Home Security Systems

A good home security system can offer you peace of mind and an added layer of protection. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an estimated 1,515,096 burglaries happened in the U.S. in 2016 for total property losses of $3.6 billion. The National Council for Home Safety and Security reports that homes that do not have security systems have a 300 times greater chance of being burglarized than homes that have systems installed. Installing an alarm system in your home can offer you multiple benefits, including a reduced risk of criminal victimization, added peace of mind, protection for your family and your belongings, and insurance discounts.

Despite the benefits, only about 17 percent of homes in the U.S. have alarm systems installed, according to a report in the New York Times. By choosing to install a home security system, you can reap the benefits that they have to offer. However, it is important that you understand both the benefits of alarm systems as well as the different types that are available so that you can choose the system that will best meet your needs and your budget. 

Best-Selling Home Security Alarm Products

• Top 10 Best Diy Home Security Systems
• Guardline DA1000 Wireless Driveway Alarm

Insurance Discounts For Having an Alarm System

In addition to providing you with a feeling of greater safety and protection, a key benefit of installing an alarm system in your home is the insurance discounts that you can enjoy. Insurance company representatives encourage homeowners to install home security systems while touting the benefits that they offer. When a system is installed, burglars are less likely to attempt break-ins and may move along rather than risk being caught.

A survey that was conducted by the Electronic Security Association of the 10 biggest insurers in the U.S. found that they offered premium discounts on average of up to 20 percent for the installation of home security systems. The largest discounts were given to homeowners who had monitored systems installed in their homes. According to Zacks, homeowners insurance premiums can range from $300 to $1,000 per year. If you receive a premium discount on your insurance for installing a monitored alarm system and receive a 20 percent discount, you could potentially enjoy savings on your annual insurance premiums of $60 to $200 annually. While your insurance savings will likely not completely pay for the cost of monitoring, it can defray it, making your home security system more affordable. You should check with your insurance company to find out the discounts that it offers for home security systems so that you can find out how much you might save.

In addition to protecting your home for would-be burglars, modern alarm systems offer added monitoring and additional protection. Most home security systems also offer monitoring for such things as smoke, fire, water and carbon monoxide. These features may be available with more comprehensive monitoring packages from different home security systems. Since insurance companies may be forced to pay out substantial amounts of money in fire loss claims, they are incentivized to encourage you to install alarm systems that have these added features.

Home Security System Components

A basic home security system consists of several core components. These include the following items:

Control panel

Magnetic contact alarms for doors and windows

Motion sensors

Alarm siren

Keypad

There are other components that might also be useful, including indoor and outdoor security cameras, glass breakage sensors and yard signs and window stickers. All of these components work together to help to keep your home secure. The control panel is the central computer that works to arm and disarm your security system and to communicate with each individual component. If there is a breach, the control panel sounds the alarm and alerts the monitoring company. The keypad is used to program your security system and to key in passcodes to enter the home and to arm or disarm your system. Door and window sensors detect when the doors or windows are opened and communicate that information to the control panel when the system is armed.

Indoor and outdoor security cameras are add-on components that are not generally available with the most basic systems. They can be useful to record areas of your yard that might be used by intruders or to record areas of your home such as entryways. Finally, window stickers and signs in your yard can alert strangers that your home is secured, helping to deter people who are thinking about committing burglaries.

How Many Alarm Sensors Do You Need?

The number of alarm sensors that you need will depend on the size of your home. A basic system may only come with one or two door and window sensors. If you have a larger home, you will likely need to consider adding more sensors. According to The Spruce, you might save money by choosing fewer door and window sensors. However, leaving one door or window unguarded may provide an entry point into your home for burglars. It is best for you to install sensors on all of your doors and windows, including your garage door and windows that you have upstairs. Count your exterior doors and windows to determine how many sensors you should purchase with your home security system for the best protection. You can shop around and ask for discounts to make certain that your system will fit your budget, including with all of the sensors that you need to protect your home.

Wireless vs. Hardwired Security Systems

Home security systems are available as hardwired and wireless systems. While hardwired systems may initially cost less, the costs of installation may outweigh any savings you might have on the initial purchase of the components. There are benefits and advantages of each type of system, which we will cover here.

Hardwired Systems

Hardwired security systems use wires to connect all of the components to the control panel. Traditional hardwired systems also relied on landlines. These systems may cost less initially, but the cost savings can be quickly swallowed by the installation costs. If your home has not been prewired for a home security system, installing a hardwired system will require significant drilling and running wires throughout your home. If you live in a historic home, a home with a lot of interior brickwork or are a renter, a hardwired system may not be the best option for you.

Since these systems often rely on landline telephones, you might also want to opt for a wireless system if you do not have a landline telephone. Hardwired systems may be more reliable in some circumstances than wireless systems that depend on your WiFi or cellular connection. However, burglars may be able to disarm some hardwired systems by cutting your telephone line…The Advantages Of A Hard Wired Home Security System.

Some systems are a combination of wired and wireless features. For example, you might have a wireless control panel and sensors combined with a hardwired connection to your landline. Alternatively, your system might have hardwired sensors and a hardwired control panel that uses a cellular signal to communicate with the outside world. Finally, some hardwired systems rely on a landline connection but have a backup with your cellular signal in case the phone lines are down or are cut.

Wireless Systems

Wireless alarm systems may cost more for the components than hardwired systems. However, they are much simpler to install. If you choose a wireless system, you will not have to worry about drilling into your walls and running wires. Wireless home security systems are normally portable, allowing you to take them with you if you move and install them in your new home. Wireless systems use radio transmitters to communicate with the components and your home’s broadband internet connection to send signals when the alarm is activated. The systems may also use cellular signals to communicate information to the monitoring station. Some wireless systems also offer interactive monitoring via the internet so that you can monitor your home from wherever you might be on your smart device… Choosing and Installing a Wireless Home Security System.

Wireless systems may have batteries in each component. If you have a large home, replacing the batteries in all of the components can be expensive. When you replace the batteries, you will have to reset the system. The battery life for the transmitters of your wireless system should last from three to five years. In hardwired systems, there is generally just one battery in your control panel, which should also last from three to five years.

Remote Access and Home Automation

One handy feature of some modern home alarm systems is called remote access control. This feature allows you to monitor what is going on in your home from anywhere. Some of the higher-end models even offer full-blown home automation functionality, allowing you to do such things as lock or unlock your doors from afar and to control your lights if you have smart locks and lights installed in your home.

If you have smart appliances in your home such as a smart stove, having remote access control can also allow you to check your stove to make certain it is turned off without having to turn around and run home. You can view videos of your home from your mobile device or your laptop, arm or disarm your system and check to make certain that your children have arrived safely and have entered your house without worries.

Professional vs. DIY Alarm Installation

Deciding whether to choose a do-it-yourself alarm installation or a professional installation will depend largely on you. If you are a person who is handy, you may be comfortable installing an alarm system in your home by yourself. If you are technophobic, by contrast, you might want to instead rely on the work of professionals for your alarm installation. Beyond that, there are three main types of alarm systems that require varying levels of installation expertise.

If you are purchasing a complete wired home security system, it will take a professional installer up to three days to install it in your home. If you are handy and able to do it yourself, it will likely take you several weekends to complete the job. Whole-house wired security systems offer protections for your home’s perimeter and all entry points. They normally have central monitoring with your landline, cellular signal or internet connection and can dispatch emergency personnel such as the police and the fire department if there is an emergency… All About DIY Home Security Systems.

Basic alarm systems are often wireless and may have perimeter controls along with a couple of motion detectors. With these types of systems, there is often an all-in-one unit that has the control panel and the keypad along with transmitters, motion detectors and a couple of door or window sensors. These systems may take you a couple of days to install while a professional will likely be able to install them in a single day.

Finally, plug-and-play home security systems are available. These are normally available as single devices that detect the patterns of activity in your home. When the conditions in your home deviate from normal, they will sound an alarm. These types of systems only take a few minutes for you to install but only cover limited areas in your home. Whether you choose to install a system yourself or hire a professional, you will need to consider how extensive your system will be and how comfortable you are with technology.

Self Monitored Systems vs. Alarm Monitoring Companies

Home security systems are also available with self-monitoring or professional alarm monitoring. There are pros and cons of each type that you should consider.

Professionally Monitored Systems

Professionally monitored alarm systems may include multiple sensors and cameras. These systems send alerts to a professional monitoring company whenever the alarm is triggered. Professional monitoring companies have staff available 24 hours per day and seven days per week. When they receive an alert from your system, they will call your phone to make certain that the system wasn’t accidentally triggered. If it was not, the company will contact the authorities in your area so that they are promptly dispatched to your home.

There are several advantages of professionally monitored alarm systems. You won’t have to worry about calling the authorities or monitoring your system when you are away from your home. They normally will cover all areas of your home and have backup batteries so that they can continue to run in the event that the power in your home goes out… Tips for Choosing a Home Security Company.

Professionally monitored alarm systems also have some disadvantages. Most of these systems require you to sign a contract for a few years. The companies charge monthly fees for the monitoring that you will have to pay. If the alarm is accidentally set off when you are away from home, you won’t know if it was triggered by your children or by an intruder. If the police are sent to your home when there is no sign of forced entry, you might receive a charge for sending a false alarm.

Self-Monitored Diy Alarm Systems

Self-monitored systems may include numerous components. Instead of having them monitored by a professional company, you monitor these types of systems yourself. When the alarm is triggered, a notification will be sent to your phone. You can then handle it by asking your neighbor to check your home or by calling 911. Some of these systems have cameras with two-way communication, allowing you to tell burglars that you see that they are on camera and that the police are on the way.

Self-monitored systems have several advantages and disadvantages. They are generally less expensive than their professionally monitored counterparts. Since you will be monitoring the system yourself, you won’t have to worry about paying ongoing monthly monitoring fees. You can decide whether or not to call the police so that you can avoid being charged for false alarms. Finally, these systems have video cameras so that burglars can be caught on film, which can be helpful to the police to use to catch someone.

There are several disadvantages of self-monitored systems, however. If you are in an area in which you have poor reception, you might not receive an alert. Many of these systems depend on your WiFi connection. If it goes down, your home may be unprotected. Some of these systems do not have alarms, so they might not work to scare burglars away even though they might catch them on camera.

Alarm Systems For Renters

If you rent your home, getting a home security system is still important so that you are protected. However, unless your home is already hardwired for a system, you will need to choose one that will not require you to drill or to make alterations to your home. You will want to choose a wireless home security system that is portable. When you move, you should be able to take your system with you and install it in your new residence…Analyzing the Best Security Systems for Apartments.

Wireless systems that have few components might be the best option for renters. You will also want to choose a system that is low cost and that does not require professional monitoring. A good wireless system that is ideal for renters should cost somewhere between $200 to $400 and should allow you to monitor it from your phone.

Home security systems can help you to save money on your insurance while also protecting you and your family from burglaries. Some systems may also protect your home from fires and carbon monoxide leaks. Whether you want a professionally installed and monitored system or a do-it-yourself system that you monitor yourself, installing a home security system can increase your safety and give you added peace of mind. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/alarm-systems/

Window Security

A desire for absolute safety at home presents concerns to anyone whose windows provide vulnerabilities that intruders can exploit. An unlawful entry does far more than break the law; it destroys the sanctity of a home that lets everyone feel protected and safe. Once a breach occurs, only the most effective measures can restore confidence, and prevention can make doubt and fear unnecessary. With a practical approach that incorporates common sense with strategies and products, homeowners can burglarproof windows and improve the overall effectiveness of home security.

The threat of danger from a home break-in creates a definite reason to take preventive action. Based on data from a four-year period, the Department of Justice put the number of household burglaries at 3.7 million each year. The extreme level of fear that a member of a household may experience by witnessing a break-in gets confirmation from the statistics that it happens in about 28 percent of burglaries. In about a quarter of the cases, someone fell victim to violence by the intruder.

Best-Selling Window Security Products

• Top 10 Best Window Alarms

The FBI developed statistics showing that about 2,200,000 burglaries occur each year, and basic math equates that to about 250 per hour. Of course, not all thefts involve breaking through a window, but many do. Some home security experts claim that as many as a third of all burglaries occur through an unlocked door or window. Residential burglaries account for about three-quarters of all such events. As the most vulnerable location in a home, windows have glass that breaks easily and usually attracts no attention from neighbors. An unlocked window that has protection from shrubs provides an invitation to a burglar who wants to get in and out of a house within minutes and without notice.

Some practical and inexpensive options offer homeowners the protection that may restrict access to the ground floor or basement windows. Burglars tend to use experience in choosing a house to burgle, and the ones that have the fewest challenges win their favor, Homeowners can make the approach to a window an unattractive option that may deter would-be burglars.

• Thorny Shrubs

Attractive shrubs can complement a home’s façade and make it appear inviting to friends and family. However, they can make a place for a burglar to hide while breaking a window. A home needs the curb appeal that ornamental shrubs provide, and the process of removing them may attract more attention than necessary. An alternative option that presents beautiful flowers, rose bushes have thorns that almost no one wants to experience. Cactus plants work well in dry climates but not as well in locations that get rain frequently. Windows that people can see when they walk by present less attractive targets than ones that have shrubs or bushes hiding them.

• Overgrowth

An annual trimming of shrubs can prevent them from becoming “leggy,” and it may improve basement window security along with the appearance of the façade as well. The significance of cutting shaggy overgrowth on trees or shrubs for homeowners goes to the matter of home security. Any greenery that blocks the view of a window gives an advantage to a burglar who can hide behind it.

• Obscured Views of the Interior

Burglars want to travel fast with stolen goods, and they tend to take items that weigh little that they can carry when they make a fast getaway. A window that lets a potential burglar see a small piece of electronic equipment, jewelry, a gun, cash, smartphone or drugs may provide an irresistible urge to enter and steal them. Some homeowners may use glass blocks to construct windows that efficiently distort views of the inside of a house.

• Exterior Lighting

Most burglaries occur during the day when jobs keep people away from home, but a well-lit landscape that illuminates windows can lessen the frequency of those that occur after dark.

• Interior Decorating

Windows with no drapes or curtains seem unusual in a society that favors accenting a home with a coordinated décor. Basement windows may not constitute part of a decorating scheme, but every window in a house requires a treatment that carries its color and style. The protection that shades, blinds or drapery provides makes them worth the investment that they require. Solar powered motion sensors offer one of the most convenient applications that homeowners may install to deter unwelcome visitors after dark. Without the need for an electrician to connect power to them, they can start working right out of the box. Manufacturers state the requirements for charging on instructions that come with the lights, and most require at least six hours of full sun every day.

Basement Window Security

Homes that offer sleeping quarters in the basement present concerns about the need to use a window as an escape in case of fire or some other emergency. While the prevention of entry by intruders provides the primary focus of security for basement windows, the ability of someone inside a home to escape requires attention. The placement of preventive measures that affect accessibility may require more consideration than those that do not use the basement as a sleeping area.

• Shatterproof Glass

A glass that breaks easily may prevent the heat or cold air from entering, but that is about all it can offer to safety-conscious homeowners. Shatterproof or shatter-resistant glass requires a puncture tool that can pierce it, and burglars may not have one or choose to take the time to work with it. Do-it-yourselfers can replace the panes in windows with impact-resistant polycarbonate, acrylic or high-security glass under high-profile brand names.

• Window Film

Homeowners can apply a layer of protective film on the inside of a pane to increase the resistance to a break-in. The adhesive on the security window film helps to hold the pieces of a broken window together, defeating a burglar’s efforts to obtain an easy entry. The polyester material can affix to the window glass to improve safety with minimal expense and effort.

• Decorative Impediments to Entry

Window sills offer a perfect place for breakable objects, and they can provide alerts to homeowners of a potential break-in when they fall. When burglars try to crawl through the window, they may brush against one or more, making them fall to the floor and create a noise. Unexpected objects on the floor in front of a window can make a burglar’s entry unsteady and the cause of a racket. Children’s toys or gym equipment may make it difficult for a burglar to obtain a sure footing, generating a sound that may alert people or pets in the home to take evasive action.

• Security Bars

Concerns for access to a window by residents or firefighters may limit the appeal of window security bars for basements, but most manufacturers provide a way to remove them from the inside.

Window Alarms

An alarm that rings out over the neighborhood depends on someone to do something to help or come to the rescue. Almost everyone has heard the piercing sound of an alarm from a neighbor’s house and probably did not do anything about it. A security company in England acknowledges that alerting the neighborhood to a break-in allowed about 76 percent of people to ignore an alarm. Some companies justify an outrageously loud siren as a deterrent that ushers burglars out of the house in their haste to get away from the deafening noise. Advanced technology offers homeowners sophisticated communication methods that make the annoying alerts a thing of the past.

• Magnetic Contact Window Alarms

A sensor and a magnet create a connection on a closed window that produces an alarm when someone interrupts it. Available with wired or wireless connectivity, the devices allow homeowners to install them with minimal effort or get a contractor to connect the wired ones. Instead of broadcasting the alarm to the neighbors, it can send a notification directly to the homeowner’s smartphone.

• Glass Break Detectors

An audio microphone detects the sound of broken glass and causes the detector to sound an alarm. Most units can work from several feet away, making a single device capable of serving multiple windows. The high-pitched sound of breaking glass creates a frequency that causes the detector to respond.

• Vibration Shock Sensors

A detector that responds to activities that may precede a break-in lets vibration shock sensors provide an alert before it happens. Burglars who try to remove parts of a window with tools or force can create enough vibration to make the sensor detect it. Settings can allow the units to tolerate normal conditions to avoid false alarms but still provide protection from outside intrusion.

Window Locks

A lock of almost any type can provide more protection than no lock at all, and many homeowners fail to secure windows with safety devices. Inmates serving time for burglary told an Idaho television station that most of them “broke in through an unlocked door or window.” A trip to a local home improvement store may give homeowners the best way to find a window lock. The most common types of windows include double hung, casement and sliding, and manufacturers design locks for each style. Casement windows use a crank or “operator” to open and close, and they present more difficulty in breaking in even without a lock.

Most models on the market have a low price, and homeowners may wisely wonder about their effectiveness before placing a lot of trust in them. A lightweight metal or plastic device may have an insignificant effect on the force that a burglar executes in a break-in. A pinhole lock may provide the most effective defense, and it can work on double hung windows as well as sliders. However, installation involves drilling a hole in the overlapping area of a window frame and placing a metal pin in the hole. Highly secure, effective and inexpensive, it assures homeowners of a window lock that works.

Burglar Bars

Manufacturers of burglar bars make models that let homeowners choose a design that serves a permanent security need or allows temporary removal for cleaning, emergency or aesthetic purposes. Window security bar kits that do-it-yourselfers can find at home improvement centers and install in an hour or two have three or four stout steel bars within a metal frame. The protective unit’s screws or bolts must pass through the framework of a window and affix to structural framing.

• Permanent

The protection that permanent security bars offer remains constant throughout its lifetime. Houselogic, a site that realtors provide, suggests that some insurance companies may offer discounts. However, the cost-reduction may require the permanent method of installation instead of a burglar bar that swings away or accommodates removal. Custom designs by fabricators may increase the price by as much as five times the do-it-yourself expense with an economical kit from a local store.

• Swing-away

Bars that have hinges can swing away from a fixed position to allow for cleaning or escape during an emergency. Most models have a mechanism that releases the bars quickly from the inside, but some use a padlock that requires a key. In case of a dire situation that requires immediate action, the confusion about how to release the bars may lead to unfortunate outcomes.

• Removable

Homeowners or businesses may prefer removable bars to avoid the appearance of risk that they may imply. The bars can provide safety at night and remain out of sight during the day.

Window Security Film

The International Window Film Association confirms that windows create one of the most vulnerable parts of a home. Security window film that prevents glass from breaking can deter crime, alleviate damage from storms and curtail accidental injury in the house. It meets the same “break safe standards” as those for tempered and heat-strengthened or laminated glass. The ability of security film to hold glass fragments together can serve a dual purpose by preventing cuts from broken windows.

• Crime Prevention

While alarms and security systems provide valuable defenses, they may not have the same level of deterrence against “experienced or determined intruders” that security film offers. The inability to break a window even with a heavy implement often discourages burglars who move along to find an easier target.

• Protection from the Elements

When violent weather sends debris flying with high winds and torrential downpours, the ordinary glass in windows needs protection. Home improvement centers experience a demand for plywood that often exceeds the ability to supply it as a protection for windows when demand increases. A simpler solution to apply that requires no disposal of waste when a storm passes, security film prevents objects from breaking the glass. By eliminating the occurrence of a broken window, it keeps the rain and debris out of a home as well.

Impact-Resistant Glass

Extreme weather events can put the safety of a home in doubt when its windows use ordinary glass. Friends and family members need the assurance that a house can provide the protection that everyone wants every day and night. A reliable way to ensure the strength of windows that can withstand nature’s most stringent tests and resist attempted break-ins requires the installation of impact-resistant glass. Some manufacturers place a tough layer of laminated glass within impact-rated windows that gives them extra strength. While homeowners’ most significant concern involves the sanctity of a home and its safe environment free from intrusion, it does provide many other benefits that may include discounts from insurance companies.

• Energy Usage

Impact resistant windows may help lower energy bills by retaining a home’s heat in the winter and resisting solar heat during the summer. Their seals help deter air leaks and drafts that can rob a house of its energy efficiency.

• Noise Level

The thickness of the impact-resistant windows can lessen the number of outdoor noises that enter a home. A quiet interior space allows friends and family to enjoy conversations, music and dining in comfort.

• Protection from Ultraviolet Light

The furnishings in a home react to ultraviolet light by fading, and the change in color intensity can affect the quality. The sun’s powerful rays can change the color of paint on the walls, furniture, upholstery and artwork.

Privacy Window Film

Property managers suggest that apartment dwellers can benefit from privacy window film that produces some of the same effects as security film. A home may lose as much as one-third of its total heat through doors and windows, causing the HVAC systems to work harder and use more energy. Tinting the windows can make them more energy efficient while providing an increase in privacy and a reduction in energy costs. The American Institute of Architects Journal notes a trend toward putting more glass into homes, and it creates a need for privacy film that can tint it and block as much as 80 percent of the sun’s heat. The Architect Magazine offers some pros and cons that homeowners may consider.

• Utility Costs

Some reductions in utility bills may amount to as much as 30 percent or more.

• Sun Block

The ultraviolet light that fades interior paint and upholstered furniture reduces 99 percent with solar films.

• Security

Even though they have a primary purpose of increasing privacy and preventing prying eyes from seeing inside a home, privacy films help slow down break-ins and avert shattering of window panes. Burglars who cannot see inside may have reluctance in breaking in. Some privacy films can transform an inexpensive window into one that has the efficiency of a “low-E, triple-pane” unit. However, some features on windows may make the application of film difficult and produce results that look “bubbly.”

Window Security Screens

Attractive enhancement to a home’s appearance, security screens provide an extraordinary level of protection. Made in the United States with 100 percent American parts, the quality of the finished product gives homeowners an alternative to window bars or plywood.

• Security

For protection against break-ins and theft, screens offer advantages that homeowners may prefer. A mesh material of heavy gauge stainless or galvanized steel presents an impenetrable barrier that kicking or gouging with sharp tools cannot penetrate. Manufacturers offer aluminum frames that resist corrosion and give a pleasant view of a home’s façade.

• Energy Conservation

Security screens can help lower the utility bill by blocking UV rays. While they allow uninterrupted visibility of the outdoors, they prevent the entry of thermal heat into a home as well. They create an extra layer of protection from heat, and the space between the screen and the glass pane retains the effects that may otherwise enter.

• Aesthetics

The subtle appearance of window security screens may seem to exist only for aesthetic purposes, but the strength that they gain from a steel mesh screen makes them impervious to blows by a baseball bat or tools. Aesthetically pleasing without making the impression that bars or grates on windows create, they prevent entry by bugs as well. Homeowners can leave windows open for fresh breezes without concern for safety.

Window Security Shutters

Traditional shutters may have to share homeowners’ favor with a motorized version of window covering that offers more benefits than they do. While traditional designs deliver a classic accent to a home’s façade with style and color, they cannot match the energy cost savings, privacy or home security of motorized solar shades. When they close, they shut out unwanted heat or cold, noise, dust and burglars with “automatic locking capabilities” that save energy and prevent break-ins.

Manufacturers take note of customer preferences and provide window security shutters that incorporate color stripes that can match the exterior of a house and create an updated version of the “old-fashioned” structure. Aesthetic materials for home security shutters give them an appeal that can encourage homeowners to use them as part of a complete home security program. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/window-security/

Door Security

A securely locked front door presents an image of safety and strength. As a bulwark against the perils that bring harm or a welcome beacon for family and friends, it offers entry into the heart of a home. A traditional symbol that protects togetherness and shared quietude, it deserves respect for the unique function that it serves. The warmth and companionship that lies within a home provide comfort to everyone who belongs there, but a breach of security can destroy the sense of tranquility forever. Practical and attractive door security products can ensure the safety of the entry to a home.

Familiarity with a home’s protection methods can generate a sense of confidence that also creates a false sense of security. A door is only as secure as its engaged lock, and it has no deterrent power at all when it opens without resistance. Burglars take advantage of the opportunities when forgetfulness or inattention prevents safety measures from receiving proper enforcement by homeowners. Forbes notes that almost 30 percent of burglars enter through an unlocked door or window. Effective door security measures can provide the protection that homes and families deserve.

Best-Selling Door Security Products

• Top 10 Best Peepholes and Door Viewers
• Top 10 Best Door Alarms
• Top 10 Best Door Locks & Deadbolts
• Top 10 Best Locking Security Mailboxes

The seriousness of the rate of break-ins can cause alarm by any homeowner. The Bureau of Justice Statistics presents facts that can startle even the most confident observer. Of the approximately 3.7 million burglaries that occurred annually in the United States from 2003 to 2007, about 65 percent involved people who knew each other. Only 28 percent were strangers. The grave concerns that homeowners need to have about home safety extends to the potential for household members to get hurt. While only 9 percent sustained a severe injury, 36 percent experienced violence during a burglary.

High Security Door Locks

Any deadbolt can make a door harder to open than an ordinary lock, according to Consumer Reports. However, they can have defects that render them ineffective. Short screws on the strike plate on the door frame may “catch only the jamb and not the framing of the house,” reducing kick-in resistance. Homeowners can improve front door security by replacing the short screws in a strike plate with 3-inch screws. Burglars can use an ordinary cordless drill to disable the cylinders as well. The conventional type of deadbolt provides less protection than connected smart locks, but each device has benefits as well as disadvantages.

• Conventional Deadbolts

The standard models range from high-end, drill-proof deadbolts to the inexpensive products at home improvement stores. They share a common single-cylinder construction that responds to a key from the outside or thumb pressure from the inside. Prices make them attractive to homeowners who want to harden the security of a front door without breaking the bank with a smart lock or a high-security lock by Medeco. Features such as “unique pin configurations and hardened cylinders” distinguish high-security locks from others, but the packaging may not indicate that a product contains them. A search of company websites may show a product rating from Consumer Reports.

• Smart Locks

Along with high-tech features in contemporary home construction, smart locks use smartphone apps and Wi-Fi to allow “optional remote locking and unlocking features.” They offer convenience and “peace of mind through remote control,” and homeowners who forget to lock a door can do so from any location. However, smart locks have the same susceptibility to “forced entry as nonconnected locks.” High prices for smart locks may discourage homeowners who choose an electronic lock instead. It can provide keypad access and programmability for guests and family members to use, but it does not communicate with smartphones.

Peepholes and Door Viewers

The advantage that homeowners have by using a door peephole to see who wants to come in the front door provides an opportunity to refuse entry. Most manufacturers install a peephole on each exterior door, and it may surprise no one that the sophistication of the device has changed over time. As the first line of defense against home intruders, an improved version of the traditional peephole may contribute significantly to home safety. The transition to door viewers lets homeowners see more than a peephole allows with its scope that limits the view to the direct field of vision.

The complex lens system in a viewer that replaces a “simple piece of window glass” improves a home’s safety and security. With the ability for anyone inside a house to check the identity of someone who wants to come in, the temptation to open the door can diminish. None of the security measures that a homeowner puts in place to protect the sanctity and safety of an abode can have any deterrent effect on an uninvited visitor who pushes through an open door.

The features of a door viewer provide conveniences and capabilities that offer vast improvements over the traditional peephole. Some modern adaptations may help homeowners make a buying decision for options that improve home safety. Many manufacturers offer models that smart homeowners can install as do-it-yourself projects.

• Digital Technology

Some models can act like a “real-time security camera” that does not require a resident to stand in front of the door to look through the viewer. They may incorporate a digital screen that hangs on a wall at some distance away and presents a view of the entire entry area and sidewalk.

• Night Vision

Advances in technology allow clear vision in a dark or shadowed entryway and porch.

• Recording Capacity

“Cutting-edge capabilities” allow door viewer cameras to record every access that anyone attempts to a front door. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/peephole/

Door Frame Reinforcement

One of the essential components of a front door’s ability to prevent unauthorized entry lies in an area that prevents anyone from seeing it when the door closes. The strike plate attaches to the door jamb and accepts the deadbolt that prevents the entry from opening without action by someone on the inside or a key from the outside. The models that come with deadbolts may not provide adequate safety and performance. Replacement of the strike plate can increase the strength of the deadbolt considerably, and many homeowners enjoy it as a do-it-yourself project.

1. Use a piece of scrap lumber to mark the center of an existing strike plate.

2. Remove the ¾-inch screws and the lip strike plate.

3. Chisel a slightly larger mortise if necessary to accommodate the upgrade to bigger screws.

4. Use a 1/8-inch bit to predrill holes for a heavy-duty plate and No. 8 x 3-inch screws.

5. Mount the plate to align with the pre-drilled holes.

6. Angle the screws slightly to make them contact the stud.

7. Make the heads of the screws flush with the strike plate’s face without overdriving that may cause the jamb to bow.

Manufacturers offer innovative products with varying degrees of functionality that homeowners can install to prevent burglars from opening or kicking in a door. A device that fits under a door and has the same efficiency as door barricades consists of one piece that fits the width at the bottom. Another part of the device acts like door braces and makes it impossible to open an entry. Door reinforcement kits that strengthen a door frame include metal that covers the softwood around locks and hinges. Door frame reinforcement increases the strength of the wood in door jambs and prevents it from giving way to a powerful kick by an intruder. A practical approach to enhancing home safety and preventing break-ins, door jamb Armour requires about 30 minutes to install and provides peace of mind about unlawful entry into a home.

Door Chains

Homeowners who may never speak to a stranger in a mall or shopping center can face potential harm when opening the front door at home. The best defense strategies lose every trace of effectiveness when the front door opens and allows uninvited visitors to come inside. A similar reversal of logic can occur when the person who answers a knock decides to “put the chain on” and go ahead and open the door. The limited space allows for conversation and the transfer of small packages, but it also gives an intruder leverage that a closed door prevents. A chain may provide some protection for homeowners who do not check the peephole or viewer to see who awaits.

• Chains

The strength of a door chain depends significantly on the length of the screws that attach it to a door frame. Most products come with screws that can pull out under pressure from an intruder, rendering the security device powerless. Experts recommend using the longest screws possible or even coach bolts to attach the brackets to increase the strength of the fitting. Screws that provide optimal effectiveness penetrate the door’s thickness and stop short about 1/8- or ¼-inch from piercing the exterior. The “mushroom head” on a coach bolt provides strong resistance to a kick-in from a potential intruder.

• Lockable Devices

Caregivers may need access to a home that uses door chains and prevents it. An alternative on the market provides a workaround. Lockable chains allow a caretaker to open a front door with a key and provide adequate space to unlock the chain’s lock as well. While an emergency that requires entry may not occur often, a lockable chain can offer options that standard models do not allow.

• Interactive Chain

A recent entry into the door chain market produces a high-decibel sound along with a spray that marks an intruder for days.

Upgrading to Steel Security Doors

Almost every homeowner probably knows that a steel security door offers more protection from break-ins than solid or hollow-core wood security doors, but the preference for aesthetic design creates a potential for tough decision-making. The manufacture of front doors that resemble standard entrances but include upgraded security features make the selection less complicated. An engineer in Italy undertook the development of a design that satisfied the need for security and artistic influence both. Capable of withstanding fire, hurricane force wind and debris, battering rams and intruders, the solid steel doors use welded sheets of 12 gauge steel for the center. Instead of a lock with one deadbolt, the design with upgraded security features has four as well as an anti-pick lock. A factory facility in Florida receives the blanks from Italy and covers the steel core from an inventory of as many as 750 designs for panels.

The advantages of steel doors, with their aesthetic requirements met, allow homeowners to focus on the superior safety and performance that the metal provides. A veneer panel of wood creates the impression of a natural material while the upgraded security features help ensure home safety.

• Designer Patterns

Exquisite wood grain veneer on steel doors imitates the natural material without bowing, twisting or warping as real wood must do when facing the elements.

• Resistance to Attack

Steel doors can resist impact from flying debris, high wind and attempts at intrusion with battering rams. The surface may reflect scars and abrasions, but the door remains solidly in place. Some models have fire ratings that allow a few minutes for residents to escape.

• Maintenance and Efficiency

The exposure to the elements exacts a toll on the appearance of wood doors, and they require regular and frequent maintenance that steel does not need. Wood doors lack energy efficiency, but steel has insulating properties that help control heating and cooling costs while providing superior safety features.

Security Screen Doors

Most homeowners prefer a façade that enhances the beauty and the value of a house, but the concerns about ensuring safety can influence decisions as well. A security door that disguises its functional purpose and presents an attractive appearance can serve both goals. Some considerations that may seem small to homeowners can make a difference in security as well as convenience and beauty.

• Materials

Angie’s List suggests choosing a security screen door frame of steel, a metal alloy or aluminum. The superior strength of steel allows doors to have narrower frames than either aluminum or metal alloy. At 2- to 3-inches wide, they allow about 40 percent more air flow as well as visibility than the 6-inch frames of the other two materials. Aluminum costs more, but it does not rust. Steel frames can resist rust with proper treatment and powder coating for up to 10 years before they need another coat.

• Mounting Method

Two types of mounting for screen doors provide the same amount of security. Flush mounting has the advantage of offering a better seal than tube frames can deliver, and it has no gap around the opening. The method creates a more finished appearance as well. A mounting of a security screen door with the tube frame method makes the door stand out as much as 1.25 inches from the opening. The positioning of the frame on the door trim inside the opening creates the condition.

• Insects

Most areas of the country have flying or crawling insects that can sting or bite, and homeowners need to understand how a new security screen door can “close and seal” them out. Some installation companies insert a self-sticking foam tape to create a seal, and others choose to prevent entry with felt strips. The foam tape can harden and crack, and homeowners need to replace it about it once every year to maintain a bug-free entry. The felt pieces that some quality door companies use may never require maintenance.

• Quality Indicators

A frame that has mitered corners can prevent rain from penetrating the structure and causing steel to rust. The water that seeps onto a patio or sidewalk can create an unattractive stain. Pneumatic closers help ensure security by pulling a door shut. Some installers may offer a re-keying service that lets homeowners use the same key to open the entry and screen doors. Wind chains can prevent gusts of wind from blowing the door open too far and damaging the hinges.

Door Security Bars and Braces

Some of the simplest techniques offer significant effectiveness in preventing a break-in, and they can deny attempts to kick in a door. A door brace fits vertically between a doorknob and the floor to prevent an entry from opening. A barricade fits horizontally within the frame to prevent a door from swinging inward. Door jammers use a portable design that fits under a door to prevent entry into a home, bedroom, hotel room, college dorm or apartment.

As effective as a door security bar that fits below a handle or knob, a jammer provides peace of mind for anyone who wants to prevent unauthorized entry into any room that it protects. Some have an audio deterrent as well. A security bar offers portability with more strength than a jammer with a “wider angle of resistance.” When it fits between the floor and a doorknob or handle, it provides an active block that prevents a door from opening. While it offers excellent resistance, it cannot fit in most travel bags. The effectiveness of the hundreds of pounds of resistance that it provides depends on setting it up correctly. Both devices work only on doors that swing inward.

Garage Door Security

An open garage door presents an invitation to a burglar to steal or break into a home. A Kansas City television station reported that police consider crimes of opportunity as preventable events. Forgetfulness can account for leaving a garage door open occasionally, and the inability to see it from the inside of a home may contribute as well. Some homeowners like to enter through an interior door from the garage, a practice that prevents the use of the front door.

Burglars often detect the neglect of entryways and realize that an unused front door may provide an easy way to break in. An entry that gives an advantage to an intruder may include the overgrowth of shrubs and trees, inadequate lighting or lack of use. While shoring up the safety features of the front door, homeowners may need to improve the appearance of the entry as well. The façade of a home usually requires regular caretaking of exterior lighting of the entryway and trimming of plants that obscure the view.

Sliding Glass Door Security

Even though almost every home has a sliding glass door, it may not attract the attention to security concerns that front doors do. Located at the rear or a home where it may not receive the amount of traffic that matches the front entry, it offers a more secluded environment that can invite potential intruders and break-ins. Most homeowners need to install a sliding glass door lock to provide support for the one that manufacturers provide with the door. New models may have secondary locks, but external devices help increase home security and ensure the peace of mind that accompanies adequate protection from uninvited visitors. Even though the internal locking mechanism that comes with a door may not offer a sufficient defense against intruders, it provides a level of deterrence that can help deter an entry when a homeowner engages it.

• Pin Lock

A skilled do-it-yourself homeowner may choose to drill a hole for a pin lock in the middle frame of a sliding door. Risk of contacting the glass and breaking it presents the need for careful measurement to avoid misjudging the task. Home improvement stores offer pins that slide in and out more easily than a nail, and the device works equally well on the top or bottom frame.

• Lift Prevention

Burglars may exploit the light weight of a sliding door by lifting and tilting it slightly to remove it from its tracks. A screw in the top of the frame about 3 inches from the side can render the effort fruitless.

Summary

The vast majority of security-conscious home owners will focus exclusively on whole-house alarm systems and intruder alert technologies to protect their property. Even so, nothing can beat the assurance and confidence that a well-designed door security device can provide. With options such as door-fitted alarms, reinforced strike plates and a multitude of burglar resistant locks as options, home and business owners alike can rest comfortably with their security well in hand.

For those who prefer easy, do-it-yourself solutions, consider the many simple to install options on the market today. Chains, peepholes, bars and alarms are available to the home or business owner at many local retailers and can be installed following their manufacturer’s directions and using common household tools. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/

Home Security Cameras

Most homes have as many as 15 locations that can benefit from a security camera. In the right place, it only takes one. Recently, a hapless burglar in Tampa was recorded walking around a living room picking up objects in full view of a security camera that captured his every move. Police got quick assistance from the community to identify him. The New York Times cited the number of homes that have security devices at 17 percent. Those homes can give police more to go on than others that have no picture or physical evidence of a burglary.

Advances in technology make it possible for cameras to alert you in real time when they see something going on that you need to know. The motion detection in security cameras lets you do something about it immediately instead of after the damage occurs. You can live-stream camera footage from your smartphone to get a view of the inside or outside of your home or business whenever you want to access it. High-quality security cameras can capture and store recorded images of intruders, providing evidence of their presence for the police. Click here for the Best-Selling Home Security Products.

Whenever any suspicious event occurs, you can access it and play it back to see what happened and who did it. If a “picture is worth 10 thousand words” in a 1927 trade journal, you can calculate the value of a video that lets police identify an intruder who intended to steal your valuable possessions.

How Many Cameras Do You Need?

Whether you call them security, surveillance or video cameras, the meaning remains the same. Shakespeare’s opinion that “a rose by any other name smells as sweet” confirms that a camera that takes a picture of an intruder provides proof of illegal entry. The reasons for wanting a security camera can determine the number that you need. Deterrence may rank as one of the most important reasons to install security cameras in your home or business. Cameras that remain visible in the outdoors but out of reach of vandals and those at entry points may help deter burglars who know what they mean. Indoors and out, they can gather vital information from these locations:

• front and back doors

• porch or doorsteps

• living room

• bedrooms

• baby’s room

• dining room/kitchen eating areas

• basement

• garage

• front or backyard

• traffic choke points

• first/ second-floor halls

• emergency exits

• areas that present a view of any high-interest asset

Indoor Home Security Cameras

Price usually does not receive top billing when something that you want to buy comes up for discussion, but it certainly deserves consideration. The adage that “you get what you pay for” applies to security cameras as it does to any other purchase. The value of cheap equipment may not equal what you pay for it, and you end up getting nothing for the money that you spent. Low-grade cameras that cost less than 20 bucks can disappoint you with blurred images, poor video quality and signal loss. Many high-quality indoor security cameras come in a range of affordable options, and you can expect to pay prices like these:

• Battery Security Camera $40 – $150

• CCTV Camera $15 – $200

• Cellular Security Camera $130 – $400

• Digital Video Recorder Security System $99 – $800

• Hidden Security Camera $60 – $150

• Monitored Security Camera $180 – $300

• NVR Security System $120 – $1300

• P2P IP Camera $40 – $300

• Solar Security Camera $40 – $200

• A 360-degree Security Camera $35 – $180

• A 4K Security Camera $130 – $200

With budget matters somewhat settled, you can focus on other factors that affect your buying decision. One of the most significant choices regards whether to use a wired or a wireless camera system. Wireless allows you to place the cameras anywhere without drilling or running wires. Wired devices let you use your DIY skills or hire a contractor to do it for you.

• Tips on Choosing An Indoor Security Camera.

• Resolution

The bottom line for the best wireless security camera for indoor or outdoor use has 1080p (1920*1080), a resolution that gives you the detail you want even in a darkened room. Higher resolution gives you more explicit videos, and you may want to choose an indoor IP model with a resolution of 4 or 5 megapixels.

• Audio

To answer the door with a phone that connects to a camera or to warn strangers to stay away, you can use a system with 1-way audio. If you want to listen and reply in real time, you need a camera that has 2-way capability.

• Night Vision

For color night vision, choose a camera with a starlight image sensor. If black and white images satisfy you, then you can use a lower priced unit without starlight.

• Viewing Remotely

Smartphones and computers with compatible software can let you access your camera from any location, and all P2P cameras can do it.

• Recording or Storing Locally

Indoor security cameras with recording let you see what happened, and you have five options to store the information. It can send motion events to an SD card, an NVR/digital video recorder, a computer, an FTP server or the cloud. Indoor security cameras must support at least three of the five options.

Outdoor Home Security Cameras

Concerns about exposure to the elements make the selection of an outdoor home security camera different from those for indoors. Since waterproof and weatherproof do not mean the same thing, the cameras do not get the same degree of protection. You get an IP66 rating with waterproof cameras, a classification that protects them from dust, heavy rains, water jets, high wind, exposure to the sun, heat or chill.

Your choice of an outside home CCTV security camera needs a rating of at least IP65. Weatherproof cameras may have lower ratings, but they can still protect against water jets and have a guarantee for use outdoors. Keep in mind that some wireless cameras need access to a power source.

• What You Need to Know About Outdoor Security Cameras.

• Resolution

Weather conditions can affect the clarity of videos that an outdoor camera captures. You need high resolution, and 1080p (1920*1080) or full high-definition produces excellent results; specific needs may lead you to prefer something more powerful.

• Audio

Two-way systems let you communicate with someone at the camera location while one-way cameras record only the voice.

• Night Vision

Two key factors in selection relate to the range and video footage. An outdoor home security camera needs an extended range of at least 30 feet for color or black and white videos. Before you decide, make sure to preview a video sample that reveals a camera’s performance.

• Network Connection

Wi-Fi can present problems that may require switching to a 4G mobile outdoor home camera. Unless you want to view camera activity on your tablet, computer or mobile phone, you may not need an internet connection to use a wireless Wi-Fi security camera. You may use a wired IP camera without it as well.

• Vandal Proofing

The RLC-422 outdoor security cameras comply with the vandal-proof IK10 standard to deter attempts to damage them. The RCL-410 and the Argus 2 resist damage as well.

• Storage

An outdoor security camera needs at least one storage option for recording and storing video footage.

• Location

The most frequently breached locations need the protection that an outdoor security camera can provide. Burglars usually choose the front and back doors as well as first-floor windows for illegal entry. Access through a garage or second-floor windows, while infrequent, can destroy the peaceful enjoyment of a home.

Wired Security Cameras

Most owners of security cameras choose the traditionally wired option, especially for larger properties. The methods for powering a wired system include a separate cord or a Power Over the Ethernet (POE) cable. The POE cable provides power as well as a connection to the internet. The time involved in wiring a home or business makes it an investment that complements a permanent location.

For multiple cameras, placement of each unit requires running cables, installation and equipment mounting as well as access to power and connectivity between cameras and the recorder. Wired cameras require the installation of cables, and they offer less flexibility than wireless systems. However, their reliability may offset those concerns. Both types of systems have something that you may like or reject.

• Things To Consider About Hardwired Security Cameras.

• Reliable Performance

The connections between the camera, recorder and router on a wired system make it unlikely for wireless signals to create interference. The highly reliable performance of wired security recommends it as a desirable choice.

• Capacity

The ability to link four or more cameras favors the choice or a wired system, especially for sites on large properties that require comprehensive coverage instead of surveillance of selected areas. A wired network can support up to 16 cameras and store the footage on a digital video recorder or NVR recorder.

• Time Requirements

An investment of time and money into installing a wired system may deter you from choosing it. The difficulty of relocating cameras that require multiple cables, mounting and access to power may present obstacles to using wired cameras.

• Power Loss

A backup generator can ensure a constant source of power in case of an electrical outage. While power outages may occur only infrequently, they prevent a wired system from capturing any information.

Wireless Security Cameras

A maximum of four cameras on a wireless security system may satisfy your needs, and the choice lets you avoid the hassle of a time-consuming installation. However, even though a wireless system connects a camera to a recorder without the extensive wiring that wired systems require, it still must have a wired connection to power. A wireless camera setup may offer convenience and flexibility, and it may provide the most significant advantages to homeowners or renters who prefer to set it up, take it down or move it quickly.

• The Advantages Of Wireless Video Security Cameras.

• Ease of Installation

Wireless connections to the Wi-Fi network let cameras transmit footage, making a cable from the camera to a recorder unnecessary. However, it still needs access to a power source.

• Interference

Wireless security cameras have more susceptibility to interference than wired systems. A signal from your router and others on the same bandwidth can present complications in densely populated areas where many homes have more than one wireless signal often on the same bandwidth. Wireless cameras need a location within Wi-Fi range, and metal buildings can create connectivity issues. Wireless repeaters may strengthen a signal by rebroadcasting from different places.

Recording Your Security Camera Footage

Today’s technology gives you an option to record your video data on a Digital Video Recorder or a Network Video Recorder (NVR), and both systems can record video data reliably. The differences between the two types that may help you make a purchasing decision relate to cost, a method of data transmission and type of camera. Your specific security needs may dictate which is better. NVR systems usually provide better picture quality. More expensive, they have native support for each camera that has a microphone, and they offer increased flexibility.

• Security Camera Recording Systems – The Latest Technology.

NVR systems can process the video data at the camera level and stream it to an NVR for storing and remote viewing while digital video recorder systems use the recorder to process the video data. You can use an NVR as a wired or wireless system, but the digital video recorder option requires wiring. It may provide adequate security if you want reliable performance at a lower price than an NVR system. A low price point may seem attractive, but you can compare the trade-offs that may help with a purchasing decision.

Understanding Security Camera Resolution

A security camera’s resolution makes a difference because it defines how much visual information it can capture. It matters as a significant factor in overall video quality as well. Manufacturers assign a number as a measure that lets you know a camera’s resolution quality. A higher number means that a camera can capture more information and provide better clarity. It allows you to zoom in to inspect a specific image without distorting it.

The resolution of analog and digital (IP) cameras differs. The IP technology allows you to capture more detail and from a greater distance than you can with analog cameras. An IP camera has no resolution limit on the data that you can obtain. Your only restriction relates to how much of it you can store. The higher resolution feeds require more storage space. Manufacturers measure resolution on analog cameras in TV lines (TVL) or pixels.

The resolution ratings on security cameras range from 420 TVL for a lower resolution to 700 TVL for the highest. The higher the number of pixels or TVL that a camera description includes, the more precise the picture that it can produce. Your decision may need to include consideration of the limitations of older DVRs. You may find that, while your analog camera can capture higher resolutions, an older digital video recorder may not have the capacity to process it. The limit on older DVRs of 540 TVL or lower cannot take advantage of the extra camera resolution.

Night Vision Capabilities of Security Cameras

Specific ways to verify the capability of a security camera to provide top quality night vision allow you to make a well-considered buying decision. Digital (IP) cameras can see at night, but you may need to know if an analog (CCTV) camera can do so as well. A high-quality CCTV offers a long-range IR distance night vision of 100 to 190 feet that can monitor your front and backyard, garden and garage day and night. Most CCTV cameras use infrared (IR) bulbs to flood an area with the light that the camera can recognize though invisible to humans. While most outdoor infrared night vision security cameras capture images in black and white, models with a starlight image sensor can record in color. Features that can distinguish the best outdoor night vision camera from others include these:

• Quality Imaging

A CCTV camera produces better image quality in black and white than in full color, but a starlight image sensor can make it provide much better color night vision.

• Storing Images

The elements in color night vision footage require more storage space than black and white. Where storage space presents limitations, you may get better results with black and white night vision.

• Range Comparison

Black and white night vision covers a more extended range than color night vision.

• Pricing

Cameras with starlight image sensors offer more technology with prices that reflect it, but manufacturers provide models in a reasonable price range.

• Influential Factors

The best cameras give you a high resolution of at least 1080p (1920*1080). The higher ratings mean more explicit footage and details such as license plates and facial features. A weatherproof rating of IP65 provides protection from the elements for a CCTV Wi-Fi IP camera. A high-quality long-range night vision security camera needs an IR range of at least 30 feet.

Focusing on Field of View

The images that a security camera can capture depend on its field of view (FOV) or viewing angle, and manufacturers specify it in degrees. A wider FOV does not necessarily provide a better picture. Lens size affects the FOV and may influence the type of lens that can produce the results that you expect from a security camera.

• Wide-angle Lenses

A smaller or wide-angle lens produces a bigger field of view than a camera with a larger lens. The wide-angle captures a large area such as a front or backyard, warehouses, parking lots and foyers in large buildings, but objects appear smaller in a photographic image.

• Narrow-angle lenses

For coverage of a limited field of view, narrow-angle lenses can serve a specific purpose. They can capture a smaller area and allow the objects to appear larger and have more detail. Their ability to focus on smaller targets makes them appropriate for a home’s doorways and entrances, hallways and valuable objects.

• Focal Length

The lens size or focal length determines the FOV. For example, a focal length of 3.6mm produces a FOV of 78 degrees while a focal length of 9mm provides a FOV of 39 degrees for a much more detailed image. A fixed lens has a permanently set focal length that prevents it from changing for different applications. A varifocal lens can accept manual adjustments with screws or knobs on a camera.

Advanced Features and Must Have Extras

Security cameras offer a range of simple to complex features that let you settle for a reliable system or tweak it to a highly sophisticated asset for your home.

• Remote Viewing

A list of steps and some video clips from the Dummies Guide series can let you act like you understand the complicated world of security camera technology. Basic knowledge about how to remotely view your camera’s images can let you watch from anywhere on the globe.

• Motion Activation

False alarms from security cameras that alert you to wind and sun, light and snow can diminish your appreciation for the technology. You can learn about hidden motion-activated cameras that use scientific method to prevent them. One type compares changes in the number of pixels between frames (software-based motion detection). Another type detects infrared body heat (PIR sensor-based motion detection).

• App Support

Creative software developers have seen the need for innovative apps that let you remotely view CCTV and IP cameras since the development of mobile devices.

• Motion Tracking

Indoor or outdoor auto-tracking cameras can increase the level of security in your home. Activating only when they detect something, they conserve power the rest of the time.

• Video-surveillance Refinements

As you refine and enhance your camera’s video-surveillance capabilities, you have many choices of features. Among them, the type of iris controls the amount of light that reaches the image sensors, and it can affect the quality of videos. PTZ cameras can pan, zoom and tilt to provide the flexibility that traditionally fixed cameras may lack. A high frames per second (FPS) rate lets your videos capture fast-moving objects. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/security-cameras/