This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

You may not realize it, but by some historical standards, we are currently living in a relative utopia. Human resourcefulness has contributed to a large number of technological advancements, which have provided us with everything from running water to cross-globe communication. Innovation is a valuable tool in all aspects of society, and can be extremely useful when applied to the topic of home security. Here’s a quick guide to the definition of “Do-it-Yourself” home security, as well as creative feedback from several people on their fictional ideal security system.

What is DIY Home Security?

Depending on the context, “Do-it-Yourself” home security can have several different meanings.

Do-it-Yourself Home Security Kits
Some people want to have a full range of customization over the components of their security system. To meet this need, many companies are now providing “DIY Security Kits”. These kits usually consist of a variety of sensors, monitoring devices and motion-activated devices. Depending on the company, these kits may or may not come with a contract or monitoring plan. While DIY home security kits allow for customization, they may or may not also contain a “control panel” to centralize the data that is captured by all of the different components/sensors.

Alternate Security Methods
In some cases, DIY home security can refer to using alternative methods of home security. For example, purchasing and installing a burglar-proof deadbolt lock yourself can greatly increase the security of your home. Other alternative DIY security methods include “home security landscaping”, installing motion detecting security lights, and having a trained guard dog to protect your home. This type of DIY home security is often combined with the protection offered by a monitored security system for maximum effectiveness.

Tech-Savvy Home Security
For people with a fair amount of technical knowledge, the prospect of creating a home security system from scratch can be an inviting challenge. This type of DIY home security can involve building/programming motion sensors, creating a camera that only records when it detects movement, an alarm that activates when a door is opened, and sensors that send out a text message when they are triggered.

In a quick interview, several people shared their own innovative (and creative!) ideas on their ideal type of fictional security system.

Q: How Would You Protect Your Home?

A: Dogs with laser eyes and shoot bees out of their mouths when they bark.-Andrew J.

A: Arnold Schwarzenegger. – James T. W.

A: I’d build a moat around my place, and have sharks with lasers attached to their heads swimming around. – Alex G.

A: A Robot Lawn Gnome surveillance system. Like Invader Zim had! :p – Alex G.

A: My dad would be my security system. – Natalie M.

A: I’m thinking more evil lair-ish. Several trap floors, some leading to spikes, some leading to large rooms with rabid animals lying in wait to attack. Random flamethrowers when doors are opened. Huge glass/plastic cages that fall from the ceiling and fill with poisonous gas, which are connected by floor tile switches. Evil disfigured minions patrolling the corridors. And for my own personal touch, a speaker system so I can taunt the trespassers with Mariah Carey music. – Waison C.

How to Make Your Own Laser Security System
This instructional video details the components that you will need to construct your very own laser security system. This system is fairly inexpensive, and can be built without a comprehensive knowledge of electronics. However, when soldering, always follow the proper safety procedures in order to avoid injury.

Click here to view the embedded video.

How to Make a Trip-Wire Alarm
This simple demo shows you how to make a trip-wire-activated alarm using a few household items.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Make Your Own Burglar Alarm
This video demo was released by Parallax, showing how to make a burglar alarm using some of the company’s devices. An interesting feature of this video is an explanation of how to create “custom characters” to display on the alarm’s LCD display! Though not all steps are detailed in the video, additional resources can be found on the Parallax forums.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

With new advancements in technology, many people are now converting to “green” energy to power their homes. Solar power, hydroelectric power and wind power are just a few of the methods that are now accessible for many people to use. While some people use alternative energy just to power certain devices, other people use it as a stand-alone source of electricity. However, when it comes to security, is it really possible to power your home security system with solar power? Here’s a bit of information about determining if you can run your security system off of solar energy.

Professional Installation
If you have significant electrical knowledge, you may be able to install your solar power system yourself. However, if in doubt, it’s always better to seek the help of a professional. Due to the cost of some home security systems, you want to ensure that the solar system is installed correctly.

Harsh Weather
In many cases, a solar power system can be designed in a way that allows it to survive severe weather conditions. Given the amount of money you will be spending on solar panels, you want to make sure that they are able to provide a reliable, constant supply of electricity to your security system. If you plan to install your solar panels yourself, do some research about methods that you can use to increase the durability of your panels.

Identifying Your Load Configuration
Before you begin even thinking about powering your home security system with solar power, you need to determine your load configuration. Each security device in your home requires a certain amount of electricity in order to operate properly. Different devices require different amounts of electricity, so you need to calculate this total value beforehand. Be sure to include your control panel, motion sensors, security lights, video surveillance cameras and any other equipment that is connected to your home security system.

Using Battery Backup Power
Even if you aren’t using solar power, it’s always important to have a battery backup for your home security system. Some systems come standard with a device that can power a control panel even if electric power is lost (usually for a designated amount of time). It’s best to have a battery backup system that is automatically configured to provide power in the event of an electrical outage. A battery backup system can also help reduce the amount of stress put on your devices due to power fluctuations.

Responsible Maintenance
Out of the types of alternative energy, solar power can be configured to be relatively maintenance-free. In fact, some people use solar power to provide electricity to security systems in unattended locations, such as remote beach-houses or mountain cabins. However, you will still need to regularly check the operation of your solar system, in order to ensure that it continues to run correctly.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

In the popular TV show Seinfeld, four friends have various misadventures in life, love and work environments. The series aired for nine full seasons, running from 1989 to 1998. One of the interesting things about the show is that many episodes revolved around scenes that would take place in the apartment of a character named “Jerry Seinfeld” (who was also one of the creators of the series). To let people in to his apartment, Jerry listened to them talk over his apartment’s intercom, then pressed a button to unlock the apartment’s door downstairs.

These intercom systems were actually invented around the time that train travel was expanding in popularity. The antique ring system that was used on trains helped the development of today’s sophisticated intercom systems. We now have various types of intercoms for emergencies, home security and even video conferencing. However, how useful are these intercom systems at protecting your home’s security?

Types of Intercoms

There are a few different types of intercoms that are used for security. These types include:

Audio Entry Intercom
This is the type of intercom that is commonly used in large apartment buildings in large cities. A person will press a button on a keypad that corresponds to the apartment that they are trying to reach. This results in a “call” being placed to that apartment, where the apartment’s resident usually asks the person downstairs to identify themselves. Then, the apartment resident has the option to push a button, in order to allow the downstairs door to be unlocked for a few seconds, allowing the person to gain entry.

Video Intercom
The video intercom system is the next to develop after audio-only intercoms. A video intercom allows a resident to gain a more positive identification of the person attempting to gain entry, which results in better security. Most of these systems stream live video, which is also accompanied by an audio feed. Though video intercoms were once too expensive for the average homeowner, demand for their secure method of identification helped make them more accessible and less expensive.

Emergency Intercom
The emergency intercom is a system that is present on many monitored home security systems. Its features may vary depending on the specific system, though most of these intercoms offer direct connection to emergency systems. They are particularly useful because they allow the resident of a home to converse with emergency services (or the system’s monitoring station) without using the phone. These emergency intercoms are also commonly used on “panic button” pendants, which are sometimes used by elderly people living alone.

So, Do I Need An Intercom?

Like many other security products, choosing to install an intercom is all a matter of preference. Do you want to have video confirmation of the identity of anyone attempting to enter your property? Would you like a security system that offers one-touch access to the monitoring station and emergency services? Some security systems even offer emergency intercom systems at no additional charge, as they come standard on many of today’s systems.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

In one of the famous scenes of the 1999 movie “Entrapment”, Catherine Zeta Jones navigates through a field of simulated lasers. The scene was featured in the trailer, on television shows, and has even been mimicked in the 2004 movie “Oceans Twelve”. Though the laser scene was criticized by movie reviewers for focusing a lot on Catherine Zeta Jones’ anatomy, it remains to be an element of popular culture even today.

While the visible lasers often seen in Hollywood movies are a myth, there are lasers that are used to protect homes from unwanted intruders. These laser systems are actually fairly inexpensive, and can provide a comprehensive system of motion detection in certain areas of a home. Furthermore, these laser security systems don’t have to be purchased from a security company, and can often be found at many general electronic retail stores.

How Does it Work?

There are several components that may be used in a laser security system. For generalization purposes, this article will cover the most common features. This includes:

Circuit Board
The circuit board for a laser security system usually includes a microchip, a voltage regulator, a battery, a resistor and a photo cell. It’s possible to make your own circuit board for a laser security system, as long as you have access to the proper tools and materials.

Pet Immunity
Since lasers are so easily triggered, many laser security systems also include a pet immune feature. If your system does not have pet immunity, you may want to place your laser security system at a height where it will not accidentally cause your pets to trigger the alarm.

Audible Alarm
As a deterrent, a laser security system may include an audible alarm. This alarm will be triggered when one of the laser beams is broken, signaling that the system detected movement.

Text Message Alerts
When a laser security system detects movement inside your home, it may be able to send you a text message alert. This can be done even if you have built the system yourself, as long as you have a fair bit of electrical knowledge.

Expansion Capability
Some laser security systems are sold as stand-alone models (without monitoring), while some are sold as a part of a whole security system package. Many laser security systems can be expanded to include non-laser features, such as flood detectors, carbon monoxide sensors and wireless security cameras. If you want a system that has expansion capabilities, you may want to purchase your laser security system from a company that also offers monitoring protection.

Laser Shield Home Alarm System Demo
This video from Brickhouse Security shows how the LaserShield wireless home alarm system works, as well as the proper installation procedures. This particular system can be combined with monitoring, which may either be activated an electronics store, on the internet, or over the phone.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mythbusters Tests Laser Security
This video is from the popular TV show “Mythbusters”, where the team tests methods that could allow them to bypass a laser security system installed in a narrow room. Many of the methods that they try to use are featured in popular Hollywood movies.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

“I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”

This popular catchphrase actually originated in the 1980′s, from a television commercial for “LifeCall”. The commercial depicted an elderly woman, who fell in her bathroom and was unable to stand. She touches a “Medical Alert Pendant” around her neck, crying out to the emergency dispatcher who is on the line, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”.

This commercial quickly became a part of popular culture, and is still cited even to this day. The fact that the acting in the commercial was rather mediocre, as well as the cheesiness of the commercial’s catch phrase were both contributing factors to its popularity. Though LifeCall went out of business in 1990, another company (now known as Life Alert) picked up the phrase, making it their registered trademark.

In all seriousness, however, it is every homeowner’s nightmare to be unable to call for help inside their home. Though seniors are arguably the most at-risk for an incapacitating fall, there are other situations that may require an auto-dialing device. In home security situations, it can be very helpful to know that even if you aren’t able to make it to a phone, you will still be able to call for help. Here is a quick guide to auto-dialing devices, and how they are used for home security.

What is an Auto-Dialer?

An auto-dialer is an electronic device that connects to your phone line. In many cases, you can program emergency numbers into the device, and these numbers will be automatically dialed in the event that the dialer is triggered. While some auto-dialers are part of home security systems, others are used as wrist or necklace pendants for elderly people living at home.

Common Auto-Dialer Features

These are a few of the features that may be included with an auto-dialing device.

Custom Number Programming
Many devices allow you to program in your own emergency numbers to be automatically dialed in the event of an emergency. These numbers may include friends, family members, your doctor or emergency services (such as police or fire).

Smoke Detection
Some auto-dialing devices are triggered when they detect a high volume of smoke present in your home. This feature allows your house to be protected even when you’re not at home, and automatically “call for help” in the event of a fire.

Intercom Speaker
Depending on the auto-dialing device, it may also contain a speaker to broadcast the voice of the emergency staff member (or family member) on the other line. If you have been incapacitated, this can help you to follow instructions. These speakers may sometimes also be used to broadcast your own voice, if you need to give instructions or warnings to other members of your household.

Auditory Alarm
When combined with a home security system, many auto-dialing devices are paired with a loud, auditory alarm. This alarm may be triggered in the event of a burglar detection, smoke detection or simple activation of the auto-dialer.

Tamper-Alert
Some of the more high-tech auto-dialers also include a feature that lets you know when someone is tampering with the system. Some burglars may try to disable any alarms and systems in order to remain undetected, so this feature may be particularly useful.

Wireless Sensor Integration
Since many electronic devices today have wireless capabilities, auto-dialing devices are no exception. Some devices are able to sync with a variety of sensors that can be placed around the home. However, in many cases these sensors are only active when placed within a designated radius of the central device.

Original LifeCall Commercial

Click here to view the embedded video.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s no secret that everyone loves to get free stuff. Free samples at the supermarket, free trial periods, free address labels and other items are all very popular among many consumers. In actuality, many companies use the concept of a “Free” item as a very tactful marketing strategy. For example, on the website of popular retail giant Wal-Mart, you can request the “free samples of the month”, which may include everything from dog food, to face cream, to over-the-counter medication. The core idea behind their free sample program is that if you try a product, you increase your familiarity with it, and are more likely to purchase it in the future. Also, if you have a good experience with your free sample, you may go out and purchase more, once the sample runs out!

However, when it comes to “Free” home security, there is a bit of confusion. In essence, no security system is really “free”. Even if you design your own security system, you will be fronting the cost of the materials involved. This article is designed to explore the concept of “free” security, and what it means to you as a consumer.

Free System With Contract

A popular marketing tactic that some home security companies use is to give you the security system itself free-of-charge, as long as you sign a contract for a designated period of time. If you are planning to have long-term home security monitoring, this may actually be a viable opportunity for you. However, don’t just use the fact that you receive a “free system” as the deciding factor in your purchase. Check other features of the company, such as what type of monitoring they offer, how compatible the system is with other devices, and the fee you will pay if you need to get out of your contract.

Make-Your-Own Security System

As the entire population is becoming more tech-savvy, many people now see the concept of designing their own security system to be a fun challenge. You can choose how many cameras, the type of surveillance, the number of motion detectors that you use, and other features. However, this does not come without a cost. The first cost is the intial cost of the materials that you will be purchasing to design your own system. If you choose to buy your own video surveillance, a high-quality camera set can cost several hundred dollars. The second cost is the fact that you may not have 24/7 monitoring. One of the advantages of commercial home security systems is that they usually come with monitoring services, which essentially “watch” your home when you’re not around.

Alternative Home Security Measures

Some people see alternative home security measures as a type of “free” security. This many include training a guard dog, doing strategic landscaping (such as placing thorny bushes under windows) and positioning outdoor lights to cover entry points. While all of these measures can help to protect your home’s security, it’s a fact that the best protection you can get is in a monitored home security system. Alternative home security measures work best when combined with other measures that cost money, such as purchasing high-quality deadbolt locks, or investing in a security system.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s estimated that around 60% of fire-related deaths occur in homes that do not currently have a working smoke detector. Installing a smoke detector is one of the best (and least expensive) ways that you can protect your family from a potential fire. Most smoke alarms are fairly inexpensive, and installing a smoke detector may sometimes qualify you for a reduction in your home’s fire insurance rate.

To understand how a smoke detector works, you first have to understand the different types of smoke detector. Optical and ionization smoke detectors are most commonly used for residential and small commercial businesses, while air sampling smoke detectors are mostly used to protect expensive or valuable items. Here are the three types of smoke detector, as well as an explanation of how they are able to detect fires.

Optical
An optical smoke detector contains a light source that projects a beam of light through a lens. The light beam is directed at a photoelectric or photodiode sensor. When smoke is present in the air, the light beam isn’t able to shine directly on the sensor, as the light is scattered by smoke particles. In this event, the sensor causes the alarm to be activated. Optical smoke detectors are best at detecting smoldering fires, which don’t burn hot and produce a lot of smoke.

Ionization
An ionization smoke detector is the least expensive type of smoke detector, though it also is prone to false alarms. Ionization smoke detectors contain a very tiny amount of radioactive americium-241. The radiation produced is passed through an ionization chamber, which allows a current to flow between two electrodes. If smoke is present, it causes the ionization to be reduced by absorbing alpha particles. This disrupts the current, which triggers the alarm. Ionization smoke detectors are commonly faulted for “cooking” smoke, steam from showers, and other false alarms. Most people currently own an ionization smoke detector, and many apartment complexes install them due to their low cost.

Air-Sampling
Air sampling smoke detectors are currently the most technologically advanced type of smoke detectors available. An air sampling smoke detector operates by detecting tiny particles of smoke that are present in the air. The detector is able to draw in air through a network of pipes that run in a protected room. There are tiny holes in these pipes, which allow for a large area to be covered. A sensitive optical device is used to ‘sample’ air that is drawn in through these pipes, detecting any traces of combustion in a designated area. In many cases, air sampling detectors are used in conjunction with other fire protection methods, such as an automatic fire suppression system. Due to the complexity of this type of detector, it is mostly used to protect areas holding expensive or valuable equipment, such as computer server rooms and historical archives. Air sampling smoke detectors are able to detect traces of a fire much earlier than other types of smoke detectors, which also allows for damage from the fire to be kept to a minimum.

Related posts:

1. How to Choose a Smoke Detector for Your Home This post is originally authored at the home security blog...
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3. Carbon Monoxide Detector – How It Works This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

When a neighbor reported seeing as burglar enter Adam Magee’s home, Magee immediately called police. Law enforcement officers showed up promptly, conducting a search of the home to search for the suspected burglar. When their search turned up empty, they declared that there was no threat present, and Magee decided to go to bed. While he was lying in the dark, he heard a rustling noise coming from underneath his bed. Glancing over, Magee was shocked to see the figure of a man attempting to crawl out from under his bed. After feeling initial panic, Magee wrestled with the man (42 year old William Sowerby), and was able to detain him until the police returned. Sowerby admitted to the burglary, and was sentenced to be jailed for 3 1/2 years.

This frightening situation brings up the importance of having an extremely secure perimeter around your home. All of your entry points should be locked, even when you’re currently at home. Taking several measures to increase your level of outdoor home security is a great way to help prevent a burglar from even gaining access to the interior of your home.

Outdoor Home Security: Motion-Sensing Lights
This inexpensive security tool is an invaluable way to secure your property. The majority of burglars are much more inclined to commit crimes when they believe that they can do so without being caught. Having motion-activated security lights may sometimes be enough to deter a potential burglar. However, it’s important to exercise common sense when placing lights. Always have lights with a motion-sensing range that can cover all accessible entry points (doors, windows, outdoor basement stairways).

Outdoor Home Security: Guard Dog
Depending on your specific needs, you can either choose to keep a “Guard Dog” or a “Watchdog” for security purposes. As a loose definition, a guard dog is designed to intimidate (and possibly detain) a burglar until help can arrive. A watchdog will exhibit intimidating behavior (such as loud barking), though may not be aggressive enough to actually chase an intruder. An extremely important thing to remember is that you should never leave a dog outside for extended periods of time. This can cause behavioral problems, separation anxiety, as well as destructive behavior. Caring for a dog is a huge responsibility, and you should only keep a dog if you have  resources to give it proper care and training.

Outdoor Home Security: Fencing
Before constructing fencing on your property, make sure that your fencing is approved by your community’s rules. Some communities will not permit you to build certain types of fencing, or will put restrictions on any fencing you construct (even if it’s completely on your property). That aside, fencing in your property is a great way to make it more difficult for a burglar to access your property. Fencing should ideally be used in combination with other security features, such as motion-activated security lights.

Outdoor Home Security: Video Surveillance
Many people don’t consider how valuable video surveillance can be in protecting your property from intruders. It’s an unfortunate fact that the criminals who commit burglaries are often very difficult for law enforcement to apprehend. In the majority of cases, the goods that were stolen aren’t ever recovered. By having a video surveillance system, you can greatly increase the chances that law enforcement will be able to positively identify any burglars. For night surveillance, be sure that your camera is able to capture footage in a variety of light conditions. Night surveillance cameras may be expensive, but they are often well worth the cost. However, if you don’t have the money to purchase a full surveillance system, you can also purchase “dummy” security cameras. Since many burglars only commit a crime when they believe they won’t be caught, it’s best to place a dummy camera in a well-lit, highly visible location.

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1. Outdoor Lighting This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

FamilyHomeSecurity.com has always been a site dedicated to providing helpful, informative and relevant information to its readers. As of this week, Family Home Security is now listed on Alltop.com in the Home Automation category.

“We wouldn’t be here without the amazing quality of the writers, or the consistent subscribers and viewers of our website.” – James Z, founder of FamilyHomeSecurity.com

The concept behind Alltop is similar to that of a search engine. However, it takes an important step further than simply listing search results. When you search for a topic in a search engine, you come up with a page of information that may or may not be relevant to information that you are trying to find. Even if you find a relevant site, the quality of the information contained in that site may not be what you’re looking for. Sifting through search engine results on a specific topic can be both time consuming and frustrating.

Alltop hand-reviews every submission to their site, in order to make sure that it includes relevant, high-quality and constantly updated content. Right now, Alltop constantly deletes feeds from sites that aren’t updated for a period of 28 days, or sites that no longer provide content that is relative to their listed category. The sites listed on Alltop are not the result of computer algorithms, or popular voting in a specific category. The goal of Alltop (according to its founders) is as follows:

“The purpose of Alltop is to help you answer the question, “What’s happening?” in “all the topics” that interest you. You may wonder how Alltop is different from a search engine. A search engine is good to answer a question like, “How many people live in China?” However, it has a much harder time answering the question, “What’s happening in China?” That’s the kind of question that we answer.”

The feed on Alltop is updated about every hour, in order to ensure that the headlines for each site stay current. For a site to be selected for listing, it must meet or exceed all of Alltop’s (very strict) quality standards.

James Z. founded Family Home Security after being the victim of burglary twice in one year. Since its early days, FamilyHomeSecurity has come a long way, both in site design and number of subscribers. The site now has several dedicated writers, who are constantly researching useful and high-quality information to provide to people interested in learning more about home security.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s late at night in a small suburban neighborhood. A young woman is upstairs in her bathrobe, excitedly preparing for a date. She carefully applies eyeliner, dusts her face with powder, and begins combing through her long, dark hair. Just as she’s about to turn on the blow-dryer, she hears a rattling on the doorknob downstairs. Oh, I guess he’s here early, she thinks to herself, a smile on her face as she hops down the stairs to the door.

However, the face that greets her through the doorway window is the masked visage of a criminal. The criminal smashes through the glass, immediately triggering a loud, ear-piercing alarm. The woman, terrified, runs back up the stairs, stumbles into her bedroom, and locks the door. The phone rings a second later, and the woman picks it up. Since the alarm was triggered, her security company’s monitoring station immediately placed a call to her home. The woman reports the burglary, and is informed that the authorities are on the way.

Similar situations to the one described above are commonly used in home security commercials. However, with recent advancements in technology, there are now a number of methods that a security monitoring company may use to contact a homeowner. Here are five different ways that a monitoring company may send you security alerts.

Internet
Certain types of home security systems allow you to view the real-time status of your home online. If you have video surveillance, you may be able to view the video footage online as well. If there is a break-in, you will be able to identify the specific sensor that has been triggered.

Email Message
If there is an intrusion that is detected in your home, you can program some monitored home security systems to send you an instant email alert. The content of the message will usually specify what type of alert was triggered.

Cell Phone Call
Since many homeowners now have cell phones, you can choose to receive phone calls from your home security company when there is a possible security situation in your home. If you have a smartphone, there may even be a downloadable application that you can use to monitor the status of your home security system.

Home Phone Call
For houses with land-line telephones, this method is still preferred by many homeowners. If a sensor in the system’s monitoring area has been triggered, a representative from the home security company will often immediately make a call to the home to assess the situation. This allows them to assess the situation, as well as decide if the authorities should be notified.

Text Message
Ten years ago, no one would have imagined that you would someday be able to receive text message alerts about the status of your home security system! Today, you can even program some systems to let you know when your children return home from school, when there is motion detected on your property, or when a specific sensor has been triggered.