Home Security-Tips to Prevent Home Invasion

In the articles "Home Security-Home Invasion Threat Parts I and I" we discussed what Home Invasion was, some tips to avoid being a victim and what to do if you became a victim. In this article we are going to focus on prevention.

To review, Home Invasion is a term coined by police departments to describe a burglary of a home when the occupants are there. Most burglaries occur when the occupants are not at home because quite frankly the perpetrators don't need the added stress of dealing with people who might be armed and angry. What a mess that would be.

To my humble way of thinking Home Invasion is potentially a much more heinous crime than a burglary because the threat of injury or death to the occupants (you and your family) is definitely a huge risk.

Home Invasion has a much higher prospect of confrontation by its' very nature and is thus potentially far more dangerous. On the other hand since it is basically a burglary with people at home, the principles that apply to burglary prevention would work here as well with a few additions.

Some basic facts: 1. Police authorities estimate that 90 % of all burglaries/home invasions are preventable. 2. In 17% of all crimes domiciles were violated. 3. The average burglar will spend no more than 2 minutes trying to get into a home. 4. A burglary occurs every 15 seconds. So how do we stop this from happening and prevent home invasions? It seems obvious to me that you want to make your home an "uninviting" target by putting out the "UNWELCOME" mat. Advertise to everyone this house is not going to be a pushover. "Mr. Burglar, you are in for a hard time if you pick on us."

---Is you home well lit? Even motion activated spots are great.

---Are there hiding places next to your home? Remove all shrubs and large plants that could provide hiding places next to your home.

---Get out your "UNWELCOME" signs. Start with Neighborhood watch signs. www.usaonwatch.com Then have some signs that announce obstacles "beware of guard dog", "these premises protected by..." etc. And my favorite, an NRA sticker on your window or someplace conspicuous. You get the idea. Advertise that your home is not a good idea for burglary or home invasion.

---Dummy surveillance cameras provide a few minutes of thought for a potential intruder.

---Make sure you have some non lethal self defense weapons such as pepper sprays and stun guns located in a few places around the house. Even some audible alarms will help.

These inexpensive methods of prevention will make your home an uninviting target for a potential burglar/home invader. His job is to break into your home if you are home or not. Advertise to everyone it is not a good idea to even consider your home by putting out the "UNWELCOME" mat.

Chances are very good that you are reading this because in some way crime has touched your life or you want to be proactive and protect yourself, family, home, or business from the ravages of crime. That is the first step.

NOW the next step is for you to take action and purchase a dummy camera or stun guns. Look at our selection of self defense/ home security products at http://www.secure-at.com/dummy-cameras.htm and http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/runtstungun.htm both of which provide real "Security Solutions". Check out his new website: http://www.h-o-m-e-s-e-c-u-r-i-t-y.com

4 Reasons For A Home Security System

Your home security system should be the most important appliance in your home. One of the first investments that you should make after purchasing a new home is a home security system. Now more than ever, with drug use among America's youth holding at a steady pace or rising, a home security system should be on top of your priority list.

As an ex home security system salesman, it always amazed me how many people would purchase a home security system after they had been victimized. The main problem is, people have the true ability to think that crime will not happen to them. I would have to say that at least 6 out of 10 times that I went to an appointment, it was after an incident of some kind. Most people, if not all, like to think they live in a nice neighborhood, so they think that they don't need a home security system. The problem is, I can tell you first hand that crime happens everywhere. Lots of times crime happens in a neighborhood without anyone but the victims knowing about it. People don't always like sharing bad news with their neighbors, especially if they are not on speaking terms. Industry statistics show that chances are that if you are burglarized, it is by someone who is familiar with your home or neighborhood. Usually it is someone that lives in the neighborhood or maybe knows someone in the neighborhood.

A home security system has four objectives:

1. Deterrence
Statistically you are 3 to 4 time less likely to have an intruder enter your home if you have a home security system sign on your front lawn and stickers on your windows.

2. Minimum loss
If someone is brave enough to enter your home after seeing the lawn sign, they don't believe that you actually have a home security system. You can go to ebay right now and purchase an ADT yard sign and stickers, which means that every yard sign you see does not mean that the home owner has a home security system. If a intruder decides to enter your home and the alarm sounds, chances are he is not going to stick around very long, he may take an item or two, be he won't be able to go shopping in your home because he knows the police have been called.

3. Avoid a confrontation
The last thing anyone wants, is to return home only to have an intruder in the house. If you have a home security system, if someone broke into your home, when the alarm sounded he probably left. If you arrive home and your alarm is sounding, you know not to enter the house.

4. Fire protection
The home security system of today has abilityilty to have smoke detectors connected to it. ADT actually calls them smoke communicators. If smoke is detected, the home security system alerts the monitoring station and a representative calls your home, if someone does not answer the phone, the fire department is dispatched.

Insurance companies offer up to a 20% discount for having a home security system, that being said, the investment you make, will eventually be paid for by your insurance company. Overall, a home security system should be strongly considered if you are a new homeowner or if you have been in your home for 20 years, it is a investment that is worth every penny.

Todd C. Robinson is Blogger for http://homesecurity-system.blogspot.com/

Common Sense Home Security Tips

Is it just me, or do we spend more time worrying about the safety of our computers these days than the safety of our own homes? You've got firewalls and virus protection for your CPU, but have you changed your door locks since you moved into your house? Do you have ladders, tools, and other things lying around your yard that a burglar could use to break a window and access your home? Do you have an alarm system you never arm? Windows you leave open? Doors left unlocked? When was the last time you walked around your house and, thinking like a burglar, considered just how easy it would be to break in? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Let's take a look at some smart security tips that can help make your home safer for you and your family. And guess what? Most of them are easier to implement than the security software loaded on your computer.

First off, remember that in general burglars will avoid occupied houses. That doesn't mean your family is always safe when they're home, however. There always exceptions to the rule, and you shouldn't assume that nothing can ever happen just because someone is there. If a burglar breaks in while you're not there, your belongings are at risk. If a burglar breaks in when your family is home, your family is at risk as well.

Now that I've got you thinking, let's look at some measures you can follow in order to minimize the risk of being targeted.

Keys: Don't hand out keys to friends, even if they're trustworthy. Make sure you know the location of all your house keys all the time. Never use hide-a-keys or leave the key under the doormat, above the door, in a flowerpot, or anywhere outside the house. You may think you're being clever, but guess what? Burglars know all the tricks. It's their job to (however despicable). Also, it's a good idea to keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.

Don't let strangers in the house: Adults have no problem telling this rule to their kids, but they don't realize it should apply to them too! Home security means being cautious. Even before you open the front door to accept a package, you should ask for photo identification. This goes for anyone you don't recognize. Don't assume someone is "legit" just because they are wearing a uniform or driving some company's truck (these things can be stolen). If somebody comes to your door and asks to make a phone call, offer to make it for them, but don't let them some inside. If someone looks like they're injured, call 911, but don't open the door. When you walk away to make that call, lock the door behind you; you don't want to leave the door unlocked and unmanned. A chain on the door helps insure people can't force their way in while you're home.

Locks: Keep your doors and windows locked, even if you're at home. Get your children into this habit, too. It's too easy to forget an open window when you leave the house, and that provides an easy way in for burglars. Don't assume a second story window is out of reach for a thief. They're good at finding ways in.

Don't be predictable: If you always leave home at the same time every day and return at the same time, thieves can easily memorize your routine to take advantage of the times you're not at home. Work is work, and you probably can't change those hours, but if you always go to a class or the grocery store at the same time, try to make yourself less predictable. You can also consider automatic timers for your lights and electronics, to make it seem when someone is home, even when they're not.

Valuables shouldn't be on display: I know you want to show off your hard-won plasma TV, but if somebody can look in your window and see your wallet, credit cards, purse, jewelry, or fancy electronics in open sight, they're going to be tempted. A computer or television placed in front of a ground-floor window may make an easy target. Likewise, electronics placed across from a window are easily visible, too. In a similar vein, don't leave your garage doors open for the world to see all the cool stuff you have in storage. Lightweight items could be snatched away quickly and easily.

Be mindful of your trash: Just bought a new entertainment system? There's no need to tell the world about it. A bunch of empty boxes out by the curb is an open invitation to would-be burglars. Instead of putting boxes out in plain sight, cut them down, and stuff them in trash bags. Also be wary of identity theft. Never put personal identification information in your trash until it's been shredded.

Be alert: Try to be aware of your surroundings on a day-to-day basis, even in your own neighborhood. This doesn't mean walking around like a crazy paranoid person; just get in the habit of watching for suspicious activity.

Paying attention to the simple things can make you and your family much less of a target. Burglar alarms and home security systems are great investments, but common sense prevention is the best way to stay safe.

TC Thorn is a freelance writer and the webmaster for Home Security. This article may be reprinted so long as a link to her site is included

Homeland Security Equipment - Gas Mask

Homeland security is the number one goal for the United States Government and should be the goal for all of it's citizens. The deadly attacks on Sept. 11 and the recent London bombings have highlighted the importance of safety and security throughout the world. The homeland security threat level has been raised to elevated status by Texas homeland security department. As per the Texas homeland security department the elevated level is defined as:

There is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the actions recommended under lower threat levels, agencies should consider:

• Increasing surveillance of critical infrastructure and significant locations.


• Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions.


• Assessing and disseminating information and warnings as appropriate.

Emergency preparedness was discussed elaborately on National Public Radio (NBR) and was emphasized that safety equipment like gas masks need to be procured by every citizen of the United States and be prepared for any disaster from future terrorist attacks. They also mentioned that it is time for people to consider these warnings seriously and an action plan to safeguard themselves and their loved ones need to be formulated.

There are a number of products available on the market to protect you and your family from unexpected attacks on your safety, including products like gas masks that could be specified as Homeland Security equipment. Whether you are facing an intrusion of your privacy or a terrorist attack directed at your workplace, there are products available from fire safety equipment, gas masks to surveillance equipment which can provide an extra layer of protection. Even when your home may be insured against damage, insurance will not protect your health in the event of a fire. Even though you may never need to reach for the fire extinguisher, it is always safer to have it on hand in the event of an emergency.

Gas masks can provide you safety in the event of a breach of homeland security, such as a chemical or biological attack. They can also be used in industrial and agricultural environments in which there are a large number of airborne pollutants. When you need protection for both your eyes and respiratory system, consider the gas masks which has been approved by the EU and NATO as a personal protection device.

There are surveillance equipment like video surveillance equipment which would help guard your premises and aid you further in improving your safety and security. You may also look into audio surveillance equipment such as our phone line analyzer to ensure that your data transfers and conversations are protected. Homeland Security and the related products can help you take action to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones.

More information about gas mask is at Gas Mask and how gas mask works is at Homeland Security Equipment

Andy Jones -Media Relations,
Namebrands Retail LLC
Best Safety Apparel
Ezine articles expert author

The Top 5 Home Security System Components

Advancing technology is making more and more sophisticated home security equipment available to the average person to help them keep their home and family safe and secure. There are a lot of choices to make when setting up a good home security system plan, and here are some of the top security system components that should be considered as you do:

1. Having a basic alarm system that is triggered when someone opens an outside door or window is a great start, but there are ways for experienced burglars to get around such a system. So a very good secondary line of defense in case of a break-in is having motion detectors installed in every room of the home. They can be located in one of the ceiling corners so they are not obtrusive and can have a good view of the entire room. If you are way from home, these are great tools to detect a home intrusion because of the motion inside the house and sound the alarm as needed.

2. Alarm system monitoring services are another significant upgrade to the standard home alarm system. A monitoring service will be connected to your alarm by phone line and if the alarm is triggered they will first attempt to contact you as the homeowner on a predetermined phone number to be sure that the alarm has not been accidentally set off. If they cannot get you they call the local law enforcement to investigate the situation.

3. Adding video cameras to your home alarm system is another great upgrade that can keep you well-informed on all that is going on outside your home at all times. Surveillance video cameras have become so small and durable that they can now be placed outside the home at the most important spots and even be equipped with motion detectors that will sense when movement is taking place in it's protected area. It can then notify you if you are home or just turn on a video recorder to capture the activity if you are absent.

4. A home safe is another valuable home security component. If for some reason thieves do manage to get past all of your security system defenses, a home safe can thwart all their efforts. Burglars do not want to spend a lot of time inside a home as every minute that they are inside increases the possibility that they can be detected and apprehended for their crime. A well placed and solidly installed home safe makes all the hard work and effort that they will have to go through to get into it much harder to justify, and so often prevents the theft of your most valuable possessions.

5. Including other monitoring systems along with your home security system can be very valuable for peace of mind too. Often companies can hook in a fire alarm system to the main alarm too, and if the fire alarm is triggered the appropriate fire station will be notified. Personal and medical alarms can be integrated this way too and that can be especially valuable for those with severe health problems and the elderly who live alone.

Considering these home security components when you either buy or upgrade your existing home security system can enhance your overall home security plans.

Find out more about a home security system and home security alarms by visiting our Home Security Review website.