Posts with tag home security

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-511726{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-511726, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-511726{width:570px;height:411px;display:block;} What can't a smartphone do nowadays? Well, check on more thing off the list: running the electronic... Continue Reading »

People find some seriously weird things in their homes: dozens of exotic animals, stashes of marijuana, $7 million worth of gold bars, for example. But something significantly scarier -- and more dangerous -- was found inside Charlotte Donahue's home in Prince George, Va., on Sunday morning: four inmates who had recently... Continue Reading »

A home in New York's Westchester County (pictured above) that was identified in The Journal News' infamous interactive map outlining gun permit holders last month was burglarized on Saturday, local TV station WDEF reported. The thieves' target? The homeowner's gun safe, officials said. The thieves reportedly used a... Continue Reading »

By Brian Dumaine The powerhouse private equity firm Blackstone recently invested in a Provo, Utah, company that installs home security systems in an equity deal that's valued it at $2 billion. What does Blackstone see in an industry that's not known for being particularly sexy? It turns out that private company Vivint,... Continue Reading »

You might think that pit bulls or Rottweilers are naturally protective guard dogs that will keep your home safe from burglars. But as it turns out, they might not even have any bark, let alone bite. CBS Atlanta put five breeds known for being instinctive guard dogs to the test by staging break-ins at their homes and... Continue Reading »

By Lisa Kaplan Gordon You don't have to install a pricey or crazy security system to feel safer in your home. Here are some low- and no-cost ways to keep burglars at bay. 1. Don't Sleep Alone If you're sleeping solo these days, take your car's remote control to bed with you. If you hear suspicious noises, push the... Continue Reading »

It's bad enough to be spotted by the nextdoor neighbor when you're trying to break into a house. It's even worse when the next-door neighbor is a cop. That's what happened to a pair of purported contractors in Dacula, Ga. An off-duty police officer noticed the couple trying to jimmy open the front door of the vacant... Continue Reading »

Home security technologies are keeping pace with the other gadgets in our connected, on-demand lives. Unlike the cumbersome systems of the recent past, new home security components are discreet, easily controlled from afar, and smart enough to screen out don't-need-to-know info, like your pet's indoor traffic patterns. If... Continue Reading »

Even if you're just renting a place for a short time, it's important to personalize it with the style and conveniences that make you feel at home. If you'd like to make home improvements but hesitate because of longer-term living plans, consider projects that can move with you. "I'm a big proponent of 'make it yours,'... Continue Reading »

Home security is a primary concern for many homeowners, particularly those who are away at work during the day or who take frequent vacations. Knowing your home and knowing your neighborhood are key, especially for new homeowners. Nikki Pepper at our sister site, ShelterPop, provides some helpful tips. Whether you're... Continue Reading »

The bags are packed. The kids are strapped safely in their car seats. The house is locked up tight--or is it? If you're rushing to get out for the holidays, you may be overlooking one important step: home security. The holiday season is also prime time for break-ins. And it's not just burglars you need to protect against.... Continue Reading »

When the apartment of AOL Real Estate contributor Eileen Gunn was burglarized several years back, she was grateful she had insurance to cover her losses. "Most of what was stolen I wouldn't [and] couldn't replace, like jewelry, she said. "So the money I got from insurance did replace the things I wanted: My remote controls... Continue Reading »

Living off-campus at college brings many perks: greater freedom, broader housing choices, and possibly even some money-saving, if you play your cards right. But being out from under the university's thumb means that you're also out from under their security, which isn't always a good thing. Though tragically high-profile... Continue Reading »

As a 33-year-old single woman living near a not-so-safe area in Massachusetts, Heidi said she felt the need for some kind of home security system to protect herself and her belongings. So she did her homework. "I did research online, in magazines, and asked neighbors and family about what security systems they have," she... Continue Reading »

Sarah Wynn thought she was safe. The 27-year-old lived in a rental apartment in a bustling, low-crime section of Chicago. She was careful to keep her doors locked at night and her eyes open for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. It wasn't enough. After leaving for work one morning, a thief walked right into Wynn's... Continue Reading »