The statistics are alarming (no pun intended). Between 1999 and 2003, residence robberies had increased by a whopping 18 percent. from 1999. (In contrast, the total number of overall robberies rose by only 1 percent over the same time period.) Most robberies happen on the street, but in 2003, about 14 percent of all robberies took place at a residence.

That residence could be yours.

If you are truly serious about protecting your home and your loved ones, you're going to want to consider the purchase of surveillance cameras, placed around your house at entrances. Surveillance cameras are available in either wireless or wired models, and can be equipped with as many cameras as you feel you might need.

As our world progresses, everything seems to getting wireless these days. They are easier to set up, and your house will not have needless cords running everywhere. Wireless cameras transmit the signal to a receiver, either locally or at a remote monitoring station at a home security company.

The size of your home will determine the number of cameras you will need, along with the number of entrances, and how strong is your need to be protected.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that security camera systems are useless without a monitoring system. If there is no one to see the suspicious movement, then what is the point of them being recorded? It may provide good evidence in court, but it doesn't prevent your home from being invaded or burglarized. Without monitoring which can lead to action, your loved ones and possessions are still at risk.

However, if you choose to put your cameras out in plain view, often that will be enough to change thieves' minds about burglarizing your home. Hiding cameras, on the other hand, will make an important tool when determining who did it.

If you require maximum security, it will be necessary for someone to be on alert 24/7, watching for signs of suspicious activity. But for some people, this is something that just can not be done. In these cases, the main point of the cameras will be to either discourage burglars or to aid in recovery.

Surveillance equipment cannot stop theft by itself.

You have your responsibilities, too. You, or your professional home security company installing the system, must make sure the cameras are in good positions to cover all possible entry areas. You must check to see how often the batteries need to be replaced and be vigilant about that; a dead camera does no good to anyone.

Wireless security cameras are becoming more popular recently. They are used in many different areas. They can be put almost anywhere, since it is not necessary for them to be plugged in, and they are reasonably priced. The main drawback to wireless cameras is that the battery must be changed frequently. They do often come with multiple battery packs so you can have new ones charged and ready to go. There has also recently been some exciting new research on imaging chips and batteries which may soon remove this stumbling block.

The wireless security cameras work by transmitting signal to a receiver, which can be linked to a TV, computer, or other device. The receiver can pick up signals from up to 10 miles away, depending on the strength of the transmitter, and the signals can go through up to 8 walls of materials such as glass, plastic, wood, fiber glass, and certain metals. This means you are not limited if you wish to place the camera in particular spots. Sometimes, denser materials will make the signal weaker. It usually works best if the receiver is higher up than the cameras.

It is important to make sure you have a good view of the entire area you wish to view. Moving the camera a few feet can make an enormous impact on the viewing area.