SECURITY

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Does Having Security Cameras Really Deter Crime? We Asked an Expert for a Definitive Answer
Q: My husband and I recently moved from an apartment to a single-family home, and we’re a bit concerned about safety....
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We Tested This Fireproof Document Bag to See if It Can Take the Heat
Keeping your documents and belongings safe in the event of a fire may seem unnecessary, particularly if you already t...
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Product Recalls You Need to Know as of March 1, 2024
Keeping up-to-date with the latest product recalls is essential in keeping our homes safe. The U. S. Consumer Product...
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Is There a Doorbell Camera That Works Without Wi-Fi?
Q: I’ve been looking for a doorbell camera for my home, but I’m a little nervous about it being hacked. Is there a do...
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How Do Motion Sensor Lights Work to Protect Your Home?
Q: The security system I’m looking to install in my home comes with a variety of motion sensor lights and other gadge...
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Every Way Doorbell Installation Cost Pays for Itself, And What to Expect
Highlights The typical cost to install a doorbell ranges between $250 and $400, with a national average cost of $300...
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Frontpoint vs. Vivint: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2024?
Home security systems are always a smart investment, as even properties in the safest of neighborhoods could use a se...
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12 Tips to Drastically Improve Shed Security and Protect Valuable Tools, Lawn Equipment, and More
Q: I recently purchased a shed to store my lawn mower and gardening equipment, as well as my children’s bikes. I’ve i...
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ADT Slashed 50% Off Its Security Systems—See How to Save Up to $550
If you've been thinking about beefing up your home security, now's the perfect time: top-tier home security company, ...
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SimpliSafe vs. Nest: We Compared These Security Systems—Here's the One You Should Choose
SimpliSafe and Nest haven’t been around as long as some other home security companies, but they’ve quickly managed to...
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ADT Is Basically Giving Away $100 Gift Cards And Google Nest Doorbells—Here’s How To Get Yours
Home security company ADT is running a truly one-of-the-kind deal: for a limited time, it's offering a FREE Google Ne...
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Leaving These 13 Things by the Front Door Could Keep You Safe
The front door area of your home should be welcoming, but only to welcomed visitors. As the most visible entry to a h...
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New Fire Safety Standards: What You Need to Know and Which Fire Alarms Can Meet Them
We’ve all heard that we should change the batteries in our smoke detectors every time we change our clocks with dayli...
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10 Pro Tips to Navigate Electrical Projects without the Shocking Results
While virtually all DIY work carries some risk of harm, electrical work is in a class of its own. Many homeowners cho...
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IKEA Mirrors and ZLINE Gas Ranges: 9 Recalls You Need to Know from November 2023
It’s important to ensure that the products we use in our homes are safe, and staying informed about recent product re...
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Generac Generators and Frigidaire Cooktops: 30 Recalls You Need to Know for Fall 2023
Staying on top of product recalls is essential for consumers to ensure that our families stay safe. The Consumer Prod...
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Driveway Gate Cost Factors, Explained
Highlights A typical driveway gate costs between $875 and $3,823 to install, including labor and materials, though a...
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This Editor-Approved Eufy Video Doorbell Is Almost 50% Off—Plus All The Best Cyber Monday Security Deals
During the holidays, many homes sit vacant for days—sometimes weeks on end. If you're preparing to leave your home fo...
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If You Buy One Thing This Black Friday, Make This One Gadget It
If you live in a neighborhood that suffers from the occasional porch pirate, this is a Black Friday deal for you. The...
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Leave Your Home Worry-Free By Following These 8 Essential Holiday Safety Tips
Q: Last year there were a lot of break-ins and thefts in my neighborhood around the holidays, and before this year’s ...
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Arlo vs. SimpliSafe: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Arlo and SimpliSafe have established themselves as two of the best home security companies in the industry. Both offe...
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Steal Top-of-the-Line Home Security Systems With Up to a Whopping 78% Off
During the holidays, many homes sit vacant for days—sometimes weeks on end. If you're preparing to leave your home fo...
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Review: Can the SentrySafe Home Safe Withstand a Bonfire?
Home safes provide a secure shelter for valuable possessions such as jewelry, important documents, and electronic dev...
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Solved! Does Vivint Work With Alexa?
Q: I’m interested in a new home security system. I have a hodgepodge of smart-home devices, but I haven’t managed to ...
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Brinks vs. ADT: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
When considering purchasing a home security system, customers may find that they are inundated with choices. Two of t...
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Destroy Sensitive Documents Quickly and Confidently: An Aurora Paper Shredder Review
Paper shredders offer significant benefits in safeguarding sensitive information—criminals can exploit discarded pers...
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How Much Does an Earthquake Retrofit Cost?
Highlights Retrofitting a house for earthquakes typically costs between $3,369 and $8,608, with a national average c...
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Upgrade Your Home Security with These Ring Labor Day Deals
If you've been thinking about adding a video doorbell or security camera to your setup, check out Ring’s Labor Day de...
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Solved! How Many Security Cameras Do I Really Need to Protect My Home?
Q: I’ve been seeing lots of posts from neighbors on our local social media that include footage from their security c...
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ADT vs. Ring: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Although not all homeowners and renters choose to have a security system installed, many find home security systems w...
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After Wildfire Smoke Subsides, Clean These 12 Things Around the House ASAP
As wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the continent, including the recent devastating wildfires in Canada, the ...
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Solved! Does Ring Work With Google Home?
Q: I am looking into options for home security systems, and Ring is one of the systems on my short list. However, my ...
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13 Mistakes You Make Every Time You Leave for Vacation
Vacations should be a time for relaxation. Unfortunately, leaving your home unattended while you pack up for long per...
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10 OSHA-Approved Safety Tips to Practice at Home
Workplace health and safety standards are essential to protecting workers from hazards and preventing job-related ill...
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9 Ways Your Home May Be Spying on You
While smart home devices may make the daily flow of our lives easier and our homes more secure, in some cases we’re c...
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Get SimpliSafe's New Cutting-Edge Indoor Camera for Free During Their July 4th Sale
Just in time for its July 4th sale, SimpliSafe has unveiled a new, improved, and more technologically sophisticated i...
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8 Places Around the House You Should Have a Fire Extinguisher
Our homes are filled with irreplaceable items, precious memories, and, most importantly, the people we care most abou...
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Everything to Know About Ring Subscription Cost
Highlights A Ring subscription can cost from $3. 99 to $20 per month, depending on the plan level the customer choos...
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Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras: 8 Differences To Know Before You Choose
As security systems become easier to manage with mobile apps and are a more deeply integrated part of a smart-home sy...
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Frontpoint vs. ADT: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Choosing the right home security system is something homeowners or renters likely want to get right the first time. B...
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SimpliSafe Security Systems Are up to 50% Off During Memorial Day Weekend Only
SimpliSafe—a top choice among home security companies and our choice for the best DIY home security system, just knoc...
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I Made a Smart Bird Feeder for Under $100—and Can See Who Visited on Camera
Those of us who feed the birds share one common goal: getting a closer look! From binoculars and window-mounted bird ...
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Fiberglass vs. Steel Door: Which is Best for Your Home Entry?
The front door is more than merely an entry into your house. It’s part of the exterior decor, offering an opportunity...
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The Best Smart Outdoor Lights of 2023
Smart outdoor lights can be useful throughout the backyard or garden, with choices to light up pathways, improve secu...
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Cove vs. SimpliSafe: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Home security systems can help homeowners or renters feel safer in their homes, making them well worth it for many cu...
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8 Surprising Reasons You Need Security Window Film
Glass can be an amazing building material, but—in many cases—it’s also the weakest link on the exterior of a home. Wh...
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The Black Woman Innovator Who Revolutionized Home Security
If you have a home security system, you should thank Marie Van Brittan Brown. She was a Black woman inventor who desi...
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Solved! Is Home Title Theft Real?
Q: I saw on the news that criminals can steal your home title through identity fraud. Is home title theft real? How c...
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The 16 Smartest Places to Hide a Safe in Your Home
 Many homeowners rely on a secure home safe to keep important documents and small amounts of money or jewelry under l...
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Boost Your Home Security by Adding These Thorny Plants to Your Landscape
Thorny plants, many of which actually “make their points” to discourage animals from eating their foliage, may provid...
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What Should I Look for in a Home Security Camera System?
Q: After a recent wave of property crime in my area, I’d like to look at adding a security system to my home. When I ...
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Solved! Should You Leave Your Porch Light on at Night?
Q: We’ve just moved to a new neighborhood. When we lived in our previous home, everyone on the street left their porc...
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The Best Dog Gates of 2023
In homes with dogs, a reliable dog gate is a valuable tool for control and safety. These simple but practical gates a...
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How to Be Your Own Tech Support
High-speed WiFi networks and smart home devices make our lives easier by providing us with entertainment, security, a...
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The 12 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make With Your Smart Home Devices
Many of the everyday tasks of life—locking the door, adjusting the thermostat, dimming the lights, and capturing porc...
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SimpliSafe vs. Vivint: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Both SimpliSafe and Vivint feature among the best home security systems in the industry. Choosing between Vivint vs. ...
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Vivint vs. ADT: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Both Vivint and ADT are fantastic options for home security; in fact, Vivint and ADT are often considered two of the ...
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10 Ways to Keep Thieves From Stealing Your Holiday Yard Decorations
The holidays are about family, love, and warmth—or at least they should be. But every so often some coldhearted scroo...
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10 Brilliant Ways to Lock a Door Without a Lock
Locks are the best method for securing a door. But if a lock fails, if the door doesn’t have a lock, or if you don’t ...
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Frontpoint vs. SimpliSafe: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
Both Frontpoint and SimpliSafe are big names in the home security world, and both companies are known as having some ...
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SimpliSafe vs. ADT: Which Home Security System Should You Buy in 2023?
SimpliSafe and ADT are both household names in the home security world, but there are quite a few differences between...
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Blink Camera Subscription Cost: Is It Worth It?
Highlights A Blink camera subscription costs between $3 and $10 per month. The exact cost of a subscription depends...
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Solved! Is There a Home Insurance Discount for Security System Installation?
Q: Because of a recent uptick in property crime in our area, we’ve been thinking about installing a security system, ...
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Vivint vs. Ring Home Security System: Which One Should You Buy in 2023?
Even homes located in seemingly safe neighborhoods can benefit from a home security system. Vivint and Ring are two o...
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How to Install Security Cameras: 13 Steps to Take For a Safer Home
Take a good look at your home. Where do you feel you need video coverage? Is there a dark space you can’t quite see f...
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Solved! Do Security Signs Really Deter Crime?
Q: I’ve noticed that many of my neighbors have security systems—or at least signs on their lawns that say they do. On...
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Solved! Is There a Security Camera That Works Without Wi-Fi?
Q: There are so many security cameras on the market now, and with a slight rise in crime in my neighborhood I’d like ...
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23 Types of Doors All Homeowners Should Know
We walk through doors every day as we move from room to room and building to building, yet how often do we really thi...
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Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention: 5 Tips For Worried Vehicle Owners
Q: Our local police department recently sent out an alert about a rise in catalytic converter thefts in our area. I’m...
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6 Types of Safes All Security-Minded Homeowners Should Know
The best home safe keeps your important documents, jewelry, guns, or other valuables safe and secure—either from othe...
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The Best Garage Door Keypads of 2023
For added convenience and security, a garage door keypad allows for keyless entry into a garage. For times when a hom...
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8 Things to Know Before Buying a House in a Wildfire-Prone Region
Wildfires can wreak havoc on entire communities instantaneously. Unfortunately, wildfires are getting more intense an...
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Solved! What Are the Most Common Types of Window Alarm Sensors?
Q: I wanted to add window sensors to my home for extra peace of mind, and I thought it would be a simple task of sear...
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Solved! What Is a Smart Lock and How Does It Work?
Q: Our neighbors were recently away on vacation and mentioned after they returned home that they had forgotten to loc...
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8 Essential Home Security Tips to Make Your Home Safer
Q: I’ve noticed a recent increase in break-ins and property theft in my neighborhood over the past few months, and I’...
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The Best Places to Install Motion-Sensing Lights Outside Your Home
Outdoor motion-sensing lights illuminate your property when needed without wasting power. Much in the same way a moti...
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How Much Does a Ring Doorbell Cost?
Highlights A Ring doorbell can cost anywhere from $64. 99 to $349. 99, with the most popular option coming in at an ...
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The Best PoE Security Camera Systems
PoE (Power over Ethernet) security camera systems are a reliable choice for both home and business monitoring. These ...
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The Best Barking Dog Alarms
Add an extra layer to home security and give intruders pause with a barking dog alarm. No burglar wants to take their...
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8 Simple Ways to Enhance Home Safety
Q: I’ve just moved into my first home, and I’ve suddenly realized how much I took for granted about home safety and s...
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The Best Outdoor Wireless Security Camera Systems With DVR
While there are security systems that offer outdoor cameras, they also come with hefty up-front costs and typically h...
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The Best Locking Mailboxes for Security and Protection From the Elements
A regular mailbox can’t deter a nosey neighbor or parcel thief, but a locking mailbox can. Mailboxes that lock typica...
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The Best Fences for Dogs
For many pet parents, a dog fence is an absolute necessity. Whether you want to keep your furry friends safe in your ...
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How to Secure a Door That Opens Outward in 6 Steps
Many homes in warmer areas have beautiful doors that open outward to let the outside into their living spaces. Fresh ...
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How to Secure Windows Without Bars in 9 Easy Steps
Windows add air and light to a home, which can make properly securing them a difficult prospect—most of the methods t...
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Are Home Security Systems Worth It? 8 Crucial Reasons to Invest In One
Q: Most of our neighbors have some kind of security system: Some have basic doorbell cameras, others have DIY systems...
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5 Simple Ways to Enhance First-Floor Apartment Safety and Security
Q: I’m moving into a new apartment, and while I’d have preferred to be on a higher floor, the only apartment availabl...
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Solved! What Is Lock Bumping, and How Can I Prevent It?
Q: We recently experienced a burglary, and couldn’t figure out how the burglars got into our home. A partial view fro...
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The Best Locks for Storage Units
In just the past 5 years, more than 250 million square feet of self-storage space has been built in the U. S. Suffice...
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Security Camera Installation Cost Factors to Consider Before Buying
Highlights The typical cost to install security cameras in a home ranges from $125 for a single camera to $2,040 for...
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How to Keep Your Backyard Flock Safe from the Deadly Bird Flu
Though the news is rife with reminders about skyrocketing egg prices (which were up almost 60 percent year-over-year ...
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5 Steps for Enhanced French Door Security
The graceful appearance of double doors opened to a sunny patio can make your home feel open and welcoming. French do...
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The 5 Best Tips for Better Apartment Security
Q: My new apartment is awesome on the inside, and I’m excited to be living on my own for the first time. I’m also a l...
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9 Ways to Drastically Improve Front Door Security
Countless articles on decorator websites focus on curb appeal, encouraging homeowners to choose this color to stand o...
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8 Ways to Secure a Door From Being Kicked In
A home's doors—front, back, side, garage, and patio—are what stand between its residents and the outside world. And w...
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How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door to Prevent Burglary and Home Invasion
If you’re lucky enough to have a sliding glass door in your living space, you’ve probably marveled at the amount of l...
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The Best Apartment Security Systems of 2023
A security system can make renters feel much safer when living in an apartment building, especially a nonsecure one. ...
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Real Estate Sites Are Dropping Neighborhood Crime Data—Here's Why
Buying a house is the most significant financial purchase many will make, which is why it's vital to know everything ...
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7 Practical Ways to Enhance Apartment Door Security When Renting
Q: I recently rented a new apartment. After I moved in, I learned there has been an uptick in break-ins in the neighb...
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Here’s Exactly Where to Place Security Cameras Around Your Home for the Best Protection
Q: I’ve recently decided to invest in a home security system. The system I chose allows me to install and set up the ...
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7 Things That Might Surprise You About Your Home's Alarm System
Investing in an alarm system is one of the best ways to prevent break-ins, protect cars sitting in the driveway, and ...
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8 Steps to Take for Better Basement Window Security
Basement windows can add a touch of natural light and a breath of fresh air to a space that can otherwise be dark, st...
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The Best Home Intercom Systems of 2023
Some people may remember home intercom systems from the 70s, while others may have encountered them as door-entry dev...
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Thinking About Installing a Hidden Bookcase Door? Consider These 7 Issues First
Whether you’re a billionaire with a secret passion for fighting crime, someone who is low on storage space, or a prep...
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The Best Home Security Systems of 2023
The best home security systems help customers protect their possessions, investments, and families from intruders, en...
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Solved! What Is the Alexa Intruder Alert, and How Effective Is It?
Q: My kids came home from school all excited to try a few Alexa memes, including something called Intruder Alert that...
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Solved! Here’s What to Do if Your Amazon Package Is Stolen
Q: I got a notification that my Amazon package had been delivered, but when I got home it wasn’t on my step. The cont...
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What Are the Different Types of Security Cameras, and Which One Is Right for My Home?
Q: Many of my neighbors have security cameras now, and I love the idea of being able to keep an eye on my house. But ...
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Solved! What Is a Keyless Door Lock, and Is It a Secure Option for the Home?
Q: Our family regularly locks ourselves out of our home. It’s funny at first, and then just inconvenient and annoying...
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Solved! What Are the Two Main Types of Door Locks, and Which One Is Best for Me?
Q: We’re replacing our very old front door, and we discovered when we were hunting for a new handle and lock set that...
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We Tested the Feature-Rich Google Nest Protect to See If It's Worth the Price
Few folks will argue about the importance of having high-quality, reliable smoke detectors in their home. The sole pu...
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Here's How Ring Works to Protect Your Home
Q: I’ve been seeing a lot of videos posted by neighbors from their Ring cameras. I’m intrigued, and like the idea of ...
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How Much Does Vivint Cost?
Highlights The cost for a Vivint security system ranges from $599 to $1,789 and up depending on the package chosen, ...
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How Much Is SimpliSafe’s Monthly Cost?
Highlights The average monthly cost for a SimpliSafe home security system is between $0 and $27. 99. The exact cost...
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Solved! What Is Property Crime? How Can I Protect Against Becoming a Victim of a Property Crime?
Q: Our new neighborhood has a reputation for being very safe, but over the past year the rate of property crime nearb...
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Solved! How Does SimpliSafe Work?
Q: I’d really like to get a home security system, but I don’t like the idea of people all over my home installing equ...
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6 Important Things to Know if You Have an Attractive Nuisance on Your Property 
Swimming pools, playsets, fountains, and other landscaping features can make a yard more enjoyable for you and your f...
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How Much Does A Home Security System From ADT Cost?
Highlights The typical cost range for ADT home security is between $599 and $1,049—this includes initial equipment c...
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Solved! What Is a DIY Security System, and What Are the Benefits of Getting One?
Q: I’m interested in a home security system, but I’m not sure I want people in my home installing a lot of hardware o...
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How Safe Is My Neighborhood? 7 Tools to Find Out
Q: Recently a friend looking for a house in our neighborhood told me that our area isn’t safe compared to surrounding...
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This Vibrant Paint Color on Fences and Trees Isn't Just for Curb Appeal
The Meaning of a Purple FenceThe term “trailblazing” has become a common metaphor for something that is new or innova...
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Solved! Does Having a Dog Deter Burglars?
Q: Crime is on the rise in our neighborhood, and my neighbor just adopted a dog, claiming that the dog’s mere presenc...
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What’s the Difference? Larceny Vs. Theft
If you’ve watched police procedurals on television or glanced through your town’s police blotter, one of the most com...
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How To Prevent Package Theft: 10 Proven Steps to Keep Deliveries Safe
As online shopping has become more popular, the rate at which packages are stolen from customers' porches has also ri...
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The Best Gate Latches of 2023
Installing a fence, whether it’s wooden, PVC, or metal, is a great way to secure your yard and maximize privacy. Bonu...
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10 Smart Ways to Prevent an Oven Fire
Oven fires are scary, but they can easily be prevented!
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How To Start a Neighborhood Watch
As society has turned inward, toward car travel and television and video games, the sense of security that came from ...
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What’s the Difference? Burglary vs. Robbery
If you’ve been the victim of a crime and lost possessions that were financially significant or dear to you, you proba...
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The Best Floodlight Cameras Tested in 2023
If you frequently hear car alarms sounding off at night in your neighborhood, it might be time for a floodlight camer...
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How Much Does Investing in Home Security Cost?
Highlights The typical cost range for a home security system is $280 to $1,150, with customers across the country pa...
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The Best Trailer Locks for Transporting Large Tools or Materials
A trailer hitch lock helps prevent the trailer from becoming the target of thieves, whether it’s connected to a vehic...
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Here’s What Experts Say Is Exactly What to Do if Someone Breaks Into Your House
Break-ins are a violation of one of our most sacred and personal spaces: our homes. A criminal breaking into an empty...
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How To Prevent Home Invasion and Better Protect Your Home
Home invasions can take a significant financial toll on victims; the emotional toll is perhaps even greater. The loss...
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The Best Doorbells of 2023
On the surface, a doorbell is a seemingly simple device. But in reality, doorbells are an integral part of any front ...
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Help! My House Was Broken Into. What Do I Do Now?
Q: I came home from work last week and could see from the driveway that my front door was kicked in. I ran to my neig...
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The Best Smart Garage Door Openers for Monitoring and Access
Whether you use your garage as a home workshop or as a place to get your vehicle out of the elements, the best smart ...
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The Best Video Doorbells of 2023
A video doorbell is a home security product and also means of being alerted that there’s a visitor—all rolled into on...
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The Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras of 2023
Keeping a home secure from vandals, porch pirates, and wandering animals can help ensure the safety of both the prope...
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This is What the Ultimate Aging in Place Home Looks Like, According to a Senior Living Designer
Baby boomers, that massive segment of the U. S. population born between 1946 and 1964, have consistently changed the ...
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The Best Door Security Bars, Tested and Reviewed
A door security bar can be an excellent investment. This device, placed behind a door, adds extra reinforcement to an...
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The Best Pocket Door Locks
Pocket doors can be excellent space-savers in modern homes and they’re an original touch in many older houses. Howeve...
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The Best Floor Safe for Keeping Your Valuables Secure
A floor safe can keep valuables such as jewelry, cash, guns, and even sensitive documents safe from would-be thieves ...
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The Best Keyless Door Locks of 2023
Home security is of paramount importance, but fumbling with your keys while juggling packages, especially in nasty we...
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The Best Keypad Door Locks of 2023
In an automated smart home, the best keypad door lock blends seamlessly with a home setup. Many work via Bluetooth, c...
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The Best Lock Pick Sets for Emergencies
Though many people associate lock picks with nefarious intent, there are actually plenty of legitimate reasons for ha...
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The Best Door and Window Alarms, Tested and Reviewed
Any type of home security system is designed to keep the house and its inhabitants safe from property damage and thef...
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The Best Fireproof Document Bags to Keep Valuable Papers Safe, Tested
Documents such as medical records, banking statements, and bills can be stored in the cloud or on digital thumb drive...
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The Best Electronic Door Locks
Modern lifestyles can be so busy, with various household members all on different schedules, so it’s high time for an...
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The Best Hidden Cameras for Your Home Security
Hidden cameras offer an easy and affordable way to monitor your home and keep an eye on your valuables. These tiny ye...
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The Best Night Vision Cameras for Home Security
Most nefarious activities that might take place on your property, be it car theft, vandalism, break-ins, or trespassi...
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The Best Fireproof Safes for Important Documents and Items
Fireproof safes can stop a fire or break-in from escalating from terrible to truly disastrous by keeping essential do...
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The Best Wall Safes for Your Prized Possessions
If you keep precious jewelry, documents, and/or heirlooms at home, you may want to conceal these items in a wall safe...
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The Best Driveway Alarms of 2023
Even if you live in an area with a low crime rate, having an extra level of protection between your kitchen and the o...
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The Best Combination Locks
A quality combination lock can secure your valuables away from home or add extra protection to a backyard gate or out...
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The Best Smart Smoke Detectors
According to the U. S. Fire Administration, residential fires account for 75 percent of fire-related deaths in the Un...
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The Best Dog Doors of 2023
A portal that allows your pooch safe and easy access to the outside can be a real convenience for pet lovers. A doggy...
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36 Easy Ways to Protect Your Home from Break-Ins
How can air conditioners and car keys protect you from being burglarized? Read on for clever tips and tricks to improve your home's security.
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The Best Outdoor Security Cameras
Residential outdoor security cameras were once reserved for the well-to-do. Thanks to advancements in technology, out...
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The Best Smart Locks of 2023
Say goodbye to keys and hello to extra home security with one of today’s smart locks. It's been a decade or so since ...
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The Best Paper Shredders Tested in 2023
Paper shredders were once primarily used in business, government, and health care facilities where sensitive document...
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10 Things to Do ASAP When You’ve Been Hacked
Take this immediate action if your computer or accounts are breached so you can mitigate the damage and prevent further security risks.
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The Best Key Lock Box for Securely Storing Spares
Your home is your sanctuary. Of course, you want to keep it safe and secure. But there are times when you cannot be p...
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The Best Padlocks for Home Security
Quality matters, especially where security is concerned. Inferior padlocks tend to frustrate users in one of two ways...
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The Best Indoor Security Cameras for the Home
Indoor cameras have been a regular part of security systems for years. You can mount one at a shared entrance to trac...
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The Best DIY Security Systems for the Home
The safety of your home and its occupants should not be taken lightly. A security system is often the first line of d...
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9 Documents to Keep Locked Up
A household safe or fireproof box isn’t just for storing priceless heirlooms, art, or stacks of cash. In fact, a number of common documents—while not quite as exc...
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The Best Home Safes of 2023
Home safe options provide peace of mind when you’ve got cash, important documents, jewelry, and other valuables in th...
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The Best Doorbell Cameras of 2023
Doorbell cameras have arrived. They show “who’s there?” and most can be conveniently configured with a smartphone, co...
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15 Safety Essentials That Most Homes Are Missing
Take preventative measures and be prepared for worst-case scenarios with these home safety essentials.
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7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights Tested in 2023
Outdoor illumination keeps the home visible at night and helps deter crime, but leaving lights on all night is a cost...
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The Best Door Locks of 2023
An entry door lock is an essential element of home security. Choosing one might seem like a simple decision, but ther...
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Your Most Common Home Security Questions, Answered
Protecting family and property is of primary importance to homeowners. Security systems can be valuable allies in this quest, but don't discount other important f...
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11 Holiday Mistakes That Bring Burglars to Your Door
Whether you're home for the holidays or not, this festive season is a popular time for break-ins. Find out what mistakes you might be making that leaves your hous...
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7 Easy Ways to Increase Your Garage Door Security
Your house is only as safe as its weakest entry point, and for many, that point is an overhead garage door. While hom...
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9 Ways to Safeguard Your House Before a Vacation
August is a great time for a family vacation—one last fling before school starts. But before you take a plane, train, or automobile out of town, make sure to prot...
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13 Free Ways to Keep Thieves Away From Your Home
The FBI statistics are sobering: a burglary occurs roughly every 13 seconds in America. There were an estimated 1.4 million burglaries in 2017, and burglary victi...
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10 Things No One Tells You About Tiny Houses
Tiny houses are on trend for many reasons—they are eco-friendly and anti-consumerist, and they offer an affordable path to homeownership. But if you are consideri...
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How to Change a Door Lock in 7 Steps
Studies have shown that in 34 percent of home burglaries, criminals enter through the main, or front, door. It’s some...
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3 Smart Ways to Upgrade Your Entry Door in a Weekend
Inspired by the budding greenery and aided by the warmer temperatures, homeowners inevitably get the urge to spruce t...
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10 Tips for Ending Robocalls, Junk Mail, and More
Why does it always seem to happen just as you're sitting down to enjoy a nice dinner with your family?—the phone rings, and the solicitors are calling! Technology...
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3 Ways to Improve Sliding Door Security
If you have a glass sliding door in your home, you no doubt appreciate how it creates a nearly seamless visual connec...
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19 Places with (Almost) Zero Crime
Looking to relocate? Consider settling down in one of 2021's safest cities in the U.S.
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10 Types of Tech You and Your Home Can Do Without
It doesn’t always pay to become an early adopter of the latest and greatest technological advancements. In fact, some home tech products just aren't worth the inv...
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Tackle this Task Right After the New Year to Protect Your Property
No one likes to think about the possibility of fire, flood, storm damage, or theft. But should such a disaster occur,...
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10 Things Your Local Fire Department Wishes You Knew
When it comes to fire safety, who is more qualified to offer up tips and reminders than firefighters themselves? Stay safe this season (and every season) by adher...
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10 Low-Cost Ways to Improve Your Home Security
If the cost of a high-tech security system is beyond your means, consider these low-cost options to keep your home safe.
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7 Surprising Items Burglars Want to Steal from You
An estimated 3.7 million burglaries occur every year in the United States, each resulting in an average loss of more than $2,000. You can minimize your loss, shou...
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15 Household Items That Could Save Your Life
The only thing you can expect in life is that the unexpected can and eventually will happen. So, it’s worth making sure that you and your household are prepared f...
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11 Ways You May Be Inviting Burglars Into Your Home
Despite taking every precaution, some homeowners unwittingly attract burglars to their property. According to the FBI, the average financial loss from a burglary ...
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Prep for Disaster: 10 Things You'll Need in a Home Emergency
When disaster strikes, how prepared are you to handle the fallout? It pays to prep for all manner of calamity—from power outages and house fires to extreme weathe...
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How to Rekey a Lock
Key rings can get crowded (and heavy!) fast, when you consider all that you load up on them: keys for your car, front...
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10 Ways to Burglar-Proof Your Home for Under $100
A safe home is a happy home. Locking the front door is just the start when it comes to protecting your nest. There's a wealth of security systems, add-ons, and tr...
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8 Ways to Make It Look Like You’re Home When You’re Not
The holidays are a time for visiting family and friends near and far, but it can also be a prime time for break-ins since it’s easy for burglars to recognize the ...
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10 Things a Burglar Doesn't Want You to Know
Victims of burglaries suffer some $4.7 billion in property losses a year, according to the latest FBI statistics. You may already be protecting yourself with a de...
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The All-Time Best Kickstarter Inventions for the Home
So, it’s the 21st century and we’re not living like the Jetsons. Fine. But we can get as close as possible to total home automation with these incredible new inve...
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The Most Cunning Secret Hiding Spots We've Ever Seen
When it comes to hiding valuables in your home, you don't need a massive safe bolted to the floor in the bedroom—you just need to stay one step ahead of would-be ...
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How to Install a Deadbolt Lock
Automated security systems are nice to have, but the easiest and least expensive way to improve the security of home ...
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New & Notable: 8 High-Tech Home Security Gadgets
In our high-tech world, keeping your home fully protected is easier than it's ever been. Vastly more sophisticated than those blaring door alarms of yesteryear, t...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Home Security
It wasn't so long ago that when an intruder broke into a house, the home security system would sound an alarm and, if...
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Home Security 101: A Comprehensive Guide to the Basics of Securing Your Home
The revolution brought on by wireless technologies, smartphones, and mobile apps has had a major impact on the reside...
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Building a Redwood Deck and a Redwood-and-Cedar Fence
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley build a redwood deck. Carpenter Danny Ruffini installs a custom-made redwood-and-cedar fence on the perimeter.
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Touring a Neighborhood in Melrose
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
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Installation of a Home Security Lock System
Bob meets with representatives from both MacLock and Wizard Industries, both of whom demonstrate the installation of this special, high-strength lock system.
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Door Lock Installation
Bob Ryley is installing the new lockset from Baldwin Brass on the front door.
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Steel Bulkhead, Cedar Siding and Metal Flashing, and Standing Seam Steel Roof Installation
In a progress report, Ted Riley shows Bob the pre-primed red cedar siding , the heavy-duty metal Bilco bulkhead installation, and the Quechee home's standing seam...
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Home Technology Update
Bob meets up with Tim Woods (of the Internet Home Alliance) in the basement of the Quechee home to hear about the progress made integrating the connected home tec...
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Networking, Entertainment, and Security Wiring for the Home
Bob Ryley meets with Ken Frankel (from Lucent Technologies) to discuss the new HomeStar wiring system.
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Discussing the Northern White Cedar Picket Fence
A Northern White Cedar picket fence is discussed and installed.
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Wireless Home Security System Installed
Bob learns about the features of the newly-installed security system.
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Installing a Brick Walkway and Porch Lighting, and Milling the Railings and Balusters
Contractors put in the brick walkway. Forester Moulding and Lumber replicates the porch railings and balusters. Also, new security and sprinkler systems are insta...
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Landscaping, Front Column Installation, and Home Security System
Landscaping work continues, as the new security system is installed and the reproduction railing is going into place on the front porch.
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Installing a Fire Sprinkler System
A Grinnell sprinkler system goes into the garage building. Bob gets a brief history of the sprinkler concept and a few tips on installation.
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Discussing the Home Security System
Bob discusses the wireless alarm system being put in the garage. Because the building will often be unoccupied, this system won't just monitor the alarm. It will ...
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