According to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock, a burglary takes place in the U.S. every 14.6 seconds . It is never a bad idea to be too cautious, especially when it comes to protecting your home or office against potential intruders. One approach that many home and business owners take to preventing theft is to install an alarm system. In the possible case that the intruder successfully breaks in, an alarm system may cause them to stay for a shorter amount of time and lessen the amount of damage. When shopping for an alarm system it is a good idea to consider one with a central monitoring system, that is, someone off site monitoring your system and ready to respond if and when an intrusion occurs. These systems are advantageous because they provide on call response even when you are away, which is when burglars are working their hardest.

At the same time, individuals using alarm systems should not blindly rely on them or use them as a sole defense mechanism. In addition to an alarm system, people should use common sense practices such as always locking doors with solid locking mechanisms and keeping valuables in safes to further their protection.

There are two types of dome cameras available, fixed and PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom). A fixed dome camera shoots a constant position, while a PTZ is more versatile with the ability to shoot from various angles and can be programmed to zoom at the cue of desired motions. Many businesses prefer dome cameras as a security measure because of their weatherproof and vandal-proof design. Another advantage is the smoked covered bubble that encases the camera. This allows the camera to be obscured from people’s vision, making it harder to know whether they are on surveillance. Dome cameras are a perfect way to maximize security within an establishment. Although, some drawbacks would be the intrusive bubble design, and the limitation of where to install the cameras. Most are ideally made for ceiling use, possibly making maintenance a task. We recommend the Weatherproof Varifocal Color Armor Dome for $199.85 today.

There are several different types of systems that wireless camera’s run on depending on where the user wants to store the information and in what format they want to view the information. The following describes two common systems that wireless security cameras use. A standard wireless camera without internet connection requires the user to have a camera and receiver device. The camera must be plugged into an outlet or powered by a battery and the receiver must be connected to an outlet along with the television. The receiver has a min. of 3 plug-ins; the power cord, and video and audio connections via the television. Once installed, the camera and receiver are set to the same frequency and it is on that frequency that the camera transmits signals to the receiver which picks up the signals using an antenna. The receiver then feeds the information to the TV monitor where information can be recorded on either a VCR or DVR system. The second type of security camera system involves the internet. A wireless internet security camera system requires an internet connection which can either reach the camera through a wireless network or by Ethernet cable, depending on user preference and camera specifications. If the camera runs on a wireless network, a router is required. The camera must be plugged into a power source or battery powered and once connected to the internet, records video and audio and then feeds the information to a storage device. The storage device can either be the computer hard drive, a separate designated storage drive, or the camera can record straight onto the internet broadband. Some unique features of a wireless internet camera include the ability to have email notifications sent, mobile phone updates, and the ability to log on from any computer worldwide to view the recordings. The internet can be used in various ways even with a standard camera which connects to the television, for example, an internet ready television can take the information from the receiver and record it to an internet DVR.

Although everyone can agree that home security is an important issue, many people choose not to deal with it until it’s too late. After any tragedy, the ensuing days are filled with “what-ifs” and “why’s” which are then followed by a surveillance system installation in hopes of regaining that precious feeling of security. However, the fear experienced by those, all too often, unexpecting homeowners can be easily and cost effectively avoided by having a proactive approach to the issue. Home surveillance systems have become more and more popular and no longer carry the stigma of being available only to the wealthy. After all, no matter what your check book reflects, safety is not an elite privilege. Having a security system in place, and having outdoor cameras present has become increasingly common due to a number of factors. First of all, as mentioned before, these systems have become extremely affordable. Also, as with any type of system, there are many different options, which allow for any homeowner to set up a security system that both matches the coverage they are looking for as well as the budget restrictions they may have. Furthermore, outdoor surveillance cameras don’t require the homeowner to pay any additional monitoring fee’s that come standard with other advertised security services which also drives down the cost. Having such a system in place can also have insurance benefits depending on the insurance company, which over time, would outweigh the initial cost of the equipment completely.

Often times such surveillance measures are thought to be difficult and time consuming, especially when it comes to their installation. However, in this day of technology, that stigma too has faded. Wireless surveillance cameras allow for a pain free and fast installation without the additional hassle of wires and drilling. Wireless cameras can be easily installed by anyone and don’t require the help of technicians or handy-men. Once in place, the images captured can feed right into a home computer which can many times be viewed from any inside or outside location. So, whether you’re watching TV, out for the day, traveling for business, or lounging on the beaches of Hawaii with your family, with an outdoor camera system in place, you can rest assured that your home is safe and sound. The picture quality is also impressive and unharmed by stormy or rainy weather due to an outdoor camera’s protected, weatherproof exterior. These outdoor surveillance systems are also very versatile in nature and can be moved around without hassle and with new infrared capabilities, can capture both day time and night time images.

So what type of security can be expected from an outdoor surveillance camera? One possibility is using the camera as an outdoor “caller-ID.” We grow up learning not to talk to strangers and to screen incoming phone calls but opening the door to a complete stranger can be just as dangerous if not more so. Thus, a camera in place can act as a screening measure for both children and adults before opening the door to an unexpected visitor. Second, if you are away from home often, having a visible camera in place not only allows for you to continuously check on your home but can also act as a deterrent to would be criminals. The camera, if placed in the backyard can also be used to monitor the pool area or children playing outside which is often a grave concern for parents. Lastly whether you are away or at home an outdoor surveillance system provides for you and your family the watchful eye needed to give you the safety, security and peace of mind that is valued so highly.