Home security precautions can make a significant difference in the contentment of the whole family.  The local officials are often overwhelmed by the crime in a local community so the citizens need to be responsible for basic security measures for their family and personal property.  Ideally the local police force should make sure that all the criminals are off the street so people do not need burglar alarms, but the criminals are out there.  Fortunately, home security is so important that there is assistance available to the citizens intent on protecting their valuables.

Home security should be based on a plan that the leader of the family works out with the help of family members and the experts from the community.  The tools that are available are also a great help to the plan for home security.  The leader in charge of security for each family should study the recommendations from the local police and fire departments.  These experts know the typical problems, and they usually have publications that describe the measures citizens should take for their home security plans.  The leader in charge of the security plan should also find out about the potential dangers in the area and make special plans to combat those dangers.

Home Security Should Include Plans for All Possibilities

People know that they should have fire alarms so they usually make sure that they have these devices in place and in working order.  This should be one of the first parts of their plan for home security.  The planner for the security of the family should think about all of the members of the family.  Young children require special arrangements to make sure that they remain safe.  The planner needs to think about the placement of harmful substances when small children are involved.  Elderly people also need special consideration in a home security plan.  The elderly often fall and hurt themselves on area rugs that are not secure. 

Many tools are available for the leader in the plan for home security.  There are fire alarms, fire extinguishers, burglar alarms and other tools to help provide security.  The planner can use these devices and the instructions that come with them to help provide the needed security.  There are now home security services that will come in to asses the needs of each individual home.  These experts can make recommendations and a plan that their company can implement after the initial assessment.

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More and more people are using a wireless burglar alarm system to protect their homes. These systems are not connected using wires. They use radio waves sent from the various sensors to the control panel to monitor any activity in the owner’s home. These wireless systems use motion sensors along with both window and door contact to warn of intruders inside or close to the house. The alarm system is controlled by a keypad which is in the homeowner’s possession. The keypad is used to arm and disarm the system remotely.

A wireless burglar alarm system is made up from the following components:

Control Panel: This is the “brains” of the wireless system. It is generally placed out of the way in a closet or in the basement for security reasons. Its function is to receive signals sent from the sensors which have been installed around the house. When one of the sensors relays a signal to the Control Panel that something has occurred, an alarm is sounded. If the homeowner has his system monitored, in addition to sounding an alarm, the Control Panel alerts the monitoring center to summon the proper authorities.

Keypad: Exactly as its name describes, it is a device where you key in your code to either arm or disarm your alarm system. The key pad is normally placed by your main entry. As alarm systems have evolved the keypads have become much easier to use. Night time use is facilitated by screens which are illuminated. Also, to speed use in an emergency, the added feature of one-touch function keys, allows the push of a single button to arm or disarm your system.

Magnetic contacts: Simply a switch placed in close proximity to a magnet that measures any increase of the distance between itself and the magnet. They are installed on windows and doors protected by the system. When the system is activated and any increase is detected, such as the opening of a door or window, the switch sounds an alarm.

Contact sensors: These are sophisticated motion detectors, which use passive infrared light, to detect motion or the effects of body heat in an covered area. Known as PIRs for short, they are normally used when the family is absent. They are also located in areas of the home which are
little used and a human presence is not expected. When a PIR detects motion or senses body heat in the area they sound an alarm.

Home security cameras: As added protection, cameras can be installed which through a wireless signal transmits to a video monitor any movements in its coverage area. They allow for identification of both visitors and intruders.

Monitoring: An added service available to the homeowner, which monitors any signals received by the control panel in the home. Using radio waves, a central location tracks the signals generated by the security system. Once the system sounds an alarm, the monitoring service can summon emergency agencies to your home.

Remote Keys: A small device which allows for the operation of the system with out using the keypad. They can be used at a distance and perform all the functions of arming or disarming your system. They prove quite useful if you will approaching your entryway with packages or bags of
groceries. They also provide the added security of a quick entry, rather than standing at the keypad manually entering your code.

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Wireless security alarm systems are ideal for installation in a home that wasn’t wired for an alarm system when it was built. Motion sensors, door contacts and window contacts can all be wireless, and not need to be hardwired back to the main control panel. Even the control keypad can be wireless.

The various wireless components use RF (radio waves) to transmit their signals back to the main control panel. The only real disadvantage compared to wired systems is that the wireless components run on batteries, which will need to be replaced once in a while.

These batteries generally last for years, however, and many alarm companies offer service and maintenance plans that will cover the replacement batteries and the installation of them.

The most common wireless alarm components are the following:

Control Panel

This is essentially the “brains” of the alarm system. It’s usually mounted somewhere out of the way, like a closet or the basement. It monitors the signals from all the wireless components, and triggers the alarm (and a call to the monitoring station if the system is monitored) if any of the sensors detect an intrusion.

Keypad

The keypad is used to arm and disarm the system, as well as change various settings. It’s usually located somewhere near the entrance door for easy access.

Magnetic Switches

These contacts are used to monitor windows and doors. They’re made up of a switch that attaches to the window or door and a magnet that is mounted on the frame. If the switch and magnet are separated (the window or door is opened or broken) it will trigger the alarm.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors can be mounted in large rooms or areas like hallways. They will detect motion - and in some cases body heat - and trigger the alarm if it is out of the acceptable range.

Video Cameras

Wireless security cameras can send a video feed back to a monitor and/or a VCR in the house. They can be used to monitor outside areas that are not very visible from the street, as well as a way of seeing who is at the door before opening it.

Remote Keys

Remote keys are much like the remotes you get with car alarms. They can be used from a distance to arm or disarm the alarm, as well as things like turning lights on or off or unlocking doors.

John Lenaghan writes about home security systems and other related topics on the Home Security Guide website. For more information visit http://www.home-security-guide.com

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