Motion Detectors (also Door and Window Alarms) are usually portable, wireless devices that will detect motion whenever someone walks in their path. They come with a variety of sound levels (soft or loud alarms and even chimes). Most have an on-off switch and some even will call the police when someone enters your home or office.

Many people put these at their front doors for nighttime protection so they can be alerted if someone is trying to break into their house. But how about other uses for Motion Detectors — everyone thinks they are just used to keep people out of their home. Well, here are a few uses for Motion Detectors and Door Alarms that you might not have thought about:

- Place a Door Alarm on your elderly parent’s or young children’s door to alert you that they are out of the room at night

- How about teenagers – what time do they really come in at night. You will absolutely know the time with a properly placed Motion Detector. Just don’t tell the teenager that you set one up or it will spoil the surprise…

- Pantries – place a Motion Detector near your food supply (pantry, refrigerator, even the cookie jar) to let you know when someone is trying to break their diet or eat when they aren’t supposed to

- Basement – Even though most folks keep this door closed, there are still times when we forget. A Motion Detector will let you know if your young children are anywhere near the steps

- Swimming Pool – If the gate door to your swimming pool is left open you’re just asking for trouble. Unwelcome ‘guests’, children, even small animals will show up out of nowhere. A Motion Detector with a loud alarm will scare them away as well as alert you that someone is near your pool

- New puppy – if you keep him in the kitchen before he’s housebroken, you might want to know if he ‘escaped’ and now has the run of your house to chew, *** and have a ball without you knowing it. A 120 dB (a very loud alarm) Motion Detector will tell you that Fido is free so you can keep the destruction down to a minimum.

- How about the back shed where you keep all your garden and other tools. There’s usually a lot of expensive equipment in sheds. Why not set up a Motion Detector or Door Alarm on the shed to scare potential burglars (or even mischievous kids) away. There is even a Motion Detector that will send the alarm to a receiver that you have placed near you – there’s no alarm outside so you can call the police and catch him in the act.

- Retail stores – A Motion Detector will let you know when a customer comes into your store and can even alert you when you are in another room.

- And any other ‘special’ place that you don’t want intruders. Just let you imagination go free and I’m sure you will think of a few places.

By: Larry Zolna

About the Author:

I was given a price quote for an ADT home security system. The price I was quoted was:
$100 per glass break detector
$150 per smoke detector
$75 per door or window contact
$299 for the ‘wireless package’–1 keypad, 1 keyfob, 2 contacts, 1 motion detector
The service would be $35/monthly.

What have others paid for their security systems? Are these prices negotiable? I think they seem fairly high; is there a way to just buy the basic ADT package and add on things like glass break, smoke detector, etc., purchased elsewhere?

Thank you for any help!

By: blondeandblue

About the Author:

Thomas L. James asked:


There’s simply no denying that video surveillance as a whole, has moved on the greener pastures as far as the Hidden Camera DVR is concerned. Rather than having to deal with wires and receivers, this unit is entirely self-contained. In fact, there really is not much you need to do in order to use it, apart from plugging it in and pointing it in the direction of whatever it is you’re wanting to record. Furthermore, everything you record will be in full color and will be stored on an 8GB SD card. Using any SD card reader, you’ll be able to view recordings on your computer whenever it’s convenient for you.

Even those with no technical experience will immediately realize just how incredibly easy video surveillance has become with regards to this latest break through. Furthermore, each unit comes with two resolution settings. When set on the 352 x 240 setting, the unit will record in real time at 30fps and is capable of recording in high quality for 16 hours, medium quality for 96 hours or low quality for 144 hours. Alternatively, when set for the 640 x 480 resolution, the unit records at a rate of 12fps and is capable of 8 hours on high quality, 48 hours medium quality or 72 hours low quality.

Complete with an 8GB SD card, the Hidden Camera DVR can either be set to start recording at a specific time, or it can be motion activated. Interestingly enough, the units also feature a remote control, MPEG4 file format, video out and a sampling rate at 44.1 KHz. Over and above what’s already been mentioned, they also feature motion detector masking, together with time and date stamp.

Those who are eager to monitor their home or even their place of work will be pleased to know that these technologically advanced surveillance systems are available in ten different models. Of the eight available models, two are wall clocks which have been designed specifically to blend in with any type of interior decorating. In addition to these, there’s also a Sony Dream Machine Clock Radio; The “Boom Box” which is an actual CD player complete with AM/FM radio; a desk lamp; a tower fan; an air purifeir; an air freshener; and a wall outlet. Any of these cameras would all surely fool even the most observent intruder.

Likewise, those wanting to do a little surveillance at work can opt for the Exit Sign model. Ideally, for office surveillance this model should be either wall or ceiling mounted.

With a price tag of around $500, complete with a two year wrranty, this technological marvel is certainly worth the money when one consider that statistically, one in ten families become victims of crime in one form or another. The Hidden Camera DVR not only puts you in a better position for protecting yourself, but it also gives you extra peace of mind.