landlord has changed the locks since the former tenants moved out.

• Be sure all doors and windows are properly secured before leaving.

• A good deadbolt lock is a must. If you keep valuables in home, such as jewelry or large amount cash, a safe may also be a wise investment.

• Keeping the shades drawn can prevent burglars from seeing the items under the tree.

• Well-lit homes are less likely to be broken into. Also, timers can create the illusion of an occupied home.

• When planning a trip this holiday season, let a trusted neighbor know when you plan to return, so any suspicious activity on your property can be reported.

The holiday spirit itself can often facilitate a theft or robbery. People have so many pleasant things to think about that they often forget about home security, but it is extremely important to remain alert to all possibilities.

Motion sensors as a solution

How many times have your suddenly awaked from the sound sleep in the middle of the night because you thought you heard a noise outside your home? Or returned home late at night to a darkened yard because you forgot to leave an outside light on? Now there’s a simple and economical way to combat both problems. Prowlers hate motion sensors. Motion sensor light controls can scare potential intruder away before they get to close to your home. And because motion sensors rely on movement to trigger the light, they’re perfect for use with outside lights that don’t always need to be on, such as those over a garage. They also can help reduce energy costs because the lights turn on only when necessary.

A motion sensor creates the impression you’re home even when you’re not. It’s very easy to install several motion sensors in strategic locations around your home and greatly reduce your risk of being burglarized.

The newest types of motion sensors incorporate pulse count technology, which eliminates false triggering and enables the unit to take a second look. This feature helps reduce the chance of the motion sensor turning on when leaves blow or a small animal runs across your yard.

Motion sensors can be purchased at local hardware stores and home centers. Installation is simple, even for not so handy types and can usually be completed in less than an afternoon. With the many types of motion sensors now available, it’s easier than ever to choose a model for your particular home. That’s good news for you and your guest and bad news for potential intruders.

The first thing to do when deciding on a home security system is to find areas of your home that are particularly vulnerable. Is your property well-lighted? Do you have adequate locks on your doors and windows? Are there areas on your property (such as around high shrubs or in your garage) where a burglar could hide while he decides on a plan of action?

Obviously, Look at Locks

To address problem areas, start with the obvious. If you don’t have good locks on all of your doors and windows, install them. Remember, standard window locks aren’t much of a deterrent to any burglar with a crowbar; the screws are so short they’ll offer only negligible resistance when a burglar pries open the window. Instead, use a vertical jamb of strong wood or metal that makes prying impossible. Install a secondary deadbolt lock in your doors. Better deadbolts have a steel bar inside that will fool anyone trying to saw through it.

Sliding glass doors can be secured with a horizontal jamb between the door and the door frame, or by installing a metal pin that locks the two doors together. You might think a sliding glass door is an easy entry for an intruder, but most won’t risk the noise of breaking so much glass.

Lots of Light Helps

The next area to consider is the lighting in and around your home. A simple indoor lighting strategy is to use inexpensive programmers that turn lights on at preset times. Look for new, sophisticated models that offer such features as “time tracking,” a system that automatically changes with the hour of dusk over the year.

Alarming Ideas

A do-it-yourself option for inside the house is a wireless security system that uses battery-powered remote sensors to detect movement and send a radio signal back to a main control unit.

The ultimate in home security systems is a professionally installed alarm system. Wireless versions are available, but most are wired systems that can arm as many windows, doors and interior zones as you need. These systems can also provide monitoring for such things as medical emergencies, water and power problems and more.

Unlike similar situations in the movies, you do not have a baseball bat hidden under your bed and are not equipped with a loaded gun with which to frighten the trespasser away. So what now? Perhaps you can call 911. But what if the burglar has cut your telephone lines?

If your home was equipped with a foolproof home security system, this little scenario could never happen to you. Even if the culprit got into your home, he would be followed almost immediately by police. Today’s home security systems are so technically advanced they can detect the movement of a falling leaf from a house plant. Even the most basic security system can detect a violation of a home or business within seconds of its occurrence.

The information is relayed to a monitoring station, which in turn can notify police immediately. A basic home security system usually consists of door contacts, a couple of motion detectors and one user key pad for arming and disarming the system. In most cases the key pad is placed inside the front or back door, a high traffic area or somewhere in the garage. Door and window contacts will be activated when the door or window is violated while the system is on.

Home security systems can also include units which lace through screens so windows can be left open during the night. Motion detectors are often set up to simply turn on interior, exterior or porch lights. If you put in a good quality sensor and someone walks past the front door, the lights will come on.

That’s often all it takes to scare away a potential thief. Sensors with a 30-foot range are most common for residential security systems, but they can range as high as 200 feet. It is extremely important that motion detectors be placed in the right locations because if they aren’t, false alarms become common. Most are heat sensors and if they’re set up near heat registers or near windows facing either east or west they can be activated by furnaces or by the sunlight.

Detection of burglars is only the beginning of what’s available from a foolproof home security security system. An unlimited number of features can be added to a basic system. For instance, a furnace fail can be added. A coded signal can be sent and they’ll (the monitoring company) know there is a temperature problem. This is ideal for people who leave their homes for extended periods of time.

But it’s important that the monitoring company has some idea of what to do about the problem. They should be left with a couple of phone numbers and alternatives in order to solve the problem promptly. Other features can include fire detection, water pressure and temperature conditions on appliances such as freezers. It can also include a feature which activates as soon as phone lines are interrupted, so a burglar cutting phone lines is going to trip the alarm.

You can protect your home by taking precautions. Technological advances make the newest alarm systems more reliable and efficient than those on the market just a few years ago. The motion detectors are much more stable, control panels have a lot more options. Today we’ve got a little mini-computer looking at what’s going on in front of it, and all central processing units have microprocessors.

When shopping for home security, where does a homeowner begin? A good starting point is to take a pad and pencil and walk around the home, noting all possible entrances and which ones can easily be opened from the outside. The next steps might include a trip to the hardware store, a visit with neighbors and, eventually, a home visit with a security professional.

Start with the doors. Each should have a deadbolt lock of at least 2 or 3 inches long. Check the door jambs to be sure they fit correctly. Make sure the door hinges are on the inside of the house, not the outside. Doors should have a solid core, not a hollow one. And don’t neglect back or side doors – they are a more common target than front doors. All windows should have locks as well.

Homeowners should get to know their immediate neighbors and keep in regular contact with them, so neighbors will be able to spot suspicious activity. One of the best ways to get to know your neighbors is to form a Neighborhood Watch group. Neighborhood Watch is people watching out for other people.

Homeowners today must take precautions in establishing strong security protection in and around the home. The key is to make your house key the only way to enter your home. To prevent burglars from doing their job, take seriously the security of your house. The following checklist will help you determine whether your home is safe.

1. Is your house fairly isolated, far from neighbors, or hidden by bushes and not easily visible to neighbors?

Many families pay for their privacy with an open invitation to burglars. Shrubbery near doors and windows is a perfect hiding place for burglars. If your house is isolated and not visible to neighbors, take special precautions. Keep shrubs well trimmed, and make sure your doors and windows are secure. Use lights, good locks, strong doors and, best of all, an electronic home security system monitored by the security company.

2. Does your home have exterior lighting?

A well-lit home is one of the best ways to protect your home. Lights won’t keep thieves out, but they will make it easier for neighbors to stop a prowler.

3. Do you leave an inside light on while away from home?

Many people arrange for a neighbor to check their home and turn lights on or off while they’re away for any length of time. Even better, some security systems can turn selected lights on and off automatically so it always looks like someone’s home.

4. Do you have an attached garage?

Unattached garages are safer than attached garages. They don’t provide a sheltered access to the main house for a burglar. But the door between your attached garage and your home can be protected with a home security system.

5. Are you aware of burglaries or incidents of vandalism in your neighborhood?

The safest neighborhoods, of course, are those that never have home invasions. But even in these havens, there’s no guarantee they’ll be crime-free forever. Don’t wait until crime hits your neighborhood before taking any precautions.

6. What are your doors made from?

Metal doors are best, but heavy, solid wooden doore are still good. If you have light, hollow wooden doors on any outside doors, it would be a good idea to replace them.

7. Do any of your doors have windows in them?

Windows and doors are anything but a safe combination. They can give burglars clues to whether or not you’re home. And they’re an easy access to your door locks. An electronic security system will notify you and the police if the windows or doors are opened in an attempted burglary.

8. What kind of locks do you have on your doors?

There is no lock that can’t be picked, but deadbolts give a higher degree of protection than spring locks, which can be opened in seconds.

9. How many locks do you have on your windows?

Standard window locks are far too easy to open. A second lock, made especially for windows, will add more protection.

10. Have you ever left keys outside your home?

Any hiding place you can think of, a burglar can think of, too. Leaving keys with a trusted neighbors is better.

11. Do you ever leave your doors or windows open when running an errand, working in the yard or sleeping?

Open windows and doors are a security risk, but no one wants to keep the house closed up all the time. With many security systems, you can enjoy the fresh air of open door or window while still protecting other entrances.

12. When away from home for extended periods of time, do you arrange to have a trusted neighbor look after your home and pick up mail and newspapers?

Overflowing mailboxes and piles of newspapers are a signal that the homeowners are away. Arrange with a trusted neighbors to have your mail and newspapers picked up regularly to create the appearance that the residents are around. If this doesn’t work for you, have the post office and newspaper discontinue the service until you return.

It’s always wise to stay alert to developments in the home security market. Read home magazines and attend home products shows for information on the latest products and services.

When thinking of home security, most families focus their efforts on the front door, but today’s burglar looks for alternative entrances such as patio doors and windows.

Homeowners today need to have products that include safety features. There are basic protection measures a homeowner can take, such as making sure windows and doors have advanced locking systems.

Homeowners should look for patio doors that feature multi-point locking systems. One of the better options available is a lock that secures the door to the top, side and threshold of the door frame with the flip of a single lever. With this locking system, some doors can withstand more than 1,000 pounds of force.

Also, homeowners are advised to opt for sophisticated casement window options. A convenient to operate window is one that will lock at tow points when a single locking lever is activated. In addition to providing added security, these systems help prevent wind drafts, water leakage and warpage from uneven pressure on the window or door frame.

People who have security concerns should take a look at the options and consider what features best meet their needs and the style of their home.

A number of home security companies install a wiring and motion sensor system, that when activated, is instantly monitored at the local monitoring headquarters, showing upon a computerized console. The cause of the alarm is determined, and a floor plan of the house pinpoints the exact location of the problem. Immediately, the proper authorities – police, fire department, or medical emergency assistance officials – are notified of the impending problem, and where it is actually taking place in the house.

The heightened awareness of crime, and even in-home safety concerns, such as poison control, and other medical reasons, has resulted in a spawning of various home security companies.

Choosing a security company to outfit your home is no different than choosing between any other retail store. Look for a company with a fine reputation, and a quality product that will suit your needs, and stay within a reasonable budget.

The notoriety of crime in the neighborhoods, and the formation of community associations to discourage crime, mean that home security systems are well on their way to becoming a standard fixture in every household, alongside the microwave oven and DVD player.

Well lets start with the basement windows. It’s the No. 1 way crooks enter homes. Often they’re only held together with very light nylon clips which can easily be broken, especially in the winter time when they become brittle. They may not be pretty but bars are your best bet.

Choosing locks for doors is crucial. Basically there are two types – the deadbolt and the locking knob set. The locking knob set, which locks with a twist of the door knob, is convenient and easy to install. It’s also easy pickings for burglars. With little effort, the latch can be pushed out of its strike with a credit card.

As well, the latch only extends into the door frame about 1.2 centimeters. If somebody wants to they can pry that door away from the frame far enough so that it will let go (the latch). That’s why deadbolt locks – with a standard throw of 2.5 centimeters – are the way to go.

It’s a little difficult to spread a door and a frame an inch, adding that once in the extended position, the bolt can’t slide back. And if you’ve just purchased a home – changing the locks is a good idea. You don’t know who’s got keys and it might be somebody who might have ideas about coming back.

Patio Doors

Patio doors should also be secured. You can buy an adjustable rod that keeps the closed door from being slid back. If you’re short on cash, jamming a two by four along the open track when the window is closed will do just as well. Another inexpensive but effective measure is to take a couple of washers on screws and screw them into the top track – a half-metre apart – so thieves can’t pop the door out. What that’ll do is take up the distance that the door can be lifted and actually taken out of the track.

Standard systems look after doors and basement windows, but there’s plenty of extras you can tack on to trigger your alarm. For example, perimeter systems protect all exterior glass. Acoustic glass break detectors work much like a microphone and are triggered by sound. They are fine-tuned, allowing them to distinguish between a breaking pane of glass and a breaking beer bottle. They’re almost immune to false alarms. Only one is required per room and it has a radius of 12 meters. If you have a family room/kitchen area with 30 windows one device will cover them all. It’s very economical.

If you’re looking to protect just one window, a window shock sensor is the practical choice. It’s a device that is triggered by the vibration of breaking glass. Some of the other benefits of both home security systems are:

• They can be kept on while the occupants are in the home.

• If someone tries to gain entry, the alarm is triggered while the burglar is still outside of the home.

• The alarms are pet compatible (unlike motion detectors)

Another home security product lets you turn up the heat on burglars by turning on the smoke. The product is called Smoke Cloak. As soon as the premises are broken into a fog-like white smoke is disbursed. Someone could be only two feet away and you would not see them. The smoke, however, is non-toxic and completely harmless to people and property. The smoke is produced by a generator about the size of an office water cooler. Inside a glycol-based liquid is converted to fine smoke by a heating block and expelled at high pressure. The process takes only seconds. The generator can be mounted in a basement, and smoke can be delivered to every room in the house through ducts by vacuum tubing.

Another wrinkle in the home security game is the Long Range Radio Network. It serves as a backup if thieves cut phone lines. Without phone lines, the alarm could be tripped but has no way of relaying that message to the monitoring company. If phone lines are cut or if somebody breaks into the house it will send both of those pieces of information in to the monitoring station. The device works much like a radio transmitter and also sends messages if there has been an AC or battery failure.

Also relatively new on the market is an audio verification system which allows the monitoring station to speak to and hear what is going on in the home after an alarm is tripped.

Personalized security codes for home alarm systems can monitor who came and went, and at what time. If kids don’t come home after school, there won’t be a code entered in the system and the parents can be contacted at work.

While the technology of home security is ever-changing, the concept remains the same. If someone wants to get into your house they’re coming in. The objective is to make it so difficult and time consuming for someone that they give up.

Here are some home security tips for those going away for a vacation:

• Get your neighbors involved. Let them know you’ll be away and ask for their help in collecting third-class (junk) mail and other doorstep litter.

• Have the post office halt delivery of your mail.

• Call your newspaper and have delivery suspended.

• Arrange to have someone mow your lawn.

• Never pull your drapes shut – it looks unnatural during the daytime and suggests your absence.

• Turn on a radio in the house and ensure the volume is loud enough to be heard just outside your door but isn’t so loud it bothers your neighbors.

• Never leave on a hall light to suggest your presence. Instead, turn on an upstairs bathroom or bedroom light. A burglar “casing” a neighborhood will assume when he knocks on your door that perhaps you failed to answer the door because you were upstairs and didn’t hear the knock.

• Consider putting lights on a timer so they go on and off at various times of day and night in your absence.

You should take this home security test to determine just how safe your home is:

• Do you mark your valuables with your driver’s license or identification number?

• Do you have an inventory list of serial numbers and descriptions of your valuables such as jewelry, televisions, stereos, appliances, etc.?

• Are all entrances (doors and windows) to your home well lighted?

• Is your landscaping trimmed so it does not conceal any part of your doors or windows?

• Are all exterior doors secured by a dead-bolt lock?

• Are all sliding glass doors and windows secured with key locking devices and pins to prevent removal?

• Do gates surrounding your yard have sturdy locks on them?

• Do you plan ahead so you do not have to leave a key under the mat or other obvious hiding places?

• Is there a peephole viewer on your front door?

• Are your interior lights, radios and televisions on timers to make it look like you are home when you are not?

Every “no” response to a question on this checklist points to a weakness in security that could improve a burglar’s ability to break in without being detected. By eliminating problem areas, you can greatly decrease the risk of being an easy target for a burglar and increase your home security.

It is important to remember that even by eliminating all risks, no home is burglar-proof. The object of the home security checklist is to reduce the risk of being burglarized by reducing easy opportunities.

No matter how strange it seems to focus on tips to provide top security for the summertime, you should have in mind that there is a certain range of rules that you must follow if you want your place to stay fully protected. It is undoubtedly true that this is not so easy as you know that there are lots of children playing around, and sometimes inhabitants are more likely to spend their time outdoors rather than indoors. Therefore, you must be very cautious and always on alert meaning that you need to pay much attention to your neighbors and those persons who frequently visit your neighborhood.

Yet, there’s more to home security in summertime than just beware of strange-looking people who may be hanging out in your neighborhood. Moreover, it is of high importance to know how to keep in mind the fact that it makes much easier for vandals to break into with so many people going on vacation during the summer months. So, if your neighbors are heading towards some exciting destination, check if there are some suspicious people hanging around their homes.

And also, if you are planning to go somewhere on holiday and are worried about your home security, use some tricks. Make sure you have put the mail and newspaper delivery service on hold, because this can be an immediate sign to robbers that there is no one in the house. Also, it would be of great help if the lights you left outdoors are turned out at the specific times of the day. Similarly, leaving a car in the garage can be an unbelievable psychological deterrent against crooks trying to invade.

All in all, take all these suggestions into consideration and do your best to protect your home. Set home alarm systems and check in with your family members to ensure that all doors and windows are locked before you jump into your car and leave. This will certainly give you a piece of mind during long and hot summer months.