Michael K Houser's Blog

This infamous device installed in virtually every home and business with a security system is responsible for single handily causing more false alarms than all the other alarm devices combined. Because of all the false alarms one could say that this little device reminds them of the story of “the little boy who cried wolf”! But is it an unreliably designed device or another faulty installation?

Lets back up a little, what is an passive infrared and how does it work?

The term passive means the detector is able to function without the need to generate and radiate its own energy. PIRs are able to distinguish if an infrared emitting object is present by first learning the ambient temperature of the monitored space and then detecting a change in the temperature caused by the presence of an object. Using the principle of differentiation, which is a check of presence or non-presence, PIRs verify if an intruder or object is actually there.

So with that explanation why are there so many false alarms caused by passive infrared’s? Answer: poor design and wrong detector for location.

In my next post I will explain how all PIR’s are not created nor operate the same and how we use intelligent design with proven technology that guarantees a false alarm free system.

Wiring Nightmare

Well it’s finally Friday and I hope you’re excited about the weekend like me! This is a Lakers “Gold” weekend so I better not see green anything.

Through the years of being in the security industry, with over 51,000 experience, I have seen it all from systems easily defeated in a burglary, systems that cause false alarms, to poorly designed systems where you would have more protection sitting in a diesel truck filled with explosives ramming into a nitro-glycerin factory.

How do I know about these systems? Simple, we are the “A” Team and our job is to go into your home and business and clean up this junk and provide a safe and secure environment that lasts for decades! Plus, most of our referrals are from clients who thought the experts really were experts. Well, enough about the A Team let’s talk about the worst install of an control panel:

As seen and witnessed from Electronic Eye:

1. Control panel installed at floor height. Great height to service a panel if you have a 6 inch installer!

2. Control Panel installed inside a unprotected garage (courtesy of a national alarm company known by 3 letters). So convenient for a burglar to easily defeat a system without ever having to break in. I also like the stickers on the panel that easily direct you to the brain of the system.

3. Control panel installed at back door with keypad attached (courtesy of the national alarm company that sells $99.00 systems). Again, I always love it when an alarm company makes its system easily available for a burglar to defeat without using tools and a ladder. It always nice for the entry alert on the keypad to lead you directly to brain of the system. Our window stickers provide better security than these poorly designed systems.

4. Control Panel installed in a home with over 80 openings, with all the wires ran directly back to the control panel. This would have been OK back in the Jurassic era of alarm systems, but in the 80’s they invented a device called a “zone expander”. This makes wiring a home easy by running wires to expanders that run back to the control panel. Nice and neat and extremely easy to troubleshoot. But this type of system requires intelligent design.

5. Control panel with masking tape slices inside. Back in 1994 we bought an alarm company where the standard for everything was using masking tape. Now don’t get me wrong I like masking tape, especially when I paint. But masking tape splices in alarm installations is like electing Jerry “moonbeam” Brown to balance the California budget. It won’t work and only creates a bigger gob of mess!

Coming next week, “worst installation location of an Infrared”.

BY: Michael K. Houser

It always starts with a FREE to $99.00 alarm system designed by the three stooges of security. Now you may be wondering who Moe, Larry and Curly are, but if you have ever used the services of these clowns you might refer to them as Dumb and Dumber.

I might add that after seeing these systems easily defeated by a crack addict looking for some easy dough, one might conclude that there is no intelligent life in the security industry. OK, I will stop ranting about the companies that your local police have made a killing on with false alarm fines.

Without further ado here are my top 5 worst keypad installations:

1. Keypad installed at a height of six feet to keep the baby from playing with the buttons. Good thing that the whole family was over 6′9″.
2. Keypad installed in a bathroom. I always like to know the status of my alarm system while on the royal throne, geez!
3. Keypad installed at a height of 14″ from the floor. This was a perfect height for the dog to use the keypad; too bad the keypad was not paw friendly.
4. Keypad installed above a stove. Talk about getting burned for using the wrong code.
5. Keypad installed with double-sided tape. No need to waste all that time using a cordless drill and a couple of screws.

Coming next week “Worst install of an alarm control panel”.

Home Invasion

One of the more frightening and potentially dangerous crimes that can occur to a family is a home invasion robbery. A home invasion is when robbers force their way into an occupied home, apartment or hotel room to commit a robbery or other crimes. It is particularly frightening because it violates our private space and the one place that we think of as our sanctuary.

Home invasion is like the residential form of an automobile carjacking and it’s on the rise. Like the crime of carjacking, most police agencies don’t track home invasions as a separate crime. Most police agencies and the FBI will statistically record the crime as a residential burglary or a robbery. Without the ability to track the specific crime of home invasion, little can be done to alert the public as to the frequency of occurrence in their community or devise a law enforcement plan of action to control it.
Criminal Profile

Residential burglars work mostly during the day and when a residence is more likely to be unoccupied. Most burglars work alone and tend to probe a neighborhood looking for the right residence and the right opportunity. Alarm signs and decals, bars on windows, strong locks and doors, big dogs, and alert neighbors can sometimes deter burglars. Also, burglars will avoid a confrontation and will usually flee when approached. Most burglaries do not result in violence unless the criminal is cornered and uses force to escape.

Home invasion robbers, in contrast, work more often at night and on weekends when homes are more likely to be occupied. The home invader will sometimes target the resident as well as the dwelling. The selection process may include a woman living alone, a wealthy senior citizen or a known drug dealer, for example. It is not unheard of for a robber to follow you home based on the value of the car you are driving or the jewelry you are wearing. Some home invaders might have been in your home before as a delivery person, installer or repair vendor. Home robbers rarely work alone and rely on an overwhelming physical confrontation to gain initial control and instill fear in you. The greatest violence usually occurs during the initial sixty seconds of the confrontation and home invaders often come prepared with handcuffs, rope, duct tape, and firearms. Some in-home robbers appear to enjoy the intimidation, domination, and violence and some even claim it’s a “rush.”
Dangerous Trends

The act of committing a home invasion is escalating much like carjacking. The reason for the increase seems to follow a similar pattern. Much like automobiles, the traditional commercial targets for robbers like convenience stores and fast-food restaurants have hardened themselves against criminal attack and have reduced available cash. Technology has allowed commercial establishments to install affordable video surveillance systems, silent alarms, and other anti-crime deterrent devices. A residence, by comparison, is now a more attractive choice.

Home invaders know that they won’t have to overcome alarm systems when the home is occupied or be worried about video cameras and silent alarms. Unlike robbing a retail store, home invaders expect privacy once inside your home and won’t have to deal with the police suddenly driving up or customers walking in. Once the offenders take control of a residence they can force the occupants to open safes, locate hidden valuables, supply keys to the family car, and PIN numbers to their ATM cards. Home invaders will try to increase their escape time by disabling the phones and sometimes will leave their victims bound or incapacitated. It is not unheard of for robbers to load up the victim’s car with valuables and drive away without anyone in the neighborhood taking notice.
Method of Operation

The most common point of attack is through the front door or garage. Sometimes the home invader will simply kick open the door and confront everyone inside. More common is when the home invaders knock on the door first or ring the bell. The home invader hopes that the occupant will simply open the door, without question, in response to their knock. Unfortunately, many people do just that.

Home invaders will sometimes use a ruse or impersonation to get you to open the door. They have been known to pretend to be delivering a package, flowers or lie about an accident like hitting your parked car. Once the door is opened for them, the home invaders will use an explosive amount of force and threats to gain control of the home and produce fear in the victims. Once the occupants are under control the robbers will begin to collect your valuables.

Some home robbers have been known to spend hours ransacking a residence while the homeowners are bound nearby watching in terror. Some robbers have been known to eat meals, watch TV, or even take a nap. A major fear is that the robbers might commit more violence like sexual assault or even murder. Some robbers have kidnapped and forced a victim to withdraw cash from their ATM machine or take them to their small business to rob it as well.
Prevention Steps

The same tactics used to prevent daytime burglaries will go a long way to preventing forced entry home robberies. If you can delay a home invader at the point of entry then you have a chance of deterring them or have time to call the police. A solid core door, strong locks with reinforced strike plates, and reinforced window devices will stop most forced entries. See my web page on Home Security Tips for more information. Some homeowners build safe rooms inside their home to allow them to retreat or escape the violence while giving them valuable time to call the police.

The weakest home security link is the home occupant who fails to lock doors or windows or who will open the door without question at the sound of a knock. The best defense against home invasion is education and planning. Parents should hold a family meeting to discuss how to answer the door when someone knocks. Another important topic is how to act should your home or family be invaded. Once you know how home robbers work, you can effectively prevent most occurrences. See also Home Invasion Family Survival Tips for more information.

Remember these important security steps:

* Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
* Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times
* Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame
* Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door
* Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
* Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
* Never open the door to strangers or solicitors
* Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
* Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
* Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
* Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one

by Chris E McGoey

Once reserved for crowded malls and brick-and-mortar stores, shopping for the holidays has experienced a dramatic shift to online retailers. Unfortunately, it’s also a lucrative season for phishers and fraudsters, who use the jump in online traffic to illegally obtain the identities of unsuspecting online shoppers. To help, Entrust Inc. provides easy security tips to help customers remain safer while shopping online during the holidays.

“The holiday season is unsurprisingly lucrative for online phishers,” said Entrust President and CEO Bill Conner. “And while they do employ sophisticated techniques for obtaining consumer identities, simple awareness can be a shopper’s most valuable tool in having a safer and more secure online experience.”

Know Phishing Tactics. Consumers can’t be expected to identify every advanced trend in phishing. But they can be aware of common red flags that could signify a potential phishing attack, which may include suspicious URLs, misspellings and urgent requests for banking or personal information.

The SSL Standard. Secure Sockets Layers — more commonly known as SSL — helps ensure that Internet transmissions are encrypted and the identity of the organization has been verified. Consumers can verify if a site uses SSL via the “https:///” in the address bar instead of the standard “http” format.

Look for the Green Bar. Some online retailers have even deployed advanced EV SSL, which turns most browsers’ address bars green during secure transactions. EV SSL is the highest level of security on the Web today.

Find the Golden Lock. One of the main security features of basic SSL, consumers should become familiar with looking for the gold padlock within their browser — especially during the checkout process or when supplying personal information. This indicator should also be present when “https:///” is displayed before your site’s URL in the address bar. Want further assurances? Double-click the gold padlock. Within the dialog box, you’ll be able to verify the name of the company before completing the transaction.

Know Your Path. Tempting offers often arrive in your e-mail inbox. If something looks out of place, however, don’t click on the links — especially if they’re not from a vendor or organization you currently have a relationship with. Instead, navigate to the site yourself to avoid scams and to validate the offer from the organization.

Seek the Seal. Respectable organizations will display the site seal of their SSL certificate provider either on their home page or during the checkout process. Take it a step further by clicking on the site seal to ensure it’s legitimate. Verify that the date and name of the organization are consistent with the site you’re visiting.

Update the Browser. If you’re using a newer computer, make sure you’re using today’s most advanced browsers like Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 8, Mozilla Firefox 3 and Apple Safari 4.0. They all feature more advanced anti-phishing tools (e.g., EV SSL) than older browsers — helping make it even easier for you to stay safe.

Card Security. Most online retailers will require the three-digit Card Verification Value (CVV or CV2) number from the back of your credit card. If they don’t, think twice about completing the purchase.

Be Weary of Wi-Fi. Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid online transactions when connected to a public Wi-Fi — particularly if it’s unsecured. You never know who could be listening.

Logical Logout. This may seem obvious, but log out of any Web session that store personal account or banking information. This simple practice is critical if using a public computer.

Avoid Browser Plugins. Sometimes the offer of a free toolbar for your browser may be too good to be true. Make sure you know who’s providing the plugins and that they’re not a clever disguise for something more nefarious.

Monitor Your Account. While it’s a good habit to keep an eye on your banking account throughout the year, take a closer look during the holiday season — particularly after purchasing products online. If your identity or account has been compromised, you may be able to limit fraud loss if it’s caught early.

Between December 24 and December 26, deaths, injuries and dollar losses caused by fires increase an average of 50 percent, 61 percent and 43 percent, respectively, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Texas Mutual Insurance Company offers tips to reduce the chances of fire during the holidays.

Holiday lights:

* Do not overload electrical circuits. Follow manufacturer guidelines for the number of light strands connected to each other. Do not use multiple-plug adapters to increase the number of items you can connect to a standard electrical outlet.
* Inspect all electrical items before you use them. On light strands, look for broken or cracked light sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections. Make sure the ground prong on three-prong plugs is in place.
* If you use electrical cords or lights outside, make sure they are rated for outdoor use.

Trees:

* Make sure live trees are fresh, with no brown needles or dry limbs. Give them plenty of water.
* Spray live trees with a fire retardant. Tree vendors and local home improvement stores usually carry fire-retardant spray.
* Check the box and the safety tag on artificial trees to make sure they are flame-resistant. Do not place light strands on metallic trees.
* Do not place trees near fireplaces, furnaces, candles or other sources of heat. Also, avoid placing trees near room exits. If the tree catches on fire, you may not be able to get out.

Open flames:

* Place candles in holders that will not tip over, and keep them away from drapes, trees and other flammable objects.
* Put candles out before you leave home or go to bed.
* Have a professional chimney sweep inspect your fireplace annually, before you use it.
* Light fires with kindling and wooden matches only. Do not use flammable liquids.
* Always use a fireplace screen.

When a home fire occurs, heat and smoke build and spread quickly and silently, leaving families with as few as three minutes to escape. Fire safety and survival begin with preparation. Yet, according to a recent national survey from the nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC), only 37 percent of respondents have taken any actions at home to prevent fires.

HSC is partnering with the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) to educate families that the best way to protect against a home fire is to have three things: working smoke alarms on each level of the home to warn of a fire, even late at night; a fire escape plan that the whole family has practiced; and an installed home fire sprinkler system to control a fire.

Most families know about the importance of smoke alarms and fire drills, but very few are familiar with home fire sprinklers. In fact, the Home Safety Council’s recent survey revealed that only eight percent of adults in major cities across America live in homes protected by fire sprinklers and 41 percent of those surveyed didn’t know that fire sprinklers were a safety option for their homes.

“It’s definitely a concern that so many families are living without home fire sprinklers. They offer the ultimate fire protection and that can save lives,” said Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council president. “Fire sprinklers are available for homes, but too often people don’t know to ask for them when they build or move. Many people believe the common myths about fire sprinklers, which may prevent them from wanting to install the system.”

To show home fire sprinklers in action, and help dispel common sprinkler myths, HSC and NFSA have developed online animations that simplify and demonstrate how the technology works. The “Living Room” of MySafeHome.org — the Home Safety Council’s free, virtual home safety tour — features animations comparing a fire burning in a home protected by sprinklers with one that is not. The interactive feature illustrates how quickly a fire grows out of control in the room without fire sprinklers, filling it with deadly smoke. In the home with fire sprinklers, the fire remains small and contained.

Home fire sprinkler systems are installed behind the walls like plumbing. Sprinklers are connected to a constant water supply, so they are always ready to extinguish fires. Only the heat of a fire will cause the sprinkler to flow — not smoke.

If a fire starts, the sprinkler closest to it quickly controls the fire, keeping it small until the fire department arrives. That quick response controls heat and deadly smoke. With a fire under control and confined to just the area of the room where it started, families have more time to get outside to safety — and survival.

“Smoke alarms are essential to alert people to a fire, especially when they’re asleep and most vulnerable,” Appy said. “But only sprinklers work automatically to control and even put out a fire when it’s small. They’re the very best protection a family can have against the tragedy of a home fire.”

If you are considering buying a home or moving to a new building, choose one with a fire sprinkler system, if possible. When building a new home or doing a major remodel of an existing home, consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed. Contact your local fire department for help finding a qualified home fire sprinkler installer.

Even with fire sprinklers, every family needs working smoke alarms and a well-rehearsed fire escape plan for full protection. Follow the Home Safety Council’s advice below to make sure your home is safe from fire.

1. Put smoke alarms inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work.
2. Put new batteries in smoke alarms once a year, sooner if the alarm chirps.
3. Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect — hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
4. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
5. Keep BBQ grills at least ten feet away from other objects, including the home and any shrubs or bushes.
6. Only light candles when an adult is in the room. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms.
7. Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet, out of reach for young children.
8. Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
9. Space heaters need space. Keep them at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or falling asleep
10. If you use gasoline, store only a small quantity in an approved gasoline container. Store it in an outdoor shed, away from your home. Never bring any amount of gasoline indoors.

More fires occur during the winter months than any other time, and steps taken during October can help keep you safe at home. October 4-10 marks National Fire Prevention Week with the theme, “Stay Fire Smart, Don’t Get Burned.”

A home fire is reported every 81 seconds in the United States, and roughly eight persons die in a home fire every day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most home fires originate in the kitchen. After cooking and smoking, heating sources and electrical equipment were among the most common causes as well.

PECO offers the following fire safety tips to ensure that you and your family can stay safe:

• Have your home heater cleaned and inspected to ensure safe, efficient operation at least every other year, and keep the area around the heater clean at all times. An inspection by a qualified contractor can ensure the heater vent or flue is not blocked, a common problem leading to carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
• Make sure there is sufficient space between heating equipment, such as free-standing space heaters — and combustibles like furniture and drapes. Never leave an operating portable heater unattended, especially when there are children and pets nearby, or when you are sleeping. When home fires result in fatalities, the NFPA reports portable and space heaters often are involved.
• Take time to inspect conditions around your home. Look for any loose or frayed cords on all electrical appliances. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Use only one appliance for each receptacle when possible. Avoid the use of devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.
• Have plastic covers on all unused electrical outlets in homes with small children.
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp’s recommended wattage.

A small percent of all home fires are caused by candles, most being used in the bedroom. Seventy-percent of households use candles. Lit candles should never be left unattended, and candles should always be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure candles are on a firm base so they will not tip over, and avoid placing candles near curtains, furniture and other flammable materials.

In addition to fire prevention, fire experts want all homes to be equipped with smoke alarms or detectors, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and home sprinkler systems when possible. Families should check smoke detector batteries once a month, replace the batteries once a year, and occasionally dust the inside of the unit to prevent false alarms. Fire officials say smoke alarms — properly installed and maintained — play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

• Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a fire in half.
• A 2008 survey found that nearly all U.S. households had at least one smoke alarm, yet no smoke alarms were present or none operated in two out of five of reported home fires between 2003 and 2006.
• No smoke alarms were present in 40 percent of the home fire deaths.
• Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• In more than half of the reported home fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, batteries were missing or disconnected.
• Families need to plan fire escape routes in case of an emergency and practice the routes with all members of your household — especially children.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on Oct. 9, 1871.

BY MARTIN WILLIAMS
THOUSANDS of people across Wales are sacrificing home security by not activating burglar alarms.
A staggering 81% of people in Wales surveyed by Swinton Insurance revealed they do not set house alarms because they leave their pets indoors.
This was followed by them worrying about young children setting them off during the night (21%) and forgetfulness accounting for 7%.
Failing to activate an alarm which is declared in your home insurance policy could invalidate your insurance and prevent you from be reimbursed.
Steve Chelton, insurer development manager at Swinton, said: “Burglar alarms are an excellent way to secure your home.
“But our research has shown a worrying trend of home owners not switching them on because of their pets.

Retailers worldwide might earn trillions of dollars cumulatively, but they also lose billions each year to “inventory shrinkage” – the official term for stolen goods, or shoplifting – as well as other types of losses, such as mis-scanning, under-charging, and false accusations of falls or injuries. Security cameras and public view monitors (PVMs) have become an important component of retailers’ overall security. But traditional cameras can’t “see” well what’s happening when lighting conditions aren’t optimal, including dark parking lots, with or without overhead lights; through glass doors or windows, especially with bright sunlight shining through; facing straight outdoors, as most PVMs are oriented; under fluorescent lights; or any time there’s a mix of bright light and shadows.

Common security camera problems for retailers include:

* Lack of detail, including facial features of shoppers and employees
* Inconsistent clarity in bright or low light, or high-contrast lighting situations, such as entries, checkout areas, parking lots, store aisles, and warehouses and loading docks
* Degraded or no image when there’s strong glare
* Color inaccuracies in varying lighting conditions
* Low-quality DVR recordings

* Significant loss of information in strong back-light

* Both indoor and outdoor detail clearly visible

Pixim’s Digital Pixel System® ultra-wide dynamic range technology, a true breakthrough in imaging technology, delivers unprecedented image quality in all lighting conditions. Cameras powered by Pixim’s specialized image processing chipsets can significantly enhance retail security through the following capabilities:

* Widest dynamic range: Captures highlight and shadow detail – including back-lit faces – in the same scene.
* Highest total resolution: Makes it easy to distinguish image features and details, even in highly variable lighting conditions.
* Superior color rendering: Accurately displays color even in difficult lighting such as backlight, high-contrast scenes, glare, and fluorescent lighting.
* No “camera blindness”: Eliminates the vertical smear, pixel blooming, and other image artifacts commonly encountered in high-contrast scenes.
* High image compression: Improves image quality with smaller file size – allowing DVRs to record with higher frame rate or higher resolution, or both, while maintaining the same total recording time.

More About Pixim and DVRs

Pixim, compared with CCD technology, enables the higher compression of images taken by security cameras, which leads to advantages for DVRs:

* Allows the use of higher-resolution settings on the DVR without sacrificing the overall recording time (i.e., # days on a DVR).
* Enables more frames per second to be written on the DVR without sacrificing overall recording time (i.e., # days on a DVR) or resolution.
* Permits the connection of more cameras to each DVR, without sacrificing resolution or frame rate.
* Provides recordings with higher image quality, for more accurate identification of people and events and more compelling evidence.
* Makes it easier to comply with FBI and other regulations that require storage of 10 to 30 days’ worth of video – without sacrificing resolution, lowering the frame rate, or reducing the number of cameras connected to each DVR.
* Optimizes the investment in expensive DVRs.

Security cameras based on Pixim technology enable retailers to capture details of people and activities, even in variable and challenging lighting conditions, whether in parking lots, store aisles, checkout areas, or loading docks. They also help retailers optimize their security investment by improving DVR image and compression performance. The superior color and resolution produced by Pixim-Powered cameras can help retailers identify shoplifters or employee thieves and potentially recover or prevent a portion of the inventory shrinkage they suffer each year.