How to Protect Your Home’s Artwork from Theft

Chances are, there are some valuables in your home that you’d like to protect–original paintings done by Renaissance masters to multi-million dollar statues to special family heirloom vases or urns with ashes of your loved ones.

But once thieves get into a home, what can you do to keep them from these valued items? Conventional intrusion security is only a first step in what should be a layered approach to protection.

Already used by museums, Art Guard is a system using a patented wireless sensor called Magnetic Asset Protection (MAP) now aimed for home use that protects nearly any individual stationary object, no matter the size. The MAP system consists of a wireless sensor that detects the movement of a tiny rare earth magnet that can be attached in, on, or under the object, whether it’s seated or hanging.

The magnets come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and power to accommodate nearly any configuration or situation, and can be affixed to an object with a harmless adhesive like museum wax. Both the sensor and magnet are completely hidden from view. The sensor never touches the asset, eliminating any chance of damage from leaking batteries.

Once the MAP sensor recognizes the magnet and is enrolled in a control panel with a unique digital ID, any movement of either the magnet or the sensor triggers an alert to the panel and a customized response, whether an alarm, a call to the police or a cell phone, or a text to a mobile device. MAP transmits over 400 feet to the control panel and this can be extended with inexpensive repeaters. Once MAP is enrolled in the system, trying to fool it by bringing another magnet into range will also trigger an alert.

MAP will work with a number of popular security control panels and systems, including Tyco (DSC, Qolsys), Honeywell, Interlogix (GE), Nortek Linear (2GIG), and Elk Products. Art Guard will also introduce in September its own MAP Wi-Fi system that can be managed completely from a mobile device.

The sensors retail for $129 apiece; the Wi-Fi system will be priced at $129 per sensor plus $325 for the necessary communications hub.

 

The post How to Protect Your Home’s Artwork from Theft appeared first on Electronic House.

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