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

Over the past two years, auto thefts have fallen 20%. Most of the urban areas in the United States reported fewer burglaries. This did not just occur overnight, however. Since 1991, vehicle burglaries have been dropping steadily. There are a few reasons, though, for the sharp and significant decrease in the past year.

One reason car burglary has dropped is because of better anti-theft technology like LoJack and OnStar which help police track stolen vehicles. Other devices that help deter burglars include car alarms and steering-wheel disablers. Anything that makes the car look harder to steal, such as a steering-wheel lock, discourages thieves. Tinted windows and covered storage spaces further prevent tempting burglars. Drivers are also more aware and are taking the necessary precautions to protect their vehicles.

Also contributing to the decrease in car thefts is newer cars. Newer cars are harder to steal because most come with more sophisticated anti-theft security. For example, newer cars now have encrypted key codes. Before the ignition will start, it has to recognize the key’s code. This means that hot-wiring and forcing the key cylinder will be useless. The car will not start. OnStar also blocks engines from starting or can make a vehicle slow down at the request of the police.

Better law-enforcement tactics are also causing the reduction in car thefts. Police are using “bait cars” to catch regular car thieves. “Bait cars” have GPS tracking, remote engine-kill switches and video surveillance. Police are also using license-plate readers. A license-plate reader scans hundreds of plates to spot stolen cars.

Another reason less vehicles are being stolen may be because there is simply less crime. This could be due to a number of reasons including surveillance cameras, better policing, the aging population and military deployment overseas. As more thieves are jailed, fewer young people take their place.

Following is a list to illustrate just how much car theft has dropped over the year.

• Los Angeles: Dropped from 582 per 100,000 people to 443. Los Angeles is now in 42^nd place.
• New York: Fell from 197 per 100,000 to 156. New York ranks as 223^rd in the United States.
• Las Vegas: Sank from 1,035 per 100,000 to 563. Car thefts were nearly cut in half, but Las Vegas ranks at 9^th.
• San Francisco-Oakland: Dropped from 833 per 100,000 to 611 and is in 7^th place.

So what are the nation’s top ten auto theft capitals? Ranking number one is Laredo, Texas with 742 thefts per 100,000 residents. Laredo’s high ranking is due to its location. It is next to the Mexican border, and according to The Wall Street Journal, “Drug cartels are helping make the U.S.-Mexico border region a hot spot for vehicle thieves.” In 2007, Modesto, California claimed the number one ranking with 1,058 thefts per 100,000 people. Following is the nation’s top ten cities for car theft:

1. Laredo, Texas
2. Modesto, California
3. Bakersfield, California
4. Stockton, California
5. Fresno, California
6. Yakima, Washington
7. San Francisco-Oakland
8. Visalia-Porterville, California
9. Las Vegas-Paradise, Nevada
10. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Source:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/tough-times-for-auto-thieves.aspx

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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.

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.

In the year 2000, it was estimated that only 53% of stolen cars were ever able to recovered. Today, the recovery rate for stolen vehicles is around 80%. Though a portion of this percent increase could be attributed to more efficient reporting systems for stolen vehicles, it’s possible that the growing popularity of GPS vehicle recovery systems is also a factor. Today’s technology enables us to have a much higher chance of recovering a stolen vehicle, and in a much shorter amount of time than in previous years.

What is a GPS Recovery System?

Essentially, a GPS vehicle recovery system is composed of a small transmitter that is able to send information which shows its geographical location. When a car is stolen, its owner can use this information to help law enforcement to quickly recover the vehicle.

Popular GPS Vehicle Recovery Systems

AlwaysFind Mini Realtime GPS GSM SMS SOS Covert Vehicle Tracking Locator Tracker
The AlwaysFind Mini is marketed as being the “world’s smallest vehicle tracking device”, measuring 2.5 inches long, and 1.75 inches wide. It is able to lock on to GPS signals even in indoor environments, deep canyons, and even underneath dense foliage environments. It can be programmed to send out an automatic alert once the tracker is moved over 500 meters from its original location.

Zoombak ZMBK200 Advanced GPS Car and Family Locator
The Zoombak ZMBK200 is able to be located by using two separate methods. A 24/7 customer call center can be contacted to find its location, or a customer can look up its location online. It has nation-wide coverage, and comes with a 30-day risk-free guarantee. You can program over 10 customized ‘zones’, which allows the device to send you alerts when your vehicle enters or leaves a ‘zone’.

Zoombak Advanced GPS Universal Locator – GPS tracking Device
This Zoombak device is ‘universal’, which  means that it is commonly used for tracking a variety of personal belongings. While it can be used for tracking vehicles, many people also use it for tracking backpacks, bicycles, motorcycles and even to track a child’s location. This is one of the less expensive of the GPS locating devices, and does not have as many features as some of the more sophisticated devices.

Escort Entourage PS Kit-0019 GPS Vehicle Tracker
The Escort Entourage PS Kit-0019 is designed to cover many areas of vehicle security, besides just GPS tracking. It includes “tamper-sensing” technology, which can alert the owner of a car when their vehicle has been compromised. You can even program to receive instant alerts (by SMS text or email) that will let you know when the security of your vehicle is under attack. The battery of this device lasts for 7 days, which is extremely long compared to some other GPS tracking devices. To locate a vehicle, a customer simply has to use their web browser or mobile phone.

Escort Entourage CIS Kit-0016 GPS Vehicle Tracker
This unique device by Escort is able to arm and disarm automatically by using a key fob on your keychain. Like some other models, this device can be programmed to notify you by text message or email when your vehicle has been moved or otherwise tampered with. Tracking is provided in real-time, allowing you to know the exact location of your vehicle at all times. You can share this location information with other family members, who can also access your vehicle’s GPS tracking. Installation of this GPS device is very simple, which is the reason why it is popular among many consumers.

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

In April of 2010, the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon sank, leaving behind a gushing oil well that has caused the largest oil spill in US history. Now, with hurricane season already underway, many experts are concerned that hurricane conditions could further spread the oil over much of the southeastern US states. With hurricane Alex (which is currently forecast to hit Mexico) already causing disruptions in the form of 12-foot waves, it’s important that you understand the classifications for different types of hurricanes, as well as what kind of effect they can have when the pass over areas of land and water.

When Does a Tropical Storm Become a Hurricane?

The term “Tropical Cyclone” may refer to a hurricane, tropical storm, tropical depression, cyclone or cyclonic storm. It’s a general term for a weather system with a low-pressure center, as well as several strong thunderstorms. A tropical storm is measured at having sustained winds between 39 mph and 73 mph. When the winds inside a tropical cyclone reach a sustained speed of 74 mph (not including gusts), it is classified as a hurricane.

What is a ‘Storm Surge’?

For hurricane classifications, you will commonly see a reference to “storm surge height”. A storm surge is when the water level in an affected area goes up by a designated number of feet over sea level. This is caused mostly by the high winds of the storm system pressing down on the surface of the water. A storm surge is also sometimes casually referred to as a “storm tide”.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is the most widely known method for classifying hurricanes. The classifications are as follows:

Category 1 Hurricane:
This category occurs after a hurricane has formed from an existing weather system. The wind speeds of a Category 1 hurricane are from 74 – 95 mph. The storm surge is usually measured as being from 4 – 5 feet. Most of the damage from a Category 1 hurricane are to mobile homes, vegetation and some windows. Minor flooding in coastal areas.

Category 2 Hurricane
A category 2 hurricane has wind speeds from 96 – 110 mph. The storm surge may reach heights of from 6 – 8 feet. Damage to residential roofing, windows and doors is common. Mobile homes and shrubbery are under considerable threat. Any boat in an unprotected mooring is also at risk for serious damage.

Category 3 Hurricane
When a hurricane reaches category 3, its wind speeds have been measured at 111 – 130 mph. The storm surge may reach heights of from 9 – 12 feet. Residential structures are under considerable risk, and mobile homes are often completely destroyed. Serious flooding puts all coastal residential properties at additional threat. Minor number of curtainwall failures.

Category 4 Hurricane
A Category 4 hurricane has wind speeds from 131 – 155 mph, as well as storm surges that reach from 13 to 18 feet. Widespread curtainwall failures, as well as complete destruction of some small structures. Extensive beach erosion, and widespread flooding are also common.

Category 5 Hurricane
For a Category 5 hurricane, wind speeds are at or over 155 mph. The storm surge can reach over 18 feet. Hurricane Wilma (a 2005 storm) was the most intense Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, with top wind speeds of over 185 mph. A hurricane of this strength could destroy many residential structures and cause severe flooding, which would result in large-scale evacuations.

Satellite Footage of Hurricane Dean (2007)

Click here to view the embedded video.

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

During the Renaissance, kings and queens would designate special residential areas to house their friends, family and loved ones. These secluded ‘communities’ helped elevate some to standards of higher class, and allowed royalty to single out their most loyal followers. Some of these communities also had advanced protection, such drawbridges, moats, tower guards and heavy metal gates. In the 1800′s, the city of St. Louis developed a system that gated off specific streets for ‘beer barons’, granting them a class distinction. After the huge real-estate market increase in the 1980′s, gated communities have been appearing in most every major city.

The Modern Gated Community

In today’s society, gated communities generally serve one main purpose – to prevent unauthorized access to the community. The three main types of gated communities are:

Security
This type of community is usually self-produced, by several individuals who wish to band together to “shut out” their neighbors. The gates are often constructed and implemented by the residents themselves. In most cases, a security gated community will be constructed in an area with extremely high crime, gang wars, or low income level.

Social Status
For some people, a gated community is all about social status. In order to preserve a certain way of life, some people wish to be surrounded by people that are in similar financial situations. The walls and gates around these types of communities are usually a marketing strategy by the community, in order to encourage residents to move in who wish to feel that they are of elevated social status.

Lifestyle
When people have a specific lifestyle, they may want to be able to share that lifestyle with their neighbors. Examples of lifestyle gated communities are: retirement communities, ‘back to nature’ communities, religious communities, horseback riding communities, etc. This type of community gives its residents a feeling of comfort and security, since they have the privacy to participate in activities that match their lifestyle choice.

Are Gated Communities Safer?

There seems to be some debate as to if living in a gated community does actually protect you and your family from crime. To outline the important points in this debate, we can look at some of the advantages and disadvantages (as well as their corresponding statistics) that may be present in a gated community.

Advantages
Depending on the specific security measures exercised by a specific community, criminals from outside may have a bit of difficulty trying to steal from homes in a gated community. Since the community has fewer residents, it’s possible that some people may develop closer personal relationships (this is especially true in lifestyle communities). In some cases, a gated community may include a gym, grocery store, post office and other luxuries, increasing the convenience for residents. Due to the relatively small population of some gated communities, it’s possible to become acquainted with everyone in your neighborhood. Knowing your neighbors has been shown to have an impact on lowering crime rates.

Disadvantages
It’s been proven by many law enforcement officials that gated communities offer their residents a false sense of security. Because they feel ‘safe’ behind the gate and walls, residents may not take basic security measures (such as locking their doors and installing a burglar alarm). In addition to this, some gated communities may not have a comprehensive criminal screening process for their residents, which may increase the risk of a crime being committed. If a gate uses a manual code, this code could be observed by a person outside of the community with intent to commit a crime. In an experimental study, a few investigative reporters drove to several gated communities in Naples, Florida. Without identifying themselves or giving a security passcode, they were admitted to all of the gated communities that they tried to enter (by security guards). It seems that if a person living at the community (or outside of the community) is intent on committing a crime in a gated community, they may not be inconvenienced by the community’s ‘security’ measures.

Conclusion

As with any lifestyle choice, it’s always best to do your research before moving to a gated community. Never assume that the security measures in these communities are enough to provide 100% protection against crime. Check to see if your community does criminal background checks, or if you have any registered sex offenders living in your community. Spend some time getting to know your neighbors. All of these measures, however small, can have an impact on reducing the chance that you will be the victim of a crime in your community.

… Planning commissioner Nina Lipton asked the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Rodney Monroe whether he had any data on safety in gated versus nongated communities. The police and planning departments matched up communities as closely as they could, looking at income levels, multi-family, single-family and other factors. In terms of crime rates, Monroe said, “We saw no difference.” – An Excerpt from an article by Mary Newsom (Source)

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Most people view wireless technology as being a relatively new invention. However, the first successful wireless transfer of electronic signals actually took place in 1879, by a man named David E. Hughes. Hughes was able to transmit radio signals several hundred yards, all by using a keyed transmitter. However, it was a long time before Hughes was fully recognized for the breakthrough that he’d made, since he did not satisfy the proper “scientific requirements” of the time period. Hughes eventually went on to produce the Hughes Telegraph, which was the first telegraph machine that could print out text messages that were transmitted over long distances.

Today, wireless technology has become extremely common, with most residential households now having their own wireless internet connections. In relation to home security, wireless technology helps to improve versatility and effectiveness of home security devices. One of the most notable devices that improves the security of a home is the wireless security camera. Using wireless technology for security cameras has several important advantages.

1. Versatility.
When placing a wireless security camera, one of the most important benefits is the versatility that you have with the placement. Since you don’t need to take into account the length of the wiring, you have more freedom to place your wireless security camera in an optimum location. This can also help you to improve the effectiveness of your video surveillance system.

2. Flexibility
If you install a wired security camera surveillance system, it can be extremely difficult to move your cameras after they have been installed. With wireless security cameras, you have the flexibility to move them at any time. This can help you to have more control over the level of surveillance captured by your cameras. For example, if you have an outdoor pool that only requires surveillance during the summer, you have the freedom to move your cameras to other locations.

3. Inconspicuous Surveillance
With a wireless security camera, you aren’t required to place it in a specific location. This gives you the ability to hide your camera in any location that you deem appropriate. While some of the benefit of having a video surveillance system lies in the cameras being a visual deterrent against burglars, there may be times when you wish your cameras to remain hidden. Examples of when hidden cameras may be useful are: interior surveillance cameras, “nanny cams” and motion-activated security cameras. Also, with wireless security cameras, you don’t have to worry about drilling into your wall to find a place to hide the wiring.

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

Criminal psychology is a subject that has been covered in thousands of books, articles, studies and media publications. The subject itself is so large, that it’s nearly impossible to cover it in its entirety. However, in relation to home security, understanding some aspects of criminal psychology can help you to protect your home and family against criminals. The motivating factors in many crimes are fairly basic, relying on a certain mindset, or specific circumstances.

So, let’s evaluate a much more fundamental question – What Causes People to Steal? Of course, there are hundreds of different factors that could contribute to theft, but for our purposes, we should focus on some of the basic causes. Though each of these causes will not necessarily always lead to a theft, each should be recognized as a possible contributing factor.

Opportunity
The phrase “crime of opportunity” does have a basis in actual statistics. When a person sees an opportunity to commit a crime and gain an instant reward (such as a laptop sitting on the seat of a locked car), the chances increase that they will take that opportunity. Now, this isn’t to say that every time a person sees an opportunity commit a crime, that they will do it – it should simply be regarded as a contributing factor.

What You Can Do
To reduce the chances of being the victim of a “crime of opportunity”, it’s important to be mindful of your valuables at all times. Never leave laptops, GPS devices, smartphones or other valuable items in plain sight inside your vehicle. Always keep the windows of your residence closed and locked when you are not at home.

Poverty
Many people believe that crime rates are affected by the state of the economy. In our post, “Do Crime Rates Increase During Hard Economic Times?“, this topic was explored a bit more in-depth. However, a person’s level of poverty can have an influential effect on how likely they are to commit a crime. For example, if a man is having trouble making enough money to feed his family, he may resort to crime as an attempt to provide for them. If an individual has fallen on hard economic times, they may see theft as an easy way to make some quick cash.

What You Can Do
The best way to prevent crimes of this sort is to choose a home that is located in a low-crime, stable economic area. However, it’s still not possible to prevent poverty-related crimes completely. Take some time to volunteer in your community, which can have the added effect of improving the quality of life within your neighborhood. Neighborhood watch programs, community food banks and ‘time banking’ systems are all great programs to become involved in.

Anonymity
One of the most commonly cited factors that influences the likelihood that a person will commit a crime is anonymity. When an individual believes that they can commit a crime without getting caught, they are much more likely to steal. The fear of being exposed during a criminal act may be the sole factor that prevents a person from committing a crime.

What You Can Do
It is entirely possible to use the fear of being caught as a defensive tool against potential criminals. Install monitored security cameras around your home in visible locations (or dummy cameras, if you’re on a budget). If you have a monitored security system, place signs around your property alerting of your protected status. Adopt and train a guard dog to bark at any intruders on the property surrounding your home.

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In 2002, a breakthrough service called “Friendster” was released. Since social netowrking was relatively new, a few people decided to make their own versions of Friendster. Brad Greenspan (founder of eUniverse) oversaw a social networking project that eventually turned into Myspace. Mark Zuckerburg, a student at Harvard, created a site (called “Facemash”) that compared photos of other Harvard students, which eventually grew into today’s Facebook.

For many teens, social networking is a way of life. However, recently using social networks has progressed past the adolescent crowd, and advanced to include mothers, fathers, grandparents and even company CEO’s. For many people, using a social network is a comprehensive and inexpensive way to keep in touch with people they care about. For others, it represents an effective way to market a product, service or business brand name. Three of the most commonly used social networks are Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

Children as young as 9 are now making their own social network pages, as the internet reaches new levels of accessibility. However, with these changes, there are also significant risks. Younger children may not be able to handle negative attention, which often is projected over the internet. Cyber bullying has recently received a lot of media attention, due to the four bullying-related middle school child deaths in 2009 alone.

What is Cyber Bullying?

Cyber bullying is defined as any situation in which a child is bullied over the internet. This may be through chat programs, social networks, emails or other methods. In 2006, a thirteen year old girl was incessantly bullied by an ex-friend’s mother, who made a fake account pretending to be a sixteen year old boy named Josh. The mother gained the girl’s trust as Josh, then proceeded to begin bullying her incessantly by sending insulting and negative messages. In 2009, an 11 year old boy endured harassment from other students at his school, who frequently called him derogatory names over the internet. Both of these cases resulted in the children in question committing suicide. As you can see, the problem of cyber bullying can be extremely dangerous to young children.

How Does Cyber Bullying Occur?

In some cases, a child will be bullied from anonymous comments, chat messages and emails. Since the internet provides a level of anonymity, some children may use this for malicious purposes. Services such as Formspring allow people to ask another person anonymous questions, which may sometimes be hurtful or insulting. In some cases, a child will be bullied directly by comments on their Myspace, Facebook or other social network account. Open chat rooms are also another place where cyber bullying is common.

Can Cyber Bullying Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent other children from bullying your child. However, there are measures that you can take to help minimize the effects of cyber bullying. While the arena of parental observation is somewhat disputed, it is recommended that you keep an eye on your child’s social network accounts. Also, be wary of your child frequently going into any public chat rooms, or staying up late on a regular basis to use their computer.

What Should I Do if My Child is Being Bullied?

First, identify the source of the bullying. If the bullying is coming from students that attend school with your child, contact your school’s administrative department. Since cyber bullying is no longer viewed as “harmless” by many schools, this can help you to get the bullies in question disciplined.

Where Can I Find More Information?

There are several organizations that have become devoted to providing information about cyber bullying, as well as tips to help you to prevent your child from becoming a victim. For more information, you can go to:

• http://stopcyberbullying.org/
• http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
• http://www.cyberbully.org/

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Did you know that in 2002, there were 2,151,875 burglaries in the United States? Compared to other countries, the burglary incidents in the United States make up over 26% of the world’s total.

Many people mistakenly believe that the majority of burlgaries take place at night. However, according to the FBI, 60% of burglaries take place during the daylight hours. This means that burglars most likely target homes that are left vacant while families are either at work, school or running errands. About 69% of burglars acutally enter through the front door, usually by damaging or infiltrating the lock. In the majority of cases, it takes a burglar less than 60 seconds to gain entry to a home.

According to statistics, a burglary takes place  in the United States every 12 seconds.

Evaluating the Cost of a Burglary

This year, one in five homes will be burglarized, according to the FBI’s Crime Reports. On average, the property loss will be around $1500, not counting the damage to the house that is caused by the break-in. Using these statistics as an example, let’s say that your monitored home security system (with several installed sensors) costs you $50.00 per month. This equates to about $600 per year. If the average loss from a burglary is over $1500, isn’t having a monitored home security system a more economical option? This doesn’t count any additional protection, such as flood sensors, fire sensors or carbon monoxide detectors.

Another good example is Melaleuca Home Security, a company which charges $24.95 per month for a basic home security package. This would cost you about $300 per year. For a more comprehensive package that includes interactive video and security, the cost is $39.95 per month ( Which equates about $475 per year). [NOTE: These estimates are for information purposes only. They do not include the installation fee associated with installing a system, since it may be dependent on specific factors.]

Insurance Discount

Many homeowner insurance policies offer a discount on their policies if a homeowner purchases a monitored security system. However, an insurance company usually requires a system to be installed by professionals, in order to make a homeowner eligible for the discount. In most cases, an insurance company will offer discounts of 15 – 20%. Most insurance companies also have a list of approved security systems that affect discount eligibility. To receive a discount, it’s also necessary for a homeowner to obtain a security alarm certificate, which is usually provided by their security monitoring company. If your insurance premium is $1200 per year, you could save up to $240 per year on your insurance (with a 20% discount). For this particular example, this would mean that you’re saving $20 per month on your insurance. If you have a monitored security system that costs $50, this means that with your insurance savings, you’re essentially only paying $30 per month.

Peace of Mind

There’s one benefit of having a monitored security system that can not be given a price tag – peace of mind. Having a monitored security system can help reassure you that in the event of a disaster, your home will have a measure of protection. Depending on the features that you choose to add to your monitored security system, it’s possible to install a very comprehensive security system to your home. You can protect against fire, floods, carbon monoxide emissions, theft and other disasters. You can install 24/7 video monitoring, that allows you to watch your home from any location. You can install pressure-sensors, which will let you know if there is any unauthorized access to certain areas of your home.

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