Do It Yourself: Tips to Build Your Home Security System

Easy Tips to Build Your Own Remote Home Surveillance System

By Andrew Stratton

What is remote surveillance?

A remote surveillance security system allows you to monitor your home while away. Whether you go on a vacation, are at the office, or away on business, you can have access via internet to view what your surveillance cameras are catching on video. This type of security system is ideal for families who are often away for extended periods, offices that have chronic theft or vandalism problems, and households with members that require the aid of a caretaker if left alone.

Equipment Needed:

Computer

A computer or a laptop is essential in building your remote surveillance system. You can use your existing computer or you may even choose to invest in one specifically used for security purposes. Be sure that it is password protected to prevent people from snooping or deactivating your security system. Unfortunately it is all too common those closest to us to be the perpetrators of a crime, so trust all users with caution!

DVR

A digital video recorder system is the cornerstone piece of equipment for any remote surveillance system. The DVR allows you to record and watch the security footage via internet.

Security Cameras

There are many different types of security cameras available depending on your individual needs. Which camera you choose will depend on its location and required performance.

It is common to use infrared cameras outdoors or in dark rooms to help catch nighttime perpetrators. Indoors you may choose to use more concealable cameras, such as dome fixtures, which can help you catch potential suspects while remaining aesthetically pleasing.

Cameras can range greatly in price, and you often get what you pay for. Quality cameras can get sharper pictures, will work under many different conditions, and are often easy to camouflage.

DVR Software

Many DVRs already come with software, but you may choose to purchase a different system to find the exact specifications and features you’re looking for. There are many different kinds of remote surveillance software available. The DVR cards and software are often referred to by the number of channels, or cameras being used.

If it’s a four channel, than that is how many cameras the system can operate with. You can then program your DVR and camera to pick up only motion, alert you of detections via email or cell phone, and other recording options.

Although remote surveillance systems can be set up on your own, there are also premade kits available which come with all required equipment and accessories (although sometimes they come at a higher price than purchasing individual components) and you may choose to have a professional install the system for you.

Be sure to check your equipment regularly to ensure it is working properly and hasn’t been damaged or altered in any way. A well planned and built home remote surveillance system can help protect your family and belongings as well as give you peace of mind.

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Home Security Tips While On Vacation

Out Of Town Security Tips

When you plan on going on vacation, it may be a good idea to take heed to a few simple home security tips to safeguard your house and possessions while you are away on vacation:

• Put a hold on all your mail. This applies mainly for apartment boxes or street letterboxes. You could contact USPS and request them to hold your mail or you could ask a family friend to stop by everyday and collect your mail from the boxes.

• Don’t change the message on your answering machine. Even while you are away, your voice message should always be “we are unable to take your call at the moment”. Never let the caller know that nobody is home.

• Turn on your stereo to a news station. A deserted house makes no noise. In order to create the impression of movement in the home, turn your stereo to news or talk station so that the potential intruder is not attracted to your home.

• Set your outdoor lighting to a timer or motion detectors. This will create an ‘occupied look” in order to deter thieves. Potential access points such as doors, garages, windows and basement entry points should always be illuminated.

• Stop newspaper delivery. Newspapers that collect on your driveway is a great indicator that no one is home and would attract an intruder. Call the newspaper office in advance and inform them to halt services until you get back.

• Ensure that all windows and doors are securely locked. Installing a burglar alarm system with light or motion sensors will allow you to enjoy your holiday in peace.

• Inform your neighbor that you will be away and ask him to keep an eye on your house. Leave your contact number in case he needs to get in touch with you.

• Inform your local police station of your vacation plans.

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Monitor your Child’s Activity at Home

Monitor your Child’s Activity with Home Surveillance Cameras

There are certain difficult situations wherein you have no choice but to leave your child at home. When an emergency arises such as a sudden meeting with your colleagues at the office or when your car broke down on the way home, it is scary to think about the safety of your child when he/she is left alone at your house. A home security video will prove useful in monitoring your child’s activity even if you are miles away. Home surveillance video systems are reliable tools that are placed on strategic places around your home. It is often composed of a single monitor with picture in picture (PiP) capability with up to 4 to 10 video cameras. Home surveillance video cameras can be hidden or not depending on your preference.

Some video home surveillance systems use wireless technology which enables you to acquire the visual feed generated by the video cameras through your laptop computer or your mobile phone. This means that even if your are stuck in heavy traffic or in an extended business meeting, you will still be able to remotely monitor your child and make sure that she is safe.

Aside from installing a home security video to make sure that your child is safe while you are away, there are also some practices and procedures that you can do to enhance the safety of your child when you’re gone. For example, if you keep a gun at home, make sure to separate the bullets from the gun and check the chamber for bullets. Also, if you have an alarm system, teach your child how to activate and deactivate it.  If your home phone does not have call waiting and your child does not have a mobile phone, make sure to tell your child that she should not spend most of her time chatting with his/her friends on the phone. This is to make sure that the communication line between you and your child are constantly open.

Along with these practices, having a home surveillance camera to monitor your child at home while you are away is the best thing that you can do to ensure your child’s safety.

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Know Your Babysitter Through the Eyes of Surveillance Cameras for the Home

Know Your Babysitter Through the Eyes of Home Surveillance Cameras

At some point in your life, you may need the services of a babysitter. Their main job is to watch over your child when you are away. This can be quite a scary notion for some parents to think that they are leaving their children alone with a person who they barely know. Although there are a lot of ways to choose the perfect baby sitter for you, it is better to monitor the activity in your house when you are away. One way to monitor how the babysitter acts in your house and how she treats your children is through surveillance cameras for the home. Surveillance cameras for the home are effective tools in determining if your babysitter is taking proper care of your child when you are away.

If you walk around your neighborhood, you will most probably see surveillance cameras for the home in most if not all of the houses. This is because surveillance cameras for the home is not only effective in monitoring your babysitter’s activities inside and outside the house, but it is also a valuable tool in securing your perimeter especially areas of your home that can be considered as entry points for lawless elements such as vandals and burglars.

Having surveillance cameras for the home will help you determine if the babysitter you hired is reliable and trustworthy. It will reveal your babysitter’s true identity and the way they treat your child. A nanny cam is one type of surveillance cameras for the home. A nanny cam is a network of hidden cameras installed on strategic places around the house like the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, the master’s bedroom, and most important of all, your child’s room. Even if you are off in a meeting or a dinner with your spouse, you will be able to monitor your child’s status via

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Tips on Pet Door Security – Surveillance Camera Systems

As pets can be found in almost all American households, having a pet door is very important. A pet door allows your cat or your dog easy access in and out of your house which is useful when your pet needs to take a dump. A pet door also gives your pet access to your yard giving him enough space to move around.

Although having a pet door is convenient especially if your dog often goes in and out of the house, having a dog door also poses a security risk. Pet doors at some time also give access not only to your pets, but also to burglars and other unwanted elements.

One of the best ways to secure your pet door is to have surveillance security camera systems installed on your doors to monitor the activity around its vicinity. Having visual access to your pet door via security camera systems will enable you to check if there are any breach in security in your house.

Aside from installing surveillance systems to secure your pet door, there are also other security measures that you can take such as using electronic pet doors, magnetic pet doors, in-wall pet doors, screen pet doors, and infrared pet doors. These pet doors can be configured to either exit-only mode, lock mode, or entry mode.

Although these types of pet doors are effective in ensuring that only your pets can enter through it, using security camera systems along with these pet doors gives you maximum security.

You can buy surveillance camera systems for your home in any electronics store and online. The price of these security camera systems vary depending on its features. Installing your surveillance camera system is easy and there is usually an in-depth step-by-step installation guide. However, if you find it too complicated to personally install your system, some electronics stores offer free installation upon purchase. Give your pet the freedom he deserves by having a pet door! Give yourself the security you deserve by installing a surveillance camera at your pet door.

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Home Surveillance Cameras & Their Benefits to You

Security/Surveillance Camera Systems

Security cameras have become mandatory in most buildings nowadays like schools, apartment buildings, offices, malls stores, and many other public places. Installing a digital video surveillance system is a strong deterrent to theft and can greatly reduce your external and internal risks. Although you typically find them in public places, home video surveillance camera systems are becoming more popular to protect your family and investments and makes for a great crime deterrent.

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Inalámbrico por infrarrojos Cámara de Vigilancia

Estas dos cámaras inalámbricas de vigilancia se realizan tanto para uso interior y exterior, por lo que puede poner en cualquier lugar que desees. Necesidad de visión nocturna? Grabación en la noche es una brisa con el 12 luces infrarrojas que el haz de hasta 20 pies. Más información: CM-812C2 Astak 2,4 GHz de Seguridad y Vigilancia de la Cámara Set

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