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

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

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

Video surveillance systems first caught on during the 1970s and 1980s, when banks, gas stations, and other businesses that were frequent victims of theft started using them. These early systems recorded video on VHS tapes that were often used as evidence in court cases. Within a couple of decades, most ATMs had video surveillance cameras that recorded every transaction.

Video surveillance camera

Advances in digital technology brought many improvements in video surveillance, including better image quality, easier storage and retrieval, and less expensive installation. Internet Protocol (IP cameras) let those with a network video camera monitor the feed live from any PC or device with Internet access.

These days, IP video surveillance cameras are much more affordable than they were in the past, and they can help prevent crime or convict criminals if a crime is committed.

Cameras should be positioned at “chokepoints,” which are places people or vehicles must pass through to enter or leave an area. And they should also be pointed at items that are most likely to be targeted like safes, or other valuables.

There are several kinds of video surveillance cameras to choose from. Because wireless security cameras are easy to install, easy to relocate, and portable, they are usually preferred for home installation. Cameras that pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) are significantly more expensive than fixed cameras, which are sufficient for most residential situations.

In most well-lit areas, color cameras are used. In places with low light, night-vision or infrared cameras which record in black and white are a better choice. Both standard definition and high-definition (HD) models are available.

IP video surveillance cameras transmit digital images over an IP (Internet Protocol) network and have the advantage of providing live feeds to any Internet-enabled device.

Surveillance cameras that are disguised as something else – an alarm clock or smoke detector – are also popular. Also known as nanny cams, these cameras let you record events without anyone’s knowledge.

Adding video surveillance to your home security system can significantly enhance your home’s security. Talk to your local service about how much it would cost to upgrade.

Video surveillance camera Image Flickr: Shaun Greiner

The City of Oakland, California gets over 20,000 false alarms a year at a cost of more than $2 million.  To combat the problem, Oakland — and many other cities — have passed burglar alarm ordinances.  If your city has one, and you’re not in compliance, you could be fined.  And if you cause a false alarm, it could really be expensive.

Does your city have a burglar alarm ordinance?

Most burglar alarm ordinances require consumers to obtain a permit from the city before they install a burglar alarm or home security system.  Fees generated by the permits are used to offset the cost of responding to the alarms.  And information provided with the permit application enables the police department to contact the homeowner before dispatching a response team.

As a rule, fees are greater if the homeowner doesn’t have a valid permit, or if the permit has expired. For example, the City of Oakland charges valid permit holders $84 for a general false alarm and non-permit holders $154.   What’s more, Oakland charges those without valid permits $70 to respond to a genuine burglar alarm call.  Those with valid permits are not charged.

Because robbery calls require two officers to respond, they are even more expensive.

Many cities have an escalating scale in which each subsequent call is assessed a greater fine.  Some also offer false alarm prevention classes.  People who attend often receive a break on fines or fees.

In order to make sure that home security monitoring services also take responsibility for making sure their customers comply with the ordinance, they are also billed for unregistered alarm systems.

In Oakland, the permit fee is $25 for homes and $35 for businesses.  In other places, such as Salt Lake City, no fee is required for the permit.  There, private security guards are employed to respond to burglar alarm calls.  Police are only dispatched if the security guard finds that a crime has occurred.

Before you have a burglar alarm or home security system installed, find out what permits your city requires and what other steps you should take to help reduce the burden on your local police department.  The company you purchase your burglar alarm from should be able to provide you with applications and information.

Read more home security tips here.

Does your city have a burglar alarm ordinance Image Flickr: jondoeforty1

But there’s another deterrent that can help protect your home, property, and family around the clock – a four-legged home security system.  For millennia, man has used dogs to help guard things of value.  And today, there are dogs suitable for just about every home or apartment.

You don’t need a big, guard dog to protect your home.  Even a small dog can be a very unwanted inconvenience to a trespasser.

There are several things that dogs do naturally that enhance your security.  First of all, they bark.  This lets your neighbors know that something’s wrong.  And it lets potential intruders know that the experience inside your home won’t be quiet and hassle free.

If you don’t have a dog, you may think that all barking is pretty much the same.  Not true.  If a dog – or something it cares about – is threatened, their bark is much more persistent.  In fact, when they’re distressed, it’s nearly impossible to shut them up.

If someone is foolish enough to enter your home, chances are they won’t be warmly received.  Not all dogs bite, but a surprising number do, especially when a stranger is on their turf.  Even if your dog doesn’t bite, you can be sure that he’ll be a serious distraction to uninvited guests.

Dogs have several advantages over conventional burglar alarms.  Although annoying to you and your neighbors, their false alarms probably won’t cost you anything.  You can’t  forget to arm them – dogs are “on” virtually all the time.  Plus, they’ll make you feel better if you’ve had a bad day at work.

That said, there are some things to consider before you invest in a canine protection device.   Start-up costs can run anywhere from $100 to several thousand, depending on the model and features you select.  And monthly costs vary, but include food, vet bills,  bones, biscuits, and tennis balls.

There’s always a chance that your dog won’t be completely reliable.  In fact, he may love everyone he’s ever met – including that fellow walking off with your grandma’s silver.  And if he doesn’t work out, he’s pretty hard to return.

When you add it all up, most dogs cost more than conventional burglar alarms, and they’re a lot more trouble.  So you’re probably better off getting a burglar alarm for protection.  But get a dog just for the fun of it.

Find other kinds of burglar alarms here.

Dog Image Flickr: kirainet

Advances in information and digital technology have made CCTV systems a thing of the past, and today’s video surveillance systems are much more affordable, reliable, and easy to use.

The mere presence of video cameras can do a lot to deter intrusions. Most would-be thieves will decide that a place with security cameras is not worth the trouble. So if you want an extra measure of protection for your home and property, a video surveillance system can be a worthwhile investment.

IP video surveillance camera

Most security systems today use Internet Protocol (IP) cameras which are pretty simple to install and maintain. They deliver digital information via an IP network, unlike CCTV cameras which required a complicated system of coaxial cables. And that information can be monitored live.

You can buy IP surveillance cameras individually or bundled with surveillance software. You’ll need the software to record, retrieve, view, and broadcast your feed.

You can place the cameras wherever there’s a connection to an IP network. The most logical places are near entrances to your home, on any outbuildings you have, and on the perimeter if your property is large. If you have valuables displayed inside your home, you should probably put one there too.

Each camera has its own IP address and unlike webcams, they don’t need to be connected to a PC. The quality of the digital images is vastly superior to analog. And sophisticated IP cameras will also pan, tilt, and zoom.

One of the biggest advantages of IP video surveillance systems is that with a network video recorder you can monitor the feed in real time from any computer with Internet access. In most cases, you can even access it with a smart phone. Being able to check up on your house when you’re away can provide a lot of peace of mind.

CCTV systems store their recorded images on VHS tapes, which were then dated and stored. Because the images captured by IP surveillance cameras are digital, the information is archived on servers where it can be accessed instantly via search.

IP systems are more expensive than CCTV systems, but the price is dropping rapidly. Most of the major home security system providers now offer it, so ask for a quote. You may be pleasantly surprised by how affordable video surveillance turns out to be.

Read about other kinds of home security systems here.

IP video surveillance camera Image Flickr: Matti Mattila

And what about those you let into your home voluntarily? Handymen, cable installers, exterminators, and inspectors all have free access. And you can’t always keep an eye on them the entire time they’re there. If you’re distracted by a child, a phone call, or an appliance buzzer, you’ll most likely leave to take care of it.

But a security safe can ensure that your valuables are protected at all times. Whether you want to secure documents like wills, insurance policies, or property deeds, or protect the crown jewels, there’s a security safe that’s just right for the job. And in addition to theft, a security safe can also protect your possessions from flooding, fire, or natural disaster.

Kinds of security safes.

Security Safe

There are three main types of security safes suitable for home use: safes designed to prevent theft, safes designed to resist fire, and safes that do both.

Burglar-proof safes are actually tested by safe crackers. They have heavy metal doors that are designed to be drill proof. And they are rated by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for performance.

Fire-resistant safes should be able to maintain an internal temperature of less than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of time they can do this varies from 30 to 120 minutes. Look for one that’s best tested and certified by UL. A Class C safe can withstand temperatures of 1,700 degrees for an hour. This is sufficient protection for most homeowners. Southern California residents or those who live in other areas prone to brushfires may want to upgrade to a Class A safe.

Not only can a fire-resistant safe save valuable documents, it can also protect priceless family heirlooms such as jewelry. But before you buy a safe, check both the fire and security ratings.

Choosing the right security safe for your home.

Home safes can be built in or freestanding. They can use a key, have a combination lock, or, better yet, an electronic lock. The most sophisticated have a pad that reads your fingerprint.

What you want to store will dictate the size of the safe you should buy. Models range from 550 cubic inches to 15 cubic feet.

Wall safes are most effective against theft. They can often be installed between the wall joists and hidden behind a painting or wall hanging. Floor safes are also built ins that are difficult to remove and can be covered by carpeting. Free-standing safes are adequate for most homes. They’re heavy enough to be difficult to move and they’re very affordable.

You can find an entry-level safe for less than $100. But expect to pay several hundred for a good fire-proof and theft-proof model.

A good security safe can work with your burglar alarm system to provide added protection for your valuables.

Read more home security tips here.

Security Safe Image Flickr: Anonymous Account

A baby safety monitor also gives parents greater freedom and convenience. If you need to do tackle something in the garage or backyard, you can go ahead, knowing that you can still keep tabs on your little one.

Several kinds of baby monitors are available. The simplest use a one-way radio to broadcast the sounds in the nursery to a receiver. A transmitter is plugged into an outlet in the baby’s room, usually within about ten feet of the crib. The receiver is portable, so you just take it with you to hear what’s happening in the nursery. Look for one with a belt clip or lanyard.

Most transmitters have a range of about 150 feet. If you have a big house with several stories or a large yard, you may need a more robust transmitter.

Many baby monitors, especially inexpensive ones, broadcast over the same frequency, so if your neighbors live close by, it’s possible that you may pick up sounds from their monitor and vice versa. The frequency is also common with cordless telephones, so you may experience some interference there too.

More sophisticated models have technology that eliminates or scrambles outside interference. Depending on your situation, they may be worth the added expense. If the receiver of your baby monitor uses batteries, it’s also a good idea to invest in a system that alerts you if the batteries quit working. Or to choose a system with a rechargeable receiver.

Receivers that light up when noise is detected are also handy. That way, if you’re vacuuming or doing a load of dishes, you’ll know that something’s going on. And getting a second receiver lets you leave one in the living room and take another to the kitchen.

If you want to be able to see as well as hear your baby, there are baby monitors that send images wirelessly to the receiver. And you can also buy a system that includes motion detectors that are placed underneath the baby. An alarm sounds if the baby stops moving for more than 20 seconds.

Those who want to be able to monitor their baby no matter where they are can buy an Internet-based system that uses wireless technology to broadcast live audio and video that you can see wherever you have Internet access.

Depending on the features you want, baby safety monitors can cost anywhere from $30 to $300. But the peace of mind and freedom they can provide truly are priceless. If you have a burglar alarm system to protect your home and family, you should have a baby safety monitor too.

Read more tips for enhancing your home security here.

So how can you make sure that you get the home security system that best suits your needs and provides the best value for money?  Following these simple steps will help ensure that you make the best choice:

1)    Ask around.  If your friends and neighbors have burglar alarm systems, ask them who they use, if they’re satisfied, if they feel the price is fair, if the service is responsive, etc.  Your home-owners insurance agent is another good person to ask, because purchasing a home security system may reduce your insurance rates.

2)    Talk to more than one home security service.  Find out what kind of training their employees receive and what kind of pre-employment screening – like drug testing – they do.  Check their records with Consumer Protection Agencies and the Better Business Bureau.  And ask if they belong to the Installation Quality Certification Program and if they have all the pertinent state and local licenses.  The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association lists their approved providers on their web site.  It’s a great place to compile your short list.

3)    It’s okay to get an estimate over the phone, but before making a selection, you should have a company representative visit your home.  Otherwise, the price you get will not be accurate – and it will likely be lower than the actual cost.  When a representative does a walk-through of your home, you’ll know exactly what they will install, and where.  It’s best to get estimates from three companies.  That way you’ll know if one is over- or under-priced. As a rule, if all three are providing the exact same services, there shouldn’t be more than about a 10% difference in price.

4)    When the estimator comes to your home, ask to see his identification and then walk him through your home.  Show him where your safe is located and where any valuables are kept.   If you have anything that doesn’t look valuable, but is – a collection of coins or stamps, for instance – let him know.  Ask him what kind of equipment will be installed and if it is Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certified.

5)    Get the estimate in writing, and get a fixed estimate if you can.  If you can’t get a fixed estimate, ask the estimator to spell out what circumstances would involve an additional installation charge and how much it would be.  It’s best to avoid unpleasant surprises on installation day.

6)    Find out what kind of maintenance is covered in the cost and if an annual equipment check is included.  What is the length of the contract?  Is the equipment leased?  If so, whose responsibility are repairs?  How long is the warranty and what does it cover?

7)    Get specific information about the monitoring service.  Does it operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  And is customer service available 24/7 as well?  Find out what kind of backup monitoring system is employed if there’s a power outage or problem with the primary system.

8)    Trust your gut.  Were you comfortable having the estimator in your home?  Was he professional and nicely dressed?  Did he show up on time, and if not did he call?  The professionalism of your estimator reflects the values of the company.  If he or she makes you uncomfortable, if he seems like a fast talker, or doesn’t take the time to answer your questions to your satisfaction, keep looking.

Taking these easy steps will help you make an informed decision and get the best home security service for you and your family.

Read more about choose the right burglar alarm system here.