The history of home security systems is rich and varied, stretching back over many years. Today, we might be familiar with home security systems boasting advanced technology and automation. But what we might not know is how it all started. Among the key figures in this journey is the home security system inventor, Marie Van Brittan Brown, whose invention in the 1960s laid the groundwork for the sophisticated systems we rely on today. Brown’s story is not just one of innovation but also of necessity, insight, and the desire to create a safer living environment.
Marie Van Brittan Brown was born on October 30, 1922, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Living in a neighborhood with a high crime rate and slow police response times, Brown sought a way to feel safer in her own home. Working as a nurse, with irregular hours that often left her home alone at night, she was acutely aware of the vulnerabilities that came with her situation. This personal need for safety and security led her to conceive an idea that was revolutionary for its time.
In 1966, Brown and her husband, Albert Brown, an electronics technician, devised a system that would allow her not only to see who was at her door but also to communicate with them without opening it, and to alert authorities if necessary. This system was comprised of four peepholes, a camera, monitors, and a two-way microphone. The camera could be moved to look out of any one of the peepholes, allowing Brown to see who was outside at varying heights, including children. The images captured by the camera were then transmitted to a monitor inside the home. Additionally, a panic button was included to immediately alert the police if the homeowner felt threatened.
Marie Van Brittan Brown filed a patent for her invention in 1966, and it was granted in 1969. The patent described a system that provided a front door with a camera, monitors, and a two-way microphone. The revolutionary aspect of Brown’s invention was not just in allowing homeowners to see who was at their door without opening it, but also in its incorporation of a communication system and an alert mechanism to notify the police, which significantly enhanced home security.
Brown’s invention laid the foundational technology for the modern home security systems we use today, which include motion detectors, automatic police notification, and video surveillance. While technology has clearly evolved and expanded upon her initial concept, the principles behind Brown’s system remain at the core of home security. Today, smart home security systems integrate cameras, motion sensors, and internet connectivity to provide real-time surveillance, remote access, and instant alerts to homeowners and law enforcement.
Marie Van Brittan Brown’s contribution to home security is a testament to the power of innovation driven by personal need. Her work exemplifies how thoughtful, inventive solutions can create lasting changes that benefit countless individuals. Brown’s legacy is not only in the device she created but also in the sense of safety and security that her invention has provided to homes around the world. As we continue to develop and refine home security technology, it is important to remember the pioneering work of Marie Van Brittan Brown, whose vision and ingenuity have made an indelible mark on the field.
It always pays to be vigilant when you or an elderly loved one are living alone. Senior citizens are often targeted in home security incidents. Keep reading if you would like to know more home security tips for seniors.
Important Things To Know
Criminals often target elderly people for burglary and at-home related crimes because they are more vulnerable. Seniors often have predictable routines, allowing criminals to know when they are present and not present at the home. Plus, senior citizens are assumed less likely to retaliate back if targeted during a crime.
According to data from the CDC, slips and falls are the most common form of injury for people aged 65 and older. Medical alert devices such as panic buttons can be a lifesaver in the event of a dangerous at-home fall. Other devices designed to use in the home, like automated alarm systems and video doorbells can also help the elderly stay safe at home.
Keeping windows locked, doors secured, and staying away from the bad habit of hiding a spare key somewhere outside the home can help to keep a senior’s home safe from potential burglars.
Why Seniors Are At Risk, And How To Keep Them Safe At Home: Our Best Tips
As we get older we become more and more vulnerable to potential criminal acts. Home security for seniors doesn’t just mean preventing a home invasion, it also means protection from a much more likely threat: medical emergencies.
Even a short fall can cause severe issues for seniors who are less physically able. By combining medical alert systems with home security systems, you can provide your parents with comprehensive protection, even when you’re not around to help.
The elderly can also benefit from cutting-edge features like home automation and doorbell cameras, allowing them to be better able to control their homes at the touch of a button.
Why do criminals target the elderly?
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Mental and Physical Health: The biggest reason why seniors are a likely target of crimes is that they are likely to be living alone and isolated from the outside world. Also, they may have mental or physical disabilities, making them easy targets for con artists and other scammers. Older people are more likely to fall for all sorts of email and phone scams that younger people would ignore. Also, since older adults tend to be less physically active, burglars can see their inability to fight back as an opportunity.
Predictability: Seniors tend stick to the same routines, making it easy for a criminal to guess when they won’t be at home.
Location: Many seniors live close to town so that they don’t have to walk or drive as far to get groceries and see the doctor. Cities are more likely to have higher crime rates than rural locations.
Crime Reporting: Seniors are assumed to be less likely to go to the police or be able to fill out a proper incident report after a crime is committed, making it easier for the criminal to escape justice.
How can we protect our aging parents?
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Medical Alert Systems
While the threat of a break-in is always scary, a health crisis is a far more likely occurrence. Falls are actually the most common cause of injury for adults over 65 (according to the CDC). If you’re looking for a security system, also consider getting a medical alert system with a panic button so that help can come as quickly as possible in the case of a fall or another emergency.
All someone has to do to summon emergency services is press and hold down a button that can be carried on their person. Some medical alert systems have advanced features like automatic fall detection. In addition to calling for help, the system can also alert family members and caregivers of a problem.
Home Automation
Another way to help out a senior is to have a home automation system that will automatically activate alarm systems at a certain time every day. This is a big help for seniors who suffer from memory issues and have difficulty remembering to regularly arm their system. An automated system can be also used for heat and lights at the home.
Smart thermostats make it easy to keep the home at the right temperature, and smart lighting can be put on randomized timers so criminals are less able to figure out when people are in the house and make break-ins far less likely.
Smart home security systems can be activated remotely via smartphone to provide seniors with greater freedom to leave the home without needing to worry. These simple and easy-to-use apps that control the system are designed intuitively so that even those who aren’t used to using smartphones or computers can figure out how to use them.
Doorbell Cameras
A doorbell camera is another great security device that helps give peace of mind to seniors and their families. Criminals are far less likely to attempt to break into a house that has a doorbell camera system, as the camera captures them the moment they set foot on the front porch. As a burglar, the last thing you want to do is risk getting your face caught on tape and ending up with the police.
Besides acting as a deterrent, video doorbells will also let seniors watch the outside of their house and grant entry to family members, friends, and trusted service workers without having to get up and walk over to the door.
Most doorbell systems integrate with smartphones and can be used remotely. This means seniors can see who’s coming up the front porch, even when they’re not at home.
Follow these home security tips for seniors to help keep your loved ones safe and secure.
Tip 1: Keep doors and downstairs windows locked at all times.
An unlocked window can allow somebody access to the home even when the senior is inside it. Doors and windows are the most vulnerable points of any home, and as such require the most attention. Read our guide on how to reinforce your doors to learn more.
Tip 2: Make sure the front door has a peephole (or a doorbell camera system).
Always make sure you are able to recognize the person on the other side. Do not open the door even slightly if you are uncertain about who the person is and what their intentions are. Additionally, have a mobile phone at the ready when people are at your door. If there is something suspicious going on, call the police right away.
Tip 3: Reinforce your home’s weak points.
Install solid wood or metal doors for added reinforcement to prevent someone from being able to break through the door. Install double glazed glass panels on your windows if you don’t already have them.
Tip 4: Avoid hiding your key outside your home.
When going on vacation, do not leave keys outside the house (for example, under doormats or inside a flower pot). If you must leave a key behind, give it to a trusted friend or family member.
The Bottom Line
As individuals age, it becomes more important to put safety measures into place proactively. No one wants to be caught up in a bad situation unprepared. The elderly can be the most at-risk when it comes to both accidents and targeted crimes inside of the home. By taking some simple steps and following the tips listed here, seniors can be safer and better prepared in the event of an at-home emergency. From medical devices like panic buttons, to easy-to-use doorbell cameras, to simple “common sense” habits like keeping doors and windows locked, older home owners who heed this advice will remain safer in the long run.
