Home Security Systems and EMF: A Comprehensive Guide

Your home security system. It provides you with peace of mind, an invaluable gift. Modern security systems allow you to view your home in real-time, see who is at the door before ever answering, monitor stats such as temperature, and even lock your door — all from your phone.

For many, life without a home security system is a scary thought. But whether you’ve been using one for years, or are just toying with the idea of installing one, there are a few things you should first consider.

You installed a security system because you wanted to keep you and your family safe. But what if your system was actually harming your health? What if the very thing you installed to protect your family was causing long-term and significant damage?

It turns out, they may be doing just that. Home security systems emit multiple forms of EMF radiation. And EMF radiation has been linked to numerous health problems.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize your family’s risks of exposure.

Home security systems and EMF

Home security systems can generate EMF radiation in a number of ways. In systems with security cameras, radiofrequency (RF) EMF radiation is generated by the wireless transmission of data. This is particularly true in systems that use WiFi or Bluetooth, as both are known to produce a great deal of RF-EMF radiation. Extremely low frequency (ELF) EMF radiation is produced by the electronics in the device itself, including in any sensors. EMF radiation is emitted by both wired and wireless systems, and unfortunately, low EMF versions do not yet exist.

Home security systems provide a great deal of peace of mind. That being said, it’s important that homeowners know the risks associated with EMF radiation. And, even more importantly, what can be done about it.

If you have a home security system or are just considering installing one, read on to learn more about the effects of EMF radiation and how you can reduce your family’s risk.

ELF-EMF Radiation

ELF-EMF radiation has been tied to a number of serious health effects. Several studies have indicated there could be some association between ELF-EMF radiation and childhood leukemia. For example, one study done by German researchers looked at children both with and without leukemia. The researchers took readings of the magnetic field in each participant’s bedroom over a 24-hour period. Those participants who fell into the “highly exposed” category did experience higher rates of childhood leukemia. Granted, only 1.5% of the study qualified as highly exposed, so the results were not considered statistically significant — but, as the researchers pointed out, they do justify further research on the topic.

Another study, done by international researchers, looked at the effects of concentrated EMF exposure on mice. There were three groups of mice — one group of pregnant females, one group of non-pregnant females, and one group of males. The pregnant females were exposed to 50Hz frequencies at a close distance for twelve hours per day, for a week. The remaining two groups consisted of their offspring. They were exposed to more radiation, for the next several weeks.

There were two primary health effects noted. In female mice, there was a significant increase in the risk of developing chronic myeloid leukemia. In male mice, the researchers found fertility problems.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS have also been linked to ELF-EMF exposure. Researchers in Sweden looked at death certificates of welders and others in professions that involve a high degree of exposure to ELF-EMF radiation. They noted that both Alzheimer’s and ALS appeared as a cause of death more frequently than expected, given the rates in the general population.

RF-EMF Radiation

RF-EMF radiation is primarily emitted from WiFi, Bluetooth, and other devices that transmit a signal. Some electronics also produce RF-EMF radiation. In your home security system, it’s the wireless transmission of data that primarily generates RF-EMF radiation. This form of radiation has primarily been studied from cell phones, but it’s a fair assumption that any device generating RF-EMF radiation would have the same effect.

Multiple studies have found a link between the use of mobile phones and the development of glioma, a rare and deadly form of brain cancer. Researchers in China performed a meta-analysis of existing research on the topic. After combing through much of the available research on cell phones and glioma, they determined that overall, there was a significant association between the two in long-term users.

A literature review looked at male fertility and RF-EMF exposure. An international group of scholars and researchers scoured research papers on RF-EMF exposure from cell phones, laptops, and microwaves and its effect on male fertility. They concluded that RF-EMF radiation had a notable impact on sperm quality, motility, and quantity, thus leading to fertility issues in men.

Testing your system

If you already have a home security system installed, you may want to test and see how much EMF it produces. Doing this can be a little difficult, however, because you need to pinpoint how much radiation is coming from the security system, and how much is coming from other sources.

The best way to test your home’s EMF levels with and without the security system is to use an EMF meter. You’ll want to find one that can detect both extremely low and radio frequencies. Many cheaper models can only detect one end of the spectrum or the other.

One solid meter is the TriField TF2. It can detect electric and magnetic fields as well as radio frequencies, making it ideal for detecting the radiation coming from your home security system. The accuracy and reliability of the TF2’s readings justify the price tag, and you can rest assured knowing this is a product you can use to make your family safer.

Whatever meter you have, you’ll need it to find out how much EMF radiation your security system is using. While the TF2 is a great choice, any meter will do, so long as it can detect ELF and RF-EMF radiation.

First, power your security system on and go through your home, taking readings in each room. Ideally, you would take the readings close to any sensors, cameras, or home security equipment, as well as in the opposite corner of the room. Record all your results. Now, you have the total amount of EMF radiation present in your home.

Next, turn your security system off. Repeat what you just did — go through each room, recording your measurements. These measurements tell you how much EMF radiation is present in your home without the security system on. Compare the readings for each room to determine if your home security system is causing any spikes in radiation levels.

This process tells you where the problem spots in your home are. The measurements taken during your readings will help you reduce your exposure in the most effective way possible. You can still reduce your home’s EMF radiation levels without an EMF meter, but knowing where these hot spots are can be very useful.

Reducing your exposure

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your home’s EMF levels with a security system installed.

If you measured your home’s levels with an EMF meter, use this information to help you arrange each room. Find the lowest-EMF area in the bedroom to place the bed, for example, or the lowest-EMF portion of the living room for the couch. This is particularly important for kids’ rooms, as children are more susceptible to EMF radiation’s effects. That being said, even adults can benefit from mindful furniture placement.

Users of home security systems could consider arming the alarm only when they aren’t home. This may not be practical for everyone, but even keeping the alarm off during the day can reduce your level of exposure. Ideally, though, the alarm should be off at night because a great deal of healing occurs during sleep. Your exposure while in bed should be as low as possible.

Another way to reduce the risk of side effects from EMF radiation due to your home security system is to lower your home’s overall EMF radiation levels. When it comes to EMF exposure, consider the bucket analogy. When the bucket is empty, things are fine — there is room for more water. But when the bucket is full, bad things start to happen and the water begins to spill. The same is true for EMF radiation. The less we are exposed, the fewer health effects from EMF radiation we experience. Therefore, lowering your home’s overall EMF radiation levels is an important step.

To reduce your home’s EMF radiation levels, there are a few things you can do. For starters, if you have WiFi, ditch it. Wired internet is a much safer alternative, and it’s faster and more reliable, too. And if you can’t part ways with your wireless internet, at least invest in a good quality WiFi router guard. You can also switch to incandescent light bulbs, as LEDs and CFLs both emit large amounts of EMF radiation.

Dirty electricity filters are easy to install on every circuit of your home, to help reduce your ELF-EMF levels. This is a great step to take if you have a lot of energy-efficient appliances or use solar power. And if your city uses a smart meter, paint the interior wall opposite the meter with two layers of EMF protection paint.

These are just some of the steps you can take to safeguard your home and lower its overall EMF radiation levels. If you’d prefer a more homeopathic remedy, there are several plants and crystals that are thought to help counteract EMF radiation. The cactus plant, for example, is said to be highly effective at absorbing atmospheric EMF. Black tourmaline and shungite are also said to absorb and neutralize EMF radiation.

If you don’t already have a home security system installed, consider purchasing one that is hardwired and capable of connecting to the internet via an ethernet cable. There are two kinds of wired models to choose from — those that connect via a cellular network, and those that connect via a landline. For the lowest amount of EMF radiation possible, choose one that utilizes a landline connection. While this will require you to maintain a separate landline connection, it is ultimately the safest option. Connecting through the cellular network generates large amounts of RF-EMF radiation.

When installing your security system, consider where you place any sensors and cameras. If possible, place them away from beds, couches, and high-traffic areas. You may need to rearrange a room in order to accommodate sensors and other equipment.

Parting words

Home security systems are a valuable tool when it comes to keeping your family safe. Unfortunately, it’s also necessary to protect your family from your security system. The cameras, electronics, and sensors emit large amounts of EMF radiation. And EMF radiation has been linked to many serious health problems, such as male infertility, miscarriages, and glioma.

If you’ve already installed your system or you are in a situation where the benefits outweigh the risks and you’re considering installing one anyway, there are things you can do to protect yourself from EMF radiation. The steps outlined in this article are a great place to start. Arm yourself with as much information as you can, and then take action.

Hopefully, in the future, lower-EMF alternatives hit the market. Until that time, search for models that utilize a landline and ethernet connection. Traditional alarm companies such as ADT usually offer wired options that may be worth considering. It’s also important to test your alarm with an EMF meter once it’s installed and rearrange furniture away from high-EMF areas.

Home security systems are still worth installing. That being said, it’s also worth taking the necessary precautions to protect your family from the increased EMF exposure. Home and lifestyle modifications and research can go a long way toward lowering your family’s overall EMF exposure.