For the past eight years, we as a nation have been told to “be afraid.” Now, while Americans have started to reject this message and have begun to re-claim their national heritage as living in the “Home of the Free and Land of the Brave,” the fact remains that domestic crime is going to remain with us for a long time. Therefore, it behooves us to take certain precautions in order to protect our personal property as well as the physical safety of our families and ourselves.

A home security system not only provides this protection, it can be a money-saver as well, as many home insurers offer a discount for homeowners who install such a system. However, not all home security systems are created equal.

It is not the purpose here to promote one brand of home security system over another. However, there are certain features that you must have in order for such a system to do an adequate job protecting you and your family.

1. A Master Control Panel: This is the heart of your system, and should be easily accessible and user friendly. If it can be armed and disarmed remotely, so much the better.

2. Home Alarm Monitoring: Your home security system does not work alone; typically, a signal is sent to dispatchers whose job it is to monitor the system. Make sure this service is a good one. It’s also a good idea to have buttons, which can be pressed to notify police and fire fighters directly.

3. Window, Door Sensors & Motion Detectors: The best home security systems are proactive; motion detectors should activate lights when a person is moving in the vicinity (this by itself is often enough to discourage would-be burglars).

4. Extra keypad: You need to be able to access and program your system from all locations.  A portable long-range keypad, which you can carry with you, is also a good idea.

5. Wireless Capability: This is a tremendous convenience, and allows you to operate the system from your car.

6. Heat Sensors: The first sign of a fire is not smoke, but heat, which collects near the ceilings. A good heat detector will notify you of a fire well in advance - often in time to prevent irreparable damage.

7. Back-up Power: In case of a windstorm or natural catastrophe that results in a power outage, it is vital that your system stay on. Redundant systems will defeat burglars who attempt to cut electrical connections. A system that uses rechargeable batteries is best.

8. Yard and Window Signs: A warning that your home and property are protected is often a great deterrent to burglars all by itself.

9. Wireless Remote Controls: A small remote that you can carry on your key ring is the best, and should include some kind of “panic” button for informing the police or fire department immediately.

10. 2-Way Voice: A synthesized voice can literally “talk” you through your system’s features.

The DSC Power 832 is an attractively priced home security system that includes a fixed icon LCD keypad as well as the DSC Bravo III digital motion detector and a single wall-mounted siren. There are four different keypads that can be used with the DSC Power 832, and the security system can be expanded from eight to as many as 32 zones. There are up to four high current outputs as well as a fully supervised output dedicated to the siren.

Communications capabilities include support for all formats including SIA and Contact ID as well as LINKS Cellular communication. The unit provides event initiated personal paging for those times that you are away from home; three telephone numbers and two account numbers can be stored. In addition, the DSC Power 832 supports central station two-way voice communication over a home intercom system.

The DSC Power 832 has received some mixed reviews from consumers. While many praise it’s low lost (around $170 MRSP) and its “sleek” appearance that blends in well with modern décor, many users complain about its relatively low level of user-friendliness. According to some homeowners who have purchased this particular model, learning how to program the DSC Power 832 effectively requires a great deal of effort. At least one consumer complained that it took him three days to understand the unit.

Another common complaint was a lack of updated features. According to some who have used earlier versions of this system, the current model is not a substantial improvement over the previous model. While the DSC Power 832 is capable of interfacing with a personal computer, this is accomplished via an outdated serial port. One consumer complained that he “had to look high and low for a computer old enough to support DSC’s outdated system to load their ‘newest’ software.” It is odd that the company failed to provide the unit with a USB port which standard for all modern PCs.

View the DSC Power 832 Owners Manual for additional information.

The DSC Envoy home security system is a user-friendly wireless security system that also allows for family messaging and hands-free voice communication.   The perfect sized burglar alarm for an apartment or small to medium-sized house, the DSC Envoy security system offers quick installation as well as superior protection for you and your family.

DSC Envoy offers you the security of up to 32 wireless and 2 hardwired zones.  Sixteen wireless keyfobs are also possible with the flexible home security system.  Ease of use is a big part of why this security system is popular; it has 5 one-touch function keys, which can be programmed with up to 16 different options.  If you need help, the audio voice on the unit can prompt you through each feature that the system offers.  The backlit numeric keypad on the DSC Envoy makes it easy to read, and 3 LED indicators let you know when the security system is ready and armed.

For a family with pets, you can rest assured that your animals will not trigger the system:  the DSC Envoysecurity system is equipped with a wireless pet immune motion detector.  The system is set to let you know when changes occur; even if you are not at home, you can utilize the personal paging option so that you are paged the minute the system is disarmed or someone enters or exits the home.  We supervise your DSC Envoy security system continuously for radio frequency jamming, battery condition, system communication failures, tampering and zone faults, so that you know when there is a problem immediately. Our team will also dispatch rescue, police or fire emergency services to your home any time of the day or night as called for by the situation.

There are other convenient features that come with the DSC Envoy.  The security system comes with a family message center, alloying you to access your messages or change your message by using a touch-tone phone if you are away from home, or the console itself if you are at home.  The speaker has 3 adjustable volume levels, so you can make changes as needed.  Although there is a chime or voice message that will sound when doors and windows are opened and closed, it can be turned on or off with one button.  The ease of wireless keys allows you to set or disarm the system with the push of one button: other system functions can be added as you require. The system keeps track of the history of the 38 user access codes for you.

The DSC Envoy home security system provides you with the peace of mind that comes from the continual home alarm monitoring that is put in place with state of the art wireless security system technology.

View the DSC Envoy Owners Manual for additional information.

Although disasters such as home fire and earthquake get far more media attention, the fact is that flooding is far more common and does substantially more damage - with effects that can last for months, if not years. A home security system with a flood sensor can’t stop a flood, but it can alert you when water enters you home. This can help you limit the damage to your home. The sooner you can move valuables to higher ground, and start pumping the water out the less damage you will receive.

People living in low-lying areas such as the Gulf Coast or along the Mississippi River bottoms have discovered this the hard way. However, such flooding is not confined to areas around rivers, lakes and seacoast. Virtually anyone in North America can be a flood victim - and it doesn’t take a great deal of water to cause a substantial amount of damage. According to National Flood Insurance Program, no more than 1 inch of water is all it takes to cause major property damage.  Flood waters only two feet deep can carry off an automobile.

Tragically, a great deal of flood danger is caused by irresponsible development by greedy corporations that want to throw up housing developments in the most unlikely places, simply to turn fast profits. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that these homes are usually cheaply built and easily damaged - and then, homeowners find they are not even covered when they attempt to file a claim.

When it comes to flood danger, forewarned is forearmed.  Just as your home has fire and intruder alert systems installed, so too should it have a flood alert system. Several reputable companies offer flood warning stations and systems for residential use that monitor factors such as precipitation, water levels for your area,  wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature and even moisture levels in the soil - all of which can significantly affect the amount of damage your home is liable to suffer.

Most of these systems can be customized for different geographical regions, networked to National Weather Service bureaus such as NOAA over the World Wide Web, and use the latest communication technologies to keep you and your family informed about flood dangers, allowing you to take preventive steps - or if necessary, evacuate ahead of the rush.

When looking into a home security system with flood sensors, be certain that such a system can be combined with resources from local and federal government agencies, allowing you to access up-tyo-the-minute data via satellite and other sources.

Investment in a home security system with flood sensors for your home is as important as having smoke and fire alarms and intruder protection, regardless of where you live in the U.S.

(See GE Concord Express Owners Manual for Full Features List)

Whether you are building your dream home or retrofitting an older home with a home security system, the Concord Express^TM by General Electric is one of the most affordable and user-friendly home security systems available when it comes to intruder alert as well as fire protection.

GE Concord Express^TM Features

Concord Express^TM integrates hardwired and wireless security devices across as many as 24 zones. Six of these zones are hardwired, and the simple installation allows the user to set up one of these as a double-wired smoke detector loop, capable of handling up to ten detectors. In addition, the Concord Express^TM features an integrated radio receiver that is capable of handling up to 16 wireless zone; this permits easy expansion of your system with GE’s proprietary LearnMode^TM sensors as well as the use of remote keychain touchpads. This LearnMode technology is used to encrypt all remote touchpad transmissions, protecting your alarm codes from would-be thieves who may be using nearby cell phones to eavesdrop.

Finally, two programmable built-in output devices can be set up to activate external devices such as lights should a system event occur.

If you need more than 24 zones of security, the GE SnapCard^TM allows you to expand your hardwire zones by as many as six, plus two double-wired smoke detection loops. These cards are easily connected to the system circuit board, and can be expanded even further with the SuperBus 2000 8Z input module, making for a total of 38 zones.

GE Concord Express^TM Remote & Multiuser Access

The Concord Express^TM allows for up to 16 user-programmable codes so that everyone in the household can have their own level of access privileges. On-site programming is fast and easily accomplished using standard alphanumeric touch keypads that can be used to access a menu-driven interface. Should you need to do remote programming, GE Security’s ToolBox® downloader software can be installed on any PC, enabling the user to enter code safely and securely over the World Wide Web - one of the most recent and most exciting developments in home security system technology.

GE Concord Express^TM Price is Affordable

With prices starting as low as $120, the Concord Express^TM by General Electric represents a small investment in peace of mind for you and your family, monitoring your home 24/7 for intruders, fire danger and even environmental damage.  Its powerful range of high-tech features give the Concord Express^TM the most “bang for the buck” of any other home security system in its class.

The Ademco 4110 Vantage Series Home Security System consists of a wall-mounted security control contained in a shoebox-sized, lockable metal cabinet that can readily be mounted against any wall. Powered by a microprocessor, the Ademco 4110 control can be accessed using a console that is equipped with a standard 12-key multifunction numeric keypad with LCD display. The Ademco 4110 security system allows for up to 6 wired zones in the home or place of business.

The Ademco 4110 control interface consists of a 21 terminal connector block, allowing for interface with peripherals that include a plug-in transformer, phone line, remote controls and external alarms. The central control is easily accessed and can be programmed from any remote control console. Because of the special memory storage function, the Ademco 4110 can be reprogrammed over and over again; however, this function also protects any current programming should there be a power failure.

The Ademco 4110 is fully compatible with, and communicates readily with any personal computer over standard phone lines; programming data can be uploaded and downloaded to such a modem-equipped PC as well (not currently compatible with the Macintosh OS).  Since only two commands are used - one for uploading and the other for downloading - communications between the Ademco 4110 and the PC are simple, and a complete security instruction set can be transferred in less than a minute.

Each of the six wired zones can be set up for any one of nine different functions, including Entry or Exit Burglary, Fire, 24 Hour Silent or Audible Alarms and Intruder.

There are some limitations to the Ademco 4110. Although programming will not be affected by a power outage, passive intrusion detectors and smoke detectors will not function in the absence of power unless some type of external backup is in place. Because some passive detectors operate with infrared light, they may also fail to provide warning if they have been blocked or tampered with. Alarms that are installed on floors other than those in which people are present may not be heard by those located on different levels. Honeywell, the manufacturer of the Ademco 4110, also advises consumers that telephone lines that are required for the transmission of alarm signals to a central monitor may be blocked if said lines are out of service or have been tampered with. Finally, any of the electronic components may be subject to failure, although Honeywell reports that such components are designed to last up to 20 years; regular system tests of the Ademco 4110 Home Security System are therefore strongly recommended.

View the Ademco 4110 Owners Manual for additional information.

The Simon XT Wireless Security System is a product of General Electric.  The Simon XT replaces the older Simon 3 home security system, which has now been discontinued, and features several significant upgrades over its predecessor.

The Simon XT Security System is a full-featured home security solution representing the latest in home security technology, yet is easily installed and is priced significantly less than similar home security systems costing hundreds of dollars more. Wireless alarm capability means that the user will not need to run unsightly wires to detectors and sensors in and around the home.

Simon XT Features

GE’s Simon XT Security System offers numerous improvements over the old Simon 3 system, which include the following:

• Support for 40 Wireless Zones
• Large backlit alpha-numeric LCD display with customizable text
• Simple menu-driven settings for timers, latchkey, and pass code options
• High-decibel siren
• Backup power supply
• User-friendly arm, disarm, and status buttons
• Emergency fast-action keys
• Microphone for emergency two-way communication
• Speaker for voice audio status messages, prompts and live communication
• Fully programmable and configurable “voice chimes”
• One-touch silence and sensor bypass buttons
• 100-event buffer with time and date stamp

(See Simon XT Manual for Full Features List)

All functions can be controlled by a small key-fob remote mechanism.

Simon XT Connectivity

One of the most advanced features of the Simon XT Security System is an integrated voice dialer that is capable of connecting to the user’s home telephone connection and calling in alerts to any telephone number in the world. This feature, which is usually an expensive option, is standard on the XT. These connectivity and communication features go far beyond standard telephone lines, however. The Simon XT Security System is one of the first such systems to have online Internet capability. This means that users can receive notifications not only by phone, but via e-mail. A sophisticated camera system also allows users to monitor events at home from any computer monitor connected to the World Wide Web. Of course, all control functions can be accessed online as well; this capability makes the Simon XT exceptionally useful for those who which to monitor conditions at any second homes or rental properties they may own.

Simon XT Complete Package

The Simon XT Security System comes with everything you need in order to be up and running within minutes. In addition to the control panel, the system comes with its own power supply, telephone jack and flat cord and a rechargeable 24-hour backup battery in case of power failure.

The Ademco Lynx is a wireless home security system manufactured in Mexico under license and authority of Honeywell, Inc., one of the largest security and defense companies in the United States.  This particular home security system is quite user-friendly and easily installed; the control panel incorporates the functions of a siren, dialer and speakerphone, all of which is accessed and controlled from the standard numeric keypad. Featuring state-of-the-art security technology, the Ademco Lynx wireless home security system features a new voice prompt programming method that guides the user through the installation process, step-by-step. This allows even those with little or no experience in such installations to easily put the unit into place and configure it for their own needs and circumstances.

Ademco Lynx Features

The Ademco Lynx wireless home security system offers powerful features for the most demanding home security needs. Some of the features supported include:

• 24 wireless zones of protection and one hardwired zone
• Full 16-button keypad with easy to read LCD display and status LEDs
• Lack of usage notification
• Four wireless keys that don’t require zones
• Real-time clock
• Wall or optional desk-top mounting
• 85db internal sounder with voice siren
• Internal speaker and microphone
• Eight user codes
• 84 event log
• Rechargeable battery backup
• Scheduling
• Voice siren
• Speaks zone descriptors during programming

(See Ademco Lynx Manual for Full Features List)

In addition, the Ademco Lynx wireless home security system supports as many as eight X-10 devices. X-10 is the international standard for wireless operation of a range of home appliances, and has been recognized as being among the most reliable such protocols for over thirty years. This advanced home security system also supports 5804WATCH, a remarkable device that permits operation of the wireless Ademco Lynx security system from a wristwatch - thus eliminating the need to carry a separate control device.

Parents especially will appreciate the Ademco Lynx’s sophisticated, yet user-friendly control features. In addition to an automated “Follow Me” alarm and voice reminders, this home security system provides full voice response, a family message center which members of the household can use in order to record and access voice messages, and the unique Ademco Paging feature, which provides spoken notifications whenever someone enters of leaves the building - making it much easier for parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts. However, the motion detector will ignore the movements of anything under 40 pounds - meaning that alarms and alerts will not be constantly activated by the movements of pets.

Ademco Lynx Price is Affordable

The Ademco Lynx Wireless Home Security System has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $549.

Motion detectors are an important part of any well-designed business or home security system. The best home security systems use a variety of techniques and technologies to detect an unwanted intruder, and motion detection is an additional layer of security that greatly enhances the efficacy of any home security system, without greatly increasing its price.

Although the technology is constantly advancing, and there are any number of niche solutions that rely on a variety of underlying theoretical models, motion detectors can be broadly grouped into three different classifications:

Passive Infrared motion detectors work by detecting the heat of a human body. This a highly effective detection system but it can generate false positives, whether from a pet, sunshine streaming in on a particularly hot day, a space heater activating when its thermostat drops below a certain point, and so on. However, passive infrared systems can be tuned to avoid false positives by requiring a certain magnitude of heat change before the alarm is triggered. For example, a sensor can be tuned to not go off when a pet enters the room, by excluding heat signatures below a certain size.

Ultrasonic motion detectors work by bouncing ultrasonic waves around a room or space, and detecting changes in the contents of the space by changes in the reflected waves that return to the sensor. This type of sensor is difficult to defeat, but is also difficult to program to ignore pet entry into a home area, making it better suited for areas where there is no legitimate traffic which the system must ignore.

Microwave motion detectors bounce microwaves around the area, much like the radar guns used by the traffic police. Like ultrasonic systems, they are effective and hard to defeat, but also hard to customize.

Image recognition motion detectors work by assigning a computer to continually process the input from a digital video camera. The computer algorithm constantly scans the pixels of the transmitted image, and triggers an alert when enough pixels change in value, indicating an intruder or major change to the monitored space. This is a high-end solution.

Laser motion detectors send a laser beam (or a photoelectric light beam) across an area and detect interruptions to the beam from a sensor located across the space from the beam source. These forms of detectors are somewhat out of date, because they are relatively easy to evade if an intruder knows of their presence.

A motion detector can be wired into the business or home security system and programmed to perform a wide range of tasks in response to an intrusion. The system can call a designated phone number with an alert message, send a signal to a monitoring office (which can then dispatch an investigative team), turn on a light, sound an audible or silent alarm in your home security system.

Once you’ve got a Home Security System installed, it is likely that you want someone to monitor the home alarm for you remotely. Remote home alarm monitoring is a process that can get complicated in the details, but the basic idea is straightforward: a Home Security Company monitors the signals sent out by your Home Alarm System, and either calls emergency services or sends out their own private security team if the alarm is triggered. Home Security Companies can also provide a wide range of additional Home Alarm Monitoring services on top of this basic service. Home Security Companies that sell home alarm systems and also provide a home alarm monitoring service and can offer a discount on the combined service.

Choosing a Home Security Company to monitor your home alarm system is a balance of costs and benefits. There are deals to be found, but for the most part, the more you pay, the more service there is. There are Home Security Companies that have rates as low as $9 a month, for an extremely basic level of service (basically, they will call 911 for you if the alarm is triggered). Companies with packages in the $20 to $40 a month range tend to provide additional services, like professional installers who come out and get your system in sync with their residential alarm monitoring service, offer multiple alert levels for your home alarm system. For example, your service can be set up so that a window sensor being burglarized only triggers an alert e-mail that is sent to your personal address. No emergency services are alerted and no help will be coming.

Having your home alarm system monitored is definitely a good investment. Most home insurance policies offer discounts for as much as 20% if you have a quality home security system with professional installation and home alarm monitoring. Be sure to inquire with your home insurance agent before selecting a provider, to make sure that the home security system and home alarm monitoring service you are buying are going to work for your insurance company. Reputable Home Security Companies will be glad to help you with that process.

In addition to the financial benefit, a home alarm monitoring service represents a definite upgrade in the security level of your home. A home alarm system by itself is helpful but it still leaves you up against burglars or who-knows-what once the alarm has gone off. The peace of mind in knowing that an effective and rapid response is just a signal away is very reassuring and very comforting for you and your family. The cost is moderate and the security benefit very high; it is definitely a worthwhile idea.