Home Security Gadgets & Reviews

SmartKey Lets You Re-key Your Locks Any Time Without Removing Them

When you move into a new house, condo, or apartment, it’s a good idea to have the locks changed, since you don’t know how many people have lived there in the past who might still have copies of the keys to your door locks. And if you lose a key during your own time as the homeowner, you may also want to change locks.

Changing out door locks is a bit of a pain however. That’s why this new system from Kwikset looks nice.

Kwikset’s SmartKey lets you re-key your own locks quickly and easily without removing the mechanism from the door. Also the locks are supposed to be good for other home security reasons.

The SmartKey uses a patented “side locking bar technology” which replaces your traditional pin and tumbler design. This design also features “BumpGuard” protection for improved security against lock bumping. (Lock bumping is a burglar’s technique that uses specially cut keys that can get through regular pin and tumbler locks.)

All in all, the SmartKey looks like a wise investment.

More information from KwikSet

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Security for Your iPod, iPhone, Laptop, and other Costly Electronic Gadgets

So, we’ve talked a lot about home security, but some of the most expensive items you own may be the things you tote with you to work or school every day. $3,000 for a laptop, $500 for an iPhone, a few hundred for the iPod or other mp3 player… these things add up, and the ease with which someone can swipe them make them big targets for thieves.

So, how do you protect your electronic goodies?

You might want to check out GadgetTrak.

It’s kind of like a burglar alarm or home security system, but it’s designed to protect your gadgets. You download the system onto your laptop, iPhone, etc. for a fee (costs start at $13 a year), and then if someone steals your gadget, the software alerts the company whenever someone else tries to use it. The company lets the police know where the product is being used, and chances are you might actually get your device back.

If you don’t mind paying the fee for your peace of mind, it sounds like a better option than just getting your name engraved on the back of your iPod.

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Wireless Mini Security Camera System

If you’re interested in the idea of adding a little video surveillance to your security system (or you just want to set up a hidden spy camera in your dorm room so you’ll have proof that your roommate stole your Cheetos), then this small wireless unit is an easy way to set up and get started with single-camera video surveillance.

“The ultimate addition to your wireless miniature surveillance system. Use an existing 2.4GHz receiver in combination with the MicroCam 4 for closer monitoring. The camera offers extended range, and the clarity and picture quality have been enhanced for even better full color images. The extremely small camera is portable and easily concealed. Position it in a baby’s nursery, use it on a pole to check for leaves in your guttering, monitor business transactions or use it for fun. The tiny MicroCam 4 will transmit up to 330ft/100m.”

And if you’re worrying about it messing with the signal from your wireless router or wireless phones, the surveillance system actually can be programmed to different frequencies, so it shouldn’t be any problem.

The camera system costs $130 at Amazon:

Swann Microcam 3 Wireless Ultra Miniature Security Camera System

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Locking Insert Turns Your Mailbox into a Secure Mailbox

We’ve talked about what a good idea secure locking mailboxes are before. In this day and age of identity theft, you have to worry about a lot more than someone swiping a check out of your outgoing mail pile and cashing it. Being the victim of identity theft can do a lot of damage to your finances and credit rating, damage that can take years and lots of hard work to recover from.

So doesn’t it make sense to make sure your mail is secure?

If you have a perfectly good mailbox and don’t want to buy a whole new unit, you can just pick up an insert like the one shown here. It fits into standard mailboxes and makes it so only you and the mailman can get into your box. It looks to be less expensive than replacing your entire mailbox.

http://www.mailboxworks.com

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101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

So, you’ve always wanted to make your own spy gadgets?

This post isn’t really about home security, but I saw a fun looking book over at Amazon that seemed closely enough related that I could get away with mentioning it here:

101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

Doesn’t this just look like fun? The book lists step-by-step projects for putting together hidden cameras, computer monitoring, radios and scanners, night vision device, etc.

Here’s a snippet from the book description:

“This book offers an amazingly awesome and complete collection of professional spy tools that you can build yourself. You can build any project in this thrilling arsenal of spy devices for $30 or less! Not only that, even total beginners to electronics can construct these mind-boggling snooping tools.”

From some of the reviews at Amazon, it does sound like you need some electronics know-how to get the most out of the book, but if you’ve got a gadget lover in the family, this could be a fun gift.

101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

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Burglar Alarms and Security Systems for Motorhomes and RVs

If you own an RV or motorhome, you may want to invest in a burglar alarm or home security system for it. This is especially true if you are a full timer (live in your RV) or take frequent vacations.

There are two types of RV security to consider: protecting the entire vehicle from being stolen and protecting the vehicle from being broken into and valuable items from being stolen.

Many luxury models have easily stolen items such as portable satellite dishes and flat screen televisions. You may also have personal information that thieves could use to perpetrate identity theft.

You can buy alarms that work similar to car alarms to keep the vehicle from being stolen or entered when you’re not around. You may also want to consider safes that can be secured under the seat or screwed into the floor in a closet or similar area. Even if you don’t want to get a full fledged burglar alarm, at least consider upgrading the locks on your motorhome or trailer. Many of the standard ones are extremely flimsy. Also ensure windows can’t easily be forced open.

Your dealer may have some upgrades available, but you can also look on the internet and make additions after you’ve purchased your RV/motor home.

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Waterproof Safes Protect Documents/Valuables from Hurricanes and Floods

Safes have long been known to be designed to be fireproof, as well as acting as a deterrent for burglars, so they can protect your important documents and other valuables in the case of a fire. Today, more and more safes are coming out that are waterproof too.

With increasing numbers of hurricanes and other storms, a waterproof safe can give you peace of mind. This is also true if you live in a flood-prone area.

You can get anything from file safes to safes that bolt to your wall or floor and thus aren’t removable by burglars.

With a safe that protects your valuables from thieves, fires, and water damage, you’ll be far ahead of the curve when it comes to home security.

The waterproof file safe shown here is available from Amazon for $84:

Honeywell Protector 1070-Cubic-Inch 1/2-Hour Fire Waterproof Hanging File Safe

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Wireless Motion Alert Makes for Simple-to-install Driveway Alarm

If you’ve been thinking about getting some kind of driveway alarm or motion sensor to alert you to when someone comes onto your property, but haven’t wanted to deal with installing something complicated, this Dakota Alert wireless motion detector from SmartHome might fit the bill.

It’s specifically made for outdoor use, so it can be used to monitor your driveway or any part of your property.

“The Wireless Motion Alert system will send an instant alert from the foot of your driveway to your home when a person or car enters your property. The weatherproof transmitter operates on one 9-volt battery (sold separately) and is easily mounted on a tree or post near the driveway (mounting materials sold separately). The transmitter uses a passive infrared (PIR) beam to detect people or vehicles to a distance of up to 80 feet, then sends a radio signal back to the receiver, which can be placed in your home up to 3000 feet away.”

It looks pretty easy to install. Since everything is wireless, there aren’t any cables that need to be run underground or anything. Set-up shouldn’t take long.

The wireless driveway motion detector is $159 from SmartHome:

Dakota Wireless Driveway Motion Detector

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