INTEGRATED STRATEGIES IN HOME SECURITY

The best possible home security strategy combines the shell of protection provided by external perimeter security with the inner core of home intrusion responses that compose an effective interior security system.

The primary advantage of perimeter security lies in the fact that it alerts a homeowner to an intrusion before the intruder has even made it into a home. The purpose of interior security is to control the extent to which an intruder can damage, rob or inflict harm once they have entered a home.

By integrating both approaches, the conscientious homeowner can reduce both the likelihood of a successful home invasion, and the disruption caused by an intruder's entry.

FIrst Line of Defense: Perimeter Security

Let's expand on what we covered earlier this week. It begins with lighting; ensuring that your property is well lit on every side is vital to discouraging crime, and spotting the bolder criminals who choose to approach your home despite precautions. Another effective strategy involves the use of motion-activated lights: setting these high-powered devices around the perimeter of your property can scare off or illuminate trespassers very reliably. Be sure to point the lights at your own home - not your neighbors'!

Reduce clutter and extensive foliage on your property by keeping your lawn trim and clear. This cuts down on possible concealment for the home intruder. As a further precaution, carefully placed tripwires attached to noisemakers can be a huge deterrent. Don't hesitate to use fencing in particularly vulnerable areas of your property. A dog can also serve in the context of a highly integrated crime detection or prevention strategy.

Above all, be sure to install cameras in advantageous areas around your home. Position them high at likely points of approach so that they will be most likely to get a clear image of an intruder's face. Make sure that they are visible, as their simple presence will often discourage an attempt to intrude on your home. Using vandal-proof housing is frequently a wise decision as well, protecting your valuable investment from being disabled or otherwise damaged.

Second Line of Defense: Interior Security

Last week, we explored interior security; let's go a little further down that trail, and see how it can be combined with perimeter security measures for a really powerful defense.

Change your locks when purchasing a new home. Store valuables in a secure location, and make use of a safety deposit box. Hang curtains in your home to discourage window shopping. Keep an inventory and update it regularly.

When it comes to interior security equipment, consider making use of two major forms of intruder detection hardware: point of entry sensors, and internal motion sensors. A good point of entry sensor will alert you to the opening of a window or door, picking up where external monitoring leaves off. Motion sensors will further detect movement within your home. Think of these two elements as layers within a greater layer of home intrusion detection. Install a loud and shrill siren to these devices to ensure a maximum scare value to intruders.

Sometimes, all these protective measures will prove insufficient: a truly dedicated criminal will work in spite of detection to rob, damage or harm. In this case, such additional precautions as offsite monitoring and locks on interior doors will be worth their weight in gold. Have a separate phone line available in the master bedroom, and install a deadbolt on the door to this room. When a home intruder does make their way through your lines of defense, you will be adequately warned and able to wait out the time until police are alerted by your monitors.

Eye Spy Electronics: Your Source for Peace of Mind

Eye Spy Electronics offers all these services and more. Whether you're looking to supplement your common sense solutions with a bit of hardware, looking for a bit of home security advice, or getting ready to set up a whole new security system, we have the tools and the time for you.

We also provide 24/7 offsite monitoring services across the United States. Our services are compatible with virtually any existing security setup, but we will gladly provide our expertise and equipment to install and arrange a security system that will work to your best advantage.

Contact us today for a free quote! We serve St. Louis, St. Charles and all of Missouri, as well as states near and far. Ask us what we can do for you - and we will work to the best of our ability to meet your needs. Your peace of mind is our business.

Dan Parrington is a freelance content writer for a variety of small businesses across the web. He operates out of his primary business website, The Parrington Review. You can contact him at dan@parringtonreview.com.

PERIMETER SECURITY BASICS

Last week we covered the essentials of interior security, from changing locks and storing valuables to motion sensors and offsite monitoring services. This week, we're going to take a closer look at some perimeter security basics that can keep a criminal from even entering your home in the first place.

It can be said that the basic difference between perimeter protection and interior security is this: while perimeter security emphasises personal safety, interior security is oriented toward protection of property. Interior security practises limit the likelihood of serious losses when a break-in does occur, and can often facilitate recovery of stolen goods; perimeter protection can often prevent a burglary in the first place, or at least alert the occupants of a home to an intrusion.

Everyday Home Perimeter Security Practises

Having sufficient lighting at all doors, windows and other openings around your home can be one of the most powerful deterrents to criminal activity. Without the cover of darkness, the would-be intruder loses confidence; their activities are plain for anyone to see, especially at the areas of entry.

Along the same vein, having good lighting in the front and rear of your property can be tremendously helpful. Encourage your neighbors to do the same!

Reduce available cover, such as from shrubs or bushes around your home. Keeping greenery trim and small in size is not only attractive overall, but useful in a practical way: criminals will be less capable of concealing themselves, and thus be less likely to target your home for a break-in.

Many homeowners keep a pet, most often a dog, on their property. This is one of the oldest and most effective ways of preventing unwanted visitation, as a dog will instinctively react to the presence of strangers, alerting both you and neighbors. Remember that a well-trained animal is always more useful in this capacity, as this will reduce false alarms and irritation.

Cameras as a Powerful Criminal Deterrent

Short of the much more high-cost and complex solutions that exist, the standard security camera is the ultimate in basic outdoor perimeter protection.

Many types of security cameras have been discussed in previous posts here on Safety and Security in St. Louis / St. Charles Missouri. Each one has a particular application; we're going to explore those options now.

The bullet camera is the most common and recognisable form of perimeter security around. Known for its distinctive rectangular shape and noticeable presence, the basic bullet camera sends a universal message to potential intruders: these premises are monitored and recorded, and your actions will not go without being noticed. Even before any criminal activity is ever recorded, the bullet camera makes the home intruder think twice before making a move on your property.

As a more advanced solution, the PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera and speed dome camera are a very potent means of preventing and recording unwanted visitors from violating your peace of mind. With the ability to either manually or automatically monitor a wide area, the continual activity and active observation of such a device is a sure thorn in the side of home invaders. A moving camera such as one of these is even more of a deterrent, as it suggests active and ongoing measures against intrusion on the part of a homeowner.

Your Best Security Solution

Having offsite monitoring services in place can often be the ultimate in preventing or responding to trespassers of any kind. When you hire Eye Spy to keep tabs on your security feed, we can alert you and the police to any violation of your privacy - within minutes. This is the eye in the sky that criminals fear the most.

Whatever your perimeter security need, Eye Spy Electronics has the solution for you. Contact us today by phone (877-821-4880) or email (sales@eyespyelectronics.com) to get a free quote and discuss your best home security strategy.

Dan Parrington is a freelance content writer for a variety of small businesses across the web. He operates out of his primary business website, The Parrington Review. You can contact him at dan@parringtonreview.com.

INTERIOR SECURITY BASICS

Last week, we covered cameras from the bottom up. If you weren't sure what your options were, we hope we were able to help clear that up.

Cameras aren't the be all and end of of security, of course; this week, for a change of pace, let's explore the fundamentals of interior security. As we'll see, these can range from something as simple as locking your doors to the most complex intruder detection systems.

Simple Precautions That Make a Difference

When moving into a new home, one of the first things on your checklist should be having the locks re-keyed. You can't know who all has copies of the current keys; this is just a simple way to avoid the unlikely - but devastating - intrusion of your new home by someone with the right key.

Store valuables and sensitive data in a secure or concealed place. No need to make it easy for a home intruder to locate and steal what you treasure most. In addition, use a safety deposit box at your bank to store valuables you are not likely to need very often.

Hang curtains on all windows in your home. Would-be burglars usually take the time to assess their potential gains before entering a home uninvited; if they can't window shop your possessions, they're that much less likely to attempt a forced entry.

Keep a general inventory of your household items. Keep the inventory in a safe place. Should the worst happen, and a home intrusion take place, you will be able to provide a detailed report to the police. Be sure to purchase a home insurance policy, as well; be ready to provide them with your inventory as well, should the need ever arise.

A Home Security System for Every Need

The most common form of home security system is the perimeter protection system. This form of electronic setup typically applies to doors and windows, alerting the occupants of a home if someone tries to force their way in. An ideal perimeter protection system would be applied to every possible point of entry.

An interior protection system consists of motion sensors placed in strategic locations around the inside of a house. This type of installation is used to alert homeowners to an unwanted presence within the walls of their home. Many motion detectors are also pet-friendly, designed to ignore the comings and goings of our furry friends.

Consideration should certainly be given as well to offsite monitoring services. A monitored system is much less likely to set off a false alarm, and will return consistently more accurate and timely results.

Eye Spy Electronics carries all these devices, and more. Our range of Ademco, DSC and GE wired and wireless alarms is equal to any, offered together with prices and service that stand head and shoulders above the crowd.

Drop by our site today to see what we can offer you. We also provide dedicated offsite alarm monitoring services, and a free quote for every need!

Dan Parrington is a freelance content writer for a variety of small businesses across the web. He operates out of his primary business website, The Parrington Review. You can contact him at dan@parringtonreview.com.