Home Security Systems: Big Pictureby Kenneth L. MeyerWe are in a depression! Would anyone argue with that; even so, prior to the horrible economic times we are in, crime was on the rise. Break-ins occur at the rate of about 1 every 20 seconds or so!It becomes very important to consider having a good home security system. This article is the first in several that will guide you through the maze of finding a good reliable, INEXPENSIVE home security system.One of the first things to consider is who are we protecting? I mean are you alone, are you in a family, large or small, do you own a gun, are you open to that. We'll talk about home defense and weapon use in a later article. Just know that this author is in favor of weapons in the home for home defense?.under the right circumstance that is.If you family is large it is usually easier to protect the home as it will be occupied a good deal and the bad guys can see this, but many burglaries occur with people in the house too. Finding a home security system is a trusted and safe way of protecting your home, family and property.Indoor vs. Outdoor Alarm SystemsThere at two general categories for home security systems, you guessed it! Indoor and Outdoor home systems and various alarm systems. The basic home systems usually are concerned with mounting something on the doors and the windows. They are looking for two things: and opening of doors and windows, or any signs of movement inside the house. Systems detect movement with the help of motion sensors. Many digital systems today will automatically call the police as soon as the alarm goes off. In addition, you can have a "panic button" if you will to push that will set off the alarm should you suspect something the system did not pick up! Neat isn't! More on how they work later.That is inside the house, outside systems can be desired also. Most outdoor systems are programmed to turn on flood lights at the slightest hint of movement on your grounds. Motion detectors have become very sophisticated and can determine if movement is being caused by a large object or a small object. This is helpful in reducing false alarms that might be triggered by pets or yourself taking a walk.Outdoor alarms also include driveway alarms to ensure the safety of your car.Power SourceMost systems operate on either electricity or batteries. With the ever increasing ability of battery technology today, having a battery powered system can be very economical and reliable especially in the event of a power outage that shuts down the main home electricity.Video ProtectionYou'll find that some of the more expensive and sophisticated video systems offer you the added security of close-circuit television (CCTV) and wireless video surveillance (VSS). These usually consist of several transmitters and receiver, which is connected to the TV or VCR. The advantage with such wireless systems is that the only cable you use is the one that connects your receiver to your TV. Wired systems are more reliable than wireless ones.Security for Apartment BuildingsIf you live in an apartment building, you can find special systems designed to be installed in multi-apartment premises. You can also opt for systems for the individual apartment probably with apartment administration approval based upon the same ideas discussed abaove. Really your apartment supervisor/manager should be responsible for building security and don't hesitate to contact them and inquire. If you looking to find a new apartment complex, make the security quality and level of the complex one of your decision making criteria before you rent.Risk AssessmentDepending upon the type and cost of the system you consider some vendors will provide a free (they say its free, your paying for it in the mark up of the system but that's ok) risk assessment to help determine system capabilities. Think of it a ?scouting report? to help you determine potential threats and what your capabilities will need to be.Ancillary but Important IssuesMake sure you have sturdy doors and windows which you can bolt and lock.I live near a major city with a high crime rate and which is also famous for putting grills/iron bars on there windows for extra protection. While this is an option so many times the bars become a obstacle for you as you try to get out of the house in the event of fire or something else! We see it on the news all the time, so consider this one very carefully before you make you house a prison instead of a well protected home.Most police will reaffirm that lots of outside and inside lighting is important. They will also tell you that having a dog that barks at movement is also a good idea. I have seen firsthand where not only a barking dog but a large barking dog can be a deterrent to a attack or break-in. Whatever system you choose, make sure that signs of its installation are clearly visible. If you're open to it, cut down shrubs and trees that would hide someone close to the house,pretty basic stuff but real.As previously mentioned this is the first in a series of article that will discuss in more detail various home security system ideas, technologies and strategies so that in these difficult times your home can be as safe as possible.