A wireless portable alarm system has a few benefits:

• It is a handy security measure if you are travelling, and feel that you will need the additional security of an alarm system where you will be staying.
• If you rent a house or a flat, your landlord may not allow you install a wired security system, as this would require you to drill holes and run wiring through their property. Also, when your rental tenancy expires, it will be easy to remove the portable alarm system and take it with you.
• Being wireless, these portable alarm system products are quite simple for anybody to set up and install.

There are a few good wireless portable alarm systems to choose from, such as the Laser Shield Wireless Alarm System. These systems normally consist of a base unit, which contains the alarm siren, and one or more motion detection units. A motion detection unit normally uses a passive infrared (PIR) sensor to detect the amount of the infrared energy (or heat) within a room. An intruder in a room will give off body heat – this body heat will increase the infrared heat level within the room, which will set off the alarm.

An auto-dialer may also be integrated into the base unit of the portable alarm system. An auto-dialer connects to a standard telephone line, and dials a specific telephone number when the alarm is triggered. This telephone number may be a security monitoring company, the local police, a friend, or a family member, and the auto-dialer will play back a pre-recorded message.

The things to check out for when buying a portable alarm system are:

• What wireless range does it have? How far away can you situate the motion detection unit from the base unit – this is normally specified in feet.
• Can the portable alarm system run off batteries? The system should still be able to function in the event of a power failure. The system should work off mains electricity with a battery backup, or work off batteries alone.
• Is the portable alarm system expandable? Additional motion sensor units can be added to most wireless portable alarm systems – some systems even allow you to add other types of sensors, such as door/window sensors.

A cheaper option to buying a wireless portable alarm system, would be to buy an integrated wireless motion sensor alarm. An infrared motion detection sensor and an alarm siren are combined into a single integrated unit. These standalone devices normally run off batteries, and can be purchased quite cheaply.

Further articles and news on home security and home safety can be found at the Feedest.com news feed for Home Security Buff.