GEORGIA HOME SECURITY
WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY INFORMATIONAL WEBSITE!
Local area information…?
Perimeter Protection …?
Outdoor lighting…?
Smoke and Fire protection …?
Carbon monoxide protection …?
Window protection …?
Locks and door protection …?
Attic, basement, and crawl spaces…?
Garage and hatches …?
Telephone back up system…?
Home security monitoring …?
Local area information …?(see security links for recommended sites).
Before you purchase or rent your new home, condo, or apartment check out the local area by either stopping by your local
police and fire departments, or just simply chat with your neighbors. Also see my LINKS TO REVEIW to find free research
tools on your local area.
Also take note of the following:
Is the area clean? Are the homes in good repair? Are there street lights and do they cover your home? Are the streets
and home clearly marked?
Perimeter Protection …?(see security links for recommended products).
There are great systems that allow you to have protection for your family before the
intruder ever reaches the door or window. Driveway Sensors let you know when
someone enters your driveway or property up to 1000 feet away.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT FIRE:
Walk around your home. Look to see if any bushes, trees, or other items obstructing the view zone of any windows,
doors, or walking zones.
Check your electrical and telephone lines to see if there is easy access. If there is make sure your security system has
not just a back up power supply but a back up telephone security system.
Gates or yard fences need to be locked. They can act as privacy for the homeowner but also for intruders. Try to
select from materials that allow an open view.
Outdoor lighting …?
A well lit home is a safe home. Outside of every door there should be a vandal resistant light fixture giving enough light
to see the entire area.
Flood lights on the front side, where you park your cars (garage area) and back side of the home are a plus. If you
should have a porch be sure to have lights here as well. If the porch is located on the second floor be sure to have
lights under the area. And did you know you can have your lights tied into not just motion sensors (which can be
added to existing lights and adjusted for area). These lights can also be placed on timers, be sure to put these lights on
different times as to give the appearance someone is home.
Smoke and Fire protection …?
“Nearly 80% of all fire fatalities occur in the home. Of those approximately 80%
occur in single-family homes and duplexes” NFIRS, NFPA study
“75% of child fire deaths occur in places with non-working smoke detectors”. (FEMA)
Monitored detector doubles a person’s chance of surviving a fire.
Approximately 90% of U.S home have one smoke detector.
Nearly 50% of residential fires and 60% or residential fatalities occur in homes with
NO SMOKE detectors.
Every 24 hours 20 people die in a residential fire. (NBFAA, 2000)
1800 Deaths occur each year from carbon monoxide poisoning (NHPFA, 2000)
10,000 People are hospitalized each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. (North
Haven Professional Fighters Association, 2000)
This is a must. Think of it this way, if your not home who will call to get help. And if you’re asleep you’re more than likely
going to be woken by the alarms. It’s important to have a monitored smoke and fire thought out the home (attic, basement,
crawl space, garage, and on each floor of the home) due to time is of the utmost importance. I have noticed most rely on the
standard smoke detectors already found in the home. I do not recommend these devices. Due to they are high voltage,
measure only one thing, and can not be monitored. If you go to your local home store and look at the back of a smoke
detector device you will see that Underwriters Labatories recommends devices monitored for both ionization and photo
electric. Most standard smoke detectors measure ionization levels (amount of smoke) which often cause false alarms. A
photo electric detector measures temperature (detects smoldering fires). Most security companies offer a monitored
ionization and photo electric devices.
What are the leading causes of fire in the home?
Where do fires occur?
| Cooking |
22% |
| Heating |
17% |
| Incendiary/suspicious |
13% |
| Other equipment |
10% |
| Electrical distribution |
9% |
| Appliances |
7% |
| Smoking |
6% |
| Children |
5% |
| Kitchen |
29% |
| Bedroom |
13% |
| Living Room/Den |
8% |
| Chimney |
8% |
| Laundry Area |
4% |
Carbon monoxide protection …?
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer due to it doesn’t set off any alarms unless monitored by the right devices.
Meaning it has no smell like gas does and has no visual or audio warning like fires or smoke hazarrads. So guard your home
with a monitored carbon monoxide due to by the time you realize what is going on you will not be able to escape. A
monitored carbon monoxide detector should go on each floor of your home and near any appliances. If there is a room with
a door closed over the garage, near a fire place, or furnace, etc then put a carbon monoxide detector in the room as well as in
the hall way.
Window Protection …?(see security links for recommended products).
Windows are tools for burglars when not adequately secured. So how do you go about securing your windows?
One is placing a device on each window to know if the windows are all secured before leaving. Another is a
glass-break that listens for the sound of breaking glass. Another is shock sensors to measure for intruders cutting
glass. And yet another is a window screen. This device allows you to leave your window open but still give you and
your family protection. OR storm glazing (double and triple glazing will also give added insulation).
Windows should be equipped with a locking device or stops. Any lock used on windows should operate from the
inside so the window can be used for emergency exit. Stops such as metal or wood block screws are an inexpensive
way to secure your windows. But I would recommend that you have both the stops and locks on the windows if not
a security device. Thumbscrew metal stops are also available for some windows, which are easier to adjust/remove
than traditional wooden stops. Obviously, "stops" limit the ability for you to use windows as a means of emergency
exit, requiring you to break out the window to quickly exit a room.
Personally I like the latches with a key lock. This would prevent an intruder from breaking the window then trying to
lift open the bottom part or to pull down the top part. In most homes there are many types of windows, fixed, roll out,
sliders, casement, double hung, etc. If your putting a security device on the window make sure both the top and
bottom part of the window will be guarded. For example, if you put a security device on the bottom part of the
window, all an intruder has to do is break the window , reach in and unlock it, then pull down the top part of the
window that is not guarded. This is why it is important to ensure that both top and bottom parts of the window will be
covered.
Do keep in mind if there are windows near your door you will want to put currents or blinds to prevent anyone
peaking into the home. This also decreases your chances for what is commonly called the “smash and grab” theft.
This is when someone smashes in a window or door then grabs whatever is on the night stand, which in most cases
are your keys, pocket change, company IDs, and maybe even your wallet all before you even know what has taken
place.
Locks and door protection …? (see security links for recommended products).
What kind of doors do you have? Are they hollow? Do they have glass windows? Metal? Sliding? There are many
types of doors. What you need to consider is how safe your doors are and the area around them. Is there anything
blocking your view outside that will not allow you to see who is outside? Does your door have a wide angle peephole
for both adults and children to use? What kind of locks are there on each door? Do you have single (thumb locks) or
double cylinder (key for both inside and outside) locks? Some will recommend single cylinders due to fire hazards.
Others will recommend double cylinder for added safety. It comes down to what you and your family are
comfortable. If you’re practicing your fire and safe evacuation this will help you make a more informed choice. There
are many types of locks: Rim Lock, Jimmy-Proof, Cane Bolts, Hinge protectors, and Flush bolts. Each has their own
added benefits. (see security links for recommended products).
Keep in mind if there are windows near your door you will want to put currents or blinds to prevent anyone peaking
into the home. This also decreases your chances for what is commonly called the “smash and grab” theft. This is
when someone smashes in a window or door then grabs whatever is on the night stand, which in most cases are your
keys, pocket change, company IDs, and maybe even your wallet all before you even know what has taken place.
Attic, basement, and crawl spaces …?
Make sure there is no point of entry into the home from the attic. If there is an attic space in your garage I
recommend securing it with a monitored security device.
Also I have noticed that attics go unmonitored for fire hazards. This is where a lot of wiring, maybe a furnace, and
other items are kept. Or simply a lighting strike may hit. Have at least one monitored heat device. Not a smoke
detector if it’s an unfinished area. And ensure the heat device is monitored for any event over 194 degrees due to
attics run hotter. Heat devices are more likely to detect smoldering fires which cause more damage. Your smoke
detector in the main hall will not detect this type of fire until its way to late (smoke rises).
In your basement, I recommend putting a dead bolt on the door but placed higher so it makes it harder for children to
unlock or someone to knock down. Basements that are unfinished should have a rate of rise heat sensor where there
are utilities. This will measure the rate the temperature is rising due to basements tend to be cooler as well as notify
you and your security service there is a fire. If the basement is finished then you will want a smoke detector.
Crawl spaces usually have wiring or a furnace. Again I would recommend putting in a rate of rise heat sensor in this
area as well as securing the door that leads under the home. If there are other crawl spaces upstairs again look at
putting a lock on the doors that will prevent children from getting into and/or getting locked into this area, especially if
it is an unfinished area.
Garage and hatches …?(see security links for recommended products).
Does your garage have a garage door opener? This is a great way to secure your garage door. But make sure it’s a
really good one. Due to if you should cut corners on quality you’ll pay more in the end.
If your garage door has windows then you will want to remove the emergency red cord. Due to if someone breaks the
window all they have to do is pull the cord to open the door. IF you should remove this cord make sure you have motion
detection devices so that the door will not close on anyone or thing in the way.
Put a monitored heat sensor in this area due to most will put an extra refrigerator in this area and other electric devices.
DO NOT PUT A STANDARD MOTION in this area due to it is an uncontrolled environment or ASK FOR A PET MOTION
SENSOR for this area due to standard motions will detect heat plus motion. If there are windows in this then you will want
to consider a glass break or monitored window contacts.
Telephone back up system …?
What about a back up system. Each of these systems come with a battery back up in the event of your local power goes out
your home will still be protected. If the battery should run low your key pads will display this and if you are not around to
respond these systems alert the monitoring station for help.
What about a back up telephone system? Only the best security companies offer this. Basically if your phone lines
should ever not function due to cut phone lines, bad weather, construction, etc. your monitoring station is still able to
watch and respond in the event of an emergency. If you have a medical alert system I would highly recommend this
product. With these systems our systems tell you there is a Cut Circuit but without a telephone back up system there
is no way a monitoring center can respond. Most telephone back up systems are run from either a cellular, digital, or
radio transmitter. Make sure that your security provider has a back for your telephone back up system (meaning many
towers by different parties).
Strong or panic rooms …?(see security links for recommended products).
Ok if you seen the movie Panic Room you may think twice about this. I’m not suggesting a panic room but a strong room
yes. These are very different. Check out this link to learn more. Link to Safe Core (click here):
Home security monitoring …?
Now that you have secured your home with the newest home security devices should you have your system monitored? Well
think of it this way… how many people respond when they hear your car alarm? No one right… or they will look but not call
for help. This is true for home security systems as well. So select only Underwriter Labatories approved monitored security
companies. Due to you want a fast and accurate response in the even of any alarm. Local or National Monitoring?
