With hundreds of companies in the market, all-claiming to be the best home security provider, it might feel overwhelming to select one.  However, it can be easier if you use the right channels.  There are certain things; you should look for in a security company, to ensure you get the most out of your home security investment.   All you need is time and patience, since you will have to do some research, so that you get best provider there is.  Here are some of the factors that should guide your search for a home security firm:

Do your own research

The Internet has vast resources on various home security providers. It will also enlighten you on what to look for when selecting a home security provider.  The more information you can get the better for you.  During this period, do not let anybody coax you into signing a contract, unless you are convinced they have what you are looking for. Use comparison websites, to make your work easier. These sites help you to trim the list of the companies available for hiring.

Assess their skills and expertise

Depending on the kind of home security system you are installing, you need the right man for the job.  From the initial list, get at least three and concentrate your research on them. Evaluate whether they have the appropriate knowledge base. Remember security for your home is of utmost importance; it has to be entrusted to people who have the know how, to manipulate the systems and solve any arising anomalies.

How long have they been in operation

If you are a fan of social media, chances are that you have come across posts from your friends, about their location. You may also have done so in the past, after you checked in a new destination. It is a great thing to have your friends, know where you are, and share the pictures. However, this can cause home security threats. Almost all the social networking sites are made to be viral. Hence, once you post anything, it is possible that it will be read by many people, who include strangers. A conniving person will use the information to trace your property or worse still you.

Possible home security threats from a mere social media update

It might be an innocent intention. For instance, you may only want to notify your friends about your whereabouts. However, a post on Facebook or a tweet in Twitter can go viral and end up jeopardizing your home security. Immediately, you post the update, the person comments and there the post is exposed to all their friends. As you can see, within minutes, hundreds of people will view the post. This can put you and your home in danger. In addition, apps that allow you state your location are enough alarm to notify potential thieves that you are not at home. Even where you have not listed your address, the phone book and Internet listings, are all the experienced burglars need to deduce your home address.

If you also post updates of your children in school, a thief can follow them home, when you are not around. It is all fun and game, until you meet the worst at home. Those lovely pictures you post of your kids in school may be an item of admiral for your friends but a lifetime ‘opportunity’ to the burglars. Besides putting your home at the risk of invasion, social media can lead to a theft of your money. Lately, cyber crimes have become very popular and most of the criminals get the information about their clients, from social media. Although the sites use security questions to guard your password, hackers are able to get the questions right by researching about your life, hobbies, likes and dislikes, from the social network. Using the information, they are able to draw substantial amount of money from your bank account. Moreover, they use the details, to get into your remotely controlled home security systems.

How to stay safe on social media

Social media has its fair share of benefits, but it also has some home security threats. All the same, you cannot avoid it entirely, but it is possible to strike a balance. Here are some handy tips to reduce risk:

•    Only post photos of the destination you visited, once you get home
•    Avoid at all costs location check-ins or people tagging you when you are there
•    Assess your security settings regularly, preferably after two weeks. Some sites change their settings regularly, sometimes they might make you a subscriber of a certain setting, you would not like.

Social media can pose home security threats, hence, be careful about what you post in the sites.

Safes are important in homes for various purposes.  Generally, they are the best place for rare coins, precious jewelry or that 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card, which you cannot let go. These though are safer in the bank than at home. However, if you want to store important family documents, they need to be in a safe place and somewhere you can retrieve them when you need them. In this case, a safe with be a cheaper solution. To get the right safe for your valuables, you can pile up all the items and then, take the dimensions. The standard size of most safes for home security lies between 1.2 and 1.3 cubic feet.

What to consider when picking a safe and how to use it

Determine why you need a safe

There are various reasons, why you may consider a safe. People go for safes to protect their valuables from theft, fire, or water damage.

Fire resistance

To begin with, you must consider the resistance of the safe’s material to fire. Experts say that for safes holding papers, they should not get any hotter beyond 350 degrees. For other sensitive items such as computer drives, video recordings, DVDs and the like, the temperature inside the safe, in the event of fire should not exceed 125 degrees. Usually, safes for home security, should at least withstand the flames for 30 minutes. They are also safes that can stand for one hour without giving in but they carry a high price tag.

Theft protection

For optimum burglary protection, the best safe should be able to stand for 15 minutes, when the burglar is using common tools.  In real world, no burglar in their rightful mind will press on for all that period, since they know they can be apprehended. With a 1.3 cubic foot box, which weighs about 100 pounds when empty, they are likely to surrender, carrying it, than if you have jewelry and other valuables, lying in close proximity.

Water damage protection

Safes are also designed to protect your items from water damages.  If you live in an area where floods are regular, a safe will be instrumental, to secure your documents or anything else, which can be damaged by water.  Furthermore, sometimes, you can forget to put the taps off, which can lead to rampant damage of anything that is kept close to the floor.

How much does it cost?

The smallest, a fire chest, which is not exactly a safe, but is capable of holding your documents, costs 25 dollars. On the other hand, standard safes, which measure 1.2 to 1.3 cubic feet, retail at $150 to $300. Larger safes for home security cost more and in particular if, they feature extras such as shelves and drawers.

Where do you place the safe?

The bedroom is the first place, thugs will look in, and so it is an unsafe solution. The basement may be perfect, to protect the safe from fire but for water damage, it might be disastrous. Assess where you live and see, where the safe is likely to be secure. Safes for home security can help in keeping your valuables safe, but you must choose right.

Doors are often associated with security and safety of any structure, whether it is your office or home. The kind of door you select will depend on the degree of security and safety you want. Sometimes, the looks may also be considered. The choice will also depend on the resistant of the material to fire as well as its energy efficiency. Today, the traditional wooden security doors have given way to contemporary plastic and metallic doors. Others that have been added to this list lately are the fiberglass doors.  Steel doors have become very instrumental in homes as far as safety and security are concerned. Let’s learn the available options together.

Screen doors

Steel doors are often thought not to allow light and air in, together with their lack of looks. However, with the latest technology, the manufacturers have been able to come up with screen doors, made of steel. These security doors consist of a screen installed in a steel frame.  The doors also operate on a set of hinges and feature a sturdy locking system.  Steel wire mesh is used as the screen and the cost varies with gauge of the mesh you choose. Other options for the screen material include woven wire and welded mesh.

Screen doors come with accessories including locking devices and tamper proof hinges. These ensure enhanced home security. The price of the screen doors accessories will vary depending on the weight of the door, which the hinges would carry and with your budget. It is important to be cautious when selecting the hinges. Ensure to choose hinges, which will be capable of withstanding any kind of pressure. Bank vault locks and deadbolt locks are used on screen doors, although box locks are mostly used. However, the choice of lock will depend on the homeowner and they can even opt for key less locks.

Fire rated doors

Disaster strikes when we least expect it. Hence, the only way to cushion its detrimental effects is by remaining prepared at all times.  Fire is a dangerous element, which can bring down your property and threaten your life as well as that of your family members, if there are no safety measures. By installing fire resistant steel doors, you can maintain the threat of fire. The main benefit with fire rated doors, is that they do not catch fire, or allow it to spread to other areas. This allows you some time to call for assistance. Although, they are mainly functional, they are also décor elements. They are made in different designs and color to marry with your home decor. You find them as single doors and double doors. Furthermore, you can ask for a customized design.

While there are several types of security doors, none beats the durability and the timeless look, of steel varieties. Besides protecting your property from intrusion or forceful entry, they also secure you and your valuables from the risks of fire. The next time you are remodeling your home or constructing a new home, consider having steel security doors.

CCTV installation can prove difficult owing to the hefty cabling, the positioning of the cameras, and setting out of the control panel. All the aforementioned aspects must be executed right, to ensure the CCTV cameras work perfectly. The drilling of holes into the walls to run a video or a power cable for an exterior camera can be a daunting task. However, it is not as hard as is painted to be. Here are some of CCTV home security installation tips to help you hack this exercise:

Cabling

It is best to run the mains power in the loft, and if you need extra cabling, make it internal.  For the video signal, it is great if you make use of wireless transmission, while placing the receiver near the recorder or the monitor a VCR, TV, or PC.

For the wired system, it is not hard to install either. Simply locate the TV aerial, connection that leads to the foundation of your home. It may be installed somewhere in the loft or along the exterior of the house. Take the CCTV camera video cable and let it to run alongside the TV aerial cable. This will lead it to the TV. Another hack of CCTV home security installation is by using a RF modulator. This helps to change the video output of the camera to an RF output. It is allowable to transmit the CCTV feeds through the existing TV aerial connection and view the output on either the VCR or TV, just as you would be with channels. If your house has TV distribution feature, the pictures can be viewed from all the TV sets in the network.

Strategic positioning of cameras

Most homeowners would like to hide their cameras and in particular, those, which are outdoors to shelter them from, weather elements. In addition, they would also like to conceal them, such that those being monitored do not see them. Contemporary cameras can be easily tucked somewhere near the roof. The height at which you place the camera, determines the kind of output, it will produce as well as minimizing vandalism. Another reason, why you must be careful when positioning cameras is cabling. When you install cameras in the loft, it will be easier to run cables along it, without destroying the look of the house. If there is little space between the roof and the wall, drill a small hole in the fascia board, to reach the loft.

Adding the switchers

Consider adding multiplexers, DVRs, or switchers in the loft.  This helps to combine all the cables in the loft into a single output cable to your monitor. It also conceals your recording device. CCTV home security installation, involves a number of steps and it requires  your attention, to succeed. However, if you adhere to the above tips, it might get a little easier and fun. You can also use the Internet to understand about the whole process. All the same, if you cannot get this right, do not hesitate to call on a professional. Remember that any mistake, you make during the installation, may cost you a lot later on.