Windows are a common entry point for burglars. They can be the most vulnerable part of your home security system. Homes with poorly constructed or poorly installed windows are inevitably the target of experienced burglars. To know your windows are secure, make sure they have strong glass and properly fitting locks. And remember to lock your windows before you leave the house. An unlocked window is the sure way to waste every dime you spend on an elaborate home security system.

Your doors are the second most vulnerable part of your home security system. They must be constructed of strong, durable materials, secured by tough locks that can’t be forced easily. Dead bolts are great unless the door frame is poorly installed or made of soft, easily damaged lumber.

If you keep a spare key for accidental lock-outs, be absolutely sure to hide it in a place no one would think of. Many a homeowner leaves their spare key on the top of the doorframe or under their welcome matt. Big mistake. Be cautious about using fake rocks or yard ornaments as hiding places, too, as every burglar knows that’s why they were created!

One other important tip about keys. Losing your keys is a common and costly mistake, especially when you have your home address or information that might reveal your home address on the key ring.

Some modern homeowners rely on home surveillance systems that allow them to monitor their homes from other locations. These systems are great for recording activity and storing it for later viewing if there is a security breach. They’re particularly valuable for people that travel frequently, since they involve a considerable investment. One point, though, to remember is that the surveillance system that’s not also connected to an alarm system will only be helpful after the fact. It will not prevent the intrusion, though it may help get the intruder arrested later on.

Your dog could be important to your home security as well. Trained guard dogs are very effective at discouraging burglars and vandals. And they’re portable! You can take your guard dog with you for personal protection as well. But remember, a trained guard dog can be expensive, and it may not be safe for your children. Like any dog, you must always be sure to leave plenty of food and fresh water for your guard dog.

You can also rely on less well-trained, but equally imposing large dog breeds to protect your home. It may be the same breed as the formally-trained guard dog, but it’s a family pet whose love for you and your children are you main protection. Good breeds for this purpose include German and Belgian Shepherds, Doberman, Akita, Bouvier des Flandres, Pitt Bull Terrier, Rottweiller, American Bulldog, Mastiff, and Giant Schnauzer.

The pinnacle of the effective home security system is a good burglar alarm. Their great value lies in prevention. The screaming alarm usually scares a burglar away. And most security service companies provide signs and window decals to inform potential intruders that an alarm protects the home. The market offers a wide range of designs, features, and technology in burglar alarms, so you’ll need to know what you need, how much you can afford to pay, and which systems best meet your requirements before you make the purchase.

Remember, though, that even the best and most technologically-advanced home security burglar alarm system will fail if you leave a window unlocked or have low-quality windows and doors. Home security is more than a system. It’s solid construction, durable materials, and homeowner vigilance.

It is very important to understand what resolution means when shopping for a surveillance camera. CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras range in resolution from 330 TVL (television lines) to 600 TVL. For color resolution, CCTV cameras max out at 560 lines, however you can get black and white CCTV surveillance cameras in 600 TVL. IP surveillance cameras are now available in much higher resolution (up to 5 megapixels in resolution). What does this mean when planning a system?

In the United States, regular broadcast television (not high definition) displays 480 lines of resolution, so it is possible to purchase CCTV cameras that can capture equal to or greater resolution than television. Obviously the higher the resolution that you choose, the more detail you will see in your surveillance video. High definition television (HDTV) displays either 1080 or 720 lines of resolution depending on the channel and the type of HDTV that you have. In order to get higher resolution from surveillance cameras, the only choice is IP based megapixel cameras, which connect over an IP network instead of closed circuit. IP mega-pixel cameras are much more expensive than CCTV cameras. Prices for a quality CCTV camera range from $69 – $499. Mega-pixel cameras range from about $599 – $5000. For high end applications that demand ultra-high resolution megapixel cameras can capture surveillance video at more than twice the resolution of high definition television.

In my experience, some people that are shopping for a surveillance system have an unrealistic expectation for what a surveillance camera can capture (especially a CCTV camera). I will go in to more detail about lens size and types in the next article in this series but I must touch on it briefly now as it is so closely related to resolution when planning your system. For this example, we will use a 3.6mm lens which gives you about a 90 degree field of view outward from the lens. Some people think that if you take a 480 camera with a 3.6mm lens that you will be able to get a clear picture both of an object that is 20 feet away and an object that is 80 feet away. This is very far from the truth. While the 3.6mm lens will easily pick up the object in detail at 20 feet away, it cannot pick it up at 80 feet away also with the same 3.6mm lens. In order to pick up the object at the further distance, one must either use a larger lens that would make the image more zoomed in or use a high end megapixel camera that would allow the operator to zoom in digitally without distorting the picture. Digital zoom is possible with high end megapixel cameras, but not with normal resolution CCTV cameras. This will lead us into the next article in the series which will be about understanding and choosing the right lens.

Alarms provide protection while your home is vacant or not. But you have to remember that the alarm can actually become a nuisance when instructions aren’t followed, whether it’s the instruction on the listing page stating that the buyer’s agent should call beforehand for the code (and they don’t) or if the step-by-step instructions hanging on the wall directly next to the alarm seem to be written in some other language.

To avoid these mishaps, selling agents can opt to show the house by appointment only, since too many times buyers agents don’t call for the code and the proper authorities are contacted, the alarm company is contacted and eventually the selling agent is contacted. But there are other options too. That’s why you have to decide whether or not the alarm system is actually a good idea.

Here are some tips you can utilize if you don’t want the hassles of an alarm system:

Fool the dummies with dummies. Dummy cameras, yard signs and window decals are all great ways to try and fool an intruder. Install motion detectors for all areas. Front yard, back yard and the sides of your homes will light up if motion is detected and generally scare the intruder away. Timed interior lights could also deter intruders and trick them into thinking someone is home. As a selling agent, recommend to your clients that leaving some furniture in the home, including knick-knacks on windowpanes and a couch or hanging plants will help make the home look like someone is living there still.

Again, these are just some ideas to help you get through the joys of home selling, with hopefully, less stress. Alarm systems are a great way to secure your home, however sometimes they’re more of a hassle than a luxury.