How To Effectively Combine Traditional Methods Of Home Security With New Technologies

Surveillance methods differ based on the community, country, and, of course, the time period; but are you sure you're up-to-date on the most effective ways to protect yourself currently available on the market? Many of today's young parents grew up in a time when their moms and dads felt that home security consisted of a couple of bulldogs to alert the family in the unlikely event of a break-in. Sadly, times have changed, and new technological developments combined with the recent economic crisis have made criminal activity more likely than ever. Not only that, but when it does occur, nowadays it is often more potent because criminals have developed sophisticated tools to use when planning a hit on individual properties and people.

Criminals in the past have worked alone or in smaller, more loosely-defined groups. With the advent of the internet and the rise of global communication systems, such as the ubiquitous cell phone, today's criminal masterminds are more formidable opponents than ever. We are all aware of precautionary steps that are useful to take in the event of a bomb threat or terrorist attack, and everyone has been made explicitly aware about the key points in security at airports, but when it comes to home security, are you safety-savvy? Having guests take off their shoes and walk through metal detectors may work to deter terrorists at JFK, but are you prepared to take threats to your home safety into your own hands? The older, tried-and-true methods your parents and grandparents used should not be totally cast aside, but merely updated to fit today's modern world.

Becoming a member of the local Neighborhood Watch association is still an effective psychological tactic, which works wonders towards forcing would-be intruders to think twice before making your home a target. Simply knowing that someone is watching your home, whether that someone be a local friend, or a guard dog, is a great first step towards protecting your home. You might want to additionally consider looking into subscribing to some of the latest technological advancements in home security, a step many Americans are currently taking. Personal safety devices and alarms such as pepper spray or a loud horn are often good crime deterrents, and others, such as home alarms, are available to cover more of your property and environmental surroundings.

Personal safety devices can be worn on the user at all times, especially when walking alone or at night in unfamiliar areas and neighborhoods. Pepper spray, a longtime safety favorite (which should be tested by the user ahead of time to make sure it is properly employed), contains a highly potent, non-fatal liquid which is sprayed into the eyes of an attacker at a distance of up to 25 feet. This highly irritating spray temporarily blinds the attacker while you make a quick getaway; often, the spray incapacitates the attacker long enough for police to arrive, as well. A loud horn, while its effects wear off faster, can startle the attacker long enough to give you a window of time in which to escape. Along the same vein, a good home alarm system works in similar ways to startle and incapacitate intruders, throwing off their plans long enough for the homeowner to be alerted and police to be called. Mixing older tactics of vigilance with new technology is a surefire combination to ensure your home security.

By: Erik Mandelson

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