Home Security Systems and the Elderly
Security Systems Protect the Elderly As we get older and our children grow up and move out, we may downsize our house or make other changes. While these changes occur, our home security systems must change as well. The alarm system that fits your family’s needs right now might not fit your needs as you get older. Whether it is the cold winter months when elderly people go to a place where it is warmer out of preference or medical reasons or any time of the year, alarm systems are always important to have. Elderly individuals and security alarms are like the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall) only they three seasons in life (medical, daily routines and second home). Three types of alarms that elderly people should have as time goes on are a medical alarm, home automation, and remote control access. Home Security Systems for Elderly Individuals’ Homes Medical Alarm Many elderly individuals as they get older will experience a great number of health issues. Some of the healthy issues will be either uncontrollable or cause individuals to fall. A medical alarm system won’t prevent bad health but will help an elderly individual in the case of an emergency. This type of alarm is easy for elderly people to access with just the push of a button. Because this alarm is available for elderly homeowners, it is great for them so that they are able to live on their own and live without fear longer. Home Automation Young people and elderly people are different when it comes to keeping a routine and, generally, it’s the elderly that do a better job. An elderly person who likes to stay in a daily routine will benefit greatly from having a home automation alarm. With this alarm, if they get up and go to bed at the same time, they can set the alarms for those times of the day. Home automation is also much more convenient for people of all ages because you can keep track of what is happening at all times. The technical things become a bit easier. Remote Control Access Elderly people remind us of birds. Once it starts getting colder out they both head south. While they are not home and if they don’t feel comfortable having someone come to their house, having an alarm system with remote control access can give them the ability to run their home without having to be there. Going south for warmer weather, visiting their children, grandchildren, friends or going on vacation any time of the year can give elderly homeowners the assurance they need to make sure their house is safe. Not only do elderly homeowners need certain alarms systems to ensure safety for health and their home but they need to make sure they get all the basics as well. Many elderly homeowners, when scheduling to get their security alarm installed, should make sure they get everything they need that will benefit them. Contact Your Rochester Home Security Company If you or any elderly homeowner you know may be looking for a security alarm system, contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Home Security in the New Year
Make a Security Resolution The new year is almost here and so is the long list of New Year’s resolutions that you want to commit to so you can improve your life. One of the ways you can improve your life is through your level of home security. These are resolutions that can be applied to business security as well, such as adding surveillance cameras where they need to be or upgrading existing cameras to ones that have better picture quality. Regardless of whether you need improved security for home or business reasons, here is a list of home security resolutions that you can use to make life a bit safer for you, your family, your belongings, your business, or all your interests: Improve Your Habits Make sure doors are locked, the security system is set, batteries are changed in smoke detectors, and that lights are on when they need to be. Install timers for lights, especially before going on vacation, and make sure you have good outdoor security. A home or business that is lit up is one a thief is more likely to stay away from. Consider Adding Extra Security It may not be enough to have an alarm because thieves can strike other parts of your property. Surveillance cameras can capture who is outside. If someone breaks into an outbuilding or tries to break into your house, you can acquire footage that will help authorities catch the culprits. Replace Outdated Security Systems It is good for homeowners and business owners to replace outdated security systems. If your system is old, you could do better. Systems now have fire and carbon monoxide detection built in. You can add motion detectors and more sensors. There are many possibilities. All you have to do is talk to a security company that specializes in advanced systems. It is even possible to turn your home into a smart home, which makes life more convenient for you. Home automation is becoming very hot with the ability to remotely arm the security system, unlock doors, turn lights on and off, and even adjust the thermostat. All of this can be done from a smartphone. Change Your Passcode If you already have a security system, it is good to change your passcode. Having the same passcode all the time is a security risk. In fact, it is good to change it a couple times a year. Now is a good time to change it for the first time this year. Make sure you give the new code to everyone who needs to have it and remind them not to share it with anyone. Lock Outside Buildings If you have outside buildings on your property, keep them locked. Add outside video surveillance to give better security. You also want motion lights so that they are triggered when someone comes on the property. Light is always a good defense against burglars. Buy a Fireproof Safe If you haven’t already, you need a fireproof safe. While the security system, motion sensors, video cameras, and window and door sensors are all designed to keep thieves out, having valuables in a fireproof safe can give them even more protection in case someone does get in. One of the first places a thief visits when inside a home is the bedroom. When inside a business, they will go to the office in hopes they can find money, catch a cash register on the way, or break into the safe. Call Your Rochester Home Security Company To make yourself safer this year, consider investing in a modern home security or business security system. If your home or business is ever broken into or someone attempts to do so, you will be very glad that you protected everything you care about in this way. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn more.
Rochester NY Motion Detectors 411
Everything You Need to Know About Motion Detectors Motion detectors are an important part of your home automation system and/or security system. Combined with door and window sensors, video surveillance, and the alarm system, This puts your mind at ease when you are at home and when you’re away. Motion detectors that use infrared technology, a 90-degree lookdown to make sure intruders are noticed, and a wireless signal range are highly effective in making sure the home has the security that it always needs. The best motion detectors have around a 50-foot range and a 100-degree wide-angle spread. The detectors are also tamper-proof and they are monitored so that suspicious activity can be detected immediately. When Motion Detectors are Triggered When a motion detector is triggered, the central monitoring station is notified. If you’re worried about your pets triggering the system, a pet under 55 pounds won’t trigger the motion detector. This removes the worry that a pet left at home is going to prompt contact with central monitoring. Nonetheless, when a motion detector is triggered, central monitoring can ensure the proper authorities are sent to your property so the intruder can be caught or so the intrusion can be investigated. Blends into the Home So there are no eyesores, motion detectors blend well into the home. They are small and usually not really noticeable. The only time a motion detector is noticeable is when you think about it or just happen to lay your eyes on it. Then there is the time in which you think about them and check them using a mobile application. This allows you to have even more peace of mind when you are on the go. Common Placement The common placements for motion detectors are around the front door, side door, back door, and off-street windows on the first floor. It also doesn’t hurt to have motion detectors and cameras near the basement door and stairs, garage door, and gates in the backyard. A good home security company in Rochester is going to know the common points of entry for burglars. It involves a look at your property so the points of vulnerability can be located. Other areas inside the home involve the master bedroom, living room, and home office as burglars look for important items to steal. Anywhere items of value may be kept are targets. Valuables include money, jewelry, and personal information that could be used for identity theft. Contact A Rochester NY Motion Detectors Installer It is important that motion detectors are installed correctly so you can get the most out of them. They need to face the proper angles and be placed in areas where intruders can be detected. Contact SPS Fire and Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn about motion detectors for home and business, how they can benefit the unique layout of your home and property, and to get answers to any questions that you may have so you can make an informed decision about motion detectors in your home or business.
Car and Home Security in Rochester
Keep Your Car and Home Safe No matter where you plan on parking your car, you should never leave valuable things inside. It doesn’t matter if you are holiday shopping, at a friends or relatives house, or at your own home, break-ins, whether it would be in a car or home, can lead to valuable items being taken and for identity theft. In the last few days, there have been many posts on social media about car break-ins in and around Rochester. One of the individuals that had their car broken into had their groceries (soda and Gatorade) stolen, and then another individual had their expensive hunting gear taken. All of this was done while the cars were parked in their driveways. Now let’s talk about security at your own home for your car. What is the best type of security to have if your neighborhood or any surrounding neighborhoods have a high number of car break-ins? If you must leave valuable items in your car overnight or for a long period of time, there are some security tips and equipment that you can buy to protect your car. 1. Car Alarm System The first smart thing to do when purchasing a car is to get a car with an alarm or, if the car you like doesn’t have one, get one installed. A car alarm will go off when the driver side door is opened and the keys are not in the ignition to stop the alarm. 2. Motion Sensors Motion sensors are an important aspect of home security because they can detect when there is movement in a certain area. These lights will turn on when someone or something is moving near the sensor. 3. Video Surveillance A video surveillance system is a system that your security company can install that will allow you to be able to go on your mobile device or your computer to see any activity that may be happening. If there is a lot of activity that involves a lot of people at your house and your car does happen to be broken into, then you can go and see if the video surveillance footage can tell you anything. Not only is it good to do the three things that are listed above, but there are many other things that you could do to protect your car when parked right in your driveway. Don’t make your car and the things that are in it available for people to want to break-in. Contact An Expert Security Alarm Installation Company If you are interested in installing a security alarm or upgrading your alarm contact SPS Fire and Security at 585-770-0348 so we can help you get the security alarm that best suites you and your needs.
New Parents: Using Home Security Products for a Safer Home
Using Home Security to Keep Babies Safe It is exciting to be a new parent. You have expectations and plans for your child. You want them to grow up to be a good person and to make something of themselves. You also want to keep them safe in every area of their life. Home security is where that safety starts. Keeping your child safe starts at home. There are several home security products that will help you make your home as safe as possible for your baby and you. This will give you what you need to be safe and feel safe. Peace of mind is a powerful thing when you are taking care of a new human being. The Usual Products in Home Security Of course, there are the usual products that you can use to make your baby safer. It won’t be long before your baby is crawling, so you want to put locks on toilet seats and covers for electrical outlets. You will also need safety gates to keep your baby from wandering all over the house. Pressure mounted gates can fit any size doorway and keeps you from having to permanently install hinges and latches in the door facing. It is entirely up to you, as babies eventually figure out how to knock down pressure mounted gates. You also need to childproof cabinets. There are some great locks you can buy at your local department store that are easy for you to figure out, but they aren’t so easy for the baby. This can keep them out of cleaning supplies and other harmful items. Lastly, a baby monitor that you can carry around the house with you while your baby naps or sleeps at night can help you keep your ears peeled. You know what’s happening in the room. Motion Detectors are Gold Motion detectors can be useful anywhere in the home. You can place them in your child’s room so that you know if anyone is trying to break into the house from that room. In fact, motion detectors can be useful around any doors and windows in the home. If you are a heavy sleeper at night and there is a possibility that you will sleep through the baby monitor, motion detectors are a good tool. Video Surveillance Video surveillance is another one of the best home security products you can opt for. This is because you can monitor your baby’s room while they sleep. As your baby gets older and begins sitting and playing on his or her own, you can monitor your little one in the room while you clean the house, do the dishes, or simply take a load off for a few minutes. Video surveillance is also useful for when you have a babysitter come to your home to watch your baby. You can keep an eye on things while you’re gone by accessing the system through your smartphone. If the babysitter doesn’t do their job or they are mean to your child, you can intervene or never hire them again. A video surveillance system can be just a camera or two or you can have many. Another area where video surveillance is useful is outside so that you can see who is at your door. This keeps your entire family safe. The Almighty Home Alarm System Motion detectors and video surveillance can be components of a full-scale home alarm system. If someone breaks into your home, you are going to know about it. The alarm will sound and it will most likely make the burglar leave very quickly, keeping your family safe. With video surveillance in place, you can get a glimpse of who the culprit is, increasing the chances they will get caught so they aren’t on the street to try and destroy another family’s sense of security. You can secure all doors and windows so that you have peace of mind, but also so you are much safer than you would be otherwise. Enjoy Your New Life With that said, enjoy this new life that you have with your bundle of joy. They grow up before your eyes and, of course, keeping them safe through every phase of their life is extremely important. With so many home security products that can secure the home and keep all of you safe, you take control away from anyone who would even think about interfering with your safety. SPS Fire & Security Can Help You with Your Security Needs To give your home the added security that it needs so you and your family can be safe, SPS Fire & Security offers state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional service so that you know you are much safer. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at 585-770-0348 for 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.
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.
You’ve Had a Break In, Now What?
Protect Yourself from Future Break-Ins Now that you have had a break in, what are your options? You could continue to be the person you are and not look into having more safety precautions or you can look into your local security company to get a security alarm to better protect your home. If you continue to think that your dog is going to protect your house now that you have had your break in, you may be putting yourself at risk. Many people after having their property invaded are going to look into where the burglar broke in, what they stole, why they broke in, and what made them choose the house. Those are questions many people will ask themselves before jumping to other options. A burglar may have broken into windows that are within reach, such as a downstairs bathroom, bedroom or a sliding glass door. In that case the options that you could look into would be to get security sensors or check out the locks on the windows or doors to see if they are damaged. In addition, there are hundreds of individuals that live in communities where the crime rate for burglary happens to be low. Since the rate is down, many residences don’t feel like they need to be locking their doors to their home or cars. One home burglary in your community better be a sign to start protecting your home. How Are You Going To Protect Your Home Now That You Have Had A Break In? The main questions now that your property has been the victim, is what are you going to do to protect you and your family? Are you going to continue to live in the world where you think that you are ok to do exactly what you did before all this happened? Or are you going to step up your game for the next time that a burglar decides that your home is once again their target? Are you going to invest in a security system that has all the protection you need, such as sensors for your windows and doors, video surveillance, motion detectors, and better locks for your doors? Those are all of the things that you need to think about. Now if you think that security alarms are very costly, you need to think about how many times you’ve taken your dog to the vet. The amount of money that you put into your dog is the same amount you could put into your home. When looking into getting the proper system for your home, the best results would be to have a technician come to your property to talk with you about what it is that you are looking for and how much it would cost. You could start out little and, once you think that you need to get more protection for your family and home, you can add more. If you have kids, you definitely should be protecting the home while your kids are there. Your kids are a blessing and you don’t ever want something to happen to them. So when your children get off the bus, and they are allowed to stay home for a little while, you as a parent would like to protect them and, at the same time, know what they are doing. You as a parent can get video surveillance or sensors that monitor when your kids get home and when they lock the front door. Having an alarm when your kids are home is always a good idea, especially if your home has ever been broken into. Your kids might not feel safe to be there alone anymore if that has happened, but knowing that there is an alarm to protect them with make it easier. And here is something else to think about: Was your home broken into because you were a good target through a friend or a kid’s friend? Many times a burglar is someone that is in contact with a person that knows you or your family. Perhaps you have expensive jewelry, such as a wedding ring or another piece of jewelry, that is of value to you. Perhaps you had to do the dishes and set your rings aside. If you forget to put them back on, they are now sitting in your home. How would you feel if your valuable wedding ring that your spouse gave you on your special wedding day was stolen? It would be devastating. Do you lock up jewelry you aren’t wearing? Even if you do, there is still the potential that your jewelry and any other valuables could be stolen. What Is Your Next Step to Protect Your Home? Contact A Security Company Set up an appointment for a technician to come take a look at your home. The technician will talk about the different packages they offer. Explain to them what has happened to you and your home. They will talk with you about the equipment and what best suits you. How Much Are You Willing to Invest in Your Home? What you invest in your home says a lot about how much you are willing to protect your home. The more you put in the more you will be protecting. When choosing a security package for you home, always think about the important things you are trying to protect. Check Locks On Windows and Door Double check all locks on windows and doors. Replace any that are not working properly, especially when you are away from home for any amount of time, lock windows and doors. Never leave a key or code in any hidden place outside the house for someone to see. Don’t even do it if it is for your kids. If they cannot remember the code for the system or the home key, chances are they aren’t mature or responsible enough to stay home alone. Once The Alarm Is in, Monitor Daily Activity Monitoring daily activity through
Avoid these 10 Common Home Security Mistakes
Could Your Security Be Compromised? You want to ensure your home is as safe as possible because any home can be burglarized at any time. Even if you’re not home when it happens, a burglary can shatter your sense of security. When your sense of security is compromised, it is nearly impossible to feel safe in your home. That’s why it’s good to have a security service outfit your home with a system that suits your needs, such as protection against intruders, fire, and carbon monoxide. In the meantime, there are some common home security mistakes to avoid. Be Vigilant about Home Security It is important to be vigilant at all times when it comes to your home security. You should feel safe at home, not like anyone can come through the door at any time and threaten your family or your belongings. Below are 10 common home security mistakes to be aware of: 1. Hiding Your House Key Under a Doormat Even amateur burglars know to check under doormats or rocks that are near the door. They may even check the potted plants. If you need someone to come into your home while you’re not there, it is good to coordinate with them beforehand or leave a key with a trusted neighbor. 2. Leaving a Ladder Out in the Open If you leave a ladder outside, that is almost welcoming someone to use it to break into a second story window. Make sure the ladder is in the garage and that upstairs windows are locked. 3. Using Cheap Locks You don’t want to put cheap locks on your windows and doors. Heavy-duty is the way to go. Many burglars know how to break standard locks, so you want to make breakage as difficult as possible. Even with a home security system in place, you don’t want to make breaking in too easy. 4. Forgetting to Lock Doors Forgetting to lock doors or forgetting to set your alarm system can leave the home vulnerable. The most common door people forget to lock is the garage door. It’s also one of the easiest points for a burglar to break into. All it takes is a wire coat hanger and an emergency release lever that is within the reach of that hanger. You can lock your garage door via the key lock or have a Gaplock installed. 5. Relying on Your Dog A dog that barks when someone unfamiliar is around the home is great. If the dog is loud and vicious sounding, it can scare off an intruder. Nonetheless, you should still have an alarm system and lock your doors. While your dog can sound very intimidating, they don’t usually attack people, so this means that the dog most likely won’t stop the intruder. 6. Using Fake Surveillance Cameras Dummy cameras can look real, but they’re not. Even the battery-operated cameras that have a light on them may not necessarily deter a burglar. Experienced burglars can usually tell the difference between fake and real video surveillance. Fortunately, you can buy real security cameras that you can remotely access from your smartphone so you can keep track of what’s happening. Plus, burglars think twice. 7. Inadequate Outdoor Lighting Dark areas make for great hiding places. Not having adequate lighting can make it easy for a burglar to stake out the house or hide where they can’t be seen, just waiting for an opportunity to go inside. 8. Leaving the Empty Item Boxes Outside Christmas is the prime time in which the empty boxes of expensive items find their way into the outside trash. Burglars see this and it tells them that there are expensive items in the house that are worth breaking in for. They will take the items, pawn them or sell them to others. If possible, keep the boxes inside until you can break them down and put them in trash bags or take them to a closed dumpster. 9. Posting on Social Media that You Will be Gone It can be a lot of fun to share your beach pictures while you’re at the beach, but it’s not a good idea. As secure as you think your Facebook posts may be and as trustworthy as your friends list may seem, you never know who is going to decide to take the opportunity to break into your home and take what’s yours. 10. Leaving No or One Light On While Gone Some people leave no lights on while they’re gone. Others leave only one on. A burglar who may be casing a home with one light will notice that the same light stays on at all times. This is a telltale sign that no one is home. Putting lights on a digital timer or being able to operate them remotely can enable you to make sure different lights are on every night. Keep Your Family Safe So here you have 10 common home security mistakes that you can avoid so that your home can be as safe as possible for you and your family.
A Security Alarm vs. Man’s Best Friend
Monitored Alarms vs. Dogs Take a look at the picture above. How well do you think the dog in lying in the garden is going to save that house? Chances are that that homeowner’s best friend isn’t going to hurt a fly. The chances of a dog protecting your house are slim. Many burglars that know there is going to be a dog on the property they are invading will do their research beforehand. The top three things a burglar will do before making your home the target are: drive by a number of times in a week or month to figure out what times you will be gone and for how long; figure out if there is a security alarm and, if so, where the electrical box is; and to see if your family has a dog. If there is a dog on the property, chances are the intruder is going to bring a bone or piece of meat to distract your furry friend. Top Five Reason Your Dog Is Not The Best Security System Here are the top five reasons why your dog doesn’t make the best security alarm: 1. Family Dog To Watch Dog If you are teaching your dog to protect your house, that’s great. At the same time, you could be gearing yourself up for a lawsuit. Your dog might scare off a child, but do you think it is going to scare off a burglar? Maybe not. Is it going to scare off someone who is welcome on the property, such as the mailman, UPS delivery guy or a police officer? Sure, it could at the worst time and harm a non-intruder. When that happens, you could face a major lawsuit against you. Is that something you are willing to risk? Choose wisely and make the decision to get a security alarm so the family pet can remain the family pet. 2. Dogs Need Outings Like People Your dog won’t work as an alarm if they aren’t present all the time. When your family goes on vacation and takes the family dog, that leaves your home unprotected. Your dog needs to be taken for walks and definitely likes to go for car rides. Once again, your home becomes unprotected in terms of your dog being used as a watchdog. When you have a security alarm, you are contacted by the security company if something happens while you’re away. If you feel the need, like most homeowners do, you can use your electronic devices, such as your Smartphone, to check on your home. 3. Your Dog Doesn’t Provide Camera Surveillance How does your dog tell you that one of your children’s friends stole an expensive piece of jewelry off of your night stand? The dog doesn’t. By having camera surveillance through your security alarm company, you are able to monitor your kids and your home from anywhere you are such as work, running errands, etc. If there is activity on your property and it sets the alarm off, your alarm company and the proper authorities will be contacted. If it happens at a specific time and you know that one of your kids or even a neighbor is in the home with your permission and they trigger the alarm, you can check the video and call the alarm company to let them know it was a false alarm. 4. Your Dog Gets Injured or Stolen by the Intruder When a burglar breaks into your home, they don’t want to be bothered by your dog. If your furry friend is going to be a problem for the intruder to get in and out fast, chances are they might injure your dog. If the person who is robbing your house has any knowledge of what full breed dogs are worth, they might steal the dog and try to sell it. The protection of your dog is another reason why having a security alarm is great, especially the video surveillance cameras to capture the face of the burglar if they aren’t wearing a mask. The triggering of the alarm also immediately gets the authorities involved and the video footage can be used to capture the thief. 5. Your Security Alarm Gives You a Break on Homeowner’s Insurance By having the alarm system you could be saving 5-10% on your homeowners insurance. Who doesn’t like to save money? Dog or Security Alarm? If all this talk about security alarms hasn’t convinced you, ask a professional. As pet owners, it’s important to treat our furry friends as a bigger part of the family. If anything were to happen to your dog that you could have prevented, you would feel regretful about not getting the security alarm. Security alarms not only protect your dogs and family, but also protect your home from fires, floods, carbon monoxide, and many other home-related incidents. Don’t put off calling your security company, make the decision today. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn about your home alarm options.