Home Security Guide for Renters

Home security is typically a top priority for homeowners, and renters are urged to take similar precautions to protect their rental property and personal possessions. Depending on the type of building and your landlord's specifications, you may not be able to install state-of-the-art security systems or other wired devices.

Protect Your Home with the Doorzipper

Thanks to a tweet from one of Kansas City's local television stations, I discovered an alternative to deadbolts and locks that's made right here in the Kansas City metro area.

The Doorzipper uses two interlocking metal strips, installed in the door and door jamb, to create a tightly woven seal that the manufacturer says "can't be forced, pried or defeated. This interlocking design stands guard, providing a state-of-the-art mechanism that can't be bumped, picked or forced. With the Doorzipper in place, the wall or door will fail before the Doorzipper is ever compromised."

5 Reasons To Consider A Local Home Security Company

In light of the recent buyout of Brinks by ADT, some people may be reconsidering their home security systems.

A great deal of research can go into choosing which company to trust to protect your family and home, and when that company suddenly changes, that can be more that slightly disconcerting. It brings to light that you, as the customer, are not the most important aspect to their business, but that money is the most important aspect to their business.

With that said, something worth considering may be a local security company.

5 Tips to Mitigate the Fishbowl Effect

Growing up, my parents were kind of ... neurotic. My mom had a thing about the "fishbowl effect" as she called it -- the fact that when it gets dark at night you can see inside people's houses if the lights are on and the curtains are open. She blames it on a peeping tom she had as a teenager, which is totally reasonable, but all these years later I know if she comes to my house at night, she'll close my curtains.

Now that I'm a quasi-adult with my own home and family (and our house isn't in the best of neighborhoods) I kinda get what my mom's been freaking out about all this time. It IS disconcerting to drive up to your own house and be able to see your worldly possessions on display through your brightly-lit windows to anyone who would take the time to peer in.

So here are a few tips I've picked up on how to make sure you're not inviting would-be robbers into your home with all of your cool stuff on display:

Please Rob Me

We recently suggested that while traveling during the holidays it's best to keep your social media status updates discreet in terms of where you are going and for how long. Has anyone seen Home Alone!?

Well the rage in popularity of geo-locating social media networks has officially blown discretion out of the water. Some of us enjoy sharing where we are at all times with hopes we may cross paths with a friend or maybe we just enjoy the game of becoming "Mayor" of your favorite bar or unlocking badges for hip restaurants.

This sharing of your location away from home has given rise to the inevitable PleaseRobMe.com. The site can be taken as a semi-serious parody on what they deem as irresponsible behavior. If you actively use Foursquare, Gowalla or any other of the upcoming location-sharing networks, you've been warned.

Infrared Cameras Add High-Tech Security

While visiting family for Thanksgiving last year, I received some scary news: possible intruders had tried to force their way into a family member's house on two separate occasions, and during one incident, had managed to fully break down the basement door before fleeing upon the arrival of police.

Since the family member lives alone, we knew that adding some extra security measures to the home were paramount. In addition to a new door and motion-activated floodlights, we opted for exterior-mounted infrared cameras that can quickly snap a photo of anyone on the property regardless of the time of day.