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In this episode, I take a deeper look at the many passionate arguments I found for and against the idea of a dog being the best home security system available.

In the Home Security Resources segment, I discuss a barking dog motion sensor for those of you without dogs.

Links:

• Rex Plus Electronic Watchdog

Download the episode here (MP3, 15:24)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please help me promote it by ranking or reviewing it in iTunes. — Thanks!

© 2011, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, we complete our comparison of LifeShield and SimpliSafe wireless, all-in-one (DIY) home security systems.

We take a look at each security system’s monitoring options, expandability, and the types of sensors and devices that are available.

(In part 1, we looked at the basic packages, what comes in the box and installation & set up).

In the Home Security Resources segment, I’ll tell you about a way you can have webcam security monitoring in your home without having to leave your computer on all the time.

Links:

• SimpliSafe
• LifeShield
• DropCam

Download the episode here (MP3, 16:49)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please help me promote it by ranking or reviewing it in iTunes. — Thanks!

© 2011, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, I compare and contrast two wireless, all-in-one home security systems, SimpliSafe and LifeShield according to the considerations we discussed in earlier episodes (see Finding the Right Wireless All-in-One Home Security System, Parts 1 and 2).

This practical analysis will occur over two episodes. In this first part, we compare the systems from the points of view of what comes in the box (and whether this will work for you) and installation & setup.

In the Home Security Resources segment, I feature brand of deadbolt that protects you at night, even from someone who has a key to your place!

Download the episode here (MP3, 20:12)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please help me promote it by ranking it or reviewing it in iTunes.  — Thanks!

© 2011, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, I look at your options for monitoring a home security system. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of the technologies involved and your choices of who to do the monitoring, whether it’s you or a monitoring service (or even none at all).

Whether you’re in the market for a home security system now or just thinking about it as a possible step for the future, this discussion will help you to know your choices and make an informed decision.

In the Home Security Resources segment of the show, I’ll tell you about a free iPhone app for managing your home’s inventory.

Here’s the earlier article on maintaining a home inventory for better security that was mentioned in the show.

Download the episode here (MP3, 20:24)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please help others discover it ranking or reviewing it in iTunes. — Thanks!

© 2011, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, we continue our discussion of wireless home security systems, looking specifically at ones sold as all-in-one kits. They can be great solutions for apartments and homes alike, often serving as people’s first-ever home security system.

We try to help you figure out what’s right for you by examining various considerations that should factor into your decision, including features you need, installation, set-up, monitoring, even battery and power considerations.

In the Home Security Resources segment, I point out one such wireless all-in-one system, SimpliSafe and review how it stacks up against the considerations we discussed.

Download the episode here (MP3, 24:21)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please help me promote it by ranking it or reviewing it in iTunes.  — Thanks!

© 2011 – 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, we discuss wireless home security systems. We’ll look specifically at ones sold as all-in-one kits, containing everything you need to get started—or so you’d think. They can be great solutions for apartments and homes alike, often serving as people’s first-ever home security system.

This is the first of a two-episode series looking at features, benefits, what you should look and look out for in a wireless, all-in-one system.

In the Home Security Resources segment, we take a look at FakeTV, a solution for making it appear as if you’re home watching TV when you’re actually out enjoying yourself or seeing the world!

Download the episode here (MP3, 18:20)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider helping me promote it by ranking it or reviewing it in iTunes.  — Thanks!

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, we discuss how to keep your home secure while you travel over the holidays. I give you week-by-week preparations to make in advance of your travels.

Download the episode here (MP3, 14:47)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider helping me promote it by ranking or reviewing it in iTunes. — Thanks!

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, we discuss levels of home security: levels that build on each other, providing increasing amounts of protection for you and your home.

Security systems aren’t for everybody.

Thinking about security in terms of levels can provide lots of protection if you don’t have a security system. Or, if you have one, but haven’t accounted for these levels, you’re not as protected as you might have thought!

4 Questions from the episode’s “Take Action” segment

1. Consider your security-related behaviors in and around the home, especially when you leave home. Would a burglar walking by be likely to see your home as a target?
2. If a burglar came up to your home, could he pry open a window, kick in a door or unlock a door by knocking out a small piece of glass and reaching in to unlock it?
3. Do you think some sort of security system might be right for you? If so, are you thinking about it as your first line of defense or your last? If first, how can you change your approach so that it would instead be an effective addition to your strategy instead of your entire strategy?
4. If you don’t think a full-blown security system is right at this time, are there standalone devices that might make sense instead?

Download the episode here (MP3, 15:00)

Transcript

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider helping me promote it by ranking or reviewing it in iTunes. — Thanks!

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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Here are some tips and advice for improving the security of your apartment and some tips for what to look for when apartment-hunting to help make sure your new home will be safe!

Apartments are popular targets for burglars. They’re more vulnerable and there are fewer options a renter has improving an apartment’s security. But there are strategies and some products that can help dramatically!

Links from show:

• Basic lamp timer example
• Advanced lamp timer example
• Example window stops, locks and braces
• Example alarm system window stickers & decals
• Individual window alarm example
• Motion sensor alarm example
• Personal panic alarm example
• Simplisafe
• Lifeshield
• Logitech surveillance camera system

Note: These product links are purely informational and are not recommendations of Safe at Home Security Guide. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Download the episode here (MP3, 17:31)

Transcript

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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Home burglars have all sorts of tricks and knowledge of our behaviors that they can use to their advantage.

Learn about them here and plan your strategy to outsmart them and protect your home!

Download the episode here (MP3; 14:25)

Transcript

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, I discuss ways you can protect yourself against laptop theft.

Here are all sorts of tips and aspects of avoiding this all-too-common type of theft. Even though this is the Safe at Home Security Guide, we’ll venture “out of the house”—since your laptop often faithfully follows you around town!

You’ll find tips and information on:

• Preventing laptop theft

– At home
– Away from home

• Preparing for the “just in case” situation.

– Be prepared for paperwork and filing claims,
– Dealing with insurance,
– Keeping your data safe or maybe even not losing it at all,
– Hopefully even getting your laptop back!

Links from show:

• DormVault laptop safe (dormvault.com)
• Laptop locker (computersecurity.com)
• FireKing laptop safe (officedepot.com)
• Laptop safes (buyasafe.com)
• Sentry X105 laptop security safe (costco.com)

Note: These product links are purely informational and are not recommendations of Safe at Home Security Guide. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Download the episode here (MP3; 19:07)

Transcript

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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In this episode, I discuss ten common home security mistakes that people often make that increase their home’s vulnerability.

If you review your home against these mistakes and follow the provided tips, you’ll make your home better protected against break-ins and be well on your way toward feeling Safe At Home!

A door strike plate (mentioned in show):

Download the Episode Here (MP3; 15:59)

Transcript

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.

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Welcome to the Safe at Home Security Guide!

This site is for you if

• you live in an urban or even suburban home or apartment,
• you are concerned about crime and want to protect yourself, your home and your belongings
• you want to learn about what practical steps you can take that won’t be complicated, expensive or that will leave you feeling like a prisoner in your own home
• you want to learn what things you can do yourself

Make this your home for useful and practical home security information.

What you can expect: No-BS. No hype. No fear.

My goal is to help and inform you. Never to scare you into action or giving up your hard-earned money.

I want you to feel safe in your home just as I want to feel safe in mine. More on that in a moment.

Here’s what you can expect from the Safe at Home Security Guide.

• Tips.
• Information that sorts through all the various home security products and services and points out what works and what doesn’t, what lives up to the hype and what doesn’t.
• I’ll save you time and hassle by keeping you from trying things that won’t work for you. Instead, you’ll see what solutions will work for your life, your home, your situation.
• Instructions for things you can do yourself—both simple things you can do to be safe and how to get security-related products working and how to put technology to work for you!

You’ll find no-BS, no-hype, no-scare tactics information on practical home security that you can use to protect yourself. To feel safe at home.

You’ll get all this from me—just a regular guy that’s been forced to figure this stuff out for himself.

I’m learning—just like you

I am a software engineer and an entrepreneur.

I am not a security expert. Or an alarm company salesman.

But I am learning all about home security so I can protect myself. So I can feel safe at home.

I’ve been a victim…but NO MORE!

You see, over the past several years, I’ve had a home and an apartment broken into. I’ve had computers stolen. I’ve had a bike stolen. I’ve lost money and had property damaged.

I’ve had enough and I’m not going to be a victim anymore.

I’ve always lived in safe neighborhoods. But anyone can be a victim.

I want to to protect myself, but I don’t want to go crazy.

Expensive, complicated and annoying alarm systems are not for me.

I want to be safe in my home, but I don’t want one of those systems that goes off unexpectedly and scares the crap out of me. I don’t need the hassle.

And who really wants to feel like a prisoner at home?

It’s time for some practical home security information

So I’ve started learning about what other options are available. Easy, uncomplicated, hopefully inexpensive but also effective options.

I’ll share with you what I’ve done so far and what I learn as I go along. I love to learn and I love to help people!

I’m sick of thieves taking advantage of people just because they think they have a right to someone else’s belongings. I’m tired of security products marketed using fear to scare up customers.

There has to be a better way.

Now there will be. I will make sure of it.

Come back. I’ll post new information several times a week. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’ll share with you everything I learn and help you feel safe at home!

Download the First Episode Here (MP3; 09:29)

Transcript

© 2010, Safe At Home Security Guide: Do-it-yourself home and apartment security. All rights reserved.