Security Cameras Can Provide Safety

Security Cameras - Photo: Pixabay

For some homeowners who want the idea of feeling safer have security cameras installed over their garages aimed at the driveway or street, and possibly another one over their door entrance.  Or at the back door entrance of the home.

Often times these security cameras are basic, and some simply record surveillance, while others can show real-time viewing. The idea of having a security camera allows the homeowners to feel at peace knowing the camera is installed. 

Most of the time if an intruder sees the security camera he or she will do everything possible to avoid the camera, and in essence feel as though there are other additional security measures taken on the house. Such as door alarms or window alarms. In this case, an intruder would initially leave the premises trying to avoid being seen on the security camera. 

Another reason homeowners have security cameras installed might be if they travel a lot, the security cameras video the surroundings while they are away and if any type of vandalism or break-in does occur, the appropriate measures can be taken.

Some apartment complexes have security cameras at the entrance of the establishments for safety reasons as well. Each time a vehicle or person goes through the entrance the security camera overseas, and often times the security cameras can be set to move after a few minutes then move again. At least at one point of a camera's movement in such an area like an apartment complex, the security camera will aim for the tags of vehicles. This is often successful for safety precautions when vehicles that don't belong in the complex are recorded or viewed on the security camera.

Security cameras are used in several different areas for safety purposes. Although in some cases, the cameras are out of view of the public eye. Security cameras are a good source of watching what is going on exactly and no one can lie about incidents that might occur. Especially in heavily populated areas.  Security cameras have increased in use by almost 60% over the last decade. By retailers as well as private use.

So the fact remains obvious that security cameras being used to provide safety measures for a lot of people, even those who don't really like the idea of security cameras being in use. They feel although in some ways it does interfere with their right to privacy they realize the increase of the acts of violence in the United States today. Therefore, they are not going to complain.

If a security camera is in a parking lot and their car is stolen in most cases it can be retrieved, not to mention they have that peace of mind of walking to their cars under surveillance and know that there is a lower risk of being attacked or abducted by someone intending to harm them or hurt them in order to gain access to their belongings or their vehicle. There's just too much crime to not have security cameras in most places today.

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Basic FIRE PREVENTION

Photo: Pixabay

According to the estimates of USFA in the year 2004 alone the number of fires that took place in the United States was 1.5 million. The estimated loss in dollars stood at a staggering 9.8 billion dollars. More horrific figures reveal loss of the death of about 3,900 approximately and about 18,000 injuries the same year. The USFA also said that during the same year the fatalities due to fires surpassed fatalities due to all sources combined. 

And the USFA also adds that even this number could be small in actuality as many small fires are not reported. The statistics also reveal that more than eighty-three percent of all fatalities and eighty percent of the total injuries due to fires took place in homes. These figures come as a bitter surprise as most of the fires are pretty much preventable if adequate precautions are taken. Following certain basic fire safety guidelines could greatly reduce the chances of fires and protect the homes and people from this disaster from striking. 

One of the best ways to prevent home fires is to install smoke detectors on every floor of the home and also fire alarms. But, installing the smoke detectors alone would not serve the purpose. Some people think that “once installed forever installed” after installing smoke detectors. But, the fact is many a time the smoke detectors don’t work and do not detect smoke due to mere negligence on behalf of the house owner. The smoke detectors batteries should be tested and checked on a regular basis and in fact, the smoke detector should also be tested in whole. Make it a point to replace the battery every year. Do not smoke at home. It is one of the biggest causes of home fires. 

The next big cause is an electrical short circuit. Use properly rated wires for house wiring and so does other components. Also when plugging in electrical gadgets check the voltage rating to avoid short circuits. Also, keep cords at a distance from rugs and carpet. Disconnect any appliance when done using. Replace old appliances or fix them before they become an electrical fire hazard. Also, use circuit breakers in the house wiring and also for plugging outlets to prevent fires due to overloading. 

In recent years a lot of fires have been experienced due to electrical heaters to supplement home heating. Care should be taken to keep portable heaters at a distance from combustible materials to prevent fires. Also, go for heaters that have auto shutoff in case of overloading or overheating. 

Fireplaces are also one of the biggest fire hazards in houses with fireplaces. Use screens to prevent fire spark from flying off to the outside of the fireplace. Keep combustible material at a distance from the fireplace to prevent them from catching fire. Also, do not overload the fireplace with excessive wood, which may cause a sudden outburst of fire within a few seconds and unexpectedly. Clean the chimneys periodically to help smoke escape freely into the air and also to clean bird nests which can catch fire. 

Have an escape plan ready for the home. It is a good idea to be also prepared for a fire. Practicing an escape from time to time also increases response during the times of actual fire. Have a plan for every room in the house. 

Educating the house inmates especially children would make evacuation plan easier in the event of an emergency. Children are especially fascinated by fires and like to create fires, about a hundred thousand fires a year are started by children while playing. 

People have a negligent attitude towards fire safety, especially during the holidays. They relax every rule just for fun and end up paying a huge price for that. Care should be taken even while selecting a Christmas tree, see that it’s not too big so as to make it difficult to manage and which can catch fire easily. Decorations which are non-flammable in nature should be used to decorate homes. 

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DIY Burglar Alarm Kit: Keeping Your Home Safe and Sound

Burglar Alarm - Photo: Wikimedia

The home security systems that are considered very important in homes today are burglar alarms. What is exciting about it is that there are DIY (Do It Yourself) kits which provide easy installation for many homeowners. 

However, it is necessary for individuals who are going to use a burglar alarm system to know and understands its basics. Burglar alarms are sensors capable of detecting someone who enters your home. Then these sensors take actions such as making loud piercing noises, call the police, make valuables safe as much as possible, and do other safety measures. 

Generally, these burglar alarms are hard-wired in the walls of your home. This is done to keep it intact preventing it from being removed or disabled. In this manner, the alarm will be easily triggered when tampered. However, the mechanisms which activate or deactivate it vary widely. It could use a more common key and Personal Identification Number (PIN) or even hi-tech fingerprint systems. 

Many people prefer the DIY burglar alarm system kit as they can be less expensive. These systems can be wireless or wired as mentioned earlier. These are capable of setting off audible alarms whenever an intruder moves or breaks into the house.

These systems are available in two types. It can be either a closed or an open circuit. If the alarm has an open circuit design, the alarm works whenever its circuit is closed. Take for example when a window or door is opened, the circuit is completed setting off the alarm. If the alarm has a closed circuit design, the alarm works in opposite ways. When a window or door is opened, the circuit breaks setting off the alarm. 

These burglar alarm systems kits can include (a.) single premise alarm systems which provide specific features such as door alarms, heat or smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and others (b.) local alarm systems which creates sounds when intrusion takes place (c.)  Telephone dialer alarms which can dial a specified phone number when the alarm is triggered (d.) monitored security systems which are monitored constantly by an alarm company 

Keep in mind that there are existing home security systems rated as more advanced equipment. Some salesman could play on the fear of people for crimes in order to sell them their latest alarm system that is controlled by computers, complete with expert installations that are expensive, and monitoring center open 24-hours on a monthly-basis subscription. As a potential buyer, you should also weigh different options when purchasing DIY alarm systems kits. Sometimes it can be very luxurious yet unnecessary. 

Some people have thought of different ideas to cut down their expenses on purchasing burglar alarms. Their DIY burglar alarm system is made from an alarm box which resembles a real burglar alarm box installed outside their house. This could prevent all hassles and expenses of obtaining the real alarm system. Nevertheless, make sure it actually looks real since you cannot fake experienced burglars. It is a rule to make it a secret or else your efforts would be useless. 

Remember, it is not the features of the burglar alarm system that is making the difference. The secret of using this home security device is keeping the burglars away from your home. The burglar's tendency is to avoid alarm boxes outside your home since they will unlikely expose themselves to great troubles.  

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Security Cameras You Don't See

Photo: Flickr

Did you know that the malls we shop in every day have security cameras hidden all over the place? And, not necessarily in the individual stores. However, some of the small stores within the malls do have security cameras too, and these in some cases you can see. 

So where are all the security cameras? You would be surprised. I know I would be. But, seriously, you don't think these security "keepers" are actually going to say where the security cameras are. Security cameras are so small now, they can be placed and mounted in many areas, some even in water.

Security cameras can also be disguised to where it is virtually impossible to know where the security cameras are. It amazes me because I had no idea just how many malls have placed so many security cameras within the malls. The bigger malls have even more security cameras. Most of the stores have security cameras; some, of course, you can see, while there are others that are not obvious to you. 

The crime rate is so high-security cameras are on the rise so loss prevention will not affect the cost of the selling of merchandise. Every time some shoplifts and gets away with it, then not only does the store dealers suffer but in a sense consumers suffer the loss as well. Simply put, in order to compensate for theft, the prices for their merchandise would certainly go up.

For this purpose, security cameras are being placed in positions and areas where they will blend in with the surroundings as well as the buildings or lighting fixtures. These security cameras can be placed almost anywhere. Some are small and some may be somewhat bigger in size, however, they will most likely be out of sight. In one mall, at a toy store, a display stuffed teddy bear was where a security camera was actually placed. It seemed that in that one part of the store in the mall, the security cameras that were being used had somewhat of a blind spot and this made it an opportunity for those who were apparently trying to shoplift during the holiday season, get their task accomplished. However, with the security camera in a place where it was, many shoplifters were actually stopped by security at the entrance of the store. This store can't be thankful enough for the use of security cameras.

However, with the use of security cameras, the shoplifting in malls is getting increasingly harder to do. Shoplifting in the malls have gone down a lot, however, smaller stores are still feeling the effects, some just don't have enough security cameras in the right places of the store.

Some store owners with the mall believe its wise to show the security cameras, basically letting shoppers know they are under surveillance. This can be a positive conception, especially to those who feel they can get away with shoplifting.

This being the case, more shoppers will be able to enjoy savings, while the security cameras will hopefully continue to defer those who would like to shoplift and not pay for items.

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Guns And HOME SECURITY

Home Security - Photo: Flickr

Guns have always been a sure way to protect yourself and your home, although things have changed quite a bit over the years.  Even though those who live in the United States have a right to bear arms, there are also certain responsibilities that come along as well.  Those who own guns have the responsibility of protecting their home and their family - and also their guns.  Anyone who owns a gun may have self-protection in mind - although he also has a priority to protect his guns as well.

Anyone who owns a gun should never allow them to fall into someone else’s hands.  To ensure this never happens, the gun owner should always keep his gun collection locked away in a safe or gun cabinet. You can get many different sizes of gun safes, that will hold a variable amount of guns. Anything can happen if the wrong individual gets a hold of your guns, which is why you should always make sure that they are well protected - and locked up.

Gun owners can protect their own property as well, by storing their guns in fireproof gun safes.  Fireproof gun safes can protect guns and keep them safe, even if everything else burns to the ground.  Even though gun owners have the responsibility to keep their guns out of the reach of others, they also have the right to ensure that no harm comes to their guns as well.

Fireproof guns safes will also keep guns safe from children as well.  All children are curious and like to get their hands on anything they can.  If you leave your guns lying around and not locked up, a child will eventually find it.  You should also ensure that your guns are never loaded either, as a child can really hurt himself if he finds a loaded gun.  Although you may keep your guns locked up in a fireproof safe - you should also make sure that the ammo is out of the guns and locked away in the safe as well.

Keep in mind that children may look for your gun on purpose, knowing that the guns are something that you use.  Therefore, simply putting your guns on a higher shelf doesn’t really protect your children.  If a child wants something bad enough, he or she will do anything possible to get it.  The only real way to keep your guns safe from children is to ensure that they are always locked up in fireproof safe or traditional gun safe.

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Children may show interest in guns at an early age, which can be a good thing but can also be a bad thing.  At a young age, a child won’t know anything about gun safety.  Therefore, if a child happens to come across your guns, bad things can happen.  If you have guns if your home, you should always make a point to teach your children gun safety.  This way, they will know that they aren’t allowed to handle your guns, and they’ll be aware of what can happen if they do.

By keeping your guns in a fireproof safe or traditional gun safe, you’ll keep your guns safe from children or others.  Fireproof safes will also keep your guns safe from fire as well, which makes them an ideal investment.  Although you can also get a traditional gun safe if you prefer, fireproof safes are by far the best way to go.  You can keep your guns safe from children, others, and even fire - which makes them more than worth the money.