Home Security - Protect Your Home with Dummy Security Cameras

Today with the increasing number of cases of stalking, theft, rape and murder, you do not need to be a celebrity or a millionaire to secure your home. While some essential security devices like alarm systems and electronic door locks are affordable, products like electronic sensors, surveillance cameras may be costly for a middle class householder. However, the pressing security demands that you do something to scare the criminals. The answer lies in dummy cameras.

Dummy cameras will scare would-be trespassers and criminals enough for them to leave your home alone. These cameras look exactly like the real ones. There is no difference in these cameras and the real ones except that these are not cameras at all. They look like the real ones and are priced as low as $25-$30. Most of the dummy cameras have cables to give the feeling that it has a connection to a control room where the camera shows on screen whatever image it catches. Some dummy cameras are so designed that they move along with the movement of the object in front of it. The focal lengths printed on the camera lenses, cables and sturdy look can deceive anyone into thinking that these are the real CCTV cameras.

The trick in buying dummy CCTV cameras is that you should be careful that they do not look like dummy cameras. There are dummy cameras that have real camera housing minus the electronics. These cameras really give the real look of a security camera. An original security surveillance camera would be the same when its electronic components are removed. Therefore, an outsider will not have the slightest doubt that it is a dummy CCTV camera. The flashing red LED adds to the authenticity of the dummy CCTV cameras.

Dummy security cameras can fit on the interior of your home as well as mounted on the exterior. There are dummy security cameras that imitate popular companies, which build replicas of their popular models. Shops could use these dummy security cameras and would be an added asset in many cases especially in high robbery areas. Dummy cameras pan from left to right upon detecting movement in front it, so any would-be criminal will think he is being watched. That's enough to scare a prospective robber. Much like real surveillance cameras dummy security cameras can be mounted on roofs like dome cameras.

Whatever the variety and model that exist in the market for real surveillance cameras, dummy security cameras are there with the same exact look and feel. At low cost and virtually no maintenance these cameras are of great help in averting theft, trespassing and even serious crimes.

4th Media Corporation

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Natalie Aranda writes on home and family

Home Security -- Eight Things You Must Do To Deter Burglars

Why should you bother with preventive home security measures? Because of one simple fact -- most home break-ins are crimes of opportunity.

Burglars don't usually do much advance planning for specific break-ins. They pick out any target that seems to be easy. If closer examination reveals that your home is not an easy target, they just move on.

Here are 8 things you can do to prevent your home from looking like a soft target.

1. All doors and windows should be plainly visible from the street and to your neighbors. Large shrubs and hedges which hamper visibility make it easy for burglars to do their job.

That's why any bushes and shrubs that are within four feet of sidewalks, driveways, doors, etc should be kept under a couple of feet high. Those within four to eight feet should be trimmed to not more than four feet high.

2. Do you place plants under window sills? If so, trim them to a foot lower than the window sill level.

3. Trees should not hamper visibility to your house. Also ensure that burglars can't use trees to gain access to your second floor windows and doors. Trim trees so that the lowest branches are seven feet or more above the ground.

4. Large gauge gravel causes noise when burglars walk on it. Placing them under windows is a good psychological deterrent.

5. Use fencing around your house and keep gates locked (even when you are at home, if possible). This sounds elementary, but locked gates prevent burglars from making off easily with large items!

In other words, ensure that there are no quick exits from the house.

6. Grow thorny plants under windows and along fences. They are very discouraging to burglars. Fencing using thorny plants is as good as barbed wire fencing and looks a whole lot better.

7. Ensure that street numbers are clearly visible from the street. This helps anyone responding to emergency calls to reach your home faster.

House numbers placed on your house should be six inches high and made of reflective material. Alternatively, use black on white lettering. The numbers should be illuminated at night.

Paint your house number on the curb in front of your driveway, using black lettering on white background.

8. Don't leave ladders and tools lying around. They should be locked away in a in a storage area or garage.

Get these eight things right and you will have enhanced your home security to a level that will make many potential burglars uneasy about targeting your home.

James Strobes is a home and office security consultant. For information on home security in general, home security alarm systems and more, see the foregoing links

Is Your Home Security System Protecting You

Home Security Systems

Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.

Alarm companies don't make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.

Tip #1 Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent a marketing company. Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.

Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You'll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals.

Tip #2 Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company, not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.

Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a "FREE" security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.

Since the installation charge doesn't cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These "deals" or equipment leases aren't necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
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