Vari-Focal Camera Viewing Lengths

Vari-focal cameras can typically be adjusted to accommodate viewing lengths from between 2.5 mm to 10 mm, which offers a lot more range than cameras with a fixed lens. A vari-focal camera can best be compared to a zoom camera feature which can be manually adjusted. When using a vari-focal surveillance camera, homeowners have the option of selecting a high millimeter setting for narrow viewing fields or a low millimeter setting for wider viewing fields.

Choose From a Variety of Vari-Focal Camera Options

Cameras featuring a vari-focal lens are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Among the many security cameras that we offer, the Lasertech IR Vari-Focal Bullet Camera with 2.8-10mm Lens is one of the most popular in this category. This camera is useful for daytime and nighttime recording, and has a viewing field that can be adjusted to record up to 98 feet away from its placement.

Vari-focal cameras come in a variety of styles including bullet cameras, dome cameras and tamper-resistant or vandal-proof types, such as the Digital Hi-Res Vandal Proof IR Dome Camera. Depending upon which vari-focal camera purchased, other features may also include motion detection, weather-proof operation and infrared technology. Cameras that come with an auto-iris feature are also highly recommended, since such technology also allows a lens to be adjusted to accommodate multiple lighting environments for even better clarity and focus.

Vari-Focal Cameras Offer the Best Recording Flexibility

When selecting a security camera to monitor a home or a business, it is important to have an idea of the field of view that a camera will need to have in order to be the most effective. The clarity and the focus of the images that the camera captures are also very important considerations. Cameras with a vari-focal lense allow owners to adjust settings in order to arrive at one best suited for the area being surveilled, as well as to capture the clarity needed to clearly identify the fine details of what has been recorded. A vari-focal feature further comes in handy if a homeowner ever has cause to relocate a camera or simply feels the need to adjust a camera’s focus for whatever reason. In short, these cameras offer the most in terms of all-around surveillance flexibility.

Technical Help With Vari-Focal Settings

Even with the flexibility afforded by a vari-focal camera, some people may need help determining how to properly set a camera for a desired field of view. A simple Internet search for a vari-focal lens calculator can help with this matter. Such a tool will allow an owner to enter values relating to an area’s width, height and distance in order to determine the best camera positioning and focal length needed to achieve these viewpoints. Of course, our technical support team is also available to help with this calculation and answer other questions about surveillance cameras or home security, in general.

Understanding Lens Basics

In addition to using a vari-focal lens calculator, a basic understanding of how a lens relates to a field of view helps when installing a new camera system. For example, a wide lens will have a smaller field of view, but images within that field will actually appear enlarged. Conversely, smaller lenses produce a wider field of view, but the images captured in that view appear on a smaller scale. Wide lenses are, therefore, popular when users wish to monitor compact areas, such as a doorway, a window or a mailbox. A small lens, on the other hand, is useful for those who wish to survey an entire front or back yard space.

Who Should Use a Vari-Focal Camera?

Those who are unsure about the exact field of view needed, those who may need to occasionally change a field of view or homeowners who plan to someday relocate a camera are advised to purchase a camera with a vari-focal lens. While this type of camera can cost a bit more than a fixed lens camera, most customers find value in the variety and flexibility of a vari-focal surveillance camera lens over the permanence inherent in a fixed-lens camera. As with other surveillance and security tools, vari-focal cameras can be self-installed and can be used with other home protection devices to increase the overall security of a home or business.

What are your questions or experiences with camera lenses? Which lens type do you prefer? We always look forward to hearing from you in the comments section below.

Change the Code

Immediately change the code. Even if you’ve been told that the previous occupants have relocated to the other side of the world, do not take chances on your security by using a code left behind with a real estate agent. There is a pretty good chance that additional people, such as other agents, a property manager, a workman or two, a previous housekeeper, or even friends and family members of the home’s previous occupant know the old code, which could place your home and family at risk.

Read the User’s Manual

Unless a user’s manual was left behind, you may not be able to immediately determine how to operate the system or change the code. This brings us to our next tip for using a previously installed alarm system– download a manual from the web. Many manufacturers allow customers to view and download digital manuals from their website. Check the system’s control panel or keypad for information on the alarm system’s manufacturer, make and model, and use that information to search for the appropriate guide for your system. If you cannot find this information, contact the alarm’s manufacturer directly and ask for help. (Note that the alarm’s manufacturer and the company who sold the alarm to the previous owners may not be the same, so do not merely assume that the logo appearing on the front of the keypad is the manufacturer.)

Choose a New Monitoring Company

It is not enough to merely have a system that sounds an audible alarm. Since you’ve already saved a few dollars by inheriting a working alarm system, it’s time to invest in alarm monitoring. Doing so will help secure your home even more by maintaining communication between your alarm and a central monitoring station. In short, if your alarm is triggered and is not silenced by inputting your code within a few seconds, the monitoring station will be alerted. A live person from the station will then attempt to contact you to determine whether there is an actual emergency and, if unable to reach you, will summon the authorities to your home. Read our post about choosing a monitoring company for more information.

Do not, however, contact a vendor that installs alarms to inquire about monitoring since there is a great likelihood that the price they’ll offer you will be significantly greater than if you were to approach a monitoring company directly. In addition to high monitoring prices, such a company will probably also try to convince you that you need an entirely new alarm system. Depending upon the age and condition of the system you inherited, there is a chance that you may want to consider an upgrade, but there are a number of do-it-yourself options that will cost you a lot less in the long run so there is no need for you to enter a contract with one of these companies. Instead, consider a monitoring company like Alarm Relay, which offers monitoring for less than $9 per month.

Make Your Alarm’s Presence Known

If the previous owner didn’t display a yard sign, window decals or some other pronouncement of an alarm system protecting property, invest in a few of these deterrents right away. As we’ve mentioned several times before, burglars are lazy opportunists. They prefer unguarded homes occupied by people who, besides a front door lock, haven’t given much thought to home security. Placards, stickers and signs tell burglars that you have taken special measures to keep them out. Simply put, a burglar would rather bypass a home with these deterrents clearly displayed in favor of a home where these warning signs are absent.

Beef Up Your Security

Since you are already fortunate in that you do not have to purchase a new alarm system, consider adding additional layers of security to your home by investing in security lighting and surveillance cameras. At one time, people believed that security measures like these were out of reach due to their costs. The truth, however, is that security lighting and surveillance cameras are quite affordable, particularly since they can also be self-installed. A monitored alarm system is great for alerting you and the authorities about a break-in, but the mere sight of security lighting and cameras tends to stop burglars in their thieving tracks before an attempted break-in even takes place.

We Are Here to Help

Congratulations on inheriting a working alarm system. Remember that it is up to you to learn how to operate it and to optimize the security it provides by adding professional monitoring. Should you need help executing any of the tips we’ve offered here or if you’d just like more information on using your system, leave a comment below or give us a call– we’ll do our best to help you figure things out.

Did you move into a home with a working alarm system? If so, how did you begin using it?

If you find yourself classified as one of these exasperated individuals, we’d like to share with you a few very important problems that your system’s false alarms may a symptom of. A solution exists, but you must be willing to wage a little investigation to find out the cause first. Here are a few suggestions:

Low Batteries

Wireless home security systems contain batteries that need to be changed ever so often. Most systems give several audible warnings when batteries are low and some emit false alarms until batteries are replaced. If your home security system is experiencing false alarms, a new battery may very well be in order. Be sure to check your user’s manual or contact the tech support desk where you purchased the alarm to determine the exact battery needed.

Improper Installation

False alarms are often caused by sensors being poorly aligned or a system that was never properly installed. If experiencing frequent false alarms, users are encouraged to first check all sensors to make sure that they are in their proper places and securely attached to doors and windows. If a system was recently installed, false alarms may also be resolved by retracing installation steps to ensure that each one was properly completed.

Loose Windows

Windows that are easily shaken by wind or other disturbances can often trigger false alarms. This occurs when the connection between sensors attached to the windows are disrupted. Replacing or repairing loose windows will often solve the problem of false alarms in these cases.

Other Sensor Disturbances

Pets, the movement of curtains or blinds and other items can sometimes interfere with or slightly jar alarm sensors. When this happens false alarms are triggered and, unless an owner sees the interference occur, alarms may seem entirely random. False alarms stemming from these causes may be easily fixed by making certain that sensors are placed high enough so as to not be accidentally jarred by regular household activity. As well, homeowners should make sure that nearby objects are not causing sensor interference. If pets triggering motion detector sensors are believed to be the cause of false alarms, consider replacing an old detector with the DSC Wireless Pet-Immune Infrared motion detector or something similar to it.

Improper Use

Among the most common reasons for false alarms is human error. Often, these are simple mistakes such as opening a window after a system has been armed or keying in the wrong passcode. Making certain that everyone in the household understands how to properly use a home security system, including passwords needed to arm and disarm a system, may eliminate the disturbance of false alarms.

Faulty Equipment

While most home security systems are put through rigorous inspection and sold in excellent working order, every now and then faulty equipment may be to blame for false alarms. After researching all other possibilities, it may be necessary to exchange an alarm system for a new one. Note that it is important to only purchase a home security system with a warranty from a reputable company with a strong commitment to customer service in order to make this process as easy as possible.

Are the Alarms Really False?

Of course, there’s always a question of whether or not alarms are truly false to begin with. Sometimes this answer is an obvious yes. In certain cases, however, what one assumes to be a false alarm may actually mean someone has been tampering with a system or even attempting a break-in. Homeowners should routinely check for randomly unlocked windows or other suspicious signs in or around a home and immediately report findings to local police departments.

Never Ignore False Alarms

Whatever the cause of false alarms are, they should never be ignored. People install home security systems to protect valuables and family members, as well as to deter crime. This can only happen, however, if humans operating the alarm system use it as it is intended and pay close attention to the reasons behind any malfunctions. Far too often, people feel frustrated by false alarms and permanently disarm a system instead. Few things make a burglar happier than to happen upon a household that has abandoned the use of a home security system. If an alarm fails to function properly it is of little use and every effort should be made to rectify the problem even if it means replacing the system.

Surveillance Cameras

Windows, tiling, front doors and garage doors are among the most unexpected things one would expect to disappear from a construction site, yet each of these items have been known to walk away from unprotected locations. Short of hiring a security guard to monitor your premises, wireless surveillance cameras are the best way to increase security and reduce these types of thefts. An outdoor weather-proof camera with night vision capabilities is highly recommended since a good deal of construction site thefts occur during the pm hours. Remember that cameras should be placed high enough so that work crews do not have accidental contact with them and so that they cannot be tampered with. If you do not have a secure structure to house your DVR, consider placing it in a locked portable container or trailer. (Note that surveillance cameras are also a good way to monitor the progress of your home’s construction when you are unable to visit the site in-person.)

Security Fencing

You may be inclined to cut costs by avoiding the installation of a security fence around your property. However, imagine the cost of replacing walls that were destroyed in order to remove pipes and wiring– not to mention the time lost in having to repair and reinstall these items. Check your local laws before adding barbed wire to your fencing if you believe that such is warranted. Remember to also add security decals and placards, as well as clear signage about trespassing, since these items can serve as deterrents to thieves.

Monitored Alarm System

There is no need to wait until you move into a home in order to protect it with a monitored alarm system. In fact, the construction phase is the best time to install a hardwired system since you can simply integrate the necessary wiring into your building plans instead of having to drill into your walls to install the wiring later. While the jarring noise of an alarm by itself can cause a thief to flee, a monitored system is better since the home is unoccupied and a good monitoring company will contact you as well as send the authorities within minutes of an alarm being triggered.

Security Lighting

Bearing in mind that thieves prefer to work under the cloak of darkness, adding security lighting to your new home construction site may help reduce the risk of theft and vandalism. If you are concerned about energy costs, remember that security lighting can be triggered by motion detection and can be set to turn on or off automatically according to a timer.

Communicate With Your Contractors

Worksite theft and vandalism is common in the construction industry. Yet, laborers are often quite neglectful in securing tools and other items that attract thieves when left in the open. The overall cost of lost tools and equipment is sometimes even factored into future building costs. For some contractors this is simply the cost of doing business, but for you, the homeowner, this cost can be a great burden, not to mention time consuming since these thefts often interrupt completion schedules.

Have a serious talk with contractors about properly securing equipment and taking measures to prevent theft. Designate locked containers for equipment storage and ask that individuals be assigned to assure that all items are stored away at the end of the day. While you cannot guarantee that your contractors will heed your wishes, it helps to send a strong message about your expectations concerning their accountability when it comes to security.

Install Appliances Last

While you may not be able to wait to install your new high-tech refrigerator or built-in appliances, security experts recommend that you do exactly that– at least until you actually move into your home. Thieves are not only interested in small tools and wiring, but larger appliances like dishwashers and washing machines can also be targeted for theft. Such is particularly true if your home is being built in an area where few neighbors live nearby or where there is insufficient security to patrol a new home subdivision.

It’s Never Too Early to Begin Securing Your Home

Proper lighting, security cameras and a monitored alarm system are your best defense against theft and vandalism at your new home worksite. While not terribly expensive, especially in comparison to the potential price of not having them, a budget for these items can and should be factored into your overall building costs. Because it is such a lucrative business for thieves, construction site theft is a major problem worldwide. With these tips in mind, however, you can help reduce the risk of your building site becoming a new source of revenue for criminals.

Security Dos and Don’ts When Selling Your Home

Don’t leave valuables out in the open ~ Make sure that things like expensive jewelry, cash, electronics and pricey tools are securely stored away before you allow strangers into your home. We sometimes tend to leave items like these out in the open when we are relaxing at home, but to a burglar posing as a prospective buyer, these items are too enticing to resist. If you have a home safe, store them there or place them somewhere where people are unable to find them in casual passing. Remember that masquerading thieves will likely open a few drawers and cabinets as they feign interest in a home, so also make an effort to avoid placing your valuables in such obvious storage locations. If at all possible, you may even want to consider taking your valuables to a friend or a family member’s home for safekeeping for a while.

Don’t allow people in your home when you are not there ~ Of course, this tip won’t work for everyone since many reading this have jobs or other activities that require them to be away from home when an agent wants to bring prospective buyers by. If possible, however, require agents to schedule appointment times to show your property and keep open house events scheduled for days when you can be at home. Be prepared that some may make you feel as though this is an inconvenience, but don’t let this deter you from your priority of monitoring your home.

Do check your doors and windows after prospective buyers have toured your home ~ Crafty burglars will often unlatch a window or a sliding door with the hopes of returning later and using that predetermined entry point. To avoid this from happening to you, take a few minutes to check all of your doors and windows to verify that your home’s security has not been tampered with.

Don’t leave keys out in the open ~ We often form habits of leaving our house keys in easy to locate places like a kitchen counter or a hook near the front door. Unfortunately, burglars posing as interested buyers count on you doing exactly that. To avoid a burglar walking away with the keys to your home, tuck them away somewhere safe or keep them on your person while strangers tour your home.

Don’t give agents your primary security code ~ Certain alarm systems allow you to set secondary codes for service people, housekeepers and others who may need access to your house when you are away. If you must allow a real estate agent to access your home at a time when you cannot be there, set a special code just for them and never give out your main code. When the temporary code is no longer needed, be sure to disable it so that it cannot be used in the future. If your alarm system does not allow alternative codes, strongly consider getting one that does or only allowing your home to be viewed by appointment.

Do make sure that your security cameras are operational when you are away ~ The next best thing to being at home when strangers are touring your house is to use security cameras. These can be inconspicuously placed throughout your home or can be placed in locations where they are easily seen. Either way, they act as deterrents to burglars while also recording what’s going on inside your castle while you are away. Installing outdoor security cameras is also a good idea to make sure that your home’s perimeter is secured at all times.

Do ask for identification ~ If prospective homebuyers would like to tour your home without an agent or if you are selling your home without a realtor’s help– or even if you are, but just want to be safe, don’t be afraid to ask prospective buyers to identify themselves before touring your home. Boldly, but politely asking for a state-issued identification card will likely unnerve a burglar who’s interested in your home’s layout and inventory. There’s a strong likelihood that requiring such an action will even be enough to deter them from trying to lift anything during their visit or returning for a more costly crime later.

Stand Your Ground

An old adage states that just because one is paranoid doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be afraid of. To some agents and prospective buyers your focus on security may seem excessive or paranoid, but the reality is that burglars often do pretend to be interested in buying a home simply to gain access to it in order to calculate how to best rob the current occupants blind. Stand your ground in keeping your guard up and placing your family’s safety above all else. Remember, also, that having a home security system not only increases your family’s protection, but may also be an attractive selling point to others who are conscious about security.

Despite the popularity of hiding valuables as a means to protect them, many people seem to skip over the importance of performing this task with due attention and care. While hiding valuables can be a decent way to keep them out of the line of sight of any criminals who break in, failure to find an excellent hiding place can lead the same criminals right to the very spot in which prized items are hidden. What’s more, property owners sometimes give the location of their hiding places away by frequently visiting or adding to the contents of a hidden stash while in the view of others –particularly when windows and see-through doors are left without proper coverings. Another common problem with hiding valuables is the issue of originality; while some people make an admirable effort to find truly unexpected places to hide their valuables, others rely on tried and true spots such as underneath a mattress or at the back of a drawer, and as criminals are highly likely to check such areas during a burglary, putting valuables in common stash-hiding areas can be as short-sighted as leaving the items out in clear view. When hiding valuables is done correctly and with plenty of consideration, it may indeed be secure –but attempting to use this method without really thinking it through is likely to lead to disaster.

For an increasing number of people, taking advantage of the capabilities of a home safe is a more logical and comforting answer. A home safe may either be exposed or hidden in a wall or other area for added protection, but the impenetrability of the safe helps make its location less of an issue. An added advantage of using a home safe is the physical protection it can provide against threats beyond that of theft by another person. Should an earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, or other catastrophe affect a home, most home safes will be able to keep contents intact, whereas the vast majority of simple hiding places in or around a home would likely fail to provide this type of protection, resulting in the loss or severe damage of valuable goods. Investing in a home safe is, of course, more expensive than simply finding a good hiding spot, but many property owners are able to justify this upfront expense when considering the potential financial benefit that a home safe can provide.

Still other property owners aren’t especially interested either in finding an ideal hiding spot or purchasing and installing a home safe. When such owners nevertheless need to keep their valuables secure, however, it may be best to hire the services of a company with safe deposit boxes. Many banks and other financial institutions offer rentable boxes, and for a small monthly fee, property owners can transport their valuables to the contractor’s box and leave the burden of round-the-clock tight security to someone else. The expense of this alternative method of securing valuables may be a turn-off for some people, but the convenience it offers is well worth the cost for people who simply don’t have the time or the patience for working with other protection methods.

Whether an item is valuable because of its going rate on today’s market or because of its sentimental meaning for an owner, keeping it protected is an understandably important desire. By thinking about the different types of valuables protection available, property owners can find a solution that meets their preferences and budget.

How long does it take to receive a call from an alarm monitoring company?

A good response time is one minute or less. Anything more than this will not be of much value or use. While most companies will promise fast response times, not all deliver as much. If you are already using a monitoring service, you may want to intentionally trigger your system every few months just to measure their response time. If it is longer than a minute, we recommend shopping for a new service. Of course, if you are not currently using a monitoring company, the best way for you to investigate a company’s claims of good response times is to investigate the company’s reputation in this area, which brings us to our next suggestion for how to choose a monitoring company.

What do previous customers have to say about a particular alarm monitoring company?

The most popular services are not necessarily the best, so we recommend that you do a little homework here. First, check with the Better Business Bureau to determine whether any complaints have been filed against a company, how many complaints have been filed and if these issues have been resolved. Websites and home security forums that offer unbiased and unpaid consumer reviews and customer satisfaction ratings are also a good way to learn about the quality of a company’s service.

How much does monthly alarm monitoring cost?

While we are of the firm belief that your home security is priceless, the fact still remains that certain companies inflate prices. This is particularly true when it comes to alarm monitoring. Some of the largest, most popular home security companies use this tactic to make millions of dollars per year on unsuspecting customers by charging low upfront costs for things like installation and equipment only to inflate the cost of monthly alarm monitoring. In all actuality, good alarm monitoring can be found for less than $10 per month.

Is an alarm monitoring company UL Certified?

The best alarm monitoring services are those that have received certification from UL. Companies with this certification have been thoroughly vetted by the independent global leader, which specializes in safety science. In providing safety security messages to more than three billion customers worldwide, we tend to agree with others in the industry that a UL certification speaks volumes about how well an alarm monitoring service performs.

Who does your insurance company have the most confidence in?

Homeowner insurance rates are usually reduced when a customer invests in a good home security system. Insurance companies also tend to have an idea about which alarm monitoring services are better than others. Contact your insurance provider for a short list of companies to consider.

Who does your local police department recommend?

After attempting to contact you when an alarm has been triggered, a monitoring service will call the local authorities if you are unreachable. Police departments are, therefore, quite familiar with alarm monitoring companies and yours may be able to provide you with some insight in this area. In addition to a department’s professional opinion, most officers and employees also use a home alarm monitoring service. Call or visit your local police department to ask a few questions about what to look for in an alarm monitoring company and to get a feel for the services your local authorities feel are the best.

Does the company you are using or considering have their own central monitoring station?

Often, salespeople will attempt to pressure you into a alarm monitoring contract when you purchase a home security system. As previously mentioned, this is usually how companies are able to make up for their special “sale” prices on equipment and installation. This is precisely why we provide you with the alternative of do-it-yourself home security systems that allow you to get the same quality of security without the deceptive practices. Still, if you are considering one of these companies, before signing a monitoring contract ask if they have their own central monitoring station. If they do not, keep shopping. There is no need for a middle-man when you can deal directly with a central monitoring station yourself.

As always, we welcome your comments below and look forward to any additional tips you’d like to share with our readers

A Gun Sends a Strong Message

A gun can certainly be useful in frightening a criminal away from a home. Many thieves, particularly those specializing in home invasions, knowing that a home’s occupants are armed, will bypass such a home in favor of one where a gun is not present. Not only does a gun send a strong message for criminals to steer clear of a location, but being licensed to own one may also give a homeowner a heightened sense of security especially if properly trained to use a gun. Of course, if a criminal enters a home not knowing that a homeowner is armed, a gun can send an even stronger message provided that the homeowner is able to get to it in time and use it to her or his advantage.

A Gun’s Limitations

While a certain measure of security is afforded in legal gun ownership, we also must consider the realities of using a gun as a primary source of home protection. There are a number of scenarios where a gun isn’t of much use in securing a home. Further, there are also scenarios where a gun can actually endanger members of a household.

One of the foremost risks in relying on a gun for home protection is that a gun is only useful in the right hands. For instance, if a burglar breaks into a home while it is unoccupied, a gun is useless. In fact, if a burglar stumbles upon a gun in an unoccupied home, the gun is likely to be stolen along with other valuables.

Relying On a Gun For Protection Can Be Risky

Using a gun as the main source of protection for a family may also place family members at risk. Consider children who are allowed to stay home alone, but are confronted with an intruder. Most parents will agree that they would prefer that children not be placed in a situation of considering a gun for protection since there are far too many risky variables involved in such an encounter. Even an adult who is trained to use a weapon is often faced with the risk of being overpowered by an intruder and having a gun taken away. In these situations, a gun meant to protect can actually be used to terrorize family members or worse.

A Gun versus a Home Security System

When comparing the pros and cons of a gun versus a home security system, the latter is a far more reliable option for protecting a home. First, burglars who study a residence before engaging in a break-in prefer to avoid those where an alarm system, security lights or video cameras are present. Second, for those who are bold enough to ignore decals, placards and other evidence of a home security system, a piercing alarm is one that cannot be as easily ignored by the intruder or by others within earshot. As such, an alarm system and other deterrents may be far more effective in discouraging crime than a gun might be.

Guns Mainly Offer ‘After the Fact’ Security

For the most part, guns are only useful after the fact…meaning that they are most often effective in stopping a burglary or a home invasion after a criminal has entered a home. On the other hand, a home security system tends to stop criminals before reaching this stage, which automatically increases a home’s overall security. Given a choice, most homeowners prefer to deter criminals before ever having to come face to face with one, which is why home security systems are the best choice for primary security.

Multi-Layered Security

As mentioned earlier, we are not here to debate legal gun ownership. If you are comfortable with a gun in your home, trained to properly use one and are a responsible gun owner, having one is your prerogative. Merely, we would like to point out that a gun should not be solely relied upon for your home and family’s safety. As we’ve stated many times here, there is value in using multiple layers of security in order to protect your home from criminal invasion.

Security vs. Combat

If choosing to have a gun in the home for protection, it might be better to rely on things like a monitored alarm system, security lighting and surveillance cameras as your first line of defense against burglary and other crimes, and only rely on a gun as an absolutely last defense. Deterrents, such as lawn signs, window decals and even fake deterrents like the Global Link Laser Scanner Burglar Deterrent w/Transformer, can go a long way to keep criminals at bay and to reduce the likelihood of you or a member of your family from having to make the choice of engaging in combat with an intruder.

The following are a but a few of the ways that seniors and their families can increase senior security in the home:

Home Security Systems

Of course, we firmly believe that home security systems should be installed in all homes. Such should be of great priority for senior adults who live at home alone, particularly since burglars and other criminals have been known to intentionally prey upon the elderly. Simply installing an alarm system is not enough, however, as such systems should also be professionally monitored so that emergency assistance can be dispatched immediately if a senior is in danger.

GPS Monitoring

Knowing a loved one’s whereabouts at all times can be comforting, especially if that loved one’s mental capacity has begun to diminish. Few people ever expect an aging adult to wander away from home and become disoriented or lost, but these events do occur and can place a senior in grave danger. GPS technology helps family members and caretakers keep track of an elderly person’s location, which helps to  increase senior security, safety and peace of mind, overall.

Wireless Surveillance Cameras

Whether an aging adult is living at home alone or is under the supervision of a caretaker, installing surveillance cameras inside and around the perimeter of a home where an aging adult lives is a proactive step toward better senior security. For a modest investment, family members can remotely view events taking place inside of a home from a smartphone or a computer with an Internet connection. Video recordings can also be captured on film, saved and viewed at a later date. Sadly, regular news reports recounting incidents of horrible elder abuse abound. A high quality, affordable surveillance camera such as the Atrix Complete 4 Channel Camera Surveillance Kit, however, helps relatives literally peer into a loved one’s household in order to see that she or he is being properly cared for. A good surveillance system with remote viewing capabilities may also help aging adults who are in reasonably good health remain in their own homes and maintain their independence while allowing caring relatives to periodically check on them via video monitoring.

Video Door Monitors

As previously mentioned, burglars often target the homes of senior citizens who live at home. While most burglars prefer to steal from an unoccupied home, many brazen thieves will enter the home of a senior while she or he is inside of the house. In addition to this, con-artists will often pose as legitimate solicitors in order to scam an elderly person out of money and other valuables. One way to deter these unsavory types and better ensure senior security, is to empower aging adults to remain safely behind locked doors while still being able to communicate with visitors who approach their front doors. Models such as the Samsung Video Door Intercom Master Station will even allow a senior to grant access to familiar visitors without having to physically walk to a door, which, in addition to better senior security, can also be a great feature for adults with limited mobility.

Medical Alert Devices

Senior security also includes ensuring that medications are taken in a timely fashion and that an aging adult can immediately access help in case of an emergency situation. Medical alert devices that can be worn on the body are a good solution for this security concern. For instance, the SilverCare Personal Daily Living Assistant - Watch Kit functions as a wristwatch, but also allows an individual to press a single button on the watch’s interface in order to access 9-1-1 operators. This device can also be set to remind adults to take daily medications and can even be used to answer incoming telephone calls when a household phone is not within physical reach.

Making Senior Security a Priority

If you’ve read this far, chances are that you are someone with concerns about senior security. Rest assured that there are plenty of options available to make sure that seniors are consistently surrounded with multiple layers of security. After all, keeping seniors safe should be just as important as keeping children, pets and other family members safe and such is not very difficult to do with affordable do-it-yourself security systems.

Feel free to sound off below with some of your ideas for senior security.

With so many restrictions on what can be packed in checked luggage or taken through security screening and into the terminal with a passenger, it’s always a good idea to check the latest guidelines from security agencies in any countries that will be traversed during the course of a trip. In some cases, items that may seem perfectly safe to some travelers may receive a restricted status because of their involvement in attempts at perpetrating crimes or for less obvious reasons, and getting caught with these items may lead not only to their loss, but to an inability to board a plane and other punishments. It’s also the case that sometimes, items that had been previously banned from certain types of luggage are lifted in terms of their status and can once again be packed. Perhaps most notoriously, the United States’ Travel Security Administration reversed its decision to ban lighters in carry-on luggage after discovering that many millions of dollars and hours of effort were being spent on confiscating the items from travelers’ bags and pockets.

Packing in order to have a more pleasant airport security experience also requires that travelers don’t take any unnecessary risks in terms of what belongings they tuck into their luggage. In some instances it may make perfect sense to pack certain valuables for a trip, but unless these items are really necessary, it’s usually better to leave them at home. Though most airport security personnel make an honest effort to keep belongings safe while they’re being screened, it’s not always possible for workers to prevent thefts and losses, and in some instances items may even be damaged while they’re being checked out by security. Thinking carefully about whether it’s really best to bring expensive jewelry, high-value electronics, and other pricey items on trips is a good way to minimize the chances of sustaining serious financial loss or worry about such losses –though security shouldn’t come between an owner and their enjoyment of their possessions.

Airport security is usually considered in terms of the actions and services of professionals trained to work at airports, but travelers themselves are also responsible for ensuring that they’re safe and secure while traveling. During the process of packing, travelers should always think about their own particular security needs and any products or items that might be required while at the airport or on the plane. This most often includes medications, but can also include contact information and other pieces of data. Though it may seem unnecessary to have such items handy while traveling, they can go a long way towards improving personal security when they’re needed and are also available, and the hassle of attempting to find or replace them if they haven’t been conveniently packed can put travelers and their peers at risk. Keeping important documents such as identification cards and boarding passes within easy reach for use during airport security processes is also a good way to minimize potential frustrations and make the entire experience less problem-prone.

Traveling today can make some people feel especially stressed out as they’re forced to work with various airport security policies and procedures, but in many instances, it’s possible for travelers to cut down on the inconveniences of modern air travel and make the experience a more pleasant and relaxed one. By packing intelligently with a focus on keeping important items accessible and leaving any restricted items at home, travelers can make the process of moving through airport security faster and far more agreeable –not only for themselves and their families, but for security personnel as well as other travelers.