Security Articles

Keep Your Jewellery Safe

Jewellery is a common target for criminals. This is 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 jewellery and keep it safe and secure inside your home.

Protect Jewellery in Your Home

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 protect jewellery and other valuables is inside a 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 safe that can’t easily be tampered with. You’ll also want a 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 safe, the more protect jewellery will be.

When it comes to installing your 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 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 safe and valuables, it is less likely he will be leaving with them. Instead, consider installing your safe in the basement, bolt it down to the cement floor and put a plain box over it. That should do the trick.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors: How They Save Lives

Photoelectric smoke detectors keep homes and families safe. You can’t predict when a fire will start and, unfortunately, once one starts, it can spread very quickly. Fires can rapidly grow in size and cause serious damage and even death in a very short period of time. Without proper smoke detectors and fire alarms, you may not even notice a fire before it’s too late to escape.

This is why installing working smoke detectors and fire alarms (such as photoelectric smoke detectors) is so important. Fire alarms alert you to a situation and give you an opportunity to react while you still can.

Due to the incredible level of protection that they offer, fire alarms and smoke detectors are a mandatory requirement in all homes. For example, in Ontario, every home must have a working smoke detector on every floor and outside all sleeping areas. Homeowners must maintain these fire alarms.

What Are Photoelectric Smoke Detectors?

Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light source that is aimed away from a sensor inside a chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, it reflects light towards the sensor which activates the alarm. Photoelectric smoke detectors are incredibly useful at detecting smoke and they seldom cause false alarms, such as those caused by cooking. Photoelectric smoke detectors are also excellent at detecting smoldering fires.

Smoke can be very deadly and it can spread quickly, so having photoelectric smoke detectors that are able to quickly detect smoke in your home is crucial.

Monitored Fire Alarms & Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

You can greatly improve the effectiveness of your fire alarms by connecting them to a central monitoring system. When your fire alarms and photoelectric detectors are monitored, the central station is immediately notified as soon as there is an issue. The monitoring station can then contact you to inform you of the situation or, depending on the arrangements that you have made with your security provider, the monitoring station can even contact the fire department directly. This greatly improves the response time and saves lives.

Installing fire alarms and photoelectric detectors is important for safety and security. You never know when a fire is going to occur in your home and you want to ensure that you are prepared for the situation should it take place. Unfortunately, fire and smoke kill numerous people each year. Having photoelectric smoke detectors installed can provide you with safety and peace of mind.

Security Company Experience Keeps You Safe

When you’re looking for a security company, there are a number of factors that you will need to consider. Choosing a security company should be done carefully and it is not a decision that should be made without a lot of thought and research. Remember, not every security company is created equal. Each company has different skills, knowledge and experience. It’s important to remember what you are trusting a security company with. You are trusting them with the safety and security of your home or business. This is incredibly important. Therefore, you’ll want to choose the best protection company possible.

Here are a few tips for choosing a security company that will provide you with the peace of mind that you deserve.

Choose a Security Company with Experience

Experience is incredibly important in the security industry. You’ll want to choose a security company that has not only been in business for several years, but also one that has a successful track record. You can find out a lot of information about how successful a company has been by reading reviews online. A reputable company with experience will have many positive reviews from past and current clients. These reviews can tell you a lot about the company in question.

You’ll also want to find out how many clients the company has served and how much experience the installers and staff have. Choosing an experienced company to work with will pay off. When you do so, your home or business will be much safer and you will have much greater peace of mind.

Working with a Security Company

You will also want to choose a company that is easy to work with. For example, you will want a company that you can get in touch with easily and one that is able to answer your questions in a straightforward manner. A company that has experienced loss prevention professionals available to speak with you and answer your questions is important. You’ll want to know that you can contact the company easily if you need to and that they will be helpful and courteous. Friendly and professional customer service is very important when choosing a security company.

A security company should also be skilled at strategically combining different types of security technology in order to provide superior protection. Properties that have more than one type of security technology correctly installed (such as a location that has a monitored alarm system installed as well as surveillance cameras) are much safer than those that only utilize one type of security protection.

Before you choose to work with a right company, find out how they use different types of security tools together in order to prevent crime and reduce loss.

Home Automation Tools that Make Life Easier

A home automation system puts your home under your complete control. There are a number of great benefits to home automation services including:

• Turning your lights on and off on a schedule or when certain triggers occur • Setting your home’s temperature automatically or remotely in order to save money • Opening and closing your blinds on schedule or based on the current temperature • Automatically setting your alarm system, locking your doors or completing a number of other security tasks • And more!

As you can see, home automation tools are a great way to simplify your life. You will no longer have to worry about leaving your lights on when you go out or forgetting to set your alarm system. You’ll also save money by controlling the temperature in your home by using automatic or remote tools.

Many home automation systems even allow you to receive alerts on your mobile phone, so you’ll be warned when you leave the house without activating your alarm system or if there is a water leak in your basement while you’re at work. You can then use remote home automation tools to set the alarm, turn off the water or take whatever other action is needed to solve the problem.

Security and Home Automation

Not only do home automation systems make life more convenient, they also keep you safe. For example, setting your lights to work on a timer doesn’t just reduce your electricity bill. It also deters criminals from breaking into your home since it makes the property appear occupied. Criminals won’t want to risk breaking into a home if it looks like there are people there. They’ll simply move on.

But home automation tools can do even more to keep you and your family safe. For example, you can use a automation system to remotely view your security cameras from anywhere with an Internet connection. This means that you can check in on your housekeeper, contractor or babysitter during the day to make sure they are doing their job correctly and not breaking your trust or the law. You can also use remote security camera viewing to make sure that your children arrive home from school safely and on time. A home automation system can also send you alerts to warn you of a wide variety of trouble conditions, including open windows and doors, activated motion sensors, fires, floods and just about any security threat that you can think of. This shows how not only does home automation make life easier and more convenient, but it also makes it safer.

Security Camera Professional Tips on Time of Install

Is security camera installed at your home or office strong? Do you have more than one? Having a surveillance camera set-up properly installed is an important part of any home or business security plan. Security cameras can keep you safe, reduce crime and deter criminals from striking.

However, security cameras need to be installed properly in order to maximize their effectiveness. No one knows how to do this better than a professional security camera installer. At time of install, a professional surveillance camera installer takes the time to carefully consider the most suitable location for each camera and determine which cameras work best for your particular application.

Location of Security Camera

One of the most important parts of a security camera set-up is the location of the cameras. A trained installer understands the need to place your surveillance cameras in locations where they will be able to get clear footage. This means installing them where they won’t be blocked by trees, buildings or any other obstructions. It also means making sure each security camera is able to capture enough detail to be useful. When installing a camera in a low-light area, for example, the installer will need to ensure that the camera is capable of capturing video in low-light situations. Usually cameras with infrared capability are used in this application. Security cameras not containing infrared LED’s are more suitable for well lit areas.

Positioning the Security Camera

A professional installer understands how important it is to take the environment into account when installing a security camera. For example, if a security camera is positioned so that it is facing a bright light (such as a street light or even the sun) it might not be able to capture the footage that you need. Professional installers keep this in mind and make many camera angle adjustments during installation.

An installer will also suggest installing surveillance cameras where criminals cannot easily tamper with them. A security camera should be mounted in a high enough location that it cannot be easily damaged or it should be placed behind a protective structure such as domes. This is done in order to reduce the likelihood of a criminal damaging a security camera

The professional installer will also make recommendations depending on the surface that the camera is mounted upon. Cameras must have a solid footing. For instance, a security camera installed on stucco siding is not secured very well and may easily become dislodged.

It is also important that each camera is installed in a relevant position. For example, a security professional will likely recommend installing a camera at each entrance to make sure that the camera captures footage of anyone entering your property. The installer may also recommend placing one security camera or two at key locations, such as in areas where valuables are kept. It is crucial to avoid “dead spots” where criminals could conceivably move around without being caught by the cameras.

The Storage of Security Camera Footage

In order to securely protect most properties, often more than one security camera is required. Multiple cameras provide better coverage and a greater possibility of catching criminals in the act. However, additional cameras require additional storage on the hard drive of a recording device. A professional installer needs to determine the desired storage time and calculate how much storage capacity is required for each camera. By multiplying the total number of installed cameras by the storage required for each camera, the professional is able to determine the size of hard drive required for the job. Correctly placed and installed surveillance cameras drastically improve the security at your property. Remember that criminals do not want to be caught committing their crimes, so the camera set-up is a great way to deter them.

Sean O’leary from SafeTech Alarms talks about security camera applications and solutions:

Security Guards: Important for Event Security

When you’re planning an event, you have a lot of different aspects to consider. This is true whether you are putting together a wedding, birthday celebration, corporate event, concert or just about any other event. You need to make important decisions regarding the site, the décor, the guest list, the entertainment and much more. However, many people neglect to consider the event security. Security is incredibly important at any event for a number of different reasons. When you are putting together your event security plan, one of the best things that you can do is consider using event security guards.

There are a number of reasons why your event could use security guards. Protecting your event with them goes a long way to keeping everyone safe and secure. Events have a lot of different variables. Depending on the type of event that you are holding, you could end up dealing with everything from theft to out of control guests and to people attempting to sneak into the venue. Guards are trained to handle all of these situations (and more) with ease. Furthermore, security guards will always take the steps necessary to take care of an unfortunate situation without causing a significant disruption to the event itself. When you hire event security guards for your event, you can rest assured that your event will run smoothly and without incident.

The Benefits of Having Event Security Guards

As mentioned above, there are a number of reasons why guards are important. For example, if you have an event that requires tickets, they can ensure that those who try to enter without tickets are removed from the venue. Even if your event does not require tickets, security guards can be supplied with a guest list and they can ensure that uninvited guests do not enter the event.

Event security guards are also vital when it comes to preventing theft. Unfortunately, theft is common at many events, regardless of who is in attendance or how large or small the event may be. They can monitor your event and prevent theft before it happens.

Serving alcohol at an event can lead to a number of issues. Having a trained guard on hand in these situations will help you a great deal.

It’s important to note that many venues including banquet halls, party rooms and other event spaces often require that you hire guards for your event. They won’t let you host an event without event security guards present. This shows how important security guards are to overall protection and safety.

A home security system usually refers to an electronic detection system that will alert control stations to unlawful entry and protect your home from a variety of threats, such as burglary, fire, flood, carbon monoxide poisoning, and natural gas poisoning. Other types of home security systems may include alarms systems, video monitoring systems, access control systems, home automation systems, and physical deterrent systems. Common alarm systems include motion detectors, smoke detectors, door and window sensors, sirens, carbon monoxide detectors, glass-breaking detectors, temperature detectors, power failure detectors, water leaking or flood detectors, pet-immune sensors, and medical alarms. Video monitoring systems may include intercom systems and alert systems that work in conjunction with security cameras and video recording equipment. Access control systems contain control panels, keypads, card readers, or biometric readers. Home automation systems allow people to automate their homes through remote methods, such as adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting on their smart phones or tablets. Physical deterrent systems include such physical mechanisms as window bars, gates, and fences; their visual appearance will work as a strong deterrent. In terms of technology, there are wired and wireless security systems.

Why Home Security Systems Matter?

Security systems are essential for lost prevention and personal safety. They are particularly important in North America, where home crime rates have been notoriously high. For instance, in Canada, breaking and entering is one of the most common police-reported offences. There is an average of one break-in every three minutes in Canada, according to Statistics Canada’s police-reported crime statistics from 2012. Also in 2012, there were 70 fire deaths in Ontario, and 59 of these fire deaths happened in residential structures. Between 2000 and 2009, there were 380 accidental carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.

Residential security systems give home owners peace of mind while they are away from home, especially when they have to be away for weeks or months on end. With digital security camera technology, people are able to keep an eye on their homes while they are away at work or on vacation.

With security systems installed at home, criminals could be detected in the act before they have the chance to rob, vandalize or otherwise damage a property. Criminals would be careful to avoid homes that have security systems installed. In fact, many statistics indicate that a home with a security system is far less likely to experience a break-in.

Apart from preventing crimes, home security systems also reduce the amount of loss if a burglary does take place. A study completed by Dr. Simon Hakim of Temple University found that the average loss from a burglary is $5,343 when there is no alarm installed on a property. However, that average drops to $3,266 when there is an alarm installed.

How Home Security Systems Work?

Generally speaking, a security alarm system contains two essential parts: the control panel and the detectors. When a detector detects a threat, it sends a signal to the control panel; the control panel then sends a warning signal to the 24/7 monitoring station, which sends alerts to homeowners. If the homeowner is not responding, the monitoring station operator will contact the emergency organs and dispatch emergency personnel to the site.

Depending on specific needs and budgets, each security system can be installed and work either separately, or in combination with other security systems. In general, alarms systems combined with monitoring cameras work best. The above-mentioned study also showed that the chance of burglary drops 66.2 percent when there are three or more security precautions taken by the homeowner.

Installing a security system in the house or condo is a good financial investment. Normally homeowners receive a discount on their home insurance if they have installed home security systems. Some companies, such as SafeTech Alarms Systems, can help their clients get additional group discount rate off their home insurance premiums.

At SafeTech we have over 100 years of combined security industry experience. SafeTech Loss Prevention Experts will determine the right security solution for your application.

Burglar Alarm Tools: Improving Their Effectiveness

Burglar alarm systems are quite effective on their own. Not only do they catch criminals in the act of committing a crime, but they also deter criminals from even considering a location to be a target. How do burglar alarm systems do this? It’s simple. Criminals understand how effective burglar alarm tools are. They know that these security tools can result in them being caught while committing a crime. Since criminals do not want to be captured and made to pay for their crimes, they often avoid properties that have burglar alarm systems installed. However, as effective as burglar alarm systems are, they can be improved upon. An excellent way to do this is to combine other security technologies with the alarm system. By adding additional types of security technology to your burglar alarm systems, you can greatly improve the effectiveness of the system, catch criminals in the act and reduce the likelihood of a crime taking place on your property.

Combining Burglar Alarm Tools with Other Security Technology

When you add other types of security technology to your current burglar alarm systems, you are creating an incredibly effective tool in the fight against crime. There are a number of different types of security that can be combined with burglar alarm tools. For example, you can utilize security cameras alongside burglar alarm systems. This enables you to not only detect when criminals strike and sound an alarm, but it also lets you see exactly what is going on in and around your property. This improves the effectiveness of your burglar alarm systems a great deal.

24-hour monitoring is another tool that can be utilized alongside your burglar alarm tools. When a central monitoring station is watching over your property at all times, you will always know that you are protected. The staff at the central station can contact you as soon as there is an issue or a trouble condition at your home or business. You can also have your surveillance cameras connected to the monitoring station for added security. Physical security tools, such as bars and gates, can also be used in conjunction with burglar alarm systems. Another benefit for combining different types of security technology together is that you have the flexibility to create a security set-up that works best for you. By combining different security tools with your burglar alarm systems, you can be much more effective at stopping crime.