Home Security Systems

Home security systems provide people with peace of mind and, as the name suggests, security. Adding gates, locks, alarms and even safes to a home is becoming common practice for people who want to protect their families and property.
 
 
When adding security to your home, it's important to consider all points of entry, including:
  • front, back and side doors
  • garage doors
  • pet doors
  • sliding doors
  • windows.
All of these will need to be secured to ensure that no one can break into your home. Locks, deadbolts and door blocks for sliding doors (i.e. a pole-like device that prevents a sliding door from opening) are all essential when enhancing the security of your home.
 
Pet doors will need to be blocked when homeowners are not at home. This can be done by sliding a hard piece of wood or plastic behind the pet door from the inside of the home. Alternatively, some high-tech pet doors come with collars for pets that allow the door to open. The pet door will remain rigid unless the animal wearing the collar approaches.
 
Gates and bars can also be helpful in securing the outside of a home. Bars prevent window entry, while gates make it difficult or impossible to penetrate the grounds of a property.
 
Home alarms are the next step in home security. Alarms can include motion sensors, intruder alerts and even 24-hour surveillance. Generally, an alarm will create a loud noise to alert home occupants in the event of an intrusion and may also send an alert to the police or the alarm company.
 
To protect specific items in the home against thieves, natural disasters or fires, home safes are also effective security devices. Safes come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can even be installed in walls or home flooring. To open these safes, you will generally need to enter in a code or unlock it with a key.
 
In this section, we'll cover all aspects of home security. We'll discuss types of bars, gates and locks, home alarm system options and the many types of home safes.

Bars, Gates and Locks

To protect the exterior of a home from intrusion, bars, gates and locks can be extremely helpful. Gates protect a home's yard and surroundings, often preventing unwanted visitors from entering a property. Some gates even come with remote controls and buzzers that require visitors to be allowed in by someone inside the home.
 
Along with gates, bars on windows can also help prevent break-ins. Locks should be placed on all doors in a home, including side doors, front and back doors, garage doors and even sliding doors.
 
Those wanting to secure their home from intrusion should carefully consider bars, gates and locks.

Home Alarms

While home alarms don't make a home burglar-proof, they offer added security and, in many cases, deter would-be burglars from attempting to break in. Most home alarm companies, such as Brinks Home Security and ADT Home Alarm, provide stickers and signs that make it known that your home has an alarm.
 
Additionally, many systems will contact the police and other authorities if a break-in is detected. Peace of mind and added security for your family and possessions can be gained through installation of home alarms.

Home Safes

For irreplaceable and valuable possessions, many people choose to install home safes. Home safes can be small or large and come in a variety of shapes. Some safes are fireproof and waterproof to protect valuables in the event of flood or fire. Most come equipped with key locks or combination locks.
 
Some people may choose walls or the area under their carpets as the perfect places to hide their home safes.
 
Resource
 
San Diego Police Department (n.d.). Home Security. Retrieved February 28, 2008, from the SD Police Web site.