Exterior Security Tips For Your Home
Start by examining the landscaping around your home. Bushes or shrubs that are overgrown near your house can provide convenient hiding places, and they obscure your view, or others view from the street, of any intruders approaching your home. Tree branches near your home can also provide a ladder to upper-level windows or a skylight. Also, anything laying in the yard could be used to help break into the house like a shovel, or a garbage can to climb on. How easy is it to get to windows and doors? A burglar will assess how quickly and quietly he can get in and out of your home. An unfenced backyard lets the burglar walk off the streets into the privacy of your back yard, where they can quietly take their time to break into your house. A dog is a great first detector of someone walking around your property. Many alarm systems are compatible with the family pet, don’t worry.
Cut back or remove tall shrubs near doors and walkways. The same goes for plants that block the view to your windows, especially the basement windows. Keep plants trimmed to a height of 3 feet or shorter, so they don’t become a hiding spot for lurking burglars. Use gravel or pebbles under windows and around sheds, as it’s noisy underfoot. Plant low growing thorny bushes around the windows. Use common sense and don’t provide burglars easy access to your belongings.
About Fire Alarm Systems
A fire can cause severe harm to a home, property, or person. It is very important to have be prepared in the event that a fire should break out. Heat and smoke detectors are a vital precaution to take. Althought it can’t battle a large fire, it is important to have a working fire extinguisher to put out small fires and prevent them from growing. Perhaps the best cautionary measure one can take is to install a fire alarm system.
Fire Alarm System Impact
Fire grows very quickly. Time is of the essence when dealing with a fire. In only a few minutes, a small kitchen fire can turn into a very serious house fire. With a fire alarm system, there is a monitoring service monitoring your home for fire at all times. If a fire breaks out, the service will notify you to evacuate the house and dispatch help immediately. This minimizes the danger for people, and the damage to the property.
Buying a System
High quality fire alarm systems can be very expensive. However, opting to not receive extra features such as whistles, sprinklers and lights can cut down on the cost significantly. Many of these features are unnecessary or can be taken care of in more inexpenseive fashions. It is a good idea to research the different systems that companies offer. Pick the one that suits your needs and price range accordingly.
System Installation
In most cases a representative from the company will come to install your new fire alarm system. They are often very complex. The company wants to be assured that your alarm is ready to work properly in the case of a fire. Occasionally, the more simple systems will just come with detailed instructions on how to set it up yourself.
Save Money on Insurance
The worst part about paying for your system is the monthly fee for the monitoring service. However, many insurance companies offer reductions in rates for homeowners with fire alarm systems installed. This is because, if a fire were to occur, the damages are not likely to be as severe as a home without a system, where the help from the fire department would be delayed.
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Find a fire alarm system that’s right for you at http://www.alarmsystemstore.com/ today!
Honeywell and Boeing Create Integrated Security Platform
Honeywell and Boeing are teaming up to create an integrated security and building management platform to help improve safety and operations at large facilities. The system provides a comprehensive view of alarm-triggering events using three-dimensional high-definition models and video surveillance, delivering real-time, detailed visual information so security personnel can effectively deploy a more accurate response.
“Integrating Honeywell’s security and building management technology into our VSOC platform greatly enhances the customer’s overall situational awareness, resulting in improved facility operations and personnel safety,” said Tim Peters, Boeing vice president, Global Security Systems. “The new system represents a critical solution for infrastructure protection and enterprise operational efficiencies.”
“We’re seeing more organizations inquire about integrated security and building management systems because the operational benefits not only improve safety and security, they also help the overall organization run more effectively,” said Scott Harkins, president and general manager, Honeywell Systems. “As the interest in integrated systems grows, distributors and security dealers that serve high-end markets must be ready to offer technology such as the joint Honeywell-Boeing platform that streamlines their customers’ operations.”
If a Honeywell sensor detects an intruder in the building, security personnel are presented with a 3-D view of the area, live video from the Honeywell camera and automated instructions. The operator can then verify the alarm, easily check nearby cameras and describe the location for local responders – all without having to physically be in the area. Security like this doesn’t only exist in the movies anymore, but in real life situations as well.
Top 4 Reasons To Use Alarm Security Company
Everyday, people make the decision to have their homes protected by alarm security companies. These companies offer a full range of services to ensure the safety of your home, your family and your loved ones. Here the top 4 reasons to use one of these companies.
1. They diminish the chance of home intrusion to a great extent. It has been proven that houses and apartments use the services of an alarm security company significantly reduces the chance of your home being broken into. The system does not only notify you of the intrusion, but it tells neighbors as well, in case you are not home. They typically set off an extremely loud noise wich scares potential burglars instantly. Burglars know of these features, and therefore are much more hesitant to enter a house protected in this manner.
2. Alarm security companies take measures to protect you, your property, and your family from the dangers of smoke and fire as well. It is an extremely important part of any full security system. When the sensor detects fire or smoke in the house it instantly notifies the fire department so that they can send help immediately. This is a tremendous help as every second counts when dealing with a fire.
3. Many of the systems offered by alarm security companies today give you the ability to supervise your home from other locations. They install a series of cameras in and around your home. They broadcast a live feed from the cameras. The footage is transmitted through the internet and can be viewed from any computer or smart phone. This allows you to keep an eye on your home while you are on vacation, at work or any other time you are not home.
4. Many people do not know this but employing an alarm security company to protect your home can actuall
y bring a reduction in your homeowners insurance. The statistical decrease in the likelihood of your home being broken into, as well as the increased protection from fire damage has insurance companies offering discounts as high as 20% in some case, on their homeowners policy.
Be Cautious of Door-To-Door Alarm Salespeople
There has been a growing trend, over the last decade or so, of people attempting to sell alarm systems door to door. This is not an advisable way to purchase your means of protection for yourself, your family, and/or your property. Many of these people are scam artists. Often, they will give you a high pressure sales pitch, and aggressively try to persuade you into buying their system. The system’s are, in 
many cases, hardly effective and carry expensive operating costs. Not only are you wasting your money and putting it in the hands of a criminal, but you at putting your security at stake.
Unfortunately, selling your faulty alarm systems is not the worst intention that the seemingly innocent salesman at your door might have. It is important to be very aware of what information you are giving the man at all times. Any info you give them could ultimately go towards making you the victim of identity and/or monetary theft. This includes everything from your full name, to your bank account number. Remember they will most likely have a prepared excuse for why they need the information. Do not fall for this!
There are several precautions that one can take while dealing with potential alarm system scam artists, as well as unknown solicitors at your door in general. First, always ask to see their solicitor’s license. Make sure to check that it is valid for the county you are in. Also, be sure to never let the solicitor into your house. Talk to them on the porch or yard. It can be very dangerous to give them access to your home and to be in private with them. If you feel uncomfortable at any time while talking to the alleged salesman, do not hesitate to go back inside and end the conversation. Give your local police a department a call if they seem suspicious and they will check his legitimacy.
It is a far more sensible choice to purchase your alarm system from a trusted source. Do your research online before purchasing any system. Furthermore, put in a call to customer service with any further questions or suspicions you might have.
Wired Vs. Wireless Security Systems
If you’ve been shopping for a home security system, you’ve probably noticed the disparity in price between wired and wireless alarm systems. The wired alarms are much cheaper than the wireless ones because they hardware they use is a lot less sophisticated. However, with wired alarm systems comes installation. It’s very important you ask the installer how much the installation will cost before hand. Often times, Installers have different prices for wired and wireless alarm systems. This difference in price might make it worthwhile to upgrade to wireless.
There is a common misconception that wired security systems are better than wireless security systems. This is largely a myth. Todays wireless technology is not the same wireless technology powering the portable phones of yesteryear – where this myth originates from.
Most people like hard wired alarm systems because they can see proof of the alarm. The wires running about is a contstant reminder of security. However, if you live in a classic home, or your house is not condusive to running a lot of wires around, wireless is a better option here too. If you are building your house.
Neither method is without maintenance. With the wireless system you will at some point have to replace batteries. Now, similiar to fire alarms, these devices don’t eat up very much energy so it’s a rare day you’ll be replacing the batteries. However, you’d want to before you go on vacation or away for a while.
The hardwired alarms will require you to just casually inspect the wires once in a while. If the system is functioning fine, then there is no reason to inspect. However, mice, dogs, cats and kids can mess up wires that are accessible to them. This can cause malfunctions and false alarms, so an inspection every now and then isn’t unreasonable.
In closing, both have their ups and downs, but without special justification, a hard wired system isn’t worth the trouble. The wireless alarm systems work so well now a days that the hardwired stuff will eventually fade away.
Retail Theft Lowest in 17 years
For the sixth consecuetive year, retail theft is down. Retail theft is a term for a multitude of crimes that lead to profit loss of retailers. Retail theft could be shoplifting, calculation errors, employees stealing, and vendor deception or fraud. Every year, UofF conducts this survey.
Phil Browne, National Retail Manager of ADT australia, was quoted as saying “This downward trend is likely a result of retailers investing in anti-shoplifting and anti-theft technologies.” and “the result of bettery anti-theft training”.
The survey showed that while theft was at its lowest in 17 years, retailers are spending more money on security technology. On the top of the list, is internet monitored CCTV cameras to allow management to be able to monitor employees in real time, remotely.
Though the theft rate was at its lowest point in 17 years on average, one section that did show growth was that of organized crime. Because of the organized, covert nature it is thought that this type of crime may have been on the rise, but may have gone undetected before the better surveilance.
What are the Fundamental Elements of a Security System?
Here are the different components that compromise a good security system. Know the terminology is important when shopping for an alarm system because the companies use lots of jargon to try and impress you into buying their system. If you know more about what they’re talking about, you can hunt down a better deal.
Central Panel (AKA Control Panel): This is where all of the cabling and wiring for the system goes to. Think of this as the brain of the system. Everything terminates here, and this is where you’re most vulnerable because it’s where your alarm connects to your phone line. This is also where your backup battery is in case your house loses power, your alarm system will keep functioning. Often times these will be in a basement, closet, or attic.
Keypad (AKA Control Pad, or Pin Pad): This a number pad with usually 12 keys, and a small LCD screen (the nice ones are back lit). The keys are for arming and disarming the alarm, while the LCD gives you status. The keypads are where you will do the most operating of your alarm, however, it is not the ‘brains’ of the system.
Siren: When the system is activated, there needs to be something to alert the neighors and surrounding people there is a break in occurring. This is usually accomplished by a siren and or spinning light.
Motion Detectors: These are like little electronic eyes that when they detect human movement, trigger the alarm. If you have pets, do not worry, you can adjust motion detectors to compensate for your pets. These are generally installed by the alarm installers, and require no maintenance unless they’re damaged, or poorly located.
One of the most important elements of your alarm system isn’t even in your house. 24 Hours a day, your security system is monitored by trained professionals at the call center. If you have a security breach, they will call your house and ask you for an agreed upon codeword. If you do not answer, or the wrong word is given, they will dispatch the police to your house. You can also get fire and carbon monoxide monitoring built into your system that the call center can monitor.
