Burglar Alarm Tips

These days, video surveillance systems have come down so much in price that they’re affordable add-ons for home burglar alarm systems. If you’re concerned about security or live in an unsafe area, home video surveillance can provide an extra deterrent that convinces intruders to pass your house by.

Video surveillance cameras are the heart of the system and there are several different kinds to choose from. The most robust are Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras, better known as PTZ. These can move up and down, right and left, and zoom in and out for a better look at things. Like your point-and-shoot digital camera, they use a combination of optical and digital zoom. But this capability is overkill for most residential application, where fixed cameras are sufficient.

Dutch video surveillance camera

Because PTZ cameras are several times more expensive than fixed ones, you should choose them only if you have valuables that are likely to be targeted by burglars.

Unless you need to record video in very low light, color cameras are your best bet. For sophisticated installations, thermal and infrared cameras are available, but unnecessary most of the time.

The next decision you’ll need to make is between analog and IP technology. IP cameras are more expensive, but most users agree that they’re worth the added cost. IP cameras can connect to any computer jack on a local network. Each camera has its own IP address, so the video feed can be monitored from anywhere using a web browser.

They’re everywhere

In most cases, IP cameras are still physically connected to the network, but wireless cameras that are in the line of site of the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or monitor are gaining acceptance. IP cameras are available as domes that are mounted to walls or ceilings, or bullets, which are a little more conspicuous. Megapixel cameras are extremely small and offer excellent picture quality, even in low light.

You’ll also need some kind of system to manage the video you capture. The most common choice these days is a DVR, which combines the necessary hardware, software, and storage capabilities. In fact, some DVRs can capture a month’s worth of video – or more. But DVRs only handle analog video. For digital feeds, you’ll need to move up to a high-definition or HD-DVR.

The advantages of HD include better resolution, easier searching, and built-in multiplexing, which enables simultaneous input from several different cameras. DVRs with from one to 32 channels are available.

Now that you know the video surveillance system options, your home security professional can help you set up your system.

Dutch video surveillance camera Image Flickr: centralasian
They’re everywhere Image Flickr: anarchosyn

Today’s burglar alarm systems are more sophisticated than ever. In fact, the sky’s the limit when it comes to capabilities. Want to be able to watch you’re your art collection from another continental? No problem. Wish you could arm your alarm from your smart phone? It’s possible.

Unless you have irreplaceable or valuable objects, you probably won’t need to take advantage of all the latest technology. A basic burglar alarm will probably be enough to protect your home and worldly goods. Here are the components you’ll want if you decide to get a home security system.

The control panel is the brain of the system and directs all the other components. It can be programmed from a keypad, or — with more sophisticated systems — using a wireless remote or cell phone ap. If your alarm is triggered, a two-way speaker that lets you talk directly with the monitoring service is a nice feature.

Protecting your home

The first aspect of protecting your home is making sure that you have a secure perimeter. The conventional way to do that is to use electrical sensors on all the ground-floor doors and windows. These sensors create an electrical circuit that sounds the alarm when broken. If you have upstairs windows that a thief could access by climbing a tree or using a ladder, you should install sensors there too.

The second prong of home protection is detecting motion within the home. Once the system is armed, motion detectors trigger the alarm if there’s unwanted activity. Radar-based, photo, and Passive Infrared sensors are all used. If you have pets, just make sure that they won’t set them off.

The system has a power supply that ordinarily runs on household current. But many have backup batteries so the system will continue to function during a black out. Some systems can also call the monitoring service via a cell network when the phone lines aren’t working.

Although you don’t have to have a monitoring service, the peace of mind it provides is usually worth the price – which starts around $30 a month. If the alarm is triggered, the monitoring service will take steps to make sure there’s a legitimate problem, and not a false alarm, and then they’ll notify first responders.

ADT Sign

Although it seems like an afterthought, the home security service yard sign is one of the most critical parts of your set up. It tells thieves that your home would be a hassle to rob and not worth the trouble.

Once you have all these elements in place, your possessions will likely be safe. But you should consider adding monitors designed to detect smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide. These can save lives and prevent the destruction of a full-blown fire. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, there are also monitors that help prevent flooding, water damage, or broken pipes.

Video surveillance cameras that let you watch over your home, kids, or elderly relatives are becoming very popular additions.

Protecting your home Image Flickr: tom.arthur
ADT Sign Image Flickr: cogdogblog

Video surveillance has been around since the 1960s, but in those days, it was too expensive for home use.  But recent advances in digital technology have made home video surveillance systems more practical and affordable.

New mothers who wanted to return to their jobs but were concerned about leaving their babies in the care of strangers were looking for a solution that would enable them to work outside the home but still have peace of mind.

Is it a teddy bear or a nanny cam?

Video surveillance cameras that would stream video from the home to any PC with an Internet connection were the solution.  Known as nanny cams, they let working mothers put in their time at the office and check up on the baby simultaneously.

Having a nanny cam can reassure nervous parents that their child is being well cared for.  And if the child isn’t receiving good care, a nanny cam can allow parents to make other arrangements before there’s a real problem.

Nanny cams aren’t just for child care.  Homeowners can also use them to make sure that housekeepers, repairmen, and other people with access to the home aren’t doing anything inappropriate.  And since there’s a visual record, if there is any wrongdoing, homeowners have proof of it.

Most responsible child care providers don’t object to being recorded, if they know about it in advance.  So parents with surveillance cameras have a decision to make.  They can tell their nannies about it up front.  Or use concealed devices and spy on them in secret.

Nanny cams are sometimes disguised as smoke detectors.

Nanny cams that are disguised as clock radios, alarm clocks, or smoke detectors are all available and relatively inexpensive.  The best blend in with their surroundings and look completely natural.

Some are wireless and have a built in DVR.  The devices are equipped with a network video camera that transmits a feed to via that can be seen anywhere there’s Internet access.

They should be placed where they’ll have an unobstructed view about six feet away from what you want to watch.

Many daycare facilities and nursing homes are using the cameras so that family members can check in on their loved ones when they can’t be there in person.

Good-quality devices are available for as little as $150.

Read more about video surveillance systems here. And about baby safety monitors here.

Is it a teddy bear or a nanny cam? Image Flickr: @sahxic < twitter
Nanny cams are sometimes disguised as smoke detectors Image Flickr: ➨ Redvers