Home safety is incredibly important, yet it seems to be something that people tend to overlook. Shouldn't it be at the top of our priority lists? After all, what's more important than keeping our homes and families safe?A little over six months ago I purchased my first home. Home security was never something I had really thought about until then. But what if something happened? Now that I am completely settled into my new place, I thought it would be a good time to invest in a home security system. But where do I start?
I decided to check out which home security options people were searching for on AOL Search. Clearly home security systems are the No. 1 search followed by safes (definitely need to get one of these). A security camera seems a little out of control, but a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector are must-haves.
What kind of security system do you have in your house? Check out AOL Shopping to see what solutions are out there. Or you can search for home security on AOL Search.
Top Searched Home Security Items on AOL Search:
1. Home security systems
2. Safes
3. Security camera
4. Smoke detectors
5. Fire extinguishers
6. Alarm systems
7. Wireless security system
8. Carbon monoxide detectors
9. Fire alarm
10. Motion detectors
More Sponsored Links For: home security, home security systems, security systems
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
41. a wireless camera at your front door one with a microphone so you ca talk to the person outside is just great, ask yourself WHY? would I open my door to talk to a stranger? I can ait and watch TV and dismiss sales people from the comfort of my living room without bothering to get up. If they persist I call the police and ask that they remove the person from my property.
Posted at 1:01AM on Jan 27th 2008 by david
42. How about dogs! Best security goin'
Posted at 1:20AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Fred
43. Someone attempted to kidnap my son from our driveway while he was taking the garbage out. All the alarms, CO2 detectors, sprinklers can not prevent a nightmare like that. The only thing that saved him was our German Shepherd. She was just a pup but managed to bite the perpetrator enough to give my son enough time to get away. Now, she never leaves his side when outside and her bark is a reassurance that she is on the alert. BTW, she is trained to take food only from me and is being taught to to attack upon command and she isn't going for any arms either.
Posted at 1:23AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Teri Payne
44. The only security system you need is a 12 gauge with 00 buck.
Posted at 2:13AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Jack
45. I live in a very nice apartment. Nice neighborhood, etc. But...I "worry," when I leave my place. Is someone going to break in? I'd be devistated! If any can recommend a small unit, that will alarm...if the door opens, that would great. I use to have a simple GE alarm, at my last apartment. I can't install that here...because the door, is STEEL. I'll try Brinks, etc. I have security, when I'm home. A 20 gauge Winchester. In this crazy society...I wouldn't do without a firearm...or 2.
Posted at 2:50AM on Jan 27th 2008 by David
46. beware the brokedown car scam...a gorgous 20 some y.o. dressed to the 9's will come to the door and state her car broke down, and ask to call "Daddy". If you answer the door she calls, (who would be threstened by her?) giving your phone number to "Daddy"...with his caller ID...BTW HE's down the street or on the next waiting her call. If you are home...miracously the car will start and she'll be gone. You'll start receiving hang up calls all hours of the day and night. You don't answer, they'll be right there and get everything they want within 10 minutes...most the time 5.
DOGS...i dont care what kind of dog you've got, I can get by it, garunteed. I won't say how because not everybody here is on the up and up. Your 200# Rottie or 20# terrier, I can get by him.
Security systems are good if you have a fast to react P.D. It'll be during the day. I won't tell you why OR WHEN.
Armed homeowner? Take it with it when you leave...I do...because if I don't, I know I could be looking at the business end if I come home early.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT? Could be home invasion. Keep charged cell phone near bed and use it, like right now. Hunker down on the farthest side of the bed. This is where a short balleled 12 ga. loaded with #4 buckshot comes in to protect your family. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET WITH A POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT HELD TO YUOR FAR LEFT OR RIGHT (MAGLIGHT, AT LEAST DOUBLE C SIZE). IF NOT A FAMILY MEMBER...A COP WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES UPON ENTRY, AND HAVE GUNS DRAWN. LEVEL THE GUN ON THE PERPS CHEST AND FIRE. HE WILL GO DOWN. HALLWAY OR STAIRWELL IS THE BEST PLACE. DO NOT ENTER IT YOURSELF...MOST DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE. THE 2ND PERP...SAME SHOT. BY THIS TIME 3,4,5,6,7,8,...WILL BE LEAVING. MALE/FEMALE SOB LIKE NO TOMORROW WHEN THE COPS SHOW UP...LIKE BILL AND HILLARY ARE ABLE TO DO...YOUR RESPONSE, "I WAS SCARED". UNARMD, FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, THERE WAS NO TOMORROW.
Posted at 2:59AM on Jan 27th 2008 by JIM BOB
47. DAVID, "LASERSHIELD"...BESTBUY, ETC
Posted at 3:03AM on Jan 27th 2008 by JIM BOB
48. I sold alarm systems for years. For the great majority of Americans it is a pricey and unnecessary piece of mind purchase. Those of us that have been serious crime victims, God bless you, spend all the money you want to sleep better at night.
The rest of us should weigh all the costs. Negotiate length of contract. Stand your ground and never sign for more than one year at a time. If the alarm company pretends they don't have such a contract...show the commissioned salesperson the door and get the yellow pages back out. Call the Police Station/City Hall and ask about your local municipality's false alarm ordinance. You probably have to pay a hidden fee to the city to register the alarm. You will also pay at least $25 per false alarm. Maybe $500. And yes...there will be false alarms. Smoke detectors go off without a reason, as do motion detectors. False alarms are even created by an alarm installer (absolutely no education needed) who is testing out a new system and accidently types in the wrong account number before he tests someone else's panic button. They call it ghost signals but they hide the fact that the ghost was simply one of their own employees, maybe even in another state, that created a false alarm which cost you hundreds of dollars.
I agree with the guy that said...Get a sign...that works just as well...and saves you over $300/year.
Posted at 3:29AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Harris
49. Col. Colt helps with my piece of mind and security--
Posted at 3:34AM on Jan 27th 2008 by squirrell
50. To reduce the potential for any abnormal behavior(home invasion, neighborhood invasion, speeding, domestic violence, running a red light, etc., I recommend you create the "illusion" that a camera is present. This can be done simply by signs that shows a picture of a camera, or has statements such as "entering camera area", "smile for the camera", etc. To further enhance this concept (in case the offender can't read), "dummy" cameras can be mounted out of reach (house rooftops, highway poles or overpasses, etc) and can be supplemented with embedded "blue or red" flashing lights that are activated by timers or motion detectors. The police department of my hometown (Montgomery, Alabama) has rejected my recommendation, saying they feel that they would prefer to have "real recording cameras" to take a picture. They are thinking in terms of "crime solving". I'm thinking in terms of "crime prevention", which simply means "bluffing" (pokerlike) or stopping the potential criminal/offender from his intended violation. Also, think of it this way--if you are in a social situation and someone wants to take a picture of you, you get ready, put your best face forward, and "smile for the camera". On the other hand, a criminal or potential offender doesn't want to have his picture taken because a picture can last forever and be used in a court of law as convicting evidence.
Posted at 4:11AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Boilermaker
51. What do you do when the power goes out? The new internet, cable based phone lines won't work when there's no power. You won't even be able to call for help. In an emergency like this you need a charged cell phone. How do you charge it when there's no power? You need a battery operated cell phone charger. They are available at KeepSafeAlarms.com. This device, along with a supply of aa batteries should be a part of everyones emergency preparedness kit. Keep Safe.
Posted at 4:13AM on Jan 27th 2008 by ichabodsrn
52. We added a Doberman to our home security system and now never worry about intruders. He is worth 100 times his weight in dog chow and I will never go without a Doberman in the future. He is well trained, mannered and friendly unless an someone is trying to enter my home or yard uninvited. The electronic security system in my opinion is nice(and employed in my home) but it is for fire only in my home. Then again, I have fire extingushers to protect my home from fire as I have the Dobbie for intruder protection. I guess I believe more in self reliance than dependancy.
Posted at 5:26AM on Jan 27th 2008 by PS
53. Programmable timers allow you to make it appear as if someone is home, even when you aren't... The digital ones are the best, but they take a bit of time to understand, for me. I bought three of them, at Lowes, for about $50.
Posted at 6:42AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Mike Sanders
54. Security systems are a must have. You get that piece of mind knowing your house is protected. I suggest talking to a very reputable company and buying the system from them. Yes, I said buy the system. As time goes on you may want to switch monitoring services. After my initial contract was up I did a google and found a company in Calif. that monitors my system for $115.00 a year. Yes a year. Now, you have to remember that if you bought a good system you should be free of problems. I promise you that you will still have some false alarms, mostly with doors. Learn to fix those problems. Honestly, they are easy to fix. And always remember ...you get what you pay for. Test the system once a month. I do. In the beginning I had my share of false alarms, now maybe one a year. Good luck
Posted at 9:16AM on Jan 27th 2008 by frank309a
55. What do yu do if the alarm goes off? Have a gun and a safe place to wait it out.. it can tak way too long to avoid injury or death for most help to arrive.
Posted at 9:39AM on Jan 27th 2008 by Tom Jamison
56. Hey,
I just wanted to tell you that you are so right in thinking about getting a security system!
For the longest time my family didn't have one and it didn't seem like a problem becuase we live in such a great area.
Unfortunatly, that was just what the people who broke into our house had been counting on. Upon arriving home from my brother's high school graduation (the first day of summer) we discovered that someone had broken in through a window we had accidentally left open. It took us months to get a system installed and believe me, the nights until it was turned on were restless.
Coming home to our house like that was an absolutely terrifing experience and something that I hope you never have to go through.
Good luck figuring out what's best for you!
All the best,
kat
Posted at 9:49AM on Jan 27th 2008 by kat
57. Ok, people enough with the self promoting ads. This kind of flagrant abuse of message boards will certainly keep me away from ezgobag.com (!!! how obvious can you get) , brinks systems, home inspection specialists and dadracing.
Posted at 10:21AM on Jan 27th 2008 by lindsay
58. A security system is great but most of you miss the mark. All a thief has to do is go to the side of the house and cut the phone line and disable the security system. I work for a major phone company in Florida and I see this situation happen all the time, it doesn't matter what security company you have. The best way to prevent this happening is to move the phone access box inside the home, or business. As for a dog, there a many ways to disable them. as for a "good fake sign", a thief would know how to tell if you have a system or not. All it takes is 30 seconds to open a phone box on the side of the house and see if the security company installed a their own inside wire connected to the security system, it doesn't have to take a trained eye to notice this flaw. The best type of system I see is the one that emits an audible alarm when the phone system has been compromised, but these also have some flaws. Remember, we still have some rights in this country. And we do still have the right to own a gun and protect our selfs in our homes. To me this is the best alarm system!
Posted at 8:01PM on Jan 28th 2008 by Paul Naranjo
59. I am a police detective and have read some of the interesting comments about home security. Yes a person should invest in smoke detectors and co2 detectors along with fire extinguishers for each room. Another good product is made by Dupont is called Evacu8 which is a hooded filter which is about the size of a pop can. You put the evacuate hood over your head and breathe through the filter. This will give you clean air and time to get out in a fire. Most people that die in house fires die from breathing in the noxious smoke from the fire and not the fire itself. People have asked me about putting bars on their windows for security. If you put bars on your windows, then they should be the type that are hinged and locked with a padlock so they can be unlocked from the inside by the occupants. If you install non-opening burglar bars and there is a fire in the hallway, then you have just trapped yourself in the room. I recommend either purchasing laminated replacement windows or having existing windows laminated. Laminated thermal replacement windows are made just like a windshield in your car and so when someone comes up and hits it with a blunt object, then they are in for a big surprise when the window just cracks instead of shatters. This will slow them down, makes lots of noise, attracts the attention of you and your neighbors and allow you time to react to the burglary. There is a storm door that is sold a Lowes which is equipped with laminated glass and locks in three places. Another good deterrent is glass block windows. Strong doors, locks and door jambs are also important. You want your house to look as normal as possible and not have it look like a fortress. A burglar drives by your house and sees bars on the windows and thinks "hhhhmmmm there must be something really valuable in there. I'll just wait until the homeowner drives into the driveway, put a gun in their face and force them to let me into the house." On the issue of firearms. I do not recommend handguns for home protection due to the training necessary in high stress situations to be proficient in using it and the risk of overpenetration. I do recommend a good inexpensive 12 gauge pump action shotgun with an 18 1/2 barrel that is loaded with shotgun shells of buckshot (#4-00) and is equipped with a tactical high candlepower light. There is nothing that is more threatening to a burglar than when they are sneaking around inside a dark house and they hear a pump shotgun having a shell cycled into chamber. Any burglar (including ones who were found armed with a handgun)that I have arrested know that sound distinctly and try and get out of the house as fast as possible. Plus if you have to shoot someone in self defense and you used a 12 gauge shotgun to do so then the suspect is going to have a serious injury to them even if they are wearing a bullet resistant vest since there were numerous projectiles striking them at one time. The high candlepower tactical flashlight attached to the shotgun lets you turn it on and off quickly so you can identify the person who you are about to shoot. Also, do not go looking for the burglar. Lock youself in the bedroom, get the shotgun and call 911. Get on the side of a bed or a piece of furniture that offers some protection for you and point the shotgun at the doorknob. When burglar opens the door, well it's going to be a really bad day for them. Alarm systems are okay to attract attention, but in my line of work I know that it takes some time to respond to the alarm and the police might be clear across town on another call. Good lighting and landscaping around a house is also important. The landscaping should not give a burglar anywhere to hide and the lighting should illuminate all side of your home so people can clearly see around the house. Lastly, if you purchase a safe, please buy one from a locksmith and not from some discount store. Those cheap safes at discount stores can be easily opened with a screwdriver and a hammer. Also, attach the safe to the floor so the burglar cannot just carry it away. Well I hope that this information is helpful.
Posted at 8:38PM on Jan 31st 2008 by Robert Leslie
60. Here is a really nice compact Biometric (Fingerprint Reader) portable safe. It is small for home or auto:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200195586117
Posted at 12:38AM on Feb 12th 2008 by krsafe