The economy has been suffering for quite some time now and shows very little signs of improving soon. Unemployment has been on the rise and so have been prices. The result is that there has been a significant increase in the number of petty crimes (burglaries & thefts). While they are called petty crimes, the loss of $1500 electronic equipment is by no means ‘petty’. And while you can rely on law enforcement agencies, there is a lot more that you can do yourself. After all, you are the best person to protect your home. 

And keeping the economy and the budget crunches that you may have planned in mind, here are the 5 best ways to enhance your home security and prevent being burgled without spending more than $30 out of your pocket. 

1. Start an awareness program: Does each and every person in your home know how to operate, arm & disarm a home security system? If no is the answer then this is the time to teach them how to do it. Surprisingly enough, a major percentage of burglaries occur because the occupants of the house failed to arm their alarm system. Teach everyone, including kids.
2. Signboards and decals: Cheap and reliable, security signboards and decals are one of the best and most trusted ways to prevent a crime. In fact, you can very well start a neighborhood program and encourage your neighbors to put up these signboards as well. It wont cost you more than $20 to get a high quality illuminated signboard.
3. The Hustlers: A lot of criminals now use smooth talking techniques to enter your home as a guest rather than trying to break into it. They can come disguised as well dressed salesmen or even as an electrician. It helps to be well prepared especially when you are not at home. So train your kids to not open the door to any stranger when they are alone at home. The last thing that you need is a criminal waltzing in through your front door without any security system stopping him. And once again, I emphasize on point one mentioned above.
4. Protect the outside along with the inside: A lot of burglars now prefer to loot the garage or the storage shed rather than risk being caught inside the house. So, if you have neglected the protection for your garage, then please rethink your strategy and protect the outside of the home along with the inside. 
5. Adopt a pet: Apart from giving you endless hours of enjoyment and unconditional love, dogs can also protect your home. The mere presence of a dog can send shivers down the spine of any burglar. And no, we are not talking about some of the expensive breeds here. Even a normal barking dog is enough.  

See? It’s something that each one of you can do without having to spend too much money. Beat the recession and secure your home today.

Tip1: Multilayered Security - The security setup at your home needs to be like an onion (multilayered) and not an egg (it’s a breeze to crack it). Most burglars prefer a quick and unobserved entry. Make it difficult for the burglar to bypass the security system and he will give up sooner than you expect. Use burglar alarms, electronic watchdogs, motion sensors, driveway alarms, CCTV cameras, dummy cameras and mirrors in your home.

Tip2: Be the Burglar - It takes a thief to spot one. So become a thief and take a walk around your home. How does it look? Does it look inviting? Does the window on the first floor give a perfect view of the expensive paintings that you bought yesterday? Is there an excellent place to hide?

Tip3: Identify the weak link - You might have left a weak link in your security setup. This might be an unlocked door, an unsecured window or an outdated dysfunctional lock. Identify it before a burglar does and rectify the mistake.

Tip4: The right and wrong of shrubbery - Shrubbery that prevents a clear view of your doors and walkways from across the streets, very wrong. Thorny Shrubbery (cactus, rosebushes) that makes it difficult for anyone to reach a window, very right. Learn the rights and wrongs of using shrubbery and landscaping around the home.

Tip5: Love thy Neighbor - The lord preached this ages ago and if you still are not practicing it, then this is the time to do it. Include your neighbors in the scheme of things and inform them about your daily schedule. Give them the permission to inform the law enforcement agencies in case they spot anything untoward (a stranger standing in your lawn acting suspicious). A neighborhood watch program is also one of the best ways to secure your neighborhood.

Tip6: Let there be light - Using low voltage lighting and combining it with motion sensors around the perimeter of your home is one of the best cost effective methods to discourage intruders. You can of course, combine the lights and integrate it into your burglar alarm as well.

Tip7: Close the invitation - If your window provides a clear view of expensive equipment inside, then it is like a showroom advertising the wares inside and also an invitation for any burglar walking down the street to come in and try his luck. Close the invitation. Get heavy drapes that hamper visibility from the outside. Heavy drapes mean less guaranteed results for the burglar and hence, lesser chances of him attempting a break in at your place.

Tip8: Create an illusion - At times, an illusion is even better than reality. So create an illusion that your home is well protected. Use timers on TV and lights when you are going away for a long time. Use a combination of security sign boards, decals and dummy cameras in the exterior. It is inexpensive and can well serve the purpose.

Tip9: Monitor it - Security systems that work on battery can frequently run out of juice. The last thing that you would want is an alarm that failed to go off because of a drained battery. So keep monitoring your system from time to time and replace old batteries when they need to be replaced.

Tip10: Use it when you have it - Never ever leave your home without switching on the security system. You might be going down the street for a 10 minute walk but you should always switch it on. A lot of people have been found guilty of not using a home security system. Always use it when you have it.

Almost every one knows that home security systems and burglar alarms are used to protect your family and assets from intrusions and burglary attempts. It would be naïve to list that as an advantage of using one. But as the title of this article suggests, there are a few advantages of using a home security system that not everyone is aware of. Would you believe that installing a home security system can actually help you reduce your tax liabilities? Yes, you heard it right. Your cheque to the IRS can be reduced by installing a home security system.

Advantage 1: Reduce your tax liability

A home security system can easily qualify as a ‘capital improvement’ on a home. This means that the cost of installing a burglar alarm system can be added to the adjusted cost basis of your home at the time that you are looking to sell it. This cost is a reduction in the capital gain of your home and hence is a direct reduction of the capital gain taxes. You can always speak to your tax advisor about more ways in which you can use a home security system to reduce your taxes.

Advantage 2: It improves the value of your home

A home that is installed with the latest security system will always fetch a premium price in the market. More buyers are looking for homes that have a security system installed, as new installations are considered to be messy by most. Almost any realtor will tell you that a burglar alarm system is considered to be a big plus.

Advantage 3: It helps you to lower your insurance costs

Now that is a first. If you have a monitored home security system installed then most insurance companies will be willing to offer you a discount on the insurance rates. Why is that? It’s pretty simple. A home security system will help prevent losses. A home with the latest burglar alarms and CCTV cameras installed has a far lesser chance of being burgled than one which doesn’t have it. And if you thought that the monitoring company charges were uncalled for, then here’s some more good news. You can always use that as a deductible business expense if you are running the business out of your home. You can speak to your tax consultant for more on this.

I am sure that you were unaware of these benefits of installing a security system for home. Well, that’s all the more reason for you to invest in one today.

“Myths are a waste of time. They prevent progression.” - Barbara Streisand.

It’s easy to believe in something that you have only heard off. It’s difficult to confirm the authenticity of such claims. A lot of misconceptions and myths are floating around in our society about several things. There’s the ‘crocodiles in the sewer’ and Area 51 for the more adventurous types. There are hundreds of such misconceptions about items that we use around the home everyday. There are numerous such misconceptions about burglar alarms and security systems. In this article, we look to bust those myths and clear any doubts that you may have in your mind.

• Myth: Security systems and Burglar alarms are extremely expensive and hence, only meant for the rich.
• Reality: Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and the demand for home security systems has brought several new players into the market. The rising competition has reduced the prices of home security systems considerably. Today, even a middle class family can easily afford a high end video monitoring system. Also, some security companies have packages where they install the alarms and CCTV cameras free of cost in exchange for an annual monitoring contract. Isn’t that a win-win situation for all? 
• Myth: Burglar alarms are complicated and difficult to use.
• Reality: burglar alarms are extremely user friendly and even a child can configure, arm and disarm a burglar alarm easily. The days when burglar alarms consisted of complex control panels with lots of buttons are long gone. They have been replaced by sleek and customer friendly models that have one-touch solutions for most alarm functions. You can activate and control multiple security zones in and around your home, monitor CCTV cameras, activate lighting and motion sensors and even inform the law authorities from one central control panel. 
• Myth: Burglar alarms are an unnecessary investment and they give off frequent false alarms.
• Reality: Burglar alarms are extremely important to provide security and safety to your loved ones and your hard earned money. Crime is on an all time high and you have to ensure that your assets are protected. Besides, burglar alarms will only enhance the value of your home. It is a proven fact that homes that have burglar alarms installed fetch a much higher price in the market. As far as false alarms are concerned, the burglar alarms in the market today are so advanced and precision calibrated that they can easily differentiate between humans and animals, living things and non living things like moving curtains, wind etc. In fact the new security systems have virtually eliminated the chances of frequent false alarms. 
• Myth: Installing burglar alarm systems is going to be a pain.
• Reality: Installing burglar alarm systems is a cinch. If you want to avoid drilling and wiring, then you can always opt for a wireless home security system that has no wires whatsoever. But even a hardwired security system can be installed by a professional, with no wires visible.

I hope that clears a lot of doubts that might have crept up in your mind regarding burglar alarms.

You have seen it on TV and you have seen advertisements and fliers all over newspapers. The ad shows a completely wireless security system that triggers a CCTV camera into action the moment it detects movement in the yard. This camera footage is then relayed directly to constant monitoring companies who record it and inform law enforcement agencies about the break in. Within minutes, the police swoop down and arrest the intruder red handed. The occupants of the house are safe and do not even have to lift a finger to protect their assets. The security system is the most advanced one and works by itself. Many people wonder and wish that they too could buy such advanced security systems for their home. But not everyone can do that. For security systems can be expensive and if you plan to hire the services of a constant monitoring company, then the cost goes even higher.

Does that mean that you cannot protect your home?

Not really. A little bit of smart thinking and a much smaller investment can give you some level of protection and a feeling of contentment that your home is now safe from potential intruders and burglars alike. There are several ways of doing this on a budget. Let us look at some of them.

An Illusion of protection

‘Illusions are the mirages of Hope’ - Old Adage.

This old adage speaks for itself. An illusion or an impression that your home is protected by the latest security gadgetry is all that you need to keep a potential burglar away. How can you do that? And what will it cost? It’s pretty simple and its not gonna cost you more than a hundred dollars. Any burglar walking down the street will think twice before even attempting to walk close to your home.

• Fake signs and decals - Budget < $20: There are superbly designed and authentic looking signs and decals for sale. These signs feature the logo of a well known security company followed by a message that warns intruders about the presence of a security system or CCTV camera. ‘This home is protected by Security 2020‘. And the mere presence of these signs can cause jitters in the minds of most burglars or robbers. You can buy them for less than $20 and hang them or mount them at prominent locations around your home.
• Dummy Security Cameras - Budget < $20: A dummy security camera is a complete camera housing with a motion detector installed. It moves when it detects motion and even has a red LED light that gives the sense of authenticity. You can mount one or more of these cameras at places which can be easily spotted by burglars. It can scare them away easily. Dummy cameras are available in different shapes and sizes. Some advanced models even have a fake camera lens that can be seen if closely examined. You can also combine them with fake signs and decals to enhance the impression of protection.
• Involve the neighbors - Budget = $0: This is not going to cost you a penny but it can be a priceless addition to your list of security features on a budget. Take the time and introduce yourself to your neighbors. A smart and alert neighbor can be as good as a high end security system. Inform them about your job patterns and the time that you are usually away from home. They should also be allowed to call law enforcement agencies in case they find anything suspicious. Neighborhood watch programs where one neighbor watches out for the other is also a wonderful way to look out for each other in the neighborhood.
• Electronic watchdogs - Budget < $100: An electronic watchdog is an efficient and hassle free replacement for an actual watchdog. It is a motion sensor device that works on Passive Infrared technology. It detects heat from body temperature and movement and sounds an alarm that sounds like the bark of a full grown German shepherd. You can buy one under $100 and it offers several features like increasing volume for the growls (the growl turns into an angry snarl as the person comes closer), detection of up to 4 zones and different tunes for the alarm.
• Dog warning signs - Budget < $50: An ideal addition for the electronic watchdog is a signboard that says ‘Beware of dog’ or ‘I have a dog and he may bite’. Burglars do not like the feel of a set of large jaws against their ankles or hand. And here’s how you can make it even more authentic. You can buy a couple of large dog bowls and a heavy chain and leave it right where it is seen. The total cost will be about $50 and you have a great illusion of being protected by a ferocious watchdog.
• Motion Sensors and lighting - Budget < $100: A motion sensor device can track movement and then relay a signal to an alarm system or even activate a set of lights. This makes them an ideal and cost effective solution for outdoor security. A few lights and a motion detector system is all that you need. If a burglar walks in to your home in the dark and suddenly, the lights come on and he sees the fake security signs, he will vanish into thin air as soon as he arrived.

These are some of the most innovative but effective ways to protect your homes when you are on a budget. But always remember that most of these systems are designed to give an impression that your home is guarded and not actually guard it.