ADT is a well-known brand in the home security business.  Recently, the acquired Broadview Security, which was formerly Brinks Home Security.  ADT has a large presence in the US, and with the addition of Broadview’s over 1 million customers, they are the largest security company in the US.

Depending upon your needs, the ADT free system may be a good choice.  Click the image below for details.

Differences between wired and wireless security systems

While wireless components are actually more expensive than wired-systems, they are much cheaper to install. That’s because they don’t require much skill in installing them. As a result, dealers will often reduce their upfront costs by wireless components such as door and window contacts, wireless motions sensors, and glass break detectors. These components are easier to install than wired equipment.

On the other hand, the often higher upfront costs of buying a hard-wired system basically stem from using well-trained installers who assure that your system is specifically designed for you and your needs, your lifestyle, and your home.

But, what you may not know is that, in addition to choosing between wireless and hard-wired systems, there’s actually a third option …getting a hybrid system. Indeed, many industry insiders consider this the best residential option and use it in their own homes.

In a hybrid system, easy-to-wire functions, such as door sensors or areas close to or with easy accessibility to the control panel, are hard-wired, while areas that may be further away or more inaccessible can utilize wireless security. This customization by skilled installers may well be the perfect option for you.

New Jersey Security Questions

Many homeowners have similar concerns and questions about home security systems for their New Jersey home.  Here are some of the more common questions.

1.  Scenario: I have one key pad on the first floor and no remote.
How does a homeowner make it to the second floor without getting tagged by the motion sensor and setting off the alarm?  Is there a time delay that allows family to set the alarm and get upstairs?

Answer: In that situation if you arm the system, you do have usually 20-30 seconds to get upstairs.  The problem is that when you come back downstairs in the morning, you will set off the alarm.  You would need a remote or many homeowners will put a security system keypad upstairs.

2.  How much drilling is done for the hardwire system?  Will I need to have repainting done after installation?

Answer: If you have a good technician, you should have no need to repair walls or repaint.  The wires are run through the walls, starting either in the basement or from the attic.  Any holes necessary in the walls to mount equipment will be covered up by the equipment.

3.  Are there different zones for each area (each sensor, each motion
detector) that will allow me to disarm different areas at any given time?

Answer: Depending upon the configuration of the control panel, and the keypad, you can disarm different areas depending upon the zones that are established.

4. What happens if there is a power failure?

Answer: Most control panels have a battery backup which will last for 8-12 hours.  However, if your control panel is connected to the monitoring station via anything other than “POTS”, i.e., plain old telephone service, you will not be in contact with monitoring if the power goes out, unless you have backup for your electrical system.

5.  Do the window sensors also trip the alarm if the window is broken or just if it is opened when the system is activated?

Answer: That depends upon the type of sensor and how it is set up.

6.  If I want to open a window that has a sensor can I disarm it by entering a code on the key pad?

Answer: Yes, if that window is on  a zone, you can turn the zone off via the keypad.

7.  Will the technician assist with the best places to put the sensors, detectors and key pad or will I have to already know where I want them to go?

Answer: Yes, a  good technician will determine the best locations.

New Jersey Home Security System Components

New Jersey home security system components that are found in most home security system packages include the following:

• Keypad – this is what you use to control the system.  Usually wall mounted, you can activate and deactivate the system, adjust setting, test the unit, and turn on or off the different zones.
• Control Panel – this is the “brains” of the system.
• Door Contacts – usually basic package will include 2 or 3 door contacts.
• Inside Siren – this is the siren in the house that sounds when an armed system is triggered by an intruder.
• Motion Sensor – (also called Motion Detector) this is an infrared device that will trigger an armed system if an intruder walks through the infrared beams.
• Lawn and window decals – these are placed in conspicuous locations which indicate that a home security system is in use.
• Remote Control Fob – some wireless systems come with a remote control key fob.  This can be used to activate the system from outside the house.  They can also be used in a bedroom in lieu of an additional keypad.

There are other components of a home security system that a homeowner may wish to have.  These include:

• Window contacts
• Glass Break detector
• Smoke and/ or Heat detector
• Outside siren
• Strobe light
• Environmental (water) alert – good for wet basements with sump pumps
• Overhead door contacts – usually for garage doors

Making a Safe Room

A safe room, which is also known as a panic room, is a secure location within a home or building that is designed to provide safety for families during terrorist attacks, nature, burglaries, or other types of threats.  A safe room is an ideal investment for any home owner, although the more fortified rooms with heavy security are normally found in the homes of rich people.  Those that have a lot of money really have no budget – therefore they can easily spend thousands on making their safe room the best place to go in the event of an emergency.

For most of us, a safe room is a location that family members can run to and hide, or call for help in an emergency situation.  You dont really need to go all out and put steel walls and a steel door in the room, although you do need a fortified door that opens outward with fortified walls.  You can have a door constructed of wood or other material, although the key should be a material that is very hard to break through.  No matter what type of door you choose, the doorjamb should be steel, to prevent the door from being kicked in.

Its almost important that your safe room doesnt contain any windows.  Windows can provide entry for burglars, which is something you obviously dont want.  You should also make sure that you keep a phone in the room, along with water, first aid kits, food, and any type of defensive weapons that you can get.  Its also a good idea to keep medical supplies in the safe room as well, just in case you need them.

No matter how hard you may try, its impossible to predict how long you will be locked in your safe room when an emergency happens.  Therefore, you should always think about ventilation, lighting, and even hygiene.  Being locked in a room for several days or possibly even weeks can affect your hygiene, which is why you should keep proper hygiene supplies in your room at all times.

The reason why most people invest in a safe room is burglars, as they present a real threat.  No matter where you live, or how nice the neighborhood may be, a burglary can happen at any given time.  When a burglary happens, the last thing you want to try to do is to reason with the burglars, or attempt to cooperate with them.

When you have a safe room, you can take your family there.  You should always make sure that everyone in your family knows where the safe room is located and how to use it.  If you have children, you should teach them about the room and how important it is.  The room should never be used for recreation purposes or for children to play in.  Instead, it should only be used in case of an emergency or a place for you and your family to hide.

If you have a safe room or just interested in one, you should always make sure that you keep the proper supplies on hand, just in case.  When you finally do use the safe room, you should always make sure that you keep the keys to open the room inside, so no one else can get in.  While you are in the room you can call the local authorities, then wait inside your safe room until they get to your house and the problem is solved.  Never, under any circumstances should you come out of your safe room before the police arrive.  If a burglary is taking place, you will only make the situation worse.

Fire Escape Ladders And Your NJ Home

If you own a New Jersey home – a fire escape ladder is always great to have.  It can save your life, and should therefore be an integral part of your residential safety.  A fire at can completely engulf your home in no time at all, normally in less than a minute.  Even though you may have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers there, the fire can get out of control fast and surround you with smoke, making it impossible for you to get out.  To protect yourself and your entire family, you should always a fire escape ladder at your home at all times.

You don’t need to pay a lot of money for an expensive fire escape ladder; all you need is one that is durable and sturdy.  Fixed structure residential fire escape ladders are the best to get, simply because you dont need to assemble then.  With a fixed structure ladder, all you need to do is climb down to safety.  They are permanently attached to your home – so they will always be there when you need them.

When you look for a residential fire escape ladder, you’ll find that there are several different styles to choose from.  There are chain and rung fire escape ladders that are designed for multiple stories, to those that reach even higher.  You can also get permanent interior ladders, exterior permanent ladders, collapsible fire escape ladders, and even retractable fire escape ladders.  Fire escape ladders are a great thing to have as a method of fire safety.

If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building or seen the outside of one, you’ve probably noticed their fire escape.  Fire escapes, depending on how many stories the building may be, will vary from simple ladders to steps.  The fire escape is very important, especially with tall buildings.  Those who live on the higher floors of apartment buildings absolutely must have a fire escape so they too can exit the building in the event of a fire.

For your home, you can also purchase a fire escape kit that includes a heavy duty escape ladder that can be assembled up to 40 feet in length.  These kits also include smoke hoods as well, in order to help keep the smoke out of your face.  Most come with chemical sticks and a horn as well, so you can let rescuers know where you are in the home when they arrive.

As you can tell, a fire escape ladder is very important to have with your home.  Homes that are 2 stories or more simply must have an escape ladder.  Fire escape ladders are perfect for safety, and may one day save your life.  Even though they may cost you a bit of money and time to install, they are one investment that you’ll never go wrong with.

Securing Your NJ Home

Securing your NJ home should be a priority.  In addition to a home alarm system, there are other areas of the home that should be protected.  Here are a few to think about:

• Secure your mailbox
• Wireless monitoring of your driveway
• Protect your important papers
• Protect your computers from virus, malware, and hijacking
• Have a “Quick Leave” kit ready
• Consider a Safe Room
• Fire escape ladders and evacuation plan

Home Security New Jersey

A majority of us that reside in New Jersey are worried about leaving home while either at work or on vacation.  If the neighborhood is considered to be bad in terms of crime, it may be troublesome going to sleep.  A lot of people live in fear or leaving their kids or an old person at home due to the fact that someone could easily break in to their home and harm them.  Due to this fear, some may even hide weapons in the house.

Each and every one of these fears that people develop stems from incidents that have happened in the past to others.  These days, people are getting more cautious about protecting their loved ones and their homes.  Most use home security systems, keep their doors locked at all times, never open their doors to strangers, and keep their windows locked.  When going out of town, they will inform neighbors that they will be away  and then will invest in a home security system.

Burglars and intruders alike will often keep a watchful eye on any opportunities that present themselves to gain entrance to a home.  Thieves do their research well and look for any entry that they can use to enter the home such as doors, windows, skylights, and chimneys.  They will also pay attention to any surveillance systems as well, and do their homework on how to disable or avoid them.  If a house is well equipped with alarms, cameras, and motion detectors, a burglar may actually think twice before he attempts to ransack a home.

What many fail to realize is the fact that burglars are smart people.  They spend a lot of time planning to rob a home, carefully studying and watching.  Although locking your doors and windows will help to an extent, it normally wont keep a determined burglar out of your home.  If a burglar sets his mind to something and has a plan in mind, simply locking your windows and doors isn’t enough.

If you have sturdy and strong doors and windows on your home, it will take the burglar extra time to break in.  In the process, he can easily get caught due to the high level of noise he will make trying to get into the home.  If you have a lot of valuables in your home, you can always invest in a strong fireproof safe to store them in.  To protect the exterior of your home you should have always have good lighting in your yard.

Home security alarms are popular to use as well, as most will go off the second a burglar tries to open a window or a door.  They are very popular these days, providing a high level of security for your home.  Alarms and surveillance systems include a variety of detectors, control panels, alarms, and cameras.  Although they may cost you a bit of money  the peace of mind and safety of your family is more than worth the investment.

No matter what area you may live in, you can always secure your home. To better secure your home and know what equipment you need, you should always try and understand the frame of mind that burglars use. This way, you’ll know what you need to protect your home.  Home security is a common issue these days and for good reason.  With crime steadily on the rise  protecting your home, your family, and your belongings becomes more and more important.

New Jersey Home Security Choices

With the poor economy that New Jersey is experiencing is not unique to the state, it does create an environment of higher crime levels.  Many homeowners are interested in a Home Security System for their New Jersey home, but are confused about the choices available.

Wired or Wireless Security System – what is best for New Jersey homes?

Either system will function extremely well.   The choice comes down to a few factors:

1. Do you have a  finished basement?  To use a wired home security system, wired must be run through walls in order to attach contacts to doors, windows, sirens, and keypads.  If you have drop ceiling in the basement with removable tiles, or panels, the technician can run wires through the walls by sending the wire up through the basement.
2. In New Jersey, most houses are build from wood.  The walls are usually hollow, compared to concrete construction in the south.  It is usually possible to run wires through the walls without creating an noticeable holes.
3. Do you have an unfinished attic?  If there is enough headroom for a technician to walk and use his tools, wires can be sent down the walls to windows, doors, etc.

Of course, a technician, if faced with an impassable wall, can surface wire the contacts.  This does not affect the performance, but may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Wireless Security Systems popular in New Jersey homes

If it is impossible to wire a New Jersey home, the alternative is to install a wireless security system.  The performance is comparable, and the ease of installation is appealing.  Some Security companies charge a premium for wireless installations and monitoring.

Some providers will provide wired or wireless for the same price

Most of the regional providers of security systems have more flexibility and may install a wired of wireless system, or a hybrid of the two, for the same price.

Wireless Home  Security Systems

With crime on the rise in New Jersey, wireless home security systems are a popular choice for homeowners.  With burglars becoming more and more common, you simply must protect your loved ones as well as your possessions.  There are several different types of security systems available for you to choose from.  For your home, there are wired and wireless security systems available.  Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, along with the differences in price as well.

Wireless Home Security Technology is different than Wired

Home alarm system wireless system’s driving technology is different from  a wired home security system.  Wireless security systems don’t need to be wired through the house; they will instead send transfer messages to the control panel through radio signals.  When they were first introduced, wireless security systems were proved to be unreliable when compared to the wired systems.  As time went by and more and more people looked into them, wireless systems began to take form.
When compared to wired systems, wireless security systems are a lot easier and more convenient to install due to the fact of there being no wires.  Wireless systems can save you a lot of money, time, and effort due to the possibility that the homeowner can do it themselves.   Wireless systems on the other hand are more expensive than wired systems and youll need to replace their batteries on a periodic basis.  The primary advantage to wireless security systems is the fact that they are easy to relocate, meaning that you can easily shift them from one home to another.
Wireless security systems use the same components as other security systems such as the touchpad, control panel, cameras, detectors, and alarms.  Wireless systems rely on radio frequencies that are transmitted by the door contacts, windows, and motion activated sensors.  The touch pads that are located at the entrances to the home will provide activation and deactivation of the system.  In the event of the power failing, a backup system will take over the wireless system and continue to provide security for your home.

To use a wireless system, all you need to do is input the code through the keypad.  Normally, this is done prior to entering and leaving your home.  Once the code is input into the key pad, the control panel will send remote signals to the rest of the system that will activate the alarms.  Depending on the system you have, an alarm will go off either by motion detection or a window or door being opened.

Have it installed or do-it-yourself

If you look around you can find several different wireless security systems, many of which you can install yourself.  Before you buy a system though, you should always consult a Security Sales Consultant who can survey your home and suggest the equipment you need.  Even though it may cost a bit more money, it will be more than worth it down the road.