When Does Home Security Turn into Paranoia

Melissa Gonzalez — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:36:22 +0000

Webster dictionary defines paranoia as a tendency on the part of an individual toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others. Although these days you feel like you cannot have enough security in your home, there is a limit to how far we will go in securing our home before we have reached the point where we would by identified as being diagnosed with paranoia. The question then becomes, what is that limit and how do I measure if I am past the limit or far from it? Feeling a sense of personal security is no doubt a very personal matter and will differ from individual to individual, yet we can find a reasonable balance which would satisfy the average person in achieving that sense of security we all seek to have. On the other side of the coin however is the fact that most people in America today actually have a false sense of security and that also can be very dangerous because the reality is that we do live in a world today where 1 out of every 5 people in America will experience some type of burglary or break in at some point in their lives. So the question we will be asking in this article is, are you experiencing paranoia when it comes to securing your home or are you like most Americans who are on the other side of the fence and are actually living their lives with a false sense of security?

To answer that question we will look at what are some reasonable steps you can take in securing your home without going overboard and living like you were on Americas most wanted list. The first and most important thing to do in an attempt to secure your home is of course installing an ADT monitored home security system. This is not even my opinion; this is a fact verifiable by any law enforcement agency. Having a monitored alarm will make you ten times less likely of becoming a burglary victim. To go the next step in reasonably securing your home would be to install a surveillance camera system in your home which would integrate with your ADT monitored alarm system so that in the event of an actual break in you could log into the internet from anywhere you have access and instantly see what is going on in your home. Honeywell is in the process of releasing an alarm / cctv integration package which would instantly send to your cell phone and email notification of an alarm activation and instant images to your cell phone or computer. You would also have through the internet the ability to make your computer a virtual keypad just like if you were right at home. The next thing you may want to add to your security portfolio is light control through X-10 technology or possible even Lutron light control. This light control technology allows you to choose which lights turn on at what time and even choose the desired dimming levels. The integration of lighting control to your ADT system allows for some or all light to automatically turn on throughout the house in the event of alarm activation. As you approach your home you can at the touch of a button on your remote keyfob have the foyer or other light turn on as you enter the home.

Aside from the above mentioned methods of protecting your home you can do practical things like installing better locks or cutting back some of your landscaping to expose more of your home to neighbors. Having a guard dog is ofcourse a great idea and a rewarding one as well. The list could go on forever but in the end each of us has to reach a level of security which gives us and our family member’s peace of mind. So find your comfort level and remember to make sure not to reach the paranoid level or the worst yet the false sense of security level.

Do It Yourself Home Security

Melissa Gonzalez — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:43 +0000

As a child growing up in the 70′s, I vividly remember going to gas stations and receiving full service, where an attendant would check your oil level, radiator water level and even wash your windshield. A hardware store was a place where you would pick up items to do minor repairs around your home. The mention of any type of home improvement was strictly left to experts in their respective fields. However in today’s day and age things have taken a turn towards self reliance and independence. A full service gas station is almost impossible to find, and a do it yourself home improvement mega store is just around the block from your house, with materials to practically build a home yourself. A television network has even been created for the do it yourself handyman or woman which gives around the clock instructions on how to do any type of home improvement imaginable. Surprisingly though, seldom do we find any mention of advice for installing your own home security system. Although we all agree that there are some home improvements that are best left up to professional contractors to perform, such as roofing or adding a swimming pool, the question of whether a home security system installation falls under that category will be the topic of discussion for this article.

The following information is given on the assumption that the residence where the installation will take place is an existing home and not a home under any kind of construction.There are three stages involved in the installation of any security system. The first stage is the design and installation of all device wiring. This is the most difficult part of the job and is the part that requires knowledge of how the interior of a home is built because visually it is impossible to see through walls and determine where a barrier of any kind will hinder you from getting a wire through the wall. Even if a wireless system is being used, a wire for the power transformer, a phone line to the outside dmark, a siren wire, a ground wire and a keypad wire must all be run to provide proper system operation. In some cases these wires can all be run to relatively close proximity to one another, but in other cases they are nowhere near one another. If the use of a hardwired system is the choice for the installation, then all the wires mentioned previously must be run in addition to a wires going from the main control panel to every single door, window or device which will be installed. However, for a do it yourself installation it is wiser and much more practical to attempt and install a wireless system.

Once all the required wiring is installed, then stage 2 begins, which is the installation of the devices. The control panel can be installed first, followed by the siren, keypad and then the power transformer. It is then recommended that the phone line connection is made and the ground wire connection be terminated. After successfully performing all necessary wiring connections, then it is time to install all of the wireless devices. Each and every device should be fastened with screws and mounted at their proper alignment.

The third and last stage in the process of installing your wireless home security system is the programming of the control panel. Every control panel comes with very detailed information on how to program every device as well as multiple features relating to the installation. Sensors have to be assigned a type of format which tells the control panel what the function of the device will be. Codes must also be programmed into the system to gain access to arming levels.

It is not a coincidence that no alarm manufacturer allows end users access to installation or programming manuals for their equipment. No technical support will be given to anyone who calls a manufacturers tech support line unless they are a licensed alarm contractor. Most US cities or towns require electrical permits to install a home security system even if it is a wireless system because of the risk of fire or life safety due to incorrect wiring or installation. Aside from the hazard concerns also comes the concern that if a device or entire system is not properly installed it could result in the system creating numerous false alarms which most cities now apply fines to homeowners for.

Although these days homeowners all over the country are willing and able to upgrade almost anything in their homes, you would be well advised to leave the installation of your home security system to a licensed and insured professional installing company.

Home Security Concepts » keypad

When Does Home Security Turn into Paranoia

Do It Yourself Home Security