Newsletter Archive

Home Security News: Police Over $5 Million in Recover Stolen Property

Home security is important for a number of reasons. Recent police raids show just how important it is to protect your property.

Toronto, York Region and Niagara police recently raided several homes, arrested eight people and recovered a large amount of stolen property. 23 high-end vehicles and various other property valued over $5 million was recovered during the raids. This situation is an example of how home security technology is crucial.

Those arrested allegedly broke into homes and stole vehicles and other assets including designer clothing, purses and jewellery. Several imitation firearms were also found during the raids.

The three police regions came together to conduct the raids after a series of break-and-enters and vehicle thefts were reported in Toronto neighbourhoods. Canadian border agents also assisted with the investigation, discovering vehicles overseas.

As you can see, a break-in or robbery can be incredibly costly. This is why a focus on home security technology is so important. Criminals who break into properties in an attempt to steal property can cause damage, chaos and loss. In order to protect your property from these criminals, you’ll need to ensure that you have proper home security technology measures in place.

Protecting your Home from Break-ins with Home Security Technology

One of the best ways to protect your property and your belongings is to install a monitored home security system. Unlike a local alarm system, a monitored alarm system ensures that your home is watched over 24-hours a day by the trained staff at the central monitoring station. In the event of a break-in attempt, the central staff quickly react to the situation and inform the homeowner of what is going on so that the appropriate actions can be taken. Depending on your agreement with the monitoring company, the central station can even contact the authorities directly, making sure that police arrive on the scene quickly. This increases the level of home security at the property a great deal.

Video surveillance cameras make an excellent addition to a monitored home security system. Criminals understand the power of video surveillance footage. They know that it can be used to identify, arrest and even sentence them in connection with their crimes. Criminals do not want to be caught at the scene of a crime, but home security cameras ensure that this is exactly what happens. Video footage can place an individual at the scene and determine exactly what role he or she had in the crime.

Of course, properly installing these home security tools is critical. Failure to position and install home security technology properly can result in serious damage, loss and even injury. That’s why SafeTech Alarm Systems always offers a free risk assessment service. We want to be sure that you receive the best home security advice available and that the home security tools that you choose to have installed are the right ones for your home.

We also offer a free alarm installation. You can receive a high-quality DSC 1616 Kit for FREE with a 36-month alarm monitoring service agreement. You pay ONLY the monthly monitoring fee and receive the security of a fully-monitored and installed alarm system. Contact us today for more information.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

There are two major different types of smoke detectors: Ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors. Understanding the difference between the two is important. While it is dangerous to not have a smoke detector installed at your home or business, it could be even riskier to have a bad smoke detector installed and assume that you do not need to worry about fires.

Instead of wondering why your smoke detector did not respond or responded too late after a devastating fire, you might want to spend more time researching and choosing a more effective and reliable smoke detector.

There are two basic types of smoke detectors: ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detector. These alarms behave very differently. In real-world fatal fire cases, the differences could mean life or death. So, knowing the difference could very well save your life, as well as your property.

How Ionization Smoke Detectors Work Compared to Photoelectric Smoke Detector

An ionization smoke detector uses a source of ionizing radiation and a current detector to detect smoke. Smoke particles will cause a drop of the current in the smoke detector and when the electric circuit in the detector detects the drop of current it sounds the alarm. This is different from photoelectric smoke detector.

How Photoelectric Smoke Detector Works

Photoelectric smoke detector (or optical detector) uses a source of light and a light-sensitive electronic sensor to detect smoke. When smoke particles enter the smoke detector, they scatter some of the light from the light source onto the light-sensitive detector; and when there’s enough light hitting the light detector, the photoelectric sensor initiates the alarm.

Key Difference Between Ionization & Photoelectric Smoke Detectors – Minutes that Matter

Tests have shown that ionization alarms typically respond about 30 to 90 seconds faster to flaming fires, while photoelectric smoke detector responds an average of 30 to 40 minutes faster to smoldering fires. Studies indicate that a vast majority of residential fire fatalities result from smoke inhalation, not from the actual flames; and more than half of fire fatalities occur at night while we sleep.

Better sensitivity to earlier stages of fire means earlier detection of fatal fires, more time to escape or call 911, and faster response by emergency crews; while delayed warning can lead to greater loss of life in a burning structure. Delayed detection is especially catastrophic at night, when we are sleeping.

Because of their faster response time, The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has urged people to change to photoelectric smoke detectors.

Apartment Security is Important

Despite what many people think, condominiums and apartments are frequent targets for criminals. This is why apartment security is so critical.

Toronto Police are currently searching for two men who are suspected of breaking into a condominium in the Yonge St. and Church St. area. The men allegedly broke into the condo during the night while the residents were sleeping. They stole a set of car keys from the unit, entered the building’s underground parking garage and then used the keys to steal the residents’ car.

Video footage of the men was captured by the building’s security cameras and police have released the images in hope that someone will be able to identify the two men.

This break-in shows how easy it can be to break into and steal from a condominium unit. It also shows why apartment security is so important.

Many people believe that living in an apartment building or condominium means that you don’t have to worry about security. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Apartment security is very important. Condominiums and apartments of all sizes are often targeted by criminals. To make matters worse, since many people living in apartments and condos don’t dedicate enough resources to security, once a criminal accesses a building, the criminal knows that it will be quite easy to break into and rob many different units.

Breaking and entering and motor vehicle theft are two of the most common police-reported offences in Canada. Every year, there is an average of about one break-in every three minutes in Canada and there is an average of one motor vehicle theft every seven minutes. These statistics show how important crime prevention is.

Apartment Security: Preventing Crime in Apartments & Condominiums

The key to preventing property crime is being prepared and having effective security measures installed. Here are some crucial apartment security tips from our loss prevention experts that will help you prevent apartment and condominium crime.

Change your locks

When you move into a new apartment or condominium unit, have your locks changed. You have no idea how many people may have copies of your keys and, therefore, complete access to your apartment. Talk to your landlord or building management about having the locks changed as soon as you move into the building.

Always lock windows and doors

Keeping everything locked is important for apartment security. Always make sure that you securely lock your doors and windows, especially when you’re not at home. You may think that your condo is safe and that you don’t need to worry about locking it up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Criminals frequently use unlocked doors and windows to gain access to a property.

Securing windows is especially and important apartment security tip for people who live on lower floors or who have balconies. Criminals often take advantage of these situations to enter units through the window. To prevent this, consider installing a physical security tool such as window bars, if building management permits doing so. If your building does not currently allow such physical protection, get together with other residents and request that the rules be changed to protect those living in the building.

Make sure no one follows you in

As mentioned earlier, once a criminal gains access to a building, he or she is free to scout the building and potentially break into several units. When you’re entering your building, be careful and make sure that no one sneaks in behind you before the door can lock. This is true for the parking garage as well. Apartment security begins by being diligent.

If you have an alarm system, use it!

Some condominium and apartment units come with alarm systems installed. If your unit has one, be sure to use it. Alarm systems drastically reduce crime. Make sure that you speak with your building’s management in order to figure out how to use the system properly and for information on what you should do if it isn’t functioning correctly.

If you don’t have an alarm system, you should get one.

As mentioned, alarm systems are crucial in the fight against crime and for apartment security. If your unit doesn’t have an alarm system, you should seriously consider getting one. We recognize that it may be difficult (or even impossible) to install a wired system in an apartment or condo, but a wireless alarm system is easy to install, can protect you against other hazards such as flood and fire and an effective way to keep you and your family safe. Wireless systems require no drilling making them perfect for condominiums and apartments and a big part of an apartment security plan. Plus, they are easy to relocate so you can take them with you to your next home if you decide to move!

Our dedicated security professionals and loss prevention experts can help you find the right apartment security tools for your particular needs. Contact us today for more information on apartment and condominium security and for details on how security technology can keep you safe.

Using a Jewellery Safe

Jewellery is a common target for criminals, therefore a jewellery safe is important. Jewellery is frequently stolen because it’s often very valuable, small enough to carry out of a residence with ease and difficult to trace. After cash, jewellery and precious metals are the most common targets for criminals. Police estimate that jewellery accounts for as much as 70 percent of all stolen property.

In 2012, $1,884,197,755 of jewellery was stolen in the United States. To make matters worse, only 4% of this jewellery was ever recovered. This is because jewellery can easily be sold at pawn shops or on the black market. For these reasons, jewellery is frequently stolen by criminals and, therefore, it’s important that you take steps to protect your jewellery and keep it safe and secure inside your home. A jewellery safe is a great solution.

Protecting Jewellery in Your Home with a Jewellery Safe & Other Tools

If you’re not using a jewellery safe, you can still take steps to protect your valuables. Jewellery and other valuables should never be left out in the open where criminals can easily see them. If a criminal can look through your window and see your diamond necklace sitting on your nightstand or your gold watch placed on your coffee table, this greatly increases the likelihood of a break-in. Store your jewellery where it can’t easily be spotted.

If a criminal breaks into your home, he or she will almost immediately begin looking for your jewellery. Leaving it out in the open (or in a common location that is easy to access, such as a jewellery box) will make it much more likely that it will be stolen.

A great place to store jewellery and other valuables is inside a jewellery safe. However, the type of safe that you purchase and the location of the safe are both very important.

You’ll need to purchase and use a jewellery safe that can’t easily be tampered with. You’ll also want a jewellery safe that is large and heavy enough that a criminal can’t simply pick it up and carry it out of your home. For this reason, the best safes are both heavy and bolted to the floor or encased in concrete. You want to put as much resistance between the criminal and your valuables as possible. The more difficult it is for someone to break into or move your jewellery safe, the more secure your jewellery will be.

When it comes to installing your jewellery safe, avoid placing it in the master bedroom. Criminals almost always go through the master bedroom looking for items like jewellery, since they know that this is where most people keep their valuables. If you locate the jewellery safe in your bedroom, you will increase the likelihood of it being successfully broken into because the thief will have more time to tamper with it. If your home already has a monitored alarm system, a professional thief will be in and out of it in about 5 Minutes, if he has to spend most of his time trying to find your jewellery safe and valuables, it is less likely he will be leaving with them. Instead, consider installing your jewellery safe in the basement, bolt it down to the cement floor and put a plain box over it. That should do the trick.

Business Security Prevents Theft and Vandalism

Business security is always important. A series of violent robberies took place in the Greater Toronto Area this summer that showed exactly why. Between July 22 and August 13, five banks were robbed by a group of violent criminals. Four of the crimes occurred in Toronto and one took place in Markham. Here are a few business security needs.

To date, nine people have been charged in connection with the robberies. Among the nine charged were four youths, including a 14-year-old. In the robberies, the alleged criminals targeted banks. They jumped over counters, threatened customers and bank staff with physical violence and demanded cash. An investigation into the crimes is ongoing.

While banks are frequent targets of robbers, just about any business can be looked at as a potential target. In order to protect your business, secure your valuables and keep your staff and customers safe, you need to ensure that your business security system and the business security tools that you have installed are effective, up-to-date and adequate for your situation.

Business security involves correctly identifying the potential risk to your business and implementing a solution to mitigate that risk.

Business Security Needs

First, look at where your current business security set-up is weak and where you may be exposed to loss. Then focus on restricting or preventing access to sensitive equipment or stock by improving barriers to entry.

Second, think about surveillance when you are open and closed, who has access and to what areas.

Third, think about how you will be notified and if and when there is a problem and how others also will be made aware of the business security breach.

Only by fully analyzing your business security situation and by understanding the advantages of different types of security tools, equipment and software, will you be able to create a sound solution. Here are some business security needs and tips on preparing a good plan.

Having a Good Business Security Plan

For example, a good plan will often include much of the following:

• Good name brand locks on all exterior doors, stock room doors, IT room doors, etc. The locking mechanism is encased in steal and the door frame is reinforced in steel. • All accessible ground floor windows have a layer of 12 mm transparent film or contain tubular channel steel window bars. Vulnerable doors are additionally secured with an expandable/retractable security gate. • 24/7 monitored alarm system that ensures that unlawful entry is detected and you are notified by phone and email. • Loud siren and clearly visible red strobe light that will draw attention to your place if it is ever compromised. • Properly positioned video surveillance cameras that capture everything that takes place on your property and that can be easily accessible remotely over the internet. • An access control system that both prevents unauthorized entry and records permitted access to sensitive areas within your business. • Article surveillance antennas that detect theft and alert store keepers of potential merchandise not paid for. • Post a uniformed security guard onsite or set up mobile patrol visits of your facility when warranted.

The loss prevention professionals at SafeTech Alarm Systems understand business security and what it takes to keep business properties safe. We can perform a full risk assessment on your commercial property and work with you to suggest effective and convenient business security needs that will keep your business secure.

Preventing Break-Ins: How Security Technology Can Help

Preventing break-ins is important. Take this situation into account: Toronto Police are currently investigating two break-ins that recently took place in Etobicoke. In one case, a woman woke up during the night to find an intruder standing at the foot of her bed. She screamed and the suspect fled. In the other case, a resident awoke in the middle of the night to find that items in the home had been disturbed. Over the past three summers, there have been a total of 22 break-ins in the south end of Etobicoke. Some of these break-ins involved sexual assaults. Police say there is no reason to believe that these recent break-ins are connected. As you can see, a break-in can happen to anyone and it’s terrifying when it does. Therefore, it’s important to focus on preventing break-ins as much as possible.

Tips for Preventing Break-Ins at your Home

A break-in can be a terrifying experience. Here are a few things that you can do that will help inpreventing break-ins.

Tip: Preventing Break-Ins by Locking your Doors and Windows

In the two recent Etobicoke break-ins, windows or doors had been left unlocked overnight. While it’s often tempting to leave your windows open during the summer in order to cool down your home, an open window can be an invitation to a burglar. In order to help you with preventing break-ins, always keep windows and doors closed and locked securely and don’t forget about your garage. Keep it locked as well. All doors should be locked with a strong dead bolt and windows should be locked so that they cannot be tampered with from the outside. Window bars or gates are also a good idea. These physical security tools keep criminals out and are crucial for preventing break-ins.

Not Advertising Valuables helps in Preventing Break-Ins

Don’t place your valuables (such as TVs, computers or jewellery) in locations where they can easily be seen from the outside. This just encourages burglars and other criminals.

An Alarm System for Preventing Break-Ins

An alarm system is crucial for preventing break-ins and it drastically cuts down on crime. Install an alarm system in your home and make sure that you activate it as needed. When you’re away from home, home alone or sleeping, turn on the alarm system. This will ensure that if anyone attempts to break into your home, an alarm will sound. When it comes to preventing break-ins, it’s tough to beat an alarm system. A monitored alarm system is the best choice for protecting your home. With a monitored alarm system, the central station is immediately notified if there is a crime in progress. The station can then contact you to inform you of the situation so that you can take appropriate action. The central station can even contact the authorities directly.

Use Lighting for Preventing Break-Ins

Here’s an important tip to remember when taking steps for preventing break-ins: Criminals like to commit crimes where no one will see them. Installing motion-activated lighting on your property takes these opportunities away from them. You may also want to use lighting inside your home to deter criminals. If you’re going to be away for a long period of time, set your lights on a timer. This will cause criminals to think that someone is home and they’ll likely avoid your property.

Smart Home Monitoring Tools & Home Automation Make Life Easier, More Convenient & Safer

Did you know that you can turn on your lights with your cell phone? Or control your air conditioning with your tablet? With home automation and smart home monitoring tools, these tasks – and many more – are possible. Home automation and smart home monitoring tools make life easier and more convenient.

For example, if you leave home and realize that you forgot to turn the heat down while you’re sitting on the train, you don’t have to worry. You can simply use an app on your smart phone to make the adjustments. Home automation and smart home monitoring make it possible for you to virtually be inside your home and control your lights, appliances and much more from just about anywhere. You can even automate certain tasks so that your lights turn on and the temperature of your house changes when you’re about to enter. Home automation can be very powerful.

However, home automation and monitoring isn’t just about convenience. It’s also about safety and security.

Security and Smart Home Monitoring

Smart home monitoring tools and home automation systems make it possible for you to know what’s going on in your home at all times. For example, you can monitor your home security cameras easily from just about anywhere with an Internet connection. This allows you to see what’s going on in your home at any time. You can use this technology to receive alerts and watch live video in a trouble situation. It can also be used to confirm that your children got home from school safely. This provides tremendous peace of mind.

You can use sensors and technology to alert you of other emergencies, as well. For example, you can install a water sensor in your basement that will send a notification to your smart phone if there is a leak and water level is rising. You can even install a system that will shut off your main water shut-off valve automatically when a leak is detected. This technology can save you a lot of time and money and prevent serious damage to your property.

Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other types of fire protection can also be connected to a home automation and smart home monitoring system. You won’t have to worry about not hearing an alarm or not being at home when a fire breaks out. Your smart phone will warn you right away so that you can act.

For more information on home automation and smart home monitoring tools, including more details on how these technologies can make your home safer and more convenient, please contact us today and speak with a SafeTech loss prevention expert.

Window Bars Keep the Bad Guys Out!

With spring here and warm and sunny weather on the way, you might be thinking about taking a summer vacation. Before you do, remember to take steps to protect your home or business. Window bars are a very important part of protecting a property.

While different types of property have their own unique needs, keeping criminals out is always the main goal. An excellent way to do this is to secure the property with window bars and gates. These physical security tools keep the criminals outside where they belong.

Why Window Bars & Gates?

There are a number of reasons why window bars and gates are effective. One reason is that they provide additional protection for a property. It is much more difficult to access a home or business if there are physical security tools in your way. Window bars and gates serve as additional protection and they work alongside other security tools such as alarm systems, surveillance cameras and security lighting to provide superior security. They create a barrier that keeps criminals out. Window bars are mounted on the inside of the window and are less noticeable. These bars can be either custom built to fit any size of opening and are either made from wrought iron or tubular channel steel.

Physical protection is very important as it prevents criminals from being able to break into a home or business. When you have window bars and gates installed, you improve the effectiveness of your entire security system.

Window bars and gates also act as a visual deterrent. They keep criminals from even attempting to access your location. Criminals know how strong and secure these physical security tools are, so they typically don’t even bother attempting a break in. They’d rather search for an easier target.

Many people worry that htese bars and gates will make their properties look intimidating, unwelcoming or “like a jail”. However, that is no longer the case. Modern bars and gates come in a variety of styles and colours that compliment your property. You can drastically improve your security while keeping your home or business looking great.

SafeTech can help you get the protection you need to ensure your peace of mind. For more information on window bars and gates and on how you can keep your property safe and secure,contact us today and speak with a SafeTech loss prevention expert.