2011年12月18日 星期日

Home Security: Gun Safes - Best Three Ways To Hide Guns At Home

There are lots of issues involving home security that make homeowners anxious. How to hide a gun is one of them. There are over 225 million guns registered in the United States. Most of these are in the home of the gun owner. Handgun security is a critical part of home security.


Among other things, you don't want guns that a burglar or home invader can find. And you certainly don't want your kids, who are naturally curious, finding your hand gun. Gun safes are an effective tool for gun security but not as effective as hidden gun safes.


Safes are recognized as the best way to protect valuables anywhere. Home safes provide a level of home security unattainable by any other means.


When it comes to home security and handgun security, they are the way to go. Hidden gun safes are even better. The main idea behind hidden safes is to hide them in plain sight. Security safes that are hidden are much more effective.


Here are the three best ways to hide guns in your home.


The first is the large book safe with combination lock. It is a large 3" x 8" x 9" metal box with a combination lock inside what looks and feels like a real book. It is a three digit combination lock you can set on your own. Of course it can be used for anything else that you like to secure such as passports or birth certificates.


Second is a set of two hardbound books with red/brown covers and gold/brown faux pages that fit right in with encyclopedias or Bibles on a bookshelf. The larger book is 10 1/2" x 8 "x 2 3/4 "entitled "Higher Power" for larger handguns or other valuables. The smaller book gun safe is entitled "Peace Within" and measures 8 1/4"x 6 1/4" x 2" and is perfect for small to medium-sized handguns or other valuables. It comes as a nested set with one book of each size.


The most popular is the Mantel Clock Gun Safe. It is stylish enough to fit on a mantel in your living room. It is a working clock with a magnetically latched panel which is solid wood that can hide an 8" x 5" sized handgun. The clock runs on an AA battery.


When you're looking for a place to hide your guns in your house, gun security if you will, hidden safes are the best way to keep them away from burglars and from your kids. Improve your home security with gun safes today.


Check out all of our Hidden Home Safes.


The Home Security Superstore is one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products. We carry a wide range of self-defense products including tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays and other nonlethal weapons that can save your life in the event of an attack.

Shed Security - Protecting Your Tools

Sheds are not usually strongly built rooms and the hinges on the doors along with the lock can be easily removed with a simple screwdriver. It is quick and easy to do and need not make much noise, so a thief can make away with valuable tools while no one suspects.


Sheds are also often decayed from years of withstanding the weather and screws can be easily removed without tools, and boards or whole walls will come down. Expensive lawnmowers, power tools, trimmers, golf clubs and mountain bikes or even motorbikes can be taken.


Tips from the police for securing a shed are:

Install an alarmAlways put tools and equipment inside the shed at nightChain large tools together to make them heavier to carryAlways lock the shed

A hasp should have covered screws which cannot be accessed by a screw driver. Coach bolts or non-returnable security screws can also be used. It is not easy to use bolt cutters on a closed shackle padlock. A mortise lock should only be used on a very strong door and door frame.


The hinges also need to be strong and fixed with coach bolts or non-returnable security screws. With strong locks and hinges, the door should be also strong and not easily kicked in or pushed in with bodily pressure.


There are several other ways in which a garden shed can be made more secure. The first way is to make it difficult to reach. A high wall or hedge two metres tall around the backyard, gravel wherever possible and a high locked gate will not only make the shed more difficult to reach, but they will make anything stolen more difficult to get out.


A garden shed should be placed in the backyard in a spot where it can be seen from inside the house or by neighbours. A shed that is hidden by trees and bushes is an easier target for thieves.


If the shed has windows, a screen, net, or plastic sheet can be placed over the inside of the window. This way no one will be able to see what is inside.


A PIR security light is also a good deterrent for thieves. If a light comes on when they approach the shed, they will stay away.


There are single stand alone burglar alarms designed for garden sheds that use a battery, but a shed could also be added to a general house alarm.


Ladders left in the garden give thieves a good tool to reach upstairs windows. They should be locked inside sheds or changed to a down pipe or fence.


It is also a good deterrent for thieves to mark or paint tools with a bright colour or easy to see initial that identifies the tool.


Sheds are not usually very sturdy buildings and can easily be broken into, but with a few precautions, a shed can be made much more secure and present too much difficulty for a thief.

2011年12月17日 星期六

The Benefits Of Having A CCTV At Home

CCTV or Closed Circuit Television has become a large part of modern-day security systems. While the usage of these advanced cameras has only become widespread in the past few years, they first came into existence in the UK and in the US sometime in the 1960s and the1970s. In the 1970s CCTV kits became more advanced as they were incorporated with switchboxes. This allows the person manning the cameras to operate and see the action perceived by multiple cameras.


It was not until the mid 90s that the DVR or Digital Video Recorder came into existence. By now, the images captured by surveillance cameras can be recorded for playback. Security has become stronger and the chances of catching criminals have infinitely increased. Authorities can also easily check the time and the date of the crimes for faster progress of investigation.


Benefits Of Installing Security Systems At Home


We often see surveillance systems and DVR installed in business establishments and public places. But not all homes have been equipped with CCTV packages yet. You might want to consider getting CCTV packages because of these benefits:


You get to control the people entering your home's premises.


The great thing about these systems coupled with recording systems is that you can access your home's surveillance camera so you can keep track of the things happening. That way, you can easily spot strangers lurking around your property and immediately alert the authorities about the possibility of burglary.


DVR technology allows you to play back scenes captured by your surveillance camera.


As mentioned earlier, investigation of crimes progresses faster with the help of the recording technology. Petty crimes such as vandalism and littering can also be solved.


It puts all your worries to rest.


If you are serious about your family's safety and security especially if you are leaving your kids with a baby sitter or a nanny, you can try installing this camera. It allows you to keep track of your family members and find out immediately if you hired an abusive helper.


You have substantial evidence in case a crime is caught on your surveillance camera.


Evidence is at the ready if a crime has been caught on your surveillance camera. This also prevents other people from committing crimes in your home. The knowledge that you have surveillance cameras everywhere in your home keeps criminals at bay.


How To Buy Surveillance Cameras For Your Home


If you don't know where to start looking for the right surveillance cameras, you can use the following buying tips:


Consider indoor and outdoor security.


There are different types of security cameras. There are those that can be installed outside your home. They are different from indoor cameras in such a way that they are more resistant to external harsh elements. They can be strategically placed close to the entrances and exits of your home.


Indoor cameras can be placed in the areas of the home commonly frequented by your family members. If you have a child at home in the care of a nanny and you worry about his or her safety, you can always opt for those covert-type of surveillance cameras. They look like normal household objects and nobody would suspect that these are actually surveillance cameras.


If you want to know which type is the best option, you might want to ask an expert. An expert can go to your house and check your home's layout so he can decide the best type of security system. Also check the footage resolution.


Opt for security cameras that require zero maintenance.


Wireless systems might require regular maintenance. It is also imperative that you check the battery life of these equipments since most of them have exhaustible battery life. The wired ones, on the other hand, are more ideal for home use because they require zero maintenance. However, they are a bit more difficult to install if you have a finished home. They are usually needed to be integrated in the blueprint of the house.


CCTV helps a lot in keeping us secure. Couple that up with DVR technology to make sure that you have evidence to back you up. Get your CCTV kits now and start making your home a lot more secure.


Iain Jenkins writes articles for CCTV Direct, a provider of CCTV equipment for domestic and professional purposes. Their DVR devices are reliable and robust and CCTV kits can be purchased that are easy to install and work straight out of the box without any hassle.

Basic Security Systems

Just about every homeowner can benefit from having a security system installed to help protect family and possessions. However, not everyone needs all the bells and whistles that come with the complicated security systems that are often depicted on television. These systems can be difficult to arm and operate, which means they aren't doing their job properly. To avoid installing a system that you would rather leave unarmed instead of trying to remember a complex arming process, choose a more basic alarm system that will serve its purpose and give you the security you need.


The most basic security systems usually come with security camera, motion detectors, a siren, and occasionally, a panic button. These simple systems are ideal for families who have small kids, seniors, and anyone who wants to provide protection for their property. The majority of these systems are installed inside; however, some systems include outside components as well.


Certain basic systems allow you to connect a computer to the inside unit so you can monitor activity outside using additional cameras. This is particularly helpful if you have a large property that you need to secure. In this case, you might also consider installing infrared motion detectors at various locations around your property.


The best way to ensure that your security system is installed properly is to have it done by a professional alarm system company. However, if you want to save the money that will be required for this kind of installation, you can do it yourself. There are kits available online or through a security system store. They are not very complicated, and you have the added convenience of being able to move them to different locations as needed.


The other components you should think about including in your basic security system are additional door and window locks, which are highly effective in keeping would-be burglars from entering your home. You would be surprised at how quickly a criminal will give up if he is unable to pick a lock or break down a door because it is made of a sturdy material.


Security systems are nice to have, especially for peace of mind. However, it is not necessary to spend a fortune on a system that would keep people out of the Pentagon. A basic system with basic components is all you really need to make sure your property is protected from common criminals.


John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, home technology and home security topics like: Orlando security systems and Dallas home security.

Identity Theft And How To Prevent It

Identity theft is a serious crime, and it can ruin its victim's lives. Protecting personal information is difficult to do with technology constantly evolving. Cash is becoming obsolete, and debit and credit cards are the standard method of payment for products and services. There are eight simple tips for consumers to follow to prevent identity theft from happening to them.


1) Do not carry multiple credit cards, birth certificate, passport, or a social security card except when it is necessary. Reducing the amount of personal and financial information in purses and wallets reduces the amount of information that a thief can take. Make a copy of everything in case someone steals your information.


2) Delete e-mails from financial institutions, even when they are legitimate. There are a rising number of phishing e-mails that look like they originate from legitimate financial institutions, but are actually criminals trying to gather personal financial information. The usual tell-tale sign in phishing emails is you are asked to click on a link. Hover your cursor over the link, and look to the bottom left hand side of your screen. If the web address that the highlighted link shows is not the address of your financial institution, then forward the email to the security department of your relevant bank and delete it.


3) Consumers need to make sure their antivirus software automatically updates to receive the newest patches to prevent viruses and hackers from infecting the computer. Anyone who does not have an antivirus program installed makes it easy for criminals to infect your computer and gain access to personal information.


4) When out, women need to keep their purses close to the body to prevent stolen credit cards and wallets. Do not leave purses in restaurant booths, church pews, or at work. This is an easy chance for a criminal to take credit cards and other financial information. Never leave your purse, wallet or any kind of valuables in your car if you are not in it. When you leave your car, make sure any potential criminals cannot get access to your personal items by simply smashing a window.


5) People who switch banks need to shred their old checks, credit cards, and ATM cards. Pick up new checks at the bank instead of having them send them through the mail. Do not throw old canceled credit cards in the trash. Criminals know ways to reactivate the cards and reuse the numbers. A cross-shredder machine is good to use for identity theft protection.


6) Do not give out personal or financial information over the telephone, unless people can guarantee the institution is legitimate. There are criminals that set up fake companies to gather personal information.


7) You should create a list of all your bank accounts and credit card accounts in case you ever need to report stolen cards. Many people store these lists in a secure place, like a safe. Credit card companies will cancel any stolen or missing cards, and reissue new ones.


8) Limit social security card exposure. When using the internet to apply for new credit cards, make sure the antivirus and spyware programs are up to date. Hackers can filter data packets to get social security numbers off computers. Make sure the website secures and encrypts personal information when applying for credit cards.


Stolen identities ruins people's lives every day. It is important for consumers to know these eight simple ways to prevent criminals from stealing their identities. Although the crime gangs are getting smarter, by abiding by these eight rules, you should make it difficult enough for any potential criminals to be dissuaded from attempting to make money at your expense.


Stan Yates has worked in the Home Security Industry for many years. He has experience ranging from IP cameras to securing your garden.

2011年12月16日 星期五

Wireless Security: The Better Choice

The number of houses that have home security systems installed is on the rise. Crime is up and people are taking notice. They want to protect what is usually their biggest investment, and one of the ways they are doing that is by installing home security systems that offer protection from all sorts of potential threats such as fire, floods, gas leaks, break-ins, and even health emergencies.


There are many kinds of home security systems available. The conventional kind involves running wires all over the house, connecting several entry points and alarms with a single control panel. This is very cumbersome and involves quite a bit of set up. These systems are often expensive because of the amount of technical know-how that is required in installing them.


The alternative to hard-wired systems is wireless systems. These are increasingly more popular because they are easier to install, require less equipment, and can be monitored by an off-premise company. These systems are clearly superior to hard-wired systems in just about every way. That being said, there are some points to consider before jumping into a contract with a wireless security system provider.


These companies usually offer a basic security package. For instance, they will include sensors for a set number of entry points, so if a house has more windows and doors than what is included in the basic package, the homeowner will need to upgrade to more sensors. Otherwise, there will be a gap in security.


Another important consideration is whether or not the security system will continue to operate during a power outage. Many systems offer a battery backup for just these situations; however, there might be an additional cost for battery replacement.


Usually, wireless security systems do have some hard-wired components. The keypad is typically one of these components because it will probably have to be connected to a power source and/or a telephone line. From that point, though, most keypads in most systems communicate with the sensors and detectors wirelessly.


Finally, one of the most important aspects of any wireless system is how it will be monitored. Some companies send out emergency authorities whenever an alarm is activated. Other companies will try to contact the homeowner for confirmation prior to dispatching assistance. There is typically a fee for all kinds of monitoring services in addition to fees for false alarms.


These are all important considerations to make before selecting a wireless security system. Homeowners should do their research before choosing a company and placing their most valuable asset in its hands.


John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, home technology and home security topics like: burglar alarm Los Angeles, CA and home security systems Denver CO.

Learn More About Security Services and Wireless Home Security Alarms

It is very important for homeowners to have a security service or wireless home security alarm. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood or area, there is always a chance of a burglar entering a neighborhood. There are many ways to keep burglars away, such as leaving lights on when you're gone, having timers turn on a radio or TV when you are on vacation, using dead-bolt locks and more. The very best way to provide security for you and your family is to have a security service install a wireless home security alarm.


Even when the system is turned off, when you are home, the doors will chime each time someone opens them. This is a very good alert if there are toddlers or preschoolers in your home. Many young children will open and door and wander outside in a matter of seconds, but a security system lets you know immediately if the door is opened. This is also a safeguard if someone left the house and an intruder opens your door. At least you have the opportunity to run out of the back door to get help. Most burglars will run when they see someone in the house. In fact, most of them will not enter a home that has a sign near the door or on the windows that the home has a security system.


When you have a wireless alarm system installed and it is set when you are not home, it will work in one of several ways. A loud, piercing alarm is usually set off when the door is opened with the alarm set. There is often a period of around 30 seconds to stop the alarm. A burglar will not know the code that has been set and won't be able to stop the alarm. At that point, the alarm company calls the homeowner to make sure that everything is okay. If this person knows nothing about the situation, then the police are immediately called to the home.


Another way that wireless systems work is through motion sensors. When these are set in the wireless keypad, they will sound the alarm and the police will be called. Homes with dogs may not be able to use the motion sensors because the movement of the animal through the room can trigger the alarm. The control panel of the wireless set is much like a small computer. It has its own power, so if electricity goes out or a burglar cuts the phone line or wiring to the house, the alarm will still go off. The control panel notifies a central station where workers for the alarm company monitor the home 24 hours each day.


It is easy to find the best security services online. Businesses that you hire to monitor your home will install wiring and at least one keypad by your front door. They usually do not wire windows because the great majority of burglars enter homes through the front door, not through windows. You are billed a small monthly fee by the company for the use of their equipment. If you change companies, you return the equipment to them.


It is also possible to purchase wireless systems that are not monitored by a human who watches many screens. Companies typically place one or more signs that your house is monitored by their company. Studies have shown that burglars pass by houses with security systems because they are not worth the risk to them.


Find out more about how to protect your home with a wireless home security system. Get the facts on how to protect your family or business by having an alarm system in your home. For more information about security, visit Security.SolveForce.Com