Home Security Checklist - 10 Simple Steps to Securing Your House Interior - Residential Security

Homeowners can stop most Residential Break and Enters (B & E). B & E offences are perpetrated mostly by unsophisticated criminals who seize immediate opportunities. Unfortunately, opportunities provided by homeowners themselves.

Specific things (opportunities) the potential offender looks for:

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1) Homes which appear unoccupied (i.e. Owner/renter on vacation) - lawns not mowed, newspapers piled at the front door, mail accumulation, no lights at times (usually night) when a family might be expected to be at home;

Home Security Checklist - 10 Simple Steps to Securing Your House Interior - Residential Security

2) Homes and neighborhoods where the owners/renters appears to be at work - mail in mailbox, packages at door, advertising flyers left at front door. A simple act of ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door can confirm this;

3) Homes in upscale neighborhoods (more to steal);

4) Open garages (entry point to the house, place to hide or steal contents);

5) An easy method of entry offering concealment - fenced-in or hedged back yards, rear or side doors/windows completely or partially shielded from view by fences, screened patios, shrubs, sheds, basement window wells;

6) Easy entry points - unlocked doors/windows, easy-to-open doors/windows (sliding windows or patio doors that can be lifted out of their tracks), breakable glass in or near doors that could allow door to be unlocked, doors that can easily be forced open using a foot, plastic card, crowbar or chisel (poor quality locks or poor installation).

Here are 10 ways to Target Harden your Dwelling whether you are away for the day or for a lengthy trip:

1) Create Light and Sound. Use automatic timers for your lights inside and motion detector lighting outside your house. New timers have a random on/off time and battery backup in case of power outages. Make it look like your house is occupied both during the day as well as at night. Attach lights and radios to these timers.

2) Leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbor so they can check, at least every 48 hours, on your home. Some home insurance policies stipulate such regular checks of your home or you void your insurance coverage. Consider a house sitter.

3) Create that lived-in look. For lengthy trips away from home, have a neighbor park a car in your driveway, keep your front door clear of newspapers/brochures and mow grass/remove snow.

4) Ensure all windows, all doors and all garage doors are locked. Disconnect power to automatic garage doors. Proper dead bolt, hinge, lock, latch and door frame installation is important to ensure doorways and windows cannot be pried open, spread apart or screws removed to allow easier forced entry into your home. Change locks on new homes or if your key has been lost. If they want in make breaking glass the only option for a criminal. Glass can be hardened, especially in and near doors, with tempered and special break-proof laminates. Use steel solid exterior doors only. Install through-door viewers to ensure you can see who in at your door before you open it. Video surveillance cameras connected to your PC and also your PDA are now reasonably priced.

5) Install an alarm system that wails loudly when tripped. Just like the flashing alarm light in your automobile, have a similar visible indicator in your front and back windows. Make potential intruders know that you have a burglar alarm system.

6) Install bars or grill work in your basement windows (these can be opened from inside in case of fire). A window well provides a convenient place for a would-be thief to take lots of time to enter your home through the basement.

7) Don't leave your garage door opener in your car when you are at work. If a thief breaks into your automobile they know your home address from your vehicle permit. If you leave your garage door opener in the vehicle, they now also have easy access to your home, while you are at work.

8) Document your possessions. Take Photos and/or Videotape all your valuables. Every year video your entire home, belongings and property. Record serial numbers on large valuables. Store all this information off-site. You now have a record of all your property incase of theft or fire.

9) Register and mark valuables through Operation Identification (contact your local Police). Obtain an engraver from your Community Police Office or buy one. Etch or engrave your driver's license number (not SSN or SIN) on valuables. If stolen and later found, Police can check with Motor Vehicles for your name and address. Keep minimum cash and valuables in your home. Secure valuables off-site (bank safety deposit box).

10) Maintain a good neighbor community. Organize a Neighborhood Watch [http://www.neighbourhoodwatchregistry.com/]. Look out for each other. That snoopy neighbor can be a perfect burglar alarm system.

Your home and property are part of a community and neighborhood. There is always strength in numbers. Expand your home security network. Work to have your community burglar unfriendly. Clearly let the bad guys know, "Go Somewhere Else"!

Home Security Checklist - 10 Simple Steps to Securing Your House Interior - Residential Security

Carl Chesal is a business and channel development consultant, trainer, internet marketer and professional photographer. He operates BizFare Enterprise Inc, providing business, marketing, and internet marketing consulting services. Bizfare Enterprise also operates a number of secure on-line shopping sites, like Home and Body How To Plans Recipes Hobbies and Collectibles.

College Campus Safety Tips

While out on a date

The unfortunate statistic is that 90 percent of rapes occur between people who already knew each other and that approximately half of rapes happen on dates. This is commonly known as "date rape" or "acquaintance rape."

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While sexual assault and rape by an attacker is never the victim's fault, there are a few things women can bear in mind:

College Campus Safety Tips

Take your time in getting to know your companion or "date." Don't spend time alone with someone who makes her feel uneasy or uncomfortable. This means following your instincts and removing herself from situations that you don't feel good about.

Stay with a group of people. Avoid risky areas, such as deserted areas.

Avoid excessive alcohol. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, more than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have been victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

Be alert for possible use of "date rape drugs" such as Rohypnol, which is illegal in the United States. Someone can slip it into a drink. It causes drowsiness, a loss of coordination, dizziness and memory loss. Never take drinks from other people and don't leave your drink unattended.

Tell someone you trust your date's name, destination and planned time of return.

Take money for a phone call and taxi fare with you.

More campus safety tips: While walking around campus

Survey the campus after dark to see that buildings, walkways, quadrangles and parking lots are adequately secured, lighted and patrolled.

Avoid walking alone if possible.

Walk with an air of confidence and stay alert.

Walk in lighted areas.

Keep your hand free, not overloaded.

Have your keys ready.

If you are being followed: cross the street, scream, run to an occupied residence or store, or flag down a car.

At dorm rooms

Doors and windows to your residence hall should be equipped with quality locks. Room doors should have peepholes and deadbolts.

Do not loan out your key. Never compromise your safety for a roommate or friend who wants the door left unlocked. Replace locks when a key is lost or stolen.

Use caution admitting strangers.

Have good lighting around entrances.

If you are a woman and live alone or with other women, use only your first initials on your mailbox and, when possible, in phone directories.

Report suspicious activity to campus police--or to the police if you live off-campus.

While in your car

Keep windows up and doors locked.

Park in well-lighted areas and travel on populated, well-lighted streets.

Never pick up hitchhikers.

If you have car trouble, signal for help by raising the hood or tying a white handkerchief to the door handle.

Preparation and awareness are the keys to safety in any situation. Non-lethal self defense and personal protection devices are proven to deter most attackers. Consider carrying self defense devices such as pepper sprays, stun guns, or personal alarms. Learn the correct way to use these types of devices and be committed to using them should a dangerous situation occur. A variety of products are available to meet the needs of most everyone. Through preparation and awareness you will enjoy increased "peace of mind" and confidence knowing you are protected!.

College Campus Safety Tips

Bryan Buckner owner of Guardian Self Defense & Security Products. Specializing in non-lethal self defense and surveillance products. Providing expert self defense, personal protection, and home security solutions, through consultation and product sales. We offer self defense and security solutions that are tailored to each individual customer. For more information please browse our self defense superstore http://www.guardian-self-defense.com

A Look At How Fire Alarm Systems Work

It seems like the question of how a fire alarm system works passes through everyone's mind at some point or another. Before that question can be answered, it is even more important for a person to know exactly what a fire alarm system is. Fire alarm systems are devices or series of devices that are meant to alert people and institutions to the presence of a fire within some building or another. In the industry, these systems are referred to as "active fire protection", which basically translates to mean that the system can be turned on or off, that is, activated, in some way or another.

Every single fire alarm system in the world operates on a simple principle, no matter what sort of form it takes. There are things working in it that tell it there is a fire, so called alarm initiating devices, things that let people who use it know there is a fire, the so called alarm notification appliances, things that it uses to try to prevent the spread of fire, the so called fire control units, and all the infrastructure that holds these three things together, all the electricity and wires that runs throughout the whole affair. All these things working in unison and correctly have often saved the lives of people who were in buildings that have caught fire.

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Then, how does a fire alarm system work? Basically, it works by having the devices looking for fire being tripped. This can mean that a smoke alarm sniffs smoke and sends the signal to the system, or it can mean that someone sees a fire and pulls the alarm lever to let the system know that something is burning. At this point a sound too loud to be ignored is raised so that people will know there is a fire and can begin to get out of the building in an orderly fashion. Some fire alarm systems are equipped with strobe lights or the like so that people who are deaf can be alerted as well.

A Look At How Fire Alarm Systems Work

Nearly every single fire alarm system has a smoke detector installed on it in some location. This is because, as the old adage goes, where there is smoke there is fire. So one of the best ways to spot a nascent fire is to look for sign of smoke. Smoke detectors come in two flavors, those that use light and those that use air. The smoke detectors that use air look out the world with a beam of light and can detect when smoke scatters the signal of the light in a particular way. Those that use air "sniff" for smoke by analyzing the ionization of the air in the location where they are stored.

A Look At How Fire Alarm Systems Work

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a how to use a fire extinguisher [http://www.rechargeablefireextinguishers.com] at [http://www.rechargeablefireextinguishers.com]

Window Security Grill

A great way to add security to a home is with a window security grill. Security grills should not be confused with window security bars. Yes, security bars are effective, but they can be an ugly eyesore, as most people feel that they give a home the look of a prison. However, a window security grill (also known as a window security screen) can add effective security while not taking away any of the attractiveness of the home.

They are made out of a steel mesh that can not be pushed or pulled out of the frame and they are also resistant to cutting. Much like a security steel door, the steel mesh on them is permanently mounted in a heavy duty steel frame. The frame is welded on all four corners and installs over a window using tamper resistant bolts or screws. One side of the grill will be hinged so that it can be opened from the inside of the house. Building codes or fire codes in most cities throughout the Unites States require that no windows be permanently blocked. Because they are designed to keep intruders out, there is a quick release mechanism located on the inside of the security grill that will allow the grill to hinge open in the event of an emergency. This allows occupants to quickly evacuate the home through the window.

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Now that the basics of a window security grill are understood, let's cover the window security grills in a little more depth. With several manufacturers offering window grills, the options will vary from the different manufacturers. Window security grills are available from a basic design to more elaborate designs. The basic designs of security window grill will have a steel wire mesh with either a steel or aluminum frame. For the most part, the basic grills are only available in a natural steel finish or white. Some homeowners will opt to install the basic design of the security window grill over windows that are obscured from view. This provides a more economical way to secure a home. The more elaborate designs of a security grill are most often used in the front of the home or any visible window. The material as well as the workmanship of the window grills is what makes them more elaborate. These security grills use a heavy duty steel mesh that is tamper resistant and cant not be cut. The steel mesh is available in several different designs and styles. Besides the steel mesh, the frames are much more appealing as well. The frames are smooth and have an attractive finish. A homeowner can custom order a security window grill in a color that matches the home.

Window Security Grill

Installing them over vulnerable windows will deter any would be intruder. One look at the window security grills and the intruder will quickly move on to an easier target. These grills are a great way to protect your valuables and most importantly, they will protect your family.

Window Security Grill

David has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his latest website that discusses products such as the best window security bars and custom screen doors that can be useful in your decision in your home security needs

How To Choose The Best Home Security System in Canada

It doesn't matter where you live; you are always concerned for the safety of your family. One of the best ways to protect your family day and night is to install a home security system in your home. There are many great home security companies throughout Canada that can help you, once you make the decision to get a home security system.

It is important that you do a little bit of research first so that you are somewhat familiar with the different types of home security systems before you purchase one. Read on to discover the basics of home security systems and how to choose the right one for you.

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There are two basic types of home security systems. Hard wired systems and wireless systems. Let's look at the hardwired system first. A hard wired home security system is just as it sounds. The system is installed by running wires throughout the entire home.

How To Choose The Best Home Security System in Canada

A hard wire system is easiest to install when a home is being built. You can install it in an existing home, but it requires a lot of hole drilling. The advantages of the hard wire system are that there is no signal that can get interrupted and disable the system. The components of a hard wire system are also a little less expensive, so it could be easier on the pocketbook.

The disadvantages of a hard wire system is that it can cost more to maintain and repair if anything goes wrong. There is also the possibility of an intruder being able to cut the wires and disabled the system or if there is no battery backup you will lose protection in the event of a power failure.

The next type of home security system that we will look at is the wireless home system. These systems may be more expensive to initially install but are cheaper to maintain. With the wireless system you can remotely activate or deactivate the system. You can also program it to work with a WiFi system and monitor your home from any location that has Internet access. There are plenty more features with a wireless system that are too numerous to discuss in this short article.

The disadvantages of a wireless system are that the signal can be interrupted or it can go down in the event of power failure.

But if you do a search of home security systems Canada you will find many reputable companies that will monitor your home for you. They will set up the wireless system and be able to monitor everything from a remote office. This is a great option for the elderly or disabled who live alone. They are supplied with a pendant to wear around their neck that allows them to summon help right away no matter where they may be in the house or on the property.

So if you are looking for a great home security system in Canada do a little research first so that you can make an informed decision. Talk to friends and neighbors to get recommendations. Once the choice is made, don't hesitate to get a home security system installed for the protection of your family and your peace of mind.

How To Choose The Best Home Security System in Canada

You can learn more about a Home Security System In Canada as well as much more on everything to do with home security at http://www.HomeSecurityA-Z.com