Tips for securing your home when you go on vacation

A family that goes away on a trip can render their home vulnerable to intrusion and theft if prudent preparations are not made. A much anticipated vacation can be brought to a screeching halt with the startling news of a home invasion. Coming home to find a ransacked house with damaged and missing valuables can transform the home from a peaceful refuge to a place that renders the family feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Unprotected homes that are invaded cause increased homeowner insurance rates that reach unbelievable levels. Summer is the quintessential season for family vacations and subsequently home invasions and thefts in unoccupied dwellings. Following a few reasonable guidelines can bolster the home's security and allow homeowners to enjoy a worry-free vacation.

Tips for Securing the Home

• Locking the house seems very simplistic, but many of the home's access areas can be easily overlooked. Every outside door should be fitted with a deadbolt and each window needs to be securely fastened and locked. Other accesses to the home such as pet doors or storm entries need to checked to be sure that they are not vulnerable to attempts at forced entry. Home security systems provide an ideal safety net, and homes that advertise that systems are in place are often avoided by potential burglars.
• Notifying one's neighbors of an upcoming trip is a great way to have a few extra eyes on the home. An informed neighbor that knows a family is on vacation will be suspicious if a service or moving truck suddenly appears at the empty home.
• Reducing the output of unused utilities is a good idea when leaving the home for vacation. In the summer, the temperature for the air conditioning system should be raised to avoid unnecessary cooling costs while away.
• Timers for both indoor and outdoor lighting can be purchased at any hardware store. After an easy installation, the timers are set to turn lights on and off to create an appearance that the homeowners are in the house.
• Nothing gives a bigger hint that a family is away than a yard full of newspapers and an overflowing mailbox. Before leaving on vacation, homeowners should contact their newspaper company and mail service to request a temporary halt to delivery.
• Depending on the length of the trip, the family should hire a service to mow the lawn at least once and possibly twice for longer vacations.
• Many individuals make the mistake of announcing an upcoming trip on social media websites. Though the message is often only intended for close friends and relatives, many other people have access to publicly posted messages. Unless a posting is sent privately, not only do an individual's friends have access to the post, but also the friends' additional connections that are often unknown to the original author. Vacationers should wait until they arrive home to post pictures and messages of the trip on social media. Postings that are made on the trip give a green light to potential thieves that the family is still away.

Home Automation

Homeowners now have access to home automation technology that allows them to remotely communicate with their home's security system. While away, families can control systems that have been integrated in the home such as the thermostat, dead bolts, small appliances and lights. The system can be accessed from any computer or smartphone with internet capability. If a home's doors are unlocked, a message is immediately sent to the homeowner via computer or smartphone. If the security system is disarmed, or motion is detected, the lights in the house immediately turn on.

 

Families can enjoy a trip away from home and be confident that the house is secure by implementing a few simple safety measures. Securing the home and employing the watchful eyes of neighbors can help thwart a devastating home invasion. Homeowners that utilize the latest technology in home security can control and monitor the home's security features while away, and where internet access is available.

Security Tips for Property Managers

ISSUES

 

If you are a property manager you understand some of the issues you face regarding security.  How many of these issues sound familiar to you?

• Car or apartment break-ins
• Frivolous lawsuits
• Poor employee productivity
• Vandalism

Do you ever wonder if some of these crimes are happening near your business?  We have found a very useful online tool called CrimeReports TM that can help you find out.  Chances are there is more property crime than you realize.

 

 

 

If these issues are left unchecked your property can quickly gain a reputation as “unsecure” or worse “dangerous”.  Lost revenue is the likely outcome.
 
SOLUTIONS

Commercial Insurance.net says “Most insurance companies will offer a discount on your business insurance policy premiums if you have installed the appropriate, qualified alarm systems specifically tailored to your organization.”  Some of the systems that will reduce your risk and keep your employees and tenants safe are:

Video Surveillance – has proven time and again to only deter burglaries, but violence, vandalism, and poor employee performance.  When employees and criminals know they are being monitored via video surveillance they are much less likely to commit crimes.

Burglary Systems – Burglaries do not need to happen too many times until your property gets a reputation as unsafe.  An alarm system can stop the problem before it starts.  Good systems do not cost a lot to install and property owner have a few ways to pay for the monitoring: pay all of it themselves, split the cost with the tenant, or what many do, build all of it into the rent price.

Fire & Carbon Monoxide Systems – Fire and carbon monoxide are dangerous hazards and protective systems are often required and regulated by local fire code.  Violations of this code can be costly and result in the loss of property insurance and even lives.

BENEFITS

When the proper security and safety systems are in place a property manager should expect the following:

• Good reputation for facility
• Less vacancy
• Better employee productivity
• Limit lawsuits
• Better insurance rates for facility and its tenants
• More profits

Property managers are seeing the value in being proactive when providing security for their tenants.  Having these systems in place is an extremely attractive feature for renters.   When property managers have a better product to offer it makes their job easier, more lucrative and will prevent crimes and tragedies from happening on their property.

Should your business have a video surveillance system?

In these trying economic times, threats come at a business from all angles. Take a look at the following video:

Fraud, lawsuits, low productivity, theft and even violent crime can cut into profits and destroy the feeling of security that underlies an effective workplace. However, all these threats can be reduced or eliminated with a surprising business addition: a video surveillance system. In many ways, a surveillance system leads to a safer, more efficient workplace. That means greater productivity and a bigger bottom line. Consider how surveillance equipment affects the following:

Theft prevention
Theft costs American businesses billions of dollars every year. Retail shoplifting is the most well-known form of theft, but it is not the only one. Craftier thieves may practice refund fraud, stealing items and returning them for refunds. Theft can also come from employees. Employee thefts are often small, like packets of paper or boxes of staples, but larger thefts can cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes, vendors and delivery men also take advantage of a business's open doors to pocket valuable equipment and merchandise.

Surveillance cameras reduce the impact of theft in two ways. First of all, the visible presence of the camera is enough to dissuade most thieves. Secondly, police can use the video collected by the cameras to catch thieves. When the arrest is made, the business owner can recover the stolen items.

Employee productivity
When employees do more in a shorter amount of time, profits swell. Cameras encourage employees to use their time wisely. Some employees waste time when no one is watching, and the supervisor cannot watch everyone at once. However, a camera never stops watching. Employees who always use their work computers to play games may soon be using their home computers to find a new job.

In addition, an employer can use data collected from video surveillance systems to devise strategies for increasing productivity. For example, if employees are spending too much time socializing, the employer can provide them visual proof of their lack of productivity.  With this visual confirmation, employees are much more receptible to alter their work habits.

Protection against fraud and lawsuits
Theft is one way businesses lose money, but fraud can be a more serious threat. Employee attendance fraud is one example, but it is easy to handle. A few well-placed cameras can monitor how often and how long employees are really on the job. Lying about extra hours worked becomes impossible.

Employee attendance fraud gradually bleeds money from a business, but one fraudulent lawsuit can be a deathblow. Cameras record criminals who purposefully fall and then try to sue the business owner. The video evidence against such criminals ensures that the judge will dismiss their claims. Lazy employees may also fall, but instead of suing, they will try to claim workers' compensation. Again, the best defense against this scheme is video surveillance.

Stop violent crime and sexual harassment
Keeping employees safe is a priority for every business. Video surveillance equipment makes violent criminals less likely to attack and helps bring those who do attack to justice. In this way, cameras protect employees and give them a true feeling of safety.

The presence of cameras also discourages sexual harassment. Sexual harassment cases that do occur are more manageable with a video surveillance system. Without surveillance, investigating harassment relies heavily on rumors and eyewitness reports. Often, conflicting reports make resolution difficult. With video surveillance, seeing what really happened is simple.

Remote monitoring
The above benefits are doubled for managers and owners who are not always at the business site. In fact, for employers who visit a site infrequently, video surveillance is essential. It is also convenient. Viewing footage no longer requires jamming tapes into a VCR. Instead, any computer with an internet connection can show the videos. Owners can monitor their business at any time from nearly any place. When someone is watching, employees work harder and criminals think twice. For any business, that means a better bottom line.

Seeing a demonstration of onsite and remote view of live and recorded footage is highly recommended.  There are many types of video surveillance systems that are out there.  Investing in a true loss prevention surveillance system (as opposed to the traditional "security" surveillance system) will eliminate ongoing losses that your business experiences.  These are faster and make it easier to retrieve and review data.  These features, when combined, allow business owners to quickly get a return on their investment and increase their profits.

Home Automation - Energy Savings

Home Automation Energy Savings
A home automation system can be part of effective home security, but it can also help you lower your energy use and heating bills throughout the winter season.  Home automation energy savings can be achieved quite easily with the additional benefits of reducing electricity costs, improving home comfort and increasing safety for your home and pets.  Statistics from Alarm.Com's automation department, the average family can see savings of $180 per year with proper use and programming of their "smart" thermostat.

Automation of Your Home’s Thermostat Reduces Energy Waste
When you program your thermostat through your automation system, your heating system will run less when you are asleep or away. The furnace or heat pump can be programmed to raise the temperature before you get up in the morning or when you arrive home from work. The data collected by your home security system will show the pattern of when you normally walk in the door. This is a good approach when you have a very consistent schedule and can actually provide you with better evidence of what your schedule is if you’re uncertain. Fine-tuning your programming will increase your home’s energy efficiency. Automating your heating system to run less when you are asleep under warm covers or when you are away from home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your heating bills.

When your schedule varies, you simply use your computer or your home automation cellphone app to turn up the heat prior to arriving back at home. With a few practice attempts, you’ll know just how long it takes for your home to return to the temperature you want, so you’ll never arrive to a chilly house. Keep pets in mind when you lower the temperature, and maintain a level of heat suitable for them.

Lower Electricity Costs by Automating your Home
Home automation energy savings related to electricity use are possible too. Your heating system uses electricity, especially if a heat pump is part of it. When the system is turned down, lower electricity costs are achieved.

Secondly, and a more significant source of lower electricity costs, is to automate your lighting system. Program the lights to be off while you’re away, and set them to come on before it gets dark or before you arrive home for security and convenience. If your schedule differs from day to day, then use a remote device or your automation app to turn on lights when on the way home.  You can also program your lights to turn on if the alarm system goes off so that any intruder is more inclined to run from a lit up environment during a home invasion at night.

Prevent Frozen Pipes with Home Automation
When outside temperatures are extremely cold, the potential for frozen pipes increases. A burst pipe can cause severe water damage to your home. Your home security and automation system is able to monitor outdoor temperatures. When they dip to a level that may freeze pipes in sparsely-heated areas of your home, the system will automatically turn up the heat to reduce or eliminate the possibility of frozen pipes.

In addition, you can remotely monitor the temperature within your home while away. If you notice that the temperature is falling, indicating a failure of the furnace or heat pump, you can head home or send help to your home to determine the cause of the problem and resolve it before pipes freeze. This type of monitoring will also prevent pets from suffering in the event of a mechanical failure to your heating system.

These are just the most common ways to achieve home automation energy savings while protecting your home and pets too. You’ll enjoy reduced heating bills and maintain your home’s comfort level for all.  Learn more about home automation at www.omnisecurityinc.com 

Who is monitoring your security system?

Choosing a bad alarm company is like having a car without a battery. What’s the point in having it if it doesn’t work? Unlike a car, a malfunctioning alarm system can result in damage or property loss. In some cases, worse things can happen. The importance of choosing a reputable company with a fast response time and an undeniable history of success is one the best things that homeowners can do. Not only does it save money on your annual homeowner's insurance, it also provides extra security to protect your belongings and your family. Let’s face it – there isn’t a crime free city in America.

Understanding how an alarm system works can help you understand why it is exceedingly important to use a company such as Monitronics to provide alarm monitoring services. Alarm systems do much more than make blaring noises during a fire or burglary. Monitored alarm systems send signals to a central monitoring station that will determine what type of signal it is, what triggered it, and the proper emergency team to respond. This may seem like a lot of steps, but a fast response team can contact you and have the police, fire department, or ambulance dispatched within a matter of seconds.

There is one alarm company that sets itself apart from the rest. Monitronics has the best response time in the industry. The average response time to an alarm event is 23 seconds. When there is a crisis, every second counts. Monitronics has undoubtedly perfected the system in order to maximize protection to their customers. The implementation of a special program called ASAP (Automated Secure Alarm Protocol) enables the system to send information electronically instead of using slower communication systems that other companies continue to use. Using an advanced system has also helped reduce the number of false alarms. In fact, Monitronics has the lowest false alarm rate in the industry which helps homeowners reduce the likelihood of paying high fines associated with false alarms.

Frost & Sullivan understands the importance of alarm systems and the high standards that alarm companies should strive for. After conducting an intricate analysis of residential alarm monitoring businesses, Monitronics was awarded for outstanding customer service, impressive response time, affordable pricing, and its expansion during low economic times. Monitronics has received recognition three times in the past four years. That’s really impressive when you consider how many alarm companies exist. Receiving an award of this stature shows that Monitronics is the best that there is in the business.

If you’re looking for an alarm company, it’s a great idea to shop around and compare prices. That’s what smart shoppers do, but you will not find an alarm company that offers so much protection without premium pricing. If you’re going to get an alarm system or if it is time to upgrade your current system, make sure that your alarm can do what it was designed to do. What’s the point in paying for service that won’t benefit you when you need it most?

If your home was burglarized today, it would take more than 23 seconds for the intruder to get inside and begin rummaging through your personal property. Within this time frame, Monitronics would have most likely received the signal, sent authorities, and notified you. It should certainly put your mind at ease - knowing that your house is protected even when you are away. Choosing an alarm company that takes their sweet time to send the police could mean more property loss.

The benefits of using a company with a history of the fastest response time, excellent customer service, and expertise will guarantee that your home or business will receive the finest security services available. Why not choose Monitronics? I can’t find any reason not to.

How safe is your home or business....maybe you should ask your friends who thought the same thing.

I truly am amazed at how many people I talk to on a daily basis have just NEVER really considered protecting their home/business against intruders.  It must be the whole mindset of "out of sight, out of mind" .  It's never happened to me, so it probably with never happen down the road....right?  Ummm....think again.  I spoke of the family that lived in the nice neighborhood that "never thought it (break -in) could happen to them".  I know so many customers that have called our office and said "wow, I used to leave all my doors unlocked and we just got broken into!  I can't believe it...what is this world coming to???....can you help us please?!" 

Well, of course we can help you....NOW....but unfortunately, what we can't help is the feeling of being violated, the fact that your belongings are gone and everything else that goes along with being broken into.  Welcome to 2012 people!  Break-ins are happening EVERYWHERE and they are probably happening more than you would even think.

Let me take Rochester, NY for example.  On a scale of 1 to 100 (100 being the safest), Rochester ranks a 3 (I wish I could capitalize a number here!).  That's right, Rochester is only safer than 3% of US cities.   Now yes, you can look at demographics and make claims for inner city vs suburbs, but the fact is I guarantee if you're from Rochester you probably didn't think it was THIS bad.   Also, if your thinking this way, once again you are trying to convince yourself that you are immune to being a victim of this type of crime ever happening to you.....so STOP IT...I have thousands of customers who thought the same way and will now tell you differently!  Your chance of being part of a violent crime is 1 out of every 94 people.  Check this out too,  a lot of the crime that takes place in Rochester is property crime. Property crimes that are tracked by our source (NeighborhoodScout.com)  are burglary, larceny over fifty dollars, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In Rochester, your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is one in 17, which is a rate of 56 per one thousand population.  And you thought it couldn't happen to you? 

I have a problem where I tend to want to trust the population and human kind in general.  I often get burned by that mindset.  It's just my personality to continue to give people the benefit of the doubt that when given the choice, they will choose wisely and pick Good vs. Evil.  However, when it comes to my home and family and also business, where the consequences for this trust being broken can lead to some major life issues, I without question would rather take the simple precautionary measures to eliminate the probability and possibility of encountering one of these crimes.  Maybe you should reconsider too?  You don't get a medal at the end of your life if you were able to leave your door unlocked for 85 years (at least I don't know of one).  But you do get an unbelievable amount of peace of mind when you know you're coming home to a house how you last left it because you had it protected.

Security Alarm Systems can't prevent someone from breaking into your house, but what they will do is (1) notify you if someone has broken in so that you can be prepared and not taken by surprise, and (2) only allow for a small amount of time for someone to enter the home before they have to flee so the police don't catch them.  Every second longer someone stays in a house where the alarm is going off is one more second the police have to arrive and arrest.  Trust me....the criminals know this too.  That's why they tend to go to those homes they know don't have a monitored alarm.

Just some food for thought.  Don't be reactive....be proactive and you'll never regret it.

Tips to keep Irreplaceable Belongings Safe from Theft

So, I just got a call from a friend who has fallen victim to the same crime that many of us have experienced....a Home Invasion Burglary during broad daylight while they were gone.  And just like most who never thought this could happen to them, they felt the same way.  They lived in their neighborhood for 30+ years, knew everyone on their street and never had to worry anything like this...right??........well apparently not. 


I hate when I get calls like this one.  First, I too have been victim to theft so I know how it invasive and dirty it feels.  Second, I know my friends knew that I could have put a system in their home for them years ago when we started our business, but opted for the "it never happened before so we should be fine" approach.   And third, this terrible person who invaded their home not only stole TVs and computers, but also all of their jewelry! 


Now in their jewelry boxes, were not just any pieces of expensive jewelry, but rather family heirlooms passed down from 3 generation!  Rings, necklaces, and even old silver dollars from the 1800s.   These are items that have the utmost sentimental value that we all can identify with.  They are a piece of our family's history, and they are priceless and irreplaceable.  PERIOD!  And now they are gone, with only some desperate attempts at visiting local pawn shops as their last chance to recover these pieces.  I have a terrible taste in my mouth just thinking about it.


This brings me to a couple valuable and simple suggestions for those with and without an alarm system on how to keep your irreplaceable belongings safe from theft:

1. Don't just leave your jewelry/valuables out in plain sight.  Put it away and in a place that you wouldn't look for it first if you were a burglar.  For the intruder that is looking for a quick hit, normally they are running up to the master bedroom to look in dresser drawers, bathroom drawers and closet drawers.  If that's where you're going to keep your prized possessions, then don't be surprised is they're one of the first things taken during a burglary.  Yes, it's more of a pain to get them the next time you need them, but that's what you'll have to weigh out.  One of the best features of having a security system is that once it's set off by an intruder, every second longer they stay in the house is one more second the authorities have to catch them.  Thus, they don't have an endless time to search every nook and cranny of your house for all of your valuables.
2. Safes are a very good way of keeping valuables secured and also out of plain sight.  They are usually rather affordable and obviously not easily penetrable.  Now, obviously I'm referring to ones that are attached to floors, walls, studs, or are large enough that it would be virtually impossible for someone to get it out of the house without being detected.  We've all seen the movies where the rich man goes to his office, swings out some gaudy painting and there's the safe that's implanted into the wall.  These are very easy setups and could be something that could save you from the anger and sadness that has fallen over my friends from this burglary.

I'm a very big believer in Karma and I know that this is a big score against the thief that did this.