Keeping Your Valuables Secure in Your Home
Protect Your Most Important Items We automatically assume that our homes are the safest places for our valuables. This means putting things wherever they land instead of locking them away. Jewelry, for instance, may be stored in an unlocked jewelry box. Important documents that contain valuable information may be placed in a desk drawer or a file cabinet with no locks. Despite how secure you feel at home or how intense your home security methods are, you can never be too safe when protecting those personal belongings that are worth much more than what you paid for them. The following are some tips on how to keep your most valuable items safe: Keep Documents in a Safe Insurance documents, social security cards, birth certificates, the paperwork on that diamond ring, passports, tax returns, and identifying documents need to be locked away. Thieves look for unlocked file cabinets and desks to take documents that could lead to identity theft. Invest in a Home Security System It doesn’t matter how many chain locks and deadbolts you have on your doors, a skilled thief can find a way to get in. Unfortunately, a lot of locks can’t do what a home security system can do and that’s alert the authorities when an intruder comes into the home. Video surveillance can capture their face and even show what they stole if they get past the sound of the alarm. Many times, a thief doesn’t continue once they hear the alarm sound. Don’t Hide Your Spare Key Outside This is another area where an experienced thief is going to win. They know where to find those keys that are hidden under rocks, over top of door facings, around bushes, or under that flower bed ornament. Just don’t do it. Keep a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend. Keep Jewelry in a Safe Whether it’s grandma’s pearls or the most expensive piece of jewelry you have ever purchased, you need to keep them locked in a safe. The first place a thief will look is the master bedroom for jewelry that is lying out in the open or inside a locked jewelry box. Many times, they’ll grab the entire jewelry box and run so they can sort through it later. Video Surveillance Video surveillance was mentioned before, but it deserves another mention because you can’t lock your flat screen TV in a safe. The light weight of some electronics makes them easy to steak. Even if a thief decides to continue despite the sounding of the alarm, you can catch their face on video. It’s amazing how many burglars are caught because of good video surveillance. Forget the Mattress The mattress is another hot spot thieves will look. If you hide money or other valuables under your mattress, you can expect a burglar to find them. Kitchen Items Belong in Cabinets It can be tempting to hide items in those small cabinets that are up high in your kitchen. Burglars know this trick, too. They also know that that junk drawer may be hiding something valuable. Even if you have a lot of drawers in your kitchen, you can expect a thief to search, especially when there isn’t a security alarm shortening the amount of time they have to rummage. That Small Safe is Not a Good Investment It is fantastic to buy a safe. It is one of the greatest investments you can make. It is secure and it is fireproof so that your belongings are protected. However, the safe isn’t going to help you if it is small and not bolted down. You want to invest in a large safe that can be bolted to the floor. Not only would it be an extreme hassle for a burglar to unbolt the safe, but it would be too large for them to carry it. They would have to wheel it out on a dolly. Even that can be nearly impossible because of the weight. It can also be nearly impossible due to the fact that someone would see them wheeling a safe out of the house, and it would most likely involve multiple people. It’s not worth a burglar’s trouble to take a giant safe out of a house. So, here are some tips to help you keep your valuables secure in your home. Even with a home security system, which will most likely deter a burglar from the start, you don’t want to leave anything laying out that could be grabbed quickly. Yes, your home is the safest place you can be, but anything can happen when you’re not home. It is better to be safe than have to deal with the consequences of a thief’s disregard for you and your property. Contact An Experienced Security Alarm Company Today SPS Fire & Security cares about you and your belongings. To protect what is important to you, a quality and affordable security system is the answer. To learn more, call today at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Fire Extinguishers, Fire Plans, Fire Alarms, and More
During Fire Prevention Week, which occurs each year in October, your children are educated at school about fire alarms, fire safety plans for their house, the do’s and don’ts of fire safety, and a whole lot more. One question that we as parents should ask ourselves is what would happen if there was a fire? Would your children know how to use a fire extinguisher? Or if the smoke alarm was falsely tripped, would they know the security password to tell the alarm company? Monitored Smoke Alarms Any fire department, home contactor, or security alarm company would tell you that any smoke detector is better than no smoke detector. If you have children at home, the best detectors to have would be ones that can monitor fires. This means that even if you burn toast or forget the cake in the oven, the alarm will sound and be signaled to your alarm company. When that happens, the alarm company will call you and you must provide them with your security password. When the company calls, you can give them your password and explain to them that it was false alarm so they don’t call the fire department. Monitored smoke alarms are better to have rather than simple standalone ones that only beep when triggered by smoke, especially when children are in the home. Knowing How to Use a Fire Extinguisher It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire safety. Plus, it is never too early to teach your children to use a fire extinguisher. If your home doesn’t already have a fire extinguisher, it would be a good idea to consider getting one. Some of the simplest fires can be put out with a fire extinguisher and save many of lives. You and your family can learn how to use a fire extinguisher by either contacting your local fire department and having someone from there show you, or you can watch the video below. Having your children know how to use an extinguisher will make you, as a parent, feel a little more at ease with them at home. Fire Plans Every home should have a fire safety plan. A fire safety plan is also known as a fire escape plan or, as firefighters call it, “Knowing Two Ways Out.” A fire escape plan can be as simple as you as a family would like it to be. Practicing it every year at least two to three times will help all members in your family be safe, especially when little kids are involved. If you haven’t already practiced your escape plan for this month, you should make a point to get your family together and practice. For any questions regarding monitored fire alarms contact SPS Fire and Security and, for fire extinguishers and where to get one, contact your local fire department. Both will be able to answer any questions you have. Contact An Experienced Fire Alarm Installer At SPS Fire & Security, fire safety goes well beyond Fire Prevention Week. We help you choose a system that works for your home and budget and then we install it for you. To learn more about our services, call us at 585-770-0348 and get a free consultation.
How to Evaluate Your Level of Home Security
Is Your Home Secure Enough? Your home security is everything because your home is where you and your family should feel safe. Without the proper security, you risk being the target of a thief and that can seriously compromise your sense of security. Below, you will find a checklist that will help you make sure that your home is secure as possible. The Checklist Every door has a deadbolt Doors and door frames are free from damage caused by wear and tear and weather The construct of the doors is sound Lock doors when you are not at home and when you are inside the house Exterior doors should have hinges on the inside Sliding doors and French doors should have secondary locks Windows and window frames should be in good condition and not rotted Secondary locks should be in place on double-hung windows The door between the garage and the interior of the house should have a deadbolt Fence gates need to be locked, preferably padlocked Trees are trimmed back to prevent access to the roof Shrubs should be trimmed down to make it harder for trespassers to hide Shrubs should be kept below window ledges Lights around the perimeter of the house can deter trespassers Lights should be on inside the house and on timers when you’re away You should have a home alarm system integrated into your home Ensure you have 24/7 monitoring attached to your alarm system Make sure that those who need to access your house have keys instead of hiding keys around the exterior of the house Privacy fencing shouldn’t be easy to climb Fencing should not be broken Have home video surveillance cameras installed outside the home and inside the doors Motion detectors can trigger lights Strong locks should be placed on outside buildings and detached garages Attached garages should have additional locking mechanisms on the garage door Make sure outside valuables, such as lawn mowers, are locked away Windows should have window restrictors installed so they can’t be opened beyond a certain height If you are lacking in any of these areas, rectifying them can be the difference between being a target and not being a target. Get a Professional Security Check You can opt for a professional security check. A good security alarm company will come to your home and evaluate vulnerabilities for you so that you can have a security system installed that will make your home safer. There are different elements you can integrate into your system, such as video surveillance, motion sensors, and total home automation. How much or how little you opt for is up to you, but it is difficult to put a price on keeping you, your family, and everything inside your home safe. Stay Away from These Deterrents There are some burglar deterrents that don’t work so well. It is good that you know what these are so that you know not to use them. Those failed deterrents include: Posting company alarm signs – You don’t want to give a burglar any clue about your alarm system because that information can be used to bypass your system. Instead, you can post a general alarm or monitoring sign so they know you are being watched. Don’t hide valuables in your bedroom – Professional thieves know that you’re hiding your belongings in your bedroom. That’s one of the first places they will go. They know jewelry boxes, money under the mattress, etc. are there. Leaving the lights on non-stop – If the same lights are on all the time, a burglar that is casing the house will catch on. Installing timers is ideal. Stopping mail delivery – Not seeing mail delivered to your house is a clue you’re not home. Have a friend or family member stop by your house each day. Give them a key to take the mail inside. Don’t forget to give them the security alarm code. This person can also come at random times to avoid a pattern that a burglar catches onto. It is good to have a house sitter who can stay there much more often. Getting a huge dog – Big dogs are nice, but they tend to not always go crazy like small dogs. Small dogs are hard to calm down when someone is at the door. Protect Your Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse Home Today! So, there you have some ways to keep your home as safe as possible. By instituting the checklist and avoiding the things that you shouldn’t do, you can achieve the level of safety that you need to feel as secure as possible in your home. To learn about your security options, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 for a free consult.
What Smoke Detector Better Suits Your Home?
Choose the Right Smoke Detector If you are like many people, you probably didn’t know that there are different kinds smoke detectors, which means you would probably go to the hardware store and get the first one that you see. Every year, there are many people either injured or killed due to home-related fires. The reason for that is because either the smoke detectors didn’t work properly or the homeowner didn’t have the proper smoke alarm installed. Knowing more information on the different smoke and fire alarms and which type best suits your home will have a better impact on saving your life in the chance that there is ever a fire. Where Can I Get Smoke Detectors? Smoke detectors can be purchased at any hardware, home supply or general merchandise store located near you. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms at little or no cost. Get High-End Fire Protection! Where Should Smoke Detectors be Located? Every home should have smoke detectors and they should be placed on every level of the home including the basement. The detectors should be placed outside every sleeping area and the bed should be no more than twenty feet from the alarm. If there is people in the home that sleep with the door closed, then a smoke alarm should be installed both inside and outside of that room. Two Different Kinds of Smoke Detectors Most people don’t know that there are different kinds of smoke detectors and that each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference will have a better chance at saving a persons life. A photoelectric smoke detector uses ultraviolet light, a photoelectric receiver, and a lens. All of the components are arranged inside a vented chamber so that air can flow. If there is smoke, it will move through this chamber. There is also an LED light that sends a beam of light across the chamber. There is a separate compartment inside where there is a photosensor that detects the light. As the smoke enters this area, the smoke interrupts the light, which causes the light to scatter toward the light sensor. This makes the alarm sound. Photoelectric smoke alarms are very responsive to fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, photoelectric smoke alarms are outstanding at providing proper warning for the different types of fires. They give homeowners more time to get out of the house when a fire begins. An ionization smoke detector contains americium-241 in a very small amount. It is housed in an ionization chamber. This produces an electric current between a pair of metal plates, which is what sounds the alarm. This happens because these metal electrodes are connected to the battery. When in contact with americium-241, air molecules are converted into positive and negative ions. When smoke enters the alarm, these ions bond with the smoke, causing the alarm to sound. Ionization smoke alarms are typically more responsive to an active fire. This type of alarm can detect a small amount of smoke. If food on the stove starts to catch fire, the alarm is going to detect it. That is why this type of fire alarm is currently found in kitchens. However, this type of alarm may not sound in enough time to allow a homeowner to get out fast. The Fire Alarm Verdict – SPS Fire & Security Can Help After hearing about both kinds of smoke alarms, a homeowner should get photoelectric smoke alarms for their house. Photoelectric alarms will respond faster in alarming homeowners to get out in the event of a fire than ionization alarms. Also remember that your security system has a fire alarm built into it. It is another way to make sure you and your family are safe. If you don’t have a security system with fire and carbon monoxide detection built-in, contact SPS at 585-770-0348 and ask us about how we can make you and your home safer.
Keeping Your Home Safe During Halloween
Easily Protect Your Home on Halloween It’s almost that time of year when the ghouls and goblins come knocking at doors, asking for a trick or a treat. If you aren’t home because you are enjoying Halloween festivities or taking your own children to knock on doors, the last thing you want is for the trick to be on you. Having a good home alarm system on your home is one way to protect it from tricksters with far less than pure motives. However, there are other things that you can do to make sure you’re keeping your home safe inside and out among the Halloween mischief. 1. Inside and Outside – Candles It can be very tempting to light candles inside and outside of the home in order to give it that eerie glow on Halloween night. Unfortunately, Trick-or-Treaters can easily knock over lit candles that are outside and lit candles can also pose a fire hazard inside the house, especially when they aren’t supervised. LED tea lights or strings of orange decorative lights can be great ways to safely light the home for Halloween. 2. Inside – Keep the Lights On When you are out trick-or-treating with the kiddos or you are at that Halloween party you’ve waited all year for, you should leave lights on so that no one knows that you aren’t home. While there may be a lot of Trick-or-Treaters around the house, thieves may try and make their way in through the back or an area they won’t be easily seen. 3. Outside – Surveillance If you don’t already have video surveillance outside, now is the time. This can be part of a good home alarm system. With outside surveillance, you can catch those that vandalize your property. Unfortunately, spray paint, toilet paper, and smashed pumpkin pranks are common on and around Halloween. 4. Outside – Jack-O-Lanterns There’s nothing like having a good old Jack-O-Lantern sitting on the front porch, but do you use real candles? You may want to replace those candles with LED lights so that you don’t have an unsupervised flame outside. Unfortunately, Jack-O-Lanterns can be kicked or tipped over and that means the flame within could escape. 5. Inside – Strange Visitors It is very important that you not let children and their parents inside your home during Trick-or-Treat. A thief may be counting on this because it helps them case homes. All it takes is one peek inside and your home becomes a target. Sitting outside at the bottom of your porch steps is best. It keeps children from having to walk up steps and keeps thieves’ noses out of your business. 6. Outside – Handing Out Candy You don’t necessarily have to stay home in order to hand out candy. If you are part of a church that does a “truck-or-treat” event or any other organization that sets up in a parking lot and hands out candy, that may be your best bet. It keeps thieves from seeing where you live. Just remember that you want to set your home alarm system before you leave so that your home is safe while you’re gone. 7. Outside – Outdoor Lights Make sure your outdoor lights are working. Having security lights and other exterior lights lit up means people with less than pure motives will most likely stay off of your property. If they aren’t working, replace bulbs accordingly. Better lighting also helps outdoor video surveillance pick up vandals and thieves that may come onto the property. 8. Inside and Out – Decorations Make sure that indoor and outdoor decorations are a reasonable distance away from lights. Even if a strand of lights seems safe, it’s just better to be safe than sorry when decorating. There is an unfortunate history of strand lights catching holiday decorations on fire. 9. Outside – Know Trick-or-Treating Hours Make sure you know Trick-or-Treat hours. No one should be trick-or-treating after a certain time. If they are and they are knocking on your door, don’t answer the door. 10. Inside – Lock it Up Even if you’re home, make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times. You could be handing out candy on your front porch and someone could be walking in your back door or climbing through a window knowing they have a few minutes without getting caught because you’re busy handing out candy. Let SPS Fire & Security Protect Your Home So here you have ten tips for keeping your home secure and safe during Halloween. It is a fun time of year and there is nothing like seeing happy children getting treated while wearing a wide array of costumes. What’s not so fun is realizing your home has been broken into and that you have become a victim. Remember some key points, which are to arm your home alarm system, keep it locked, never let strangers inside of your house, and keep everything safely lit up. To learn more about how to protect your home, call us today at 585-770-0348. We serve the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo, NY areas.
9 Tips to Prevent False Alarms
Stop False Alarms Before They Happen A false alarm can be irritating, but can also result in others being inconvenienced. False alarms startle household pets and irritate neighbors. A false alarm is also an inconvenience for emergency services and others that they need to serve. Excessive false alarms can even cause a person to not want to use their alarm system in fear it is going to go off. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent your home security system or business security system from being triggered in a non-emergency. 1. Remember Your Codes A lot of false alarms are caused by users entering incorrect keypad codes. To prevent this, always know your code. Make sure it is something that every person in the home can remember. For businesses, employees are given their own codes and can choose something they remember. If a code changes, make sure everyone who needs to know knows. You can keep a list of codes somewhere in the house that is safe. 2. Secure All Doors and Windows Keeping doors and windows shut is a smart security process, but so is making sure they are closed before activating the security system. Before opening a window or door, make sure the alarm system is disarmed. You may also want to make sure that children aren’t throwing balls or hitting windows in rooms where the windows may have sensors. 3. Let Visitors Know the System is Armed If you have house guests over, let them know if the system is armed. This will prevent them from going out a door or opening a window. If your guest is staying with you, make sure they are comfortable with arming and disarming the system. Don’t forget that you will have to inform the babysitter, dog walker, or anyone else permitted to go in and out of your home of how the system should be armed and disarmed and what steps to take. 4. Remove Stray Objects from Around Motion Detectors Before arming your system, make sure there are no objects around motion sensors. For example, a floor vent could be below a curtain and the curtain may be within the line of sight for the sensor. When the heat or air kicks on, it could move that curtain and cause the system to be triggered. Shorter curtains can solve this problem. The same applies to any plants near sensors that may also be near floor vents. 5. Manage Pets You can opt for pet immune sensors or ensure that pets stay within a certain place. If a pet walks in front of a sensor, they may trigger the alarm system. Pet immune sensors will ignore a pet up to a certain weight. If you don’t have a good place to put your pet while the system is armed, the pet immune sensors may be exactly what you need. 6. Replace the System Batteries Regularly You will receive a warning when the system batteries are weak. Keeping the batteries in check means preventing false alarms. The good news is that system batteries last a very long time before they need replaced. 7. Watch the Weather It is possible for Mother Nature to set off an alarm. An electrical storm, strong winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can cause enough commotion that the alarm system is sounded. If you notice the weather is going to be bad, you can disarm your system until the weather event is over. While this cause for a false alarm is rare, it is still something to keep in mind. 8. Damaged Equipment While around 70 percent of false alarms are due to user error, there are times equipment can become damaged. If that happens and the equipment is malfunctioning, you can contact your security alarm company immediately so that the status can be checked and the affected equipment replaced. 9. Use Your System Regularly The best way to prevent false alarms is to use your home security system regularly. When the system is used daily, everyone gets comfortable with it and the odds of user error is decreased exponentially. When people get used to using their system, they are most likely not to have problems. You can also utilize the aforementioned tips to maximize the chances of avoiding a false alarm. Contact Our Experienced New York Security Alarm Company At SPS Fire & Security, your safety is most important to us. We want you to make sure that your home or business is safe and secure. To learn more about our affordable state-of-the-art solutions, call us at 585-770-0348.