SECURITY

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How Much Does a Blink Camera Subscription Cost?
Typical Range: $3 to $10 per monthYou’ve implemented several home security tips to help make your home a safer plac...
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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 2022?
Even homes located in seemingly safe neighborhoods can benefit from a home security system. Vivint and Ring are two o...
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Security Cameras and Smart Home Tech Are Up to 70% Off on Amazon Today
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is happening right now, and there’s no better time to save on major purchases. Here ...
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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 2022
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?
Typical Range: $64. 99 to $349. 99 National Average: $99. 99For a variety of reasons, many homeowners and renters ...
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The Best PoE Security Camera Systems of 2022
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 of 2022
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 of 2022
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 of 2022
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 of 2022
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 of 2022
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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How Much Does Security Camera Installation Cost?
Typical Range: $150 to $2,040 National Average: $1,330Video footage from security cameras is featured heavily on i...
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A Deadly Bird Flu Is Spreading—What Does This Mean for Your Backyard Flock?
Recently, the Animal and Plant Health Inspective Service (APHIS) branch of the United States Department of Agricultur...
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Ring Cameras and Security Systems Are up to $150 off Today
If you're interested in investing in a home security system, now may be the perfect time to do so. Right now, during ...
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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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8 Ways to Drastically Improve Front Door Security
Countless articles in home magazines and on decorator websites focus on curb appeal: choose this color to stand out, ...
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8 Ways to Secure a Door From Being Kicked In
Your doors—front, back, side, garage, and patio—are what stand between you and the outside world. Sometimes opening t...
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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 2022
A security system can make you feel much safer when you live in an apartment building, especially a non-secure one. S...
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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 2022
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 System Companies of 2022
A home security system helps customers defend their possessions, investments, and families. The best home security sy...
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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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I Tested the Feature-Rich Google Nest Protect. See How It Performed and If It’s Worth the High 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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Solved! How Does Ring Work?
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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Solved! What Is ADT? How Can ADT Keep My Home Secure?
Q: I’d like to get a security system to protect my home and family, but there are so many new options on the market t...
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How Much Does Vivint Cost? Vivint Pricing for Home Security Breakdown
Typical Range: $599 to $1,789 National Average: $599 for the starter packageVivint security systems offer propriet...
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How Much Is SimpliSafe’s Monthly Cost?
Typical Range: $284 to $1,089 National Average: $687Home security systems have multiple benefits: They can deter c...
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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 ADT Cost?
Typical Range: $19. 99 to $82. 14 per monthHome security is a crowded market, and homeowners and renters trying to ...
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Solved! What Is a DIY Security System?
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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10 Brilliant Ways to Lock a Door Without a Lock
These temporary fixes can help you secure apartment doors, bathroom doors, bedroom doors, and even entry doors without a permanent lock.
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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
Porch pirates used to limit their activities to the holiday season, when there would be packages on every doorstep af...
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The Best Gate Latches of 2022
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 of 2022
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 Home Security Cost? What You're Really Paying For, Explained
Typical Range: $284 to $1,089 National Average: $687Your home is your sanctuary. Unfortunately, a burglary occurs ...
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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 2022
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 2022
A video doorbell is a home security product and means of being alerted that you have a visitor rolled into one handy ...
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The Best Wireless Home Security Systems to Keep Your Home Secure Remotely
Your home should be the place where you feel the safest; one of the best ways to achieve this peace of mind is by ins...
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The Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras of 2022
Keeping your home secure from vandals, porch pirates, and wandering animals can ensure the safety of you and your fam...
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The Best Self Monitored Home Security Systems to Keep Your Family Safe
Professionally monitored home security systems usually involve a company watching your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a ...
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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 of 2022
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 Smart Doorbell to Upgrade Your Home Security
The days of squinting through a peephole, peaking through the curtains to see who’s at the door, or calling out “who ...
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The Best Pocket Door Locks of 2022
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 2022
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 2022
In an automated smart home, the best keypad door lock blends seamlessly with your setup. Many work via Bluetooth, com...
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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 of 2022
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 of 2022
Documents such as medical records, banking statements, and bills are stored in the cloud or on digital thumb drives. ...
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The Best Electronic Door Locks of 2022
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 of 2022
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 of 2022
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 2022
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 of 2022
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 RFID Wallets for Protection From Electronic Pickpocketing
When shopping for a new wallet, you may want to consider purchasing a radio frequency identification (RFID) wallet th...
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The Best Pet Cameras for Keeping Tabs on Furry Family Members
Leaving a four-pawed pal home alone can be tough, but a pet camera—similar to a nanny cam —can ease the situation. Sy...
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The Best Smart Smoke Detectors of 2022
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 for the Home
A portal that allows your pooch safe and easy access to the outside can be a real convenience for pet lovers. A dog d...
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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 Bike Locks of 2022
Bike theft is, unfortunately, very common without a bike lock. Thankfully, you can guard against theft and protect yo...
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The Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2022
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 2022
It’s been a decade since smart locks began to replace traditional pin-and-tumbler locks on private homes, and increas...
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Do These 10 Things to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
Protecting your identity from cybercriminals is essential for safeguarding your privacy and personal financial information. Failing to take basic steps can leave ...
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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 2022
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 2022
Doorbell cameras have definitely arrived. They show “who’s there?” and most can be conveniently configured with a sma...
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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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The Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights of 2022
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 Most Common Household Crimes—And How to Protect Yourself in 2020
What's the best way to protect against household crime? Arm yourself with awareness and knowledge, and implement these suggestions for crime prevention in 2020.
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The Best Door Locks of 2022
Entry door locks are an essential element of home security. Choosing a door lock might seem like a simple decision, b...
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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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12 Smart Places to Hide a Safe
Keep the whereabouts of your valuables on lock with these secret storage ideas
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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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The Most Affordable Ways to Fence in a Yard
Add privacy, security, and beauty to your yard with these inexpensive fence ideas.
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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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Amp Up Your Home Security with This (Affordable) No-Frills Device
I absolutely love tech gadgets for our home. Most recently, I set up a super simple security/notification system, the...
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7 Things to Know Before Replacing Door Locks
Your home is only as secure as the locks on its doors. Over time, or as a result of security situations, you may feel...
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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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7 Awesome Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard
Choose one of these lighting options for a safer and more striking backyard.
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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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Leaving These 13 Things at Your Front Door Could Keep You Safe
A "Welcome" doormat and seasonal decor can improve your home's curb appeal, but they won't do much to deter burglars and keep your family safe. Outfit your entry ...
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12 Mistakes That Make Your Car Vulnerable to Break-Ins
It’s no secret that Americans practically live in their cars, treating them as a home away from home. But cars are typically much easier to break into than the av...
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Bob Vila Radio: How to Protect Your Home When You're Not There
Heading out on vacation? Ensure that your home remains safe and sound while you're away. Here are some crucial items ...
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10 Ways to Keep Your Car From Getting Stolen
A well-trained thief can break into your car in less than 10 seconds, and it takes only a minute to hot-wire it and drive off. A car is stolen approximately every...
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The 17 Coolest Gadgets We Saw on Kickstarter in 2017
Of all the weird and wonderful gadgets that debuted on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in 2017, the cream of the crop dazzled us with their daring designs a...
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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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7 Documents You're Probably Forgetting to Shred
To shred or not to shred? This is an especially vital question in these days of identity theft, when access to your personal details makes you vulnerable to attac...
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Video: 7 Things Burglars Don't Want You to Know
 You probably consider your home to be a safe haven from all the danger and mayhem in this crazy world, and most of t...
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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 Mistakes You Make Every Time You Leave for Vacation
During the holiday season, hordes of people pack up their bags and embark on extended vacations. But in the excitement of planning a trip, homeowners often neglec...
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3 Tips for Smarter Security in the Digital Age
Once upon a time, the only type of theft a person had to worry about was the old-fashioned kind, in which someone mig...
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Beyond Security: 3 More Reasons to Install a New Floodlight
Where I live out in the country, the nights can be very dark—no city lights down the street, and nothing more than th...
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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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Scout: A Next-Generation Home Security System
Joining the ranks of smart-home gadgets and gizmos is Scout, a completely wireless, internet-connected home security ...
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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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7 Life-Changing New Home Technologies for 2015
With each passing year, our houses are getting smarter and smarter. It's no fantasy; appliances that mix drinks or cook dinner at your command—a simple touch on y...
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Bob Vila Radio: Troubleshooting Tips for Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights are a must for any home security system, but sometimes they get out of whack, turning on and off...
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Hold Down the Fort: Home Security Tips for Holiday Vacations
Marty Hoffmann of Kwikset, a leading manufacturer of home security products, says that in the weeks surrounding Chris...
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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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Welcome to AT&T Digital Life: The New Smart Home Security Solution
When it comes to home security, we've certainly come a long, long way from hanging signs that caution "beware of dog"...
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Bob Vila Radio: Lights on Timers
You may think that putting a timer on your lights is a waste of time—what burglar worth his salt would be fooled by a...
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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
It wasn’t so long ago that when an intruder broke into a home, the home security system would sound an alarm. If it w...
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Bob Vila Radio: Burglaries
Here’s something you probably don’t want to think about this summer: Most burglaries happen in warm weather, during b...
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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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