Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Top Five Security Gadgets

It is not surprising that I find myself drawn to all the latest home security gadgets.
There is no substitute for a home security system but these gadgets are just plain neat. Statistics show that a burglary occurs every 15 seconds. Keeping that in mind your first mode of protection should always be a home security system with monitoring services. I will go into more detail at the end of this articles to help you select a security provider. Now on to the nifty gadgets!
5. FTV-10 Fake TV Burglar Deterrent Device
This gadget simulates a television to people outside your home. The FTV-10 produces light effects that mimic the varied light of someone watching television. It uses a bright LED light output which is microprocessor controlled. The output resembles light produced by a 27" TV. This device is the perfect item to setup on a timer in your home when you go on vacation.
4. Hidden Wall Safe Available From ThinkGeek
This tiny safe is the perfect place to put small valuables or stash some extra money. Often if a burglar enters your home they are only there for a few minutes. This hidden safe looks exactly like a regular wall outlet. The plate on the outside of this wall safe can be changed to match the existing ones in the room where you install the "fake outlet." This is a cheap, easy solution to keep a couple pieces of jewelry away from prying eyes. The dimensions of this safe is: 7"H x 3.5"W x 2.5"D.
3. Mini Bug Detector Available From ThinkGeek
So, maybe you don't have a reason to be concerned about wireless microphones or transmitters but this is just plain awesome! Take this gadget with you traveling to secure your hotel room or use it in your office. It has the ability to detect those hidden little bugs and show you where they are with an audible tone and LED signal strength display. This device looks for transmitters using frequencies between 50MHz and 3 GHz.
2. Biometric Wall Safe Available From Norco Alarms
Biometrics is a fascinating technology that is being found as an optional component for computer security as well as access control to buildings. This safe has a small footprint with dimensions of 15 7/16" H x 16 3/8" W x 7/8". The 7/8" is how far from the wall the safe is. This safe is small enough to easily hide behind a painting just like in those old Magnum days but large enough to hold up to two handguns. There is a small hidden compartment inside the safe to keep personal items out of view.
1. RFID Digital Door Lock Available From ThinkGeek
Never worry about which key opens the door to your home with this interesting door lock. This lock cannot be picked. In fact it has a built in alarm should the door be forced open. It comes with 8 RFID Smart Keys including 4 cards, 2 tags, and 2 fobs. Included in the design of this digital lock is a PIN pad. The PIN pad can be used if you do not have your RFID Smart Key.
Naturally the best "gadget" we can have in our house are alarm systems. The above items should never be considered the final security options for your home. They are merely fun gadgets to include in your home security system.
When selecting a home security provider, look for one of the top names in the industry such as ADT, Brinks, or Honeywell. Choosing a top name will give you more options in your security system. Be wary in your selection. Not all security providers are the same.
All providers will include three standard buttons on there control panel to quickly call medical, fire, and police response units to your home. This is excellent but you must have a landline connected to the control unit. ADT Safewatch stands out from all the rest with their ability to contact the CMC (Customer Monitoring Center) using a nearby cellular tower using Safewatch Cellguard. In a time when home owners are switching to Internet phones or cellular phones this is a prime feature.
Look for a security system that has pet sensitive motion detectors. These can be setup to either recognize the size of an intruder or detect temperature changes. This allows you to still arm the home while you are away. Your indoor pets will not trip a false alarm which can save you money in the long run. Excessive false alarms are costly for both the monitoring service and yourself.
Another important feature is the ability to detect fire, carbon monoxide, freezing pipes, and flooding. These features are add-on features available from most security providers and an excellent investment in the protection of your home and family. The carbon monoxide monitor is an absolute must for any home as this gas is both odorless and colorless. It can cause serious health complications and even death to your family.
Finally look for a system that provides you with the most comprehensive monitoring service such as ADT's 24 Hour Monitoring. Unlike Brinks, ADT has a total of five monitoring centers which immediately take over if one center becomes unavailable.
Burglary, fires, and floods can cost you thousands of dollars if not detected quickly. Take the time to investigate all your options in home security to safeguard your home and family. This small investment can make a large difference.

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