Home Security Systems Blog

The summertime is one of the best seasons to enjoy your home. But as the temperature rises, so does the occurrence of home burglaries. By keeping a few basic summer safety tips in mind this season, you can reduce the chance of having a burglary or an accident get in the way of your summer plans.

Opening the windows in your home to enjoy the fresh, warm air is great as long as you are in the house. Before going anywhere, it is important that you close and lock all windows, doors, and patio entrances to reduce the chance of inviting a thief to walk right into your home.

If you are home and have the windows open, be sure that all the window screens are properly attached and still in good condition. Also, keep in mind that no screens are strong enough to prevent a child from falling from a window. If you have small children at home or tend to throw summer gatherings where guests might bring their children, remove any furniture away from the windows to prevent children from climbing too close. In addition, backyard parties can create a lot of traffic in and out of the house, so be sure to close doors completely to keep small children from wondering outside.

Weekend getaways during the summertime mean many homes are left empty. Creating the illusion that you are home, however, greatly reduces the chance that a thief will target your house. Before leaving for a trip, turn on an inside or outside light near your front and back door. To save on your energy bills, set the light to a timer so that it shuts of during the day and turns back on at dusk. Not only is this more economical, it also gives the appearance that someone is coming and going. Another simple and effective way to make it seem like the house is occupied is by playing a radio inside the house while you are away. This noise, especially recorded household sounds, like a dog barking or a person laughing, make it seem like your family is still home.

The task of hiring a new lawn care service or pool attendant in the summer can be daunting. While letting these people onto your property can feel risky, there are ways to ensure you find the best help available. First, ask your neighbors who they use. Getting recommendations from people you are already familiar with is the best way to assess new services. Plus, you can observe the quality of their work first-hand. Secondly, be sure to ask if the workers have insurance in case an injury occurs on your property. Also, have an agreement in writing as to what is going to be done at what cost to avoid any misunderstanding later on. Lastly, it is a good idea to be home the first few times new workers come to your home. This way, you can decide for yourself if you trust them at your home.

If you decide to do your home’s summer upkeep yourself there are several important things to remember about insect sprays, fertilizers, pool chemicals and the other harsh products that are used during summer months. Be certain to read the labels on products before using them around your home. Protective gear such as goggles and gloves should be worn when using these dangerous items. Also, after each use make sure that you store them in a clean and dry place out of reach from children and animals.
Remembering these simple precautions can protect your family and home, as well as, your fun summer plans!

You see them everywhere – video surveillance cameras keeping watch over intersections, shopping malls, banks and parking garages. Sometimes they catch the bad guys in the act, from running a red light to stealing a car. More often, the mere presence of a CCTV – closed circuit television -prevents a criminal act from being committed. The fear of getting caught on camera is a powerful, proven deterrent.

As the economy suffers and burglaries and home invasions rise, many homeowners are installing CCTV surveillance systems.  It can provide you with the ultimate defense, whether you’re in your home or thousands of miles away.  If the cost of a sophisticated video system is prohibitive, however, there is an alternative. Fake it!

Dummy cameras are a smart security option and can go a long way towards protecting your home, possessions and family. Remember, most burglars aren’t rocket scientists but they’re smart enough to avoid the risk of getting caught on video. And sure, they know about fake cameras, but most won’t just hope that yours is one of them.  A good deterrent is one that keeps the burglar moving on past your home.

If you choose a dummy camera carefully and install it properly, it’s nearly impossible to tell whether it’s fake or is actually connected to a video recorder. In fact, a good dummy camera can be more effective, and certainly less costly, than a cheap CCTV package. When shopping for a system, look for a camera with these attributes:

• It should have a flashing red light to indicate a power source
• There should be a video cable that “connects” the camera to the house
• The lens and housing should look authentic and substantial
• There should be abundant decals claiming your property is protected by video surveillance

Once you’ve decided on the camera, take a walk around your property to determine optimum placement. Where are the vulnerable spots? Where could a burglar gain access or hide? Remember that the cameras must be in plain sight – you want the burglar to see them – and they must be mounted high enough that actual inspection is not possible. Cameras for entryways or other confined areas can just “sit there” while larger areas, such as a patio or pool area, might be best protected with a moving or motion-activated camera that moves from side to side, giving the impression of surveying a larger area. Choose your installation locations well, install the cameras properly, and remember to put the ladder away when you’re done!

If it fits your budget, you can take a lesson from smart business owners by installing a basic home video system to protect your most vulnerable locations, then enhance your protection by installing dummy cameras everywhere else. It’s maximum security for a minimum investment. And finally, don’t be a dummy and tell anyone, other than people who absolutely must know, that your surveillance cameras are fake.

August is arguably the best month of the summer, full of sunshine and steamy weather. Maybe you prefer the less-scorching months of June and July, but regardless summer is definitely in full-swing! Your vacation home has undoubtedly been put to good use, the location for family cook-outs, swimming, or simply relaxing. Yet, the summer can’t last forever and while you’re squeezing in all the beach days you can before the summer slips away, you mustn’t forget to plan ahead for closing and protecting your vacation home until the warm weather returns again next year.
In preparation of closing your vacation home, remember to:

• Clean the home both inside and out, especially the gutters. Clean gutters will ensure that water will remain away from the home, protecting the foundation and eliminating the chance of flooding and mold damage. If your vacation home is located in an area particularly prone to flooding, installing a flood monitoring sensor system is a good precaution, and a simple investment that can save you money in the future.
• Empty the cabinets and fridge to protect against uninvited animal visitors attracted by the smell of food. So that food doesn’t go to waste, throw an end of the summer party with all the neighbors! Don’t forget to take out the trash, and it’s best to unplug the fridge before leaving.
• Keep up with landscaping—trim any tree branches that are near the home to protect from damage in case of a bad storm
• Close your pool properly; it’s plenty of fun while you are there to use it, but it’s a safety hazard when left unmonitored.
• Contact your utility provider to have your water and gas turned off from the main line. If you chose to have your utilities remain on while you are away, unplug everything to prevent a fire. Security systems with fire monitoring capabilities, where the local fire station is notified in the case of an emergency even when you are away, can give peace of mind.
• During cold months, your empty vacation home is susceptible to freezing pipes. To prevent this costly mishap, hire a professional to winterize your home. There are also low-temperature monitoring systems that can notify you of dangerously low temperatures in your home—before your pipes freeze.
• Arrange with the postal service to again have your mail delivered to your full-time residence.

The cleaning is done, utilities arranged to be shut off, and your bathing suits packed in the car—do these last minute precautions to ensure your vacation home remains secure while you’re away:

• Place all outdoor summer fun items, the grill, bikes, patio furniture, boogie boards, and whatever else you have, in a secure shed. Make sure the lock is working properly before heading ou
• Take with you any electronics, including stereos and televisions that you can, and hide what has to be left behind. The less tempting your vacation home looks for thieves, the better.
• Program your automatic flood light over the drive-way to turn on at any sign of motion. Burglars, unlike the rest of us, do not like being in the spot light. If you do not already have a flood light installed, consider one, it can easily protect the home while you are away.
• Lock all doors and windows as you are about to leave, checking twice to be sure.
• Finally, have a local friend stop by your property periodically to guarantee your vacation home remains safe and secure. Remember to exchange updated contact information each summer so you can be reached if there is a problem.

So while summer is still here—enjoy your fruity cocktails, the sand between your toes, and that tan you’ve been working on. But when it starts to get a little cooler, and the nights a little shorter, prepare your vacation home properly so that it remains a place of fun for many summers to come. Before you know it, it will be time to for ski lodges and hot chocolate, happy vacationing!

Most reputable home security companies offer Home Alarm System monitoring packages that include Carbon Monoxide Sensors.  If you are looking for a CO Monitoring System that will protect your family and pets while you are away consider a monitored solution. The benefits of a remotely monitored home alarm with CO Sensor is that if a centrally monitored facility such as those monitored by ADT Security will alert you and medical first responders in the event of a situation. If you return to you home to the sound of an Home Alarm System Alert and unconscious pets or loved ones it is too late.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and invisible gas that consists of one carbon atom bonded with one oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide is usually produced from the combustion of fuels that contain carbon, such as gasoline. Combustion often produces carbon dioxide, the well-known greenhouse gas, but in conditions where oxygen is of only limited availability, carbon monoxide forms instead. Carbon monoxide is toxic and can cause death in humans and pets if inhaled in high enough concentrations for prolonged periods.

The symptoms of mild Carbon Monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness and flu-like symptoms. Higher exposure can cause heart attack, degeneration of the central nervous system, and death. Carbon Monoxide can cause death in unborn children if their mother is exposed to the gas. There are treatments for exposure to carbon monoxide but prevention is by far the best approach to prevent Carbon Monoxide exposure.

The most common sources of Carbon Monoxide exposure are house fires, malfunctioning heaters or stoves, car exhaust, and propane or gas-fueled equipment like grills, stoves, generators, etc. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal poisoning in the United States, with more than 40,000 people per year seeking treatment in the US. About 500 people die each year from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the United States, not including about 2,000 people each year who use Carbon Monoxide as a suicide method.

Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and exposure is a matter of responsible and informed use of fuel-burning equipment in the home and workplace. Learning how to safely operate grills, industrial equipment, stoves, etc. is a key element in any carbon monoxide strategy. It is of particular importance to ensure that fuel-burning equipment and heaters are functioning properly, and not to use the equipment if there are problems such as leaks. The first line of defense in a residential environment is a Carbon Monoxide Detector, installed near heaters or other gas-burning equipment. These devices sound a loud alarm if excessive levels of carbon monoxide are detected, giving residents of the home a warning that they should evacuate the area immediately.

Fortunately, Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available and quite inexpensive. Stand-alone models can be purchased for as little as $20, and can either use AC power or batteries. It is important to install and regularly test Carbon Monoxide Detectors, particularly in confined spaces or in areas that contain stoves, grills, or other common sources of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. It is especially important to remember that Carbon Monoxide has no taste or odor, and cannot be detected by unaided human senses - “I don’t smell anything” is not a reason to disregard a Carbon Monoxide Detector going off!

Home Security Systems can secure your home and family as well as your home office. Ask the operator of a home business what they worry about, and the odds are good they’ll tell you it’s making it to the next payday, finding new clients, or just keeping the kids from driving them crazy during the workday. What these small, scrappy entrepreneurs have forgotten is that their home business needs security, just like a business operating in a more commercial setting. Imagine what would happen if a burglar took the computer you keep all your client information on, or took the file cabinet containing your tax receipts and forms - on April 14. Even the loss of a relatively minor item like a printer or fax machine can throw a wrench into a business that could take weeks or months to recover from. Home Security Systems with 24/7 monitoring are an economical way to secure you home office.

The first step in securing a home office is to get control of the perimeter. If you do not have a home security system in place, then definitely consider adding one, with special emphasis on the part of your home dedicated to your business. Depending on your needs, it might be possible to alarm and secure only the business part of the home, but that often isn’t practical. Security begins with the physical - check the doors and windows of your home office to ensure that they are heavy duty and up to the task of preventing intrusion. Hollow-core bedroom doors are no obstacles to anyone serious about breaking and entering. If your office is on the ground floor or basement, it’s worth investing in a high-quality window lock and/or a barred security system. Home alarms and home alarm monitoring are also a worthwhile investment. Don’t forget smoke alarms and, depending on your budget, fire suppression systems - a fire can wipe you out just as easily as a burglar can. Check your electrical systems to ensure you aren’t putting an excessive load on electrical circuits meant for a lamp or a TV, but which are instead supporting two color lasers and four PCs.

Once the physical environment is taken care of, make your home business more robust and trouble-proof. Ensure that all of your critical electronic files and documents are backed up to a secure off-site location. Web sites that will maintain your file libraries remotely have excellent unattended backup software; this investment of a few dollars a month could literally save your business after a disaster. Remember that a backup system that isn’t used is no better than no backup system at all - automate your backups, and periodically check to see that your backups are actually being written to the remote location. Store copies of paper files in an off-site location - you can do this cheaply by boxing up copies of your critical paper documents once a month and swapping storage space with another home business owner in the same state. (Don’t use someone in the same town or even worse, neighborhood - you don’t want one natural disaster to take out both offices.)

Have a backup plan for disaster, whether a burglary, a fire, or a flood. This can be as simple as having an emergency credit card and a standing reservation at a neighborhood office building that offers temporary rentals, or can be a complete and sophisticated emergency recovery plan. Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail!