Security Articles

SafeTech Alarm Systems is proud to announce that they have been named the 2010 Best Alarm System Provider in Toronto by the customer review site HomeStars.com. Homestars.com is an online word-of-mouth site that ranks local renovators, repairmen and home service retailers based on customer satisfaction. Each year HomeStars.com awards there best in Toronto award to the service provider that has the top customer reviews in each of the categories of the website. In essence the Best in Toronto designation ranks SafeTech as the top customer rated best Alarm System Company in the city.

Best Alarm System Provider Company

“I am very excited about the distinction”, says Sean O’Leary, President of SafeTech Alarm Systems. “There is no greater reward in any business than getting recognized for dedicated and professional service by your customers. I am proud of the entire SafeTech staff for delivering top quality service without forgetting the importance of personal interactions with customers”.

SafeTech Alarms won the best Alarm System Provider in Toronto distinction by receiving 68 customer reviews on the HomeStars website with an average customer ranking of 9.8 out of a possible 10. Customers who reviewed SafeTech were impressed with a wide variety of services but some of the themes that were present throughout the reviews was an appreciation of SafeTech’s no pressure sales approach, exceptional customer service, easy to use website and most commonly the quality of the alarm systems and installation process. All of these features inspired customers to visit Homestars and share their experience on a public review site so that others can benefit from the same high quality customer service.

SafeTech Alarm Systems has been offering security services throughout Canada for over 20 years. SafeTech specializes in security alarm systems, video surveillance, security guards, access control and security monitoring services. HomeStars.com is a growing online community of homeowners and home improvement companies throughout Canada and the U.S. HomeStars offers a free service for homeowners to find reputable renovators, repairmen and retailers by searching its database of almost 2 million companies.

When you think of home security and home monitoring the first thing that comes to your mind is probably home alarm systems. While home alarm systems are easily the most common element of home monitoring there are quite a few others that when added to a home security system can tremendously improve the amount of protection your home or business experiences. In addition to home alarm monitoring many security companies also provide, flood detection monitoring, carbon monoxide monitoring, smoke detector and finally heat monitoring. All of these elements are excellent add-ons to your home monitoring system.

Home Monitoring Facts

Flood detection monitors are one of many elements that can be added on to a home monitoring system. A flood detector can provide warning of a possible flood before the damage is done. Flood detectors work by detecting water or moisture that should not normally be present in a specific area. Flood detectors are usually placed in areas that are prone to leaks such as basements and garages. They work especially well during the winter months when pipes are prone to freezing and bursting. When linked up with your home monitoring system a flood detector can notify your central monitoring station which in turn can notify you so you can solve the problem before it causes significant damage.

In addition to flood monitoring there are a few other detectors that can be added to your home monitoring system including carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors are used to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. Common sources of carbon monoxide in the home stem from space heaters, water heaters, or a gas leak. Because carbon monoxide is poisonous and almost impossible to detect it can be fatal when it is leaking in your home. The addition of a carbon monoxide detector to your home monitoring system can prove to be a life and death decision. By linking a carbon monoxide detector to your home alarm system you will be warned if any gas is present.

Another element every home should attach to their home monitoring system is smoke detectors. Smoke detectors sense smoke using optical detection or using a physical process such as ionization. When smoke is detected, these machines trigger your alarm system to notify you and your central monitoring station of an emergency. Your monitoring station can then dispatch the necessary authorities to your home.

There are of course more elements that can be added and we will cover those in future blog posts. For now if you have additional questions or you would like to purchase any of the equipment mentioned here you can contact SafeTech alarm systems.

Most of us are familiar with the term home alarm system. We know what alarm systems are and for the most part we know how they function. Chances are we have seen an alarm system at a store or a friend or family member’s home; at the very least most of us have seen the alarm system logos and decals on store or home windows, or home alarm lawn signs throughout our neighbourhood. However, most of us don’t realize the amount of protection that comes with the installation of an alarm system in a home or business. The security protection does not end with the alarm system as many are backed by security monitoring. It is the security monitoring that increases the level of protection; it is the security monitoring that enables your home alarm system to become a virtual security guard while you are away. The security monitoring of an alarm system is the most important aspect of home security.

Security Monitoring Station

When a home or business alarm is installed, the owner has the option to elect for this type of monitoring. SafeTech will even install your alarm system for free, when you agree to a three year monitoring contract. What this means is that the alarm will be linked up with a central monitoring station that employs staff who will watch over your security alarm system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If a home or business that has security monitoring is broken into, the alarm lets the monitoring station know right away. When the alarm sounds, a staff member from the monitoring station will call the home or business immediately to see what the cause of the alarm was. If the owners don’t answer, or they do and indicate that their home security has been breached the security monitoring station will call the authorities and dispatch them to your home. If the owners indicate it was a false alarm the security monitoring station can help determine what caused the false alarm.

Security Monitoring’s Great Feature

Another great feature of security monitoring stations is that they can monitor more than just your home alarm system. The more elements you add to your home or business security system the more it can be monitored. For example if you have a CCTV security camera or other security surveillance equipment it can easily be linked to a security monitoring station. This will allow the staff at the monitoring station to see your CCTV feed in the event that an alarm goes off. This will not only help them determine if it is a real or false alarm but will help them direct the necessary authorities to exactly what is going on.

Security monitoring stations can also be linked up with fire or flood detectors among many other security devices. We will cover these topics in a later blog post. For now if you have any questions please contact SafeTech today.

Biometric Security Systems

Until recently you had a better chance to see a biometric security system in science fiction movies or high level military compounds then you were in regular offices. These days technological advances have allowed high-tech security systems to become more common. Biometric security systems are widely implemented in a number of offices and business across the globe as a means of security and access control.

The Benefits of Biometric Security System

Biometric security systems offer a high tech form of identification. These systems verify an individual’s identity through either physical or behaviour characteristics that may include hand geometry, retinal scans, voice prints or facial characteristics. A Biometric System that is integrated into an office’s security system requires staff to give their biometric information which is then stored on a hard drive. Each time an employee attempts to gain access to a protected area the biometric system will access the information stored on the hard drive to see if the individual has permission to enter the area. Due to the fact that it is impossible to duplicate individuals biometric information these security systems are widely considered the best security systems in the world.

Variety of The Biometric Security System

There are a few kinds of biometric security systems that various companies have been working on. The first and most used type of biometric security systems is fingerprint recognition. These units measure the various ridges and valleys that are unique to an individuals finger print to figure out an individual’s identity.A second type of biometric technology is facial recognition. These units identify individuals by analyzing certain facial characteristics such as the distance between the eyes or the length of the nose. Another form of these systems deals with the analysis of the shape of an individual’s hand. Iris recognition is a biometric system that has been dramatized in many science fiction films. In this system the coloured ring that surrounds the pupil is measured to determine the identity of an individual. The last type of biometric technology is voice recognition. These machines are based on software that measures the tone, pitch and cadence of an individual’s voice.

We are entering the heart of winter, blistering cold temperatures, bone chilling winds, heavy snow storms, wet sleet and slush storms are all weather conditions that we will endure over the next few months. It is obvious that these extreme weather conditions we face during the Canadian winter can wreak havoc on any of your exterior security surveillance equipment. The damp air, freezing temperatures and strong winds can interfere with the signal of your camera or worse destroy your camera completely. Since security cameras are not only a monetary investment but an investment in the safety of your property or family it is imperative that if your security camera is going to be exposed to the elements it should be weatherproofed.

Weatherproof Security Surveillance Cameras for Your Safety

Weatherproof security surveillance cameras are the best option for providing security surveillance in extreme Canadian weather conditions. The reason being is that weatherproof cameras are mounted inside an all-weather and waterproof housing. This housing protects the camera from the elements but does not take away from the quality of video it can record. The sealed housing prevents damage that is easily caused by humidity, water, wind, condensation and snow. As a result weatherproof security surveillance cameras offer the best exterior security protection for homes or businesses. A weatherproof camera may also be useful in some interior locations. Areas such as workshops, warehouses etc where there may be a lot of dust and debris present can be harmful to security cameras. A weatherproof security camera can also combat these conditions.

All of the weatherproof security surveillance cameras that SafeTech provides can be easily synced up with a SafeTech security alarm system to significantly add to your level of protection. Recent statistics indicate that the amount of loss can be reduced by 50% with the proper installation of security cameras, when coupled with an alarm system these stats can be reduced even further. To learn more about SafeTech’s weatherproof security cameras contact us today.

These days it seems like every electronic device is available in a wireless format. Your internet, your smart phone, your headphones, everything seems like it has the capacity to function without wires. The advances of wireless technology have been widely adopted in the security alarm industry. These days you can purchase powerful and technologically advanced wireless burglar systems to protect your home or business. There are a great deal of advantages to outfitting your premise with a wireless burglar system and it will be the goal of this blog post to shed some light on these advantages while at the same time explaining exactly what a wireless burglar system is.

What is a wireless burglar system?

A wireless burglar system is a home or business protection system that may include a keypad, door and window contacts and motion sensors. The key feature of this type of system is the fact that no wires are needed to connect the burglar system to the main controller. Once installed, the sensors of the burglar system will wirelessly connect to the main control panel to ensure that your home or business is well-secured and protected.

What are the advantages of a wireless burglar system?

The most obvious advantage of a wireless burglar system is the fact that in most cases they are a less expensive alternative to traditional wired home alarm systems. There are a few reasons why wireless burglar systems are less expensive, the first is these systems are much easier to install. There are no wires connecting the various burglar system components to the main panel, therefore there are no wires to hide under the floor or behind walls. No one will need to come into your home and rip up floor boards, put holes in the wall or sync your system with the existing electrical panel. Another reason a wireless burglar system can be cheaper is because you do not need to buy all of the security system’s components at once. You will of course have to buy the initial system consisting of a keypad, contacts and sensors but with a wireless system you always have the option to add additional sensors or contacts in the future. Wireless burglar alarm system can be installed by you and there are many do-it-yourself wireless burglar system kits available on the market including at http://www.YourAlarmStore.com.

Another great advantage of a wireless burglar system is the fact that since it is not hardwired into your home, business or apartment it is portable and thus easily transferable to another location. This is great news for individuals who rent a home or apartment or lease commercial space and want to invest in a security burglar alarm system. By electing to use a wireless system when your lease is up you can easily take your burglar system with you. Another fantastic advantage of having a wireless home burglar system is the fact that since the components are not hard wired into the wall they don’t need to be placed at specific locations in the house. You have the freedom to place the wireless sensors anywhere within your home. This gives you the ability to hide the sensors in an area where an intruder may not expect to find them. Many contacts can be hooked up to your wireless burglar system like entry contacts, PIR motion detectors, carbon monoxide sensors and smoke sensors.

As technology in the home and business security industry improves so will the advantages to having a wireless burglar system. In the meantime if you have one you can rest assured that you have a state of the art security system in place to protect you, your family and your business.

After a year of anticipation the holidays are finally here. Follow our holiday safety tips. This weekend many friends and families across Canada will be exchanging gifts, attending parties and celebrating this wonderful time of year. The holidays truly can be amazing but they can take a turn for the worse if you don’t take the necessary steps to protect yourself from break-ins and property damage. It is an unfortunate fact that during the holiday season incidents of home break-ins increase. Here are a few holiday safety tips to keep you, your family and home protected this holiday season.

Holiday Safety Tips to Follow

One of the main reasons incidents of burglary and break-ins increase during the holidays is because criminals know that families are buying expensive gifts. On top of that during Christmas a criminal knows that the best place to look for these expensive gifts is under the Christmas Tree. One way to combat this issue is by not displaying gifts or other valuables where they can be seen easily from a window or doorway. If a criminal knows where to go once they are inside your house, it significantly reduces the amount of time they need to be in your home before they can make off with your valuables. On Christmas morning when you are done opening gifts make sure to break down boxes of expensive gifts and place them in bags before you put them outside your house or on the curb for garbage collection. If a criminal sees a box for an expensive item like an HDTV sitting on the curb they may target your home.

During the holidays potential burglars often research the houses they are interested in breaking into. One trick that has been used is finding an excuse to come to your front door. A burglar may pose as a delivery person, donation collector etc. in order to get a peek inside your home. During the holidays you should be cautious of a suspicious individuals who come to your front door. Criminals will also look for any indication that you have gone away for Christmas. If you are going away it is important to create the illusion that someone is in your home. Hiring a house sitter is an excellent idea. A house sitter can pick up your mail, turn on your lights and make sure you alarm system is properly armed. Getting someone to park in your driveway while you are away is another great strategy to protect your home. If you are going away and have a home alarm system it is a good idea to contact your security company and let them know. That way they will be more alert to any potential disturbance at your home. The holidays are a great time of year, make sure to follow these holiday safety tips to have peace of mind.

The holiday season is upon us. The streets are full of snow, houses are decorated with bright colourful lights and Santa Claus is making appearances at malls throughout North America to see what children want for Christmas. Now that we are in the final few weeks before Christmas those of us who left the holiday shopping to the last minute are dashing off to the malls to purchase gifts for friends and family. This time of year stores and malls are packed full of people and unfortunately this type of environment can be a prime target for criminal activity. In the past, the main security concern in big crowds was pick pocketing, if you let your guard down for even a second you could lose your purse, cell phone or wallet. However, these days a new criminal phenomenon is emerging called electronic pick pocketing, where a criminal can steal your credit card number without even touching you.

Electronic pick pocketing relies on RFID

Electronic pick pocketing relies on radio frequency identification technology or RFID. This is the technology present in credit or debit cards that allows you to make a purchase with a simple swipe over a scanner placed at the cashier of many stores throughout North America. While this technology allows for a great deal of convenience while making your holiday purchases it could also leave you open to electron pick pocketing. Criminals can purchase the RFID scanners that stores use online for as little as $100. Once they have the scanner they can conceal it in a computer case or bag and attach it wirelessly to a small notebook computer. They can then walk through a crowd scanning people’s purse or pockets with the concealed scanner and in seconds transfer individuals credit card numbers, expiry dates and even names to the nearby notebook computer. Over the course of an hour a criminal could get hundreds of credit card numbers. Once the numbers are in the computer they can easily be sent around the world and used to make purchases in your name.

According to WREG News in Memphis, Tennessee, over 140 million Americans are susceptible to electronic pick pocketing. Another scary fact about this new criminal phenomenon is that every US passport issued after 2006 has RFID technology. This means that a criminal could steal an individual’s identity incredibly easily by simply scanning the pocket a passport is kept in at a busy airport. While RFID technology is not as widely used in Canada as it is in the US it is a growing technology and one everyone should be aware of.

While this type of crime is not wide spread yet, the potential is there for it to grow. As RFID technology continues to expand the threat will become more of an issue. In the meantime there are a few things you can do to protect yourself. There are a few products on your market designed to house credit and debit cards in hard plastic containers that can’t be scanned by RFID scanners. You could also just be more diligent about protecting your credit card or passport while in a crowded store or airport this holiday season. No matter what you choose to do the first step is always just being aware that this is a potential threat.