People have been using some kind of security system for more than 100 years. The wireless security system has permitted businesses and homeowners to enlarge their safety zone by going wireless.

People who could afford to have customized commercial security systems installed generally had large homes, many valuable possessions, and a family to protect. This was a relatively small number of individuals. Alarms were intended to alert the residents of the house and to summon police. Any monitoring of sensors and cameras was done by the homeowner. In addition to the high cost of installation, this was not a wireless security system.

Over time and as the popularity of home security grew, the cost of the equipment became more affordable. When a homeowner purchased an alarm system, sensors were installed and wired to a central control panel. Wires were run through the walls. Early on, the best the average homeowner could afford was a system attached to a siren placed in the attic or crawl space. When the system was triggered, a very loud siren alerted the homeowner and the neighbors. The hope was that someone would call the police. There was still work to be done to produce a wireless security system.

As the industry grew and matured, security professionals realized that more important than revenue derived from installing security systems was regularly recurring income from the system. This would result in the birth of system monitoring. Although the industry was not yet ready for a wireless security system, it was possible to monitor a home security system remotely using either a telephone line or a cable communication system.

Technology finally took home security wireless. This dramatic innovation vastly expanded the safety zone for people who installed or updated to a wireless security system. Not only did wireless technology bring to an end the mess and limitation of the placement of wires and sensors, it also introduced many new possibilities. It is, in fact, the wireless security system that now provides the home security systems with the greatest flexibility, variety, and range of protection of both people and property.

The wireless security system has facilitated many innovations and improvements in home security. Some of those innovations include:

- Soundless burglar alarms

- Remote internet viewing on laptop or phone of surveillance cameras

- Unrestricted (by proximity) intercom systems

- Remote control of appliances, sensors and alarms

- Remote monitoring of emergency needs

- High and low temperature sensors and alerts

- Monitoring of persons with special needs (disabled, elderly)

- No-mess installation

- No ugly wires to stress sensors (under carpet)

- Communication with company hub or emergency services by radio signal

- Mobile panic button alarms

- Ability to also secure garages, storage sheds and other accessory buildings

- Burglars cannot disable the system by cutting a wire

From the bulky device on the front door connected to a loud siren to the amazing capabilities of today’s wireless security system, home security has made great progress in recent years. Today home security is affordable, quick and easy to install, comprehensive and customizable to meet the needs of each family. The wireless security system truly offers an array of safety and security devices and monitoring options that can meet any family’s needs. These systems bring greater comfort and peace of mind than every before.

Every homeowner knows the primary use for a home security camera is to monitor access to the home. The camera might be positioned to monitor activity in the yard, or to monitor doors and windows on one or more sides of the house.

These cameras provide security for your home in two ways. First, a home security camera can be monitored around the clock for unusual activity. Second, they can be used to trigger other events, such as setting off an alarm, turning on lights, locking doors and windows, or notifying the police or the homeowner (when away from the house).

There are, however, five additional uses for a home security camera that are important and valuable to many homeowners. Each of these uses is relevant to ensuring the safety of various members of your family at particular times. Five other uses for your home security camera are:

1. A nanny or sitter camera. Many parents are reluctant to leave their young children, especially infants, with sitters or caregivers who are not members of the family. We have all heard stories of children being abused, harmed or neglected by paid caregivers. A home security camera can be used to monitor or film everything happening in your child’s bedroom or in your family room (or both) while your child is in the care of someone else. Many systems even allow you to monitor live (real-time) everything within the range of the security camera while you are away from home.
2. A safety monitor for an elderly parent or grandparent. One of the most difficult changes for many elderly adults is relinquishing one’s independence. While family members might understand this struggle, they are also concerned about the safety and security of their loved ones. A home security camera is one way to monitor activity in the parent’s house or apartment without becoming intrusive. For example, a home security camera directed to the area where medications are kept, can provide a convenient, yet unobtrusive, way for the loved one to check in with family at least once or twice each day. It also provides the assurance that the parent or grandparent is taking medications on schedule.
3. A monitor for persons who are ill and require the assistance of a home care or nursing service. The practice of hiring a home care or a skilled nursing service to monitor or care for someone who is ill and lives too far away to be visited daily is becoming more common. Although this practice ensures that appropriate care is being delivered, one can never be too careful. A home security camera can enable family members to keep an eye on what is happening. Does the caregiver arrive on schedule? Does the caregiver stay for the expected amount of time? When the loved one checks in on camera each day, are there any signs of abuse or danger?
4. A monitor for persons with disabilities. Modern technology has enabled many persons with a variety of disabilities to continue to live independently. Sometimes, however, certain types of assistance are needed. Whether someone needs to check in regularly to monitor assistive equipment or to provide care or assistance, a home security camera can track who comes and goes, when they arrive and depart, and can be a mechanism by which family members can be assured visibly that a disabled person is safe and healthy.
5. A monitor for pets left home alone. Whether you have an exuberant dog, an untrained puppy or a bird that knows how to open the cage door and flies around the house, there can be many reasons to want to know what pets are doing when they are home alone. For people who travel and leave their pets at home with a friend coming in to feed and care for the pet, a home security camera can provide reassurance that the pet is being cared for properly. Whether you have the camera inside, so you can see what the pet is doing, whether the food bowl is full or empty, etc. or it is outside and monitoring the friend or neighbor’s arrival and departure from the house, a home security camera can be your eyes and ears when you must leave a pet alone.

Whether you agree that five of the best uses for a home security camera are the ones listed here, your imagination and creativity can probably identify some other great uses for a security camera. To identify the right camera and the right monitoring service for your security needs, contact your local home security expert. He or she will be able to advise you and help you find the best solution for your needs and your budget.

Keeping children safe is the top priority of most parents. But it sometimes seems that there is another danger for young children at every turn. Fortunately, manufacturers of alarm security systems and burglar alarms are paying more attention to the heartbreaking number of children who die every year in the USA because of unintentional injuries. What these companies are discovering is that they can dramatically reduce these figures by creating devices that sound an alarm.  Alarm security system configurations can take into account the need to protect young children.

In 2006 (the most recent data available), just over 20% of all deaths of children age 14 and under occurred due to some type of unintentional injury. A large number of those deaths might have been prevented with the right alarm security system and monitoring configuration.

Accidental drowning of children ages 1-4 resulted in more than 111,000 deaths in 2006, and the vast majority of these fatalities occurred in back yard swimming pools. More than 650,000 children died from accidental poisoning in 2006. The saddest truth in all of these statistics is that many of these children might still be alive if the right alarm security system had been installed in their homes.

Most parents are aware of the need to try to “child-proof” their homes. We have been told to put medicines in cabinets or drawers that are out of the reach of children. We are told that child-proof latches will keep children out of cabinets where we store items that might be dangerous to them. Parents place their trust in these latches and doorknob covers and the like which we are told are child proof. What parents need is an alarm security system.

My experience is that the first person in the house who is able to manipulate anything that claims to be child proof is usually the youngest child in the house. I have also noted the pleasure children derive from crawling under things, climbing on top of things, and generally getting into places parents think they cannot go. The most frightening part of all this activity is that parents don’t know their children have out-maneuvered these devices until it is too late. But this does not need to happen with an alarm security system.

Keeping children safe from falling into a family pool and drowning should consist of more than trusting that a gate or door is locked or inaccessible to young children and instructions to stay away from the pool. Parents have immediate access to several styles of alarms that will make some kind of sound to get their attention before a child is in danger.  Access to the pool area can be monitored by a camera, a stress sensor in the flooring (activated when weight is applied), a motion detector, thermal detector of a person present or a switch sensor on the door or gate. These can be programmed as part of an alarm security system to either sound a chime to let you know someone has activated them, or to sound an alarm or siren if activated. There are also alarms that are activated by movement of the water in the pool.

Similarly, instead of installing child proof latches on medicine cabinets, storage areas for cleaning substances or other dangerous areas for young children, parents can purchase and install an inexpensive alarm for these cabinet doors or drawers. These alarm security system devices actually give parents time to react and prevent harm to their children.

Finally, there are devices and monitoring configurations created for the elderly, as part of an alarm security system, which can be of tremendous help in monitoring their activities while at home. There are panic button bracelets and pendants a senior can activate if afraid or in danger. There are motion sensors that will sound an alert if there is no activity in a particular area at specified times. There are also devices that will monitor the length of time spent in a specific place (the bathroom, for example) and trigger an alarm if the person does not come out in a reasonable amount of time.

New devices are being developed regularly. It is increasingly easy with an alarm security system to protect your children from harm and from many unintentional injuries that could result in death. Your local security professional can help you identify and customize the devices that can help you keep your children safe even at home and in their own yard with an alarm security system configured for your needs.

In most cities, a few minutes of research reveals a constantly growing list of local alarm companies. More and more people are turning to these alarm companies to protect their homes and their families. Choosing among them can seem to be a daunting task.

If the decision is approached in clearly defined steps, it becomes more manageable and far less overwhelming:

Understand Your Needs

What do you need from a security system? Do you want to make your house a fortress, or do you want to install enough to create a ruckus if someone tries to break in? Do you want to monitor any part of your home or property?

Who or what are you trying to protect, and from what? Are there children, someone with a disability, elderly family members? Are you most concerned about people or possessions?

What do you want the alarm companies to accomplish for you? Do you want to immediately notify and request the appropriate emergency services (police, fire)? Do you want to have alarms go off? Do you want the alarms to alert you or your neighbors?

Decide Which Alarm Companies to Interview

Ask everyone you know, who has alarms, what kind of experience they had with various alarm companies. Are they happy? Why? Why not? Call your insurance company and ask for recommendations. Contact the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and request a list of member companies in your region. Consider which companies you have heard about and what you heard. Rule out those for which you received bad reviews.

Check with the local office of the Better Business Bureau. Find out how each of the alarm companies is ranked. Ask about any and all consumer complaints filed against any of the companies you are considering. Find out how the problem was resolved. Remember, some people complain about everything. Keep in mind that you might learn more about a company from the way they deal with problems. Check out the companies with your local police department, the state licensing agencies, and consumer protection agencies.

Do you want to focus on local and locally monitored alarm companies or national businesses?  Do the companies offer equivalent equipment and equivalent monitoring and notification?

Interview at Least Three (preferably five) Companies

Ask enough questions to be sure you trust the company. Find out how they can respond to each of your needs. Consider who has the best equipment. Will they require you to buy or rent the equipment? How soon can it be installed? Who offers the best monitoring? Which alarm companies have the systems in place to allow you to monitor from another location?

Which alarm companies offer specialized services or equipment to meet your needs for protecting each member of your family? How expensive are these additional services? It is a good idea to make some notes as you interview so you can refer back to them when you are making a decision. As you ask each of the alarm companies the same questions, it can become difficult to distinguish between the answers.

Ask about the company’s licensing, insurance and bonding. Find out if all installers are properly licensed and certified on the specific equipment they will install. Also ask about how the company screens their employees.

Choose the Best of the Alarm Companies for Your Needs

Review all of the information you have gathered and compare it with your needs. Narrow down your list of companies.

Compare prices and eliminate any companies that are priced beyond your budget. Also rule out companies priced extremely high or extremely low. Compare the security offered, customer service, your level of trust, and the time until the system can be installed and operative. Ask about warranties on equipment and installation.

Based on this information, choose from the alarm companies you interviewed the one that is the best match for your needs and your budget. Then have the system installed. As soon as the installer leaves your home, change the access code and the password.

Burglar Alarm System

Thirty minutes in front of the television at the local news hour should convince anyone of two facts: first, the number of burglaries and home invasions is not declining, and, second, these types of crimes are being committed in places we always thought were safe. Crime is no longer restricted to the cities; burglary and home invasion is now happening more and more frequently in rural areas. Yet only about one-fourth of the homes in America are protected by a burglar alarm system. In fact, almost half of the residential burglaries each year are accomplished without forcible entry into the home.

Understand your Burglar Alarm System Needs

The first step in selecting your home burglar alarm system is to assess and understand your needs. One way to approach this task is to sit down and simple make a list of your concerns. What are the fears that haunt your dreams? Are you concerned about the safety of your children? Do you struggle to keep track of an aging parent who has a tendency to wander off? Do you have valuable electronics equipment in the home? Do you have a collection of art, jewelry, or antiques?

The next step is to review in your mind recent news stories that have made you feel less secure. Has there been an increase in the crime rate? Has there been a home invasion nearby? Has there been a rash of car thefts?

Now think about your property. Does your yard adjoin a wooded area? Are you in a high-crime neighborhood? Is your street heavily traveled or not? Is the street dark at night or well lit? Do you participate in a neighborhood watch program?

Finally, think about your family and their lifestyle. Do you have small children, teenagers, someone with a physical or mental disability, or someone with Alzheimer’s Disease in the family? Are people coming and going at all hours? Is the house empty for most of the day or evening?

How Much Burglar Alarm System Do You Need?

If you think you will be on a tight budget, you might want to think through your burglar alarm system options in terms of what you need and what would give you greatest comfort. Think about the components of security systems and how important they are to you. For example:

• Gate and Fence alarm
• Open/opening doors
• Open/opening windows
• Activity in your yard
• Movement in all or parts of your home
• Alarm or alert for lack of customary activity
• Glass Breaking
• Smoke detection
• Fire/heat detection
• Detection of temperature extremes
• Carbon Monoxide presence
• Radon Gas
• Flooding
• Keeping children away from harmful substances

Before you leave this section, take a minute to think about the flip side of intrusion alarms. Are there people you need to keep inside? Do you want a way to know if someone has gone outside or left the yard? Do you need a burglar alarm system that can help you with this?

Other Questions to Consider

There are a few other questions you might want to consider before you select your burglar alarm system.

1. Do you want a hard-wired or a wireless burglar alarm system?
2. How long do you plan to remain in your present home?
3. Do you anticipate significant changes in the makeup of the family in the near future?
4. What kind of monitoring of your burglar alarm system do you want?
5. Do you want to be able to monitor or record activity in or around your home?

With this information in hand, you will be well prepared to have a discussion with a home security professional. Even if you think you want to install the burglar alarm system on your own, it is important to feel certain that you have covered all the necessary bases. Some home security professionals offer consulting services billed on an hourly basis. Work with a reliable home security professional to choose the burglar alarm system that fits your budget and meets the needs of your family.