X10's VP of PR
Even before the dead body was discovered in the back alley several houses away from the suburban Chicago home where she's lived with her husband and their small children for over ten years, Stacy Cannon knew it was time to learn about home security. While researching products, she sought advice from a producer at the Oprah Winfrey Show. Stacey could have never imagined in her wildest dreams what happened next. Oprah liked the topic so much that she decided to send renowned home security expert Al Corbi out to the Cannon home for a complete home security makeover.
After an on-site assessment, a trip to Home Depot and www.x10.com, Al was ready to arm the family against intruders. " X10 is the only company I know of that can offer practical and affordable home security solutions designed and priced for the average consumer," says Corbi.
Since Stacey stayed at home with the kids, what she really needed was a way to keep an eye on them at play and still get some work done. Al knew exactly what to recommend; plug in X10 wireless color video cameras in high traffic areas viewable on multiple televisions throughout the home. The installation was handled by Chuck Planek, President of Home Engineers Inc. Sales of Downers Grove. Planek's company specializes in X10 products for home automation, entertainment and surveillance.
"Chuck was really great," says Cannon. " I had all of these preconceived notions about how difficult and expensive it would be to feel safer. Chuck immediately made me feel at ease. Within a few hours, I had 4 cameras; 1 in the basement, 1 in each of my kid's rooms and 1 in the yard. The best part is that I can scan through all 4 cameras using a handheld remote control from TVs in the master bedroom, basement and first floor family room. It goes without saying how much safer I feel about leaving the kids in another part of the home or yard while I manage the home and family responsibilities."
Secure a Home from the Inside Out
By Al Corbi
Secure on the Inside
- A front door with no peephole—or one that's too high—won't provide any security. Make sure your front door has a peephole at a level that everyone in the family can see through.
- A chain lock on the door is not strong. If the door is opened, just a simple push on the door will pull the screws right out of the doorframe. A better way to keep intruders out is a doorstop that screws into the floor, making it nearly impossible to open the door further.
- Another good way to reinforce your doors is to install deadbolt locks directly across from each hinge. This way, the door is equally stable on both sides.
- Window locks may help you feel secure, but Al says they're very easy to tamper with. Simple metal pins placed in the window frames won't allow the window to move any further, keeping criminals out.
- Thieves don't like light. You can surprise them with motion detectors hooked up to lights and appliances throughout the house.
- Burglars also hate noise, so equip windows with alarms that emit a piercing sound when they're set off.
- Treat windows with a protective covering like ShatterGARD, available at www.homesecuritysolutions.com. Someone can hit the window, but even if it breaks, the covering will hold the shards in, and keep the criminal out.
- Create a "safe core" by installing a steel door in a particular area of your house. Even if an intruder gets in, they won't be able to get to you through that door.
Products Mentioned:
For more information on ShatterGARD, the X10 Motion Detector Security Camera or
any of the products featured on the show, visit www.homesecuritysolutions.com.
Al Corbi
THE DESIGNER, Corbi's private-sector design firm, was founded in 1971 to create
unique security solutions for residences and businesses.
Special Thanks for assisting with Al Corbi's makeovers to:
Home Depot
Liffey Construction Crew