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As the world becomes ever more technologically sophisticated, home security is also keeping pace when it comes to the latest innovations and for good reason. Burglaries and break-ins are on the rise in many areas and millions of homes continue to be burglarized each year. Although burglary rates in the U.S. have fallen since 2003, no homeowner can afford to be off guard when it comes to keeping their home protected.

As a concerned homeowner, you`ll want your home to be protected by the best in home security technology. Fortunately, there are plenty of new developments that are sure to help your home become safer and more secure. Companies specializing in home security are rolling out a wide variety of high-tech solutions to an age-old problem that won`t be going away anytime soon.

Smart Home Integration

In an era when just about everyone has a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device, it only makes sense to integrate those devices into your home security system. An increasing number of home security firms are doing just that, creating a wide variety of security solutions that allow you to monitor all of your alarms from virtually any location. With smart home integration, your security system will let you know whenever there is an emergency involving fire, burglary, carbon monoxide levels and a wide range of other situations.

Broadband Video Monitoring

Thanks to smart home integration, it is much easier to see what is happening first-hand in and around your home while you`re away from home. Broadband video monitoring sends video footage to your smartphone, laptop or other mobile devices the instant a break-in or other emergency happens in your home.

Interactive Automation

Keeping your lights on while you`re away from home can help deter potential burglars, but if you plan on being away for days or even weeks, you`ll wind up raising your utility costs through wasted energy. Home automation allows you to program your lighting to automatically come on at certain points of the evening, which helps stop your home from looking unoccupied while you`re away. Home automation systems also manage climate control settings, providing optimum temperatures while you`re away so you can come home to a comfortable environment.

Motion Detectors

Today’s motion detectors rely on infrared technology to detect changes in the home environment while you’re away. Unlike motion detectors that rely on sound waves to detect movement, infrared motion detectors sense body heat to pick out and shine a bright spotlight on intruders. That means fewer false alarms from environmental and accidental sounds.

Electronic Entry

Still think electronic entry is just Hollywood technology? Biometric scanners and digital door locks are becoming very popular ways of securing homes from opportunistic burglars. Most digital door locks feature a convenient pen pad for keyless entry, or you can opt for an electronic “smart key” or remote fob. Either way, these locks have proven nearly impossible to pick, making them invaluable for comprehensive home security.

With all of these technological innovations, it`s no wonder that more people are considering upgrading their current home security system or installing one for the first time. Keeping your home secure and safe is definitely something to think about before you buy furniture at Forrest Furnishing.

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Rim Locks and Latches – The US Locksmith Pros Guide

The world we live in determines what our approach towards it must be. Unfortunately, crime is a constant reality of the day and we have to be prepared for it. No one wants to be surprised by burglars in their home just as no one wants to wake up at night to find a stranger next to their bed. Your home is the one place where you should feel safe and secure.

It is up to you to make sure you and your loved ones sleep peacefully at night. Apart from the standard locks that all homes have, you can install additional security that is not going to cost the earth. We all know that normal security is not going to stop a determined and experienced burglar. Where there is a will there is a way and burglars tend to find ways. So, make it as difficult as possible for the criminal to enter your house and consider installing a rim lock or latch to your doors. Rim locks can be anything from standard security to more advanced locks.

A rim lock is a device that is attached to the surface of a door. It can be used on interior or exterior doors but is mostly attached to the outer doors. The rim lock is fitted on the inside of the door. One would always open a rim lock with a key from the outside but depending on the level of security, one would use either a key or a latch on the inside.

The most basic rim lock, also known as a Yale lock, is opened with a key from the outside but has a knob on the inside that you turn to lock or unlock it. Yale locks are often used in the place of more traditional locks on a front door although it is usually not the only lock on the door. The disadvantage of this kind of lock is that it can easily be opened with a credit card or similar card from the outside by merely swiping the card through the lock. The advantage is that you can pull the door shut behind you and lock it quickly by turning the knob to the closed position.

If you are on the lookout for something that is more secure, the basic rim lock will not be for you. More advanced rim locks are available and are opened with a key on the inside and the outside. Many of the rim locks are deadbolts and far better security than the standard basic one. Single cylinder deadbolts will offer additional security but for even better security, you can fit the double cylinder deadbolt.

When locked, these cylinders interlock and it is not so easy for burglars to bypass it. It definitely will not be opened with a credit card. The rule of thumb is that one would fit a rim lock or latch as additional security to a door. This means that the thief has two sets of locks to break through before they enter your house. An ordinary door lock with a Door Lock Cylinder is your first line of defense. But don`t be fooled into thinking that this is enough security to stop a would-be burglar.

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