Blog

Access Control Tools Prevent Theft

When you utilize access control tools, you keep your property more secure and you severely reduce the likelihood of any theft taking place. Access control tools prevent theft and allow you to monitor your property and your employees with greater precision than ever before. There are a number of ways access control tools prevent theft and ways to use these tools to keep your location safer.

Using Access Control Tools

One of the major ways that these tools prevent theft is by limiting the number of people who are authorized to enter an area. For example, if your stock room is secured by a card reader, only those who have the appropriate key card will be able to enter. This reduces theft by preventing unauthorized access to the room. You can ensure that visitors, customers, and other such persons are not able to enter the area that contains the valuable items.

Another way that access control tools work is that, when a smaller number of people are allowed to access an area, the likelihood of goods being stolen decreases. As a bonus, access control systems also allow you to track who enters a restricted area at any time. If a theft does take place, you’ll be able to narrow down the list of suspects pretty quickly.

Yes, Access Control Tools Prevent Theft But There are Other Benefits

While access control tools prevent theft, stopping theft isn’t the only benefit of an access control tool. As mentioned above, these tools can be used to monitor the movements of your employees. There are a number of reasons why this is beneficial.

In addition to knowing who is in an area if a theft or other crime takes place, you can also use these tools to provide you with information relating to your employees. For example, if you require employees to tap a card or key tag in order to enter your property, you will always know when employees arrive at work.

Access control tools prevent theft but also provide added convenience. Rather than dealing with a series of locks and keys, you can instead issue your employees cards or key tags and program those devices to allow them access to the areas where they require entrance. This prevents having to carry around a number of different keys. Plus, you can quickly and easily reprogram an access control key tag or card in order to grant addition access or restrict access as needed.

Retail Store Security Cameras are Crucial to Protecting your Store this Holiday Season

The increase in customers during the holiday season also brings an increase in criminals. Unfortunately, some people choose to take advantage of this busier time of year to shoplift from stores and commit other crimes. Retail store security cameras help drastically reduce the likelihood of a crime taking place at your retail store. There are a number of reasons why it is crucial to have retail store cameras installed, especially during this time of year.

The first reason is that, during the holiday season, you and your employees will likely be busy serving customers. As crowds get bigger during this time of year, your staff will need to spend all of their time assisting customers and therefore they won’t be able to do their regular job of watching the store and ensuring that no shoplifting takes place. Retail store security cameras solve this problem. Retail store security cameras see everything that happens in your store at all times. You do not need to have additional staff members to keep an eye on all of your customers. Instead, you can have retail store security cameras installed in your property.

If the retail store security cameras are actively being watched, either by an employee or by a monitoring station, you will see any crimes that happen right as they take place and be able to take action quickly.

How Retail Store Security Cameras are a Crime Deterrent

Another crucial reason to install retail store cameras is that these cameras serve as a crime deterrent. How? When a criminal is in a store, he or she wants to be able to shoplift without being noticed by anyone. The goal is to get in and out of the store quickly with the stolen merchandise. When people recognize that they are being watched by security cameras, they are significantly less likely to attempt to commit a crime.

Why? Because criminals know how effective retail store security cameras are. They know that the video evidence that these cameras capture can be used against them in court. Therefore, most criminals will avoid stealing from locations that have security cameras installed. It simply isn’t worth the risk for them.

You can trust retail store security cameras to keep your location safe during the busy holiday season.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

Carbon monoxide detectors are important. In fact, carbon monoxide detectors save lives. To show how important they are, Ontario has created Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The very first Ontario Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week takes place between November 1st and November 8th.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that can cause serious health issues and even death. Due to the potential danger that this gas can cause, the Ontario Legislature passed a bill in 2013 that declared the week beginning on November 1st in each year as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

This bill, Bill 77, also expands the scope of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act of 1997, reinforcing the importance of carbon monoxide detectors.

The bill updates the Ontario Fire Code to make the use of carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in houses, condos, apartments, hotels and university residences that have a fuel-burning device such as a fireplace, gas stove, water heater or furnace as well as in homes that are attached to a garage.

Carbon monoxide detectors are required near all sleeping areas in residential homes and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units. This is because it’s proven that carbon monoxide detectors save lives.

How Monitored Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

SafeTech Alarm Systems recommends monitored carbon monoxide detection systems. We recognize the importance of these systems and know that carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Unlike traditional carbon monoxide detectors, a monitored system sends an alert to a central monitoring station when carbon monoxide is detected in the home. The central station can then take action to alert the residents of the home, potentially saving their lives. Residents can opt to receive alerts by phone, text or email. Alerts received while away from home can prevent dangerous exposure to the gas upon one’s return. This is another reason carbon monoxide detectors are so important.

Plus, if the Central Monitoring Station is instructed to do so beforehand, staff can even contact emergency professionals such as paramedics or the fire department directly and arrange for an emergency dispatch.

While standard carbon monoxide detectors save lives as well, a person needs to be able to hear the alarm in order to take action. Unfortunately, this is not helpful for people who are asleep or those who have been rendered drowsy or unconscious by carbon monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide Special: SafeTech will install carbon monoxide detectors in your home at 50% off our regular price until November 20 2014. *With purchase of standard 36 month monitoring agreement from $25.95 per month. Speak with a SafeTech Loss Prevention Expert for more details.

Halloween Security for Everyone

Halloween security is important. Halloween is a fun time filled with enjoyment and laughter. However, it can also be a time where criminals attempt to strike. One of the ways that criminals use Halloween to their advantage is that they utilize costumes in their crimes. Halloween is a time where wearing a mask or a disguise in public isn’t considered strange. Some people – like one man in Michigan – use this opportunity to break the law.

An armed man wearing a Halloween mask held up and robbed three gas stations in Berrien County, Michigan in the span of six hours. He stole an undisclosed amount of money from two of the gas stations, but left empty-handed from one station. This shows the importance of Halloween security.

While footage of the man was captured by cameras in at least one of the stations, the fact that he was wearing a mask makes him very difficult to identify.

This crime spree is an example of why Halloween security and being vigilant on and around Halloween is crucial. It’s generally a very fun time for nearly everyone, but that doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down. You need a Halloween security to protect yourself.

Tips for Halloween Security

One way to protect yourself and your property is to request that anyone entering your commercial property removes any masks they are wearing before entering. Post signs at the front of your store stating that you will not allow anyone wearing a mask to enter the property. This will drastically cut down on the number of people walking in with masks and make it much easier to identify people inside your location. This is a great Halloween security idea.

It’s also a good idea to have security guards on location. On Halloween, there are many more people out in the streets at night than there usually would be. This makes security guards incredibly important.

Halloween security guards can help keep your business safe and secure even if there are larger-than-usual crowds in the area. Halloween security guards can also stop criminals such as the man who robbed the gas stations in Michigan. If you have a “no masks allowed” sign on your front door and someone does not comply, a security guard will prevent this person from entering your business. Implementing good policies and using the presence of a security guard will keep your business secure over Halloween.

There is no substitute for physical security. For more information on security guards, please contact SafeTech Alarm Systems today and speak to one of our Loss Prevention Professionals about Halloween security.

Security Toronto & Beyond Requires Careful Planning and Skill

Protecting yourself and your property is important. When you are setting up tools for security Toronto and beyond, the key points remain the same. You need to carefully plan your system and you need to have the knowledge and skill to get the job done.

SafeTech Security Toronto understands the critical importance of combining different types of security technology together in order to improve the effectiveness of the system. By strategically using many different security tools, SafeTech Security Toronto creates a set-up that is much stronger than one that only uses a single tool.

For example, by combining security cameras with an alarm system, you are significantly less likely to be the victim of a break-in. Also, if an unfortunate break-in does occur, the amount of property stolen will be significantly less if you have these two security tools installed than it would be without them.

SafeTech Security Toronto Uses Careful Planning

Planning also important when you are structuring a system for security Toronto or beyond. You cannot just put a series of security tools together and hope for the best. Instead, you need to have a sound strategy that takes various factors into account.

For example, when installing video surveillance cameras, they need to be positioned correctly to ensure that they provide maximum protection. Not having a plan results in a set-up of cameras that has blind spots or results in using cameras that are not adequate for the roles that they are placed in.

The same is true for physical security tools. These need to be used strategically in locations where they can offer the most benefit to the location and provide the most security. Toronto properties require sound thinking and strategy in order to keep them safe.

For the most effective security Toronto and beyond, you need to ensure that every tool you are using fits into a greater plan. This is what SafeTech Security Toronto understands. Our years of experience have taught us what needs to be done in order to properly secure a location. Our loss prevention expects have the knowledge and skill that are required to effectively protect people and property. When you work with SafeTech Security Toronto, you are working with an experienced and dedicated partner who understands what it takes to keep you safe.

Monitored Security Cameras Deter, Detect & Catch Thieves

Monitored security cameras are an important part of a home security system. A recent Toronto home invasion shows why. Toronto Police are searching for two suspects after a home in the North York area of Toronto was broken into and the residents were threatened and robbed.

The home invasion took place on October 8th, just after 4 am. Two men burst into a home in the Weston Road and Finch Avenue area. They threatened the residents with knives and guns and then stole jewellery and cell phones from the property.

Police officers spotted a vehicle leaving the home, but the suspects managed to get away. One person in the home suffered minor injuries, but thankfully no one in the home was seriously hurt.

A home invasion is a terrifying situation to be involved in. Thankfully, having additional security tools – such as monitored security cameras – installed in your home can prevent home invasions and keep you safe.

In addition to monitored security cameras, physical security tools such as window bars and security gates on doors can reduce the likelihood of a home invasion. So can reinforced doors, dead bolt locks and interlocking doors. In addition to physical security, having a monitored alarm system and monitored security cameras installed is crucial.

The Importance of Monitored Security Cameras

Installing security cameras is important. These cameras are connected to a central monitoring station, which provides extra protection and additional peace of mind. The video footage recorded by monitored security cameras can even be used to identify criminals and prosecute them for their crimes.

Monitored security cameras are watched over at all times by trained staff. When a trouble condition is spotted, the central staff can take steps to resolve the situation. They can view live and pre-recorded video to determine what is taking place at the home. They can even contact the authorities directly and explain the situation to them. This ensures that the police will arrive quickly, since they’ll know that an active crime is taking place.

Protecting your home with a centrally-monitored alarm system and security cameras is a proven way to deter criminals from striking, as they know that the alarm and cameras are likely to catch them in the act and make escaping without being identified significantly more difficult. For more information on monitoring services, monitored security cameras and to find out how to best protect yourself, family and property, please contact SafeTech today.

Safetech Medical Alarms Mean Safety

It’s a great fear that many people with older relatives often have. What would happen if my loved one fell down at home? Or slipped in the shower? Or had a medical emergency? Would anyone know? Who would help them? Many elderly people have these same concerns. They worry about staying at home alone and it hurts their lifestyle. This is where medical alarms come in. Safetech medical alarms are incredibly important as they provide safety and peace of mind.

It is stressful and difficult having to deal with thoughts of panic and worry. It causes loved ones to lose sleep at night and have problems focusing during the day. For those who are older, have mobility issues or medical issues, this fear causes them to avoid doing the things that they love. In some cases, it even leads to people moving out of their own homes.

This doesn’t need to happen. Safetech medical alarms are an excellent way to give yourself some peace of mind. When you use them, you know that you will be looked after no matter what happens.

What are Medical Alarms?

Medical alarms are small devices that can be worn around a wrist, on a belt on as a pendant around a person’s neck. These devices are connected to a base station inside the home. This base station is in turn monitored by a central monitoring station. The way SafeTech medical alarms work is that a person can press a button on the alarm and be connected to the central station right away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Medical alarms are so powerful because the wearer is given the peace of mind that he or she can speak to someone and request help whenever it is needed. The central station can then call a family member for help or even contact the authorities or medical personnel directly.

These alarms and their pendants can even be worn in the bath or shower, protecting people in these areas where many slips and falls happen.

Above all, medical alarms provide peace of mind for the people wearing them as well as their loved ones. You can feel more comfortable in your own home and stay living on your own for longer. Your family will not have to worry and stress about what may happen while they are away. For safety, security and peace of mind, trust SafeTech medical alarms.

Event Security Advantages: More than $50,000 stolen from a Wedding Reception

Event security is very important so here are some event security advantages to keep in mind. For an example that shows why, consider what happened on Saturday October 4. On that day Paul Peragine married his fiancée Pamela. The newly-married couple threw a big reception at an events venue in Woodbridge, Ontario. However, at the end of the night they realized that a box holding cards and gifts from their friends and family had been stolen. They did not have any event security guards on hand.

The family believes the box contained about $50,000, mostly in cash.

According to the family, a man at the reception offered to help clean up following the party. He is suspected of stealing the cash.

“Just because he was so comfortable helping us and stuff, we assumed that he was part of staff,” said Joey Peragine, brother of the groom. “The next thing we knew, he was nowhere to be found and the cards with all the money were gone too.”

Security footage from the venue shows a man wearing a hoodie and jeans popping in and out of doorways and later signalling to someone. Family members say that he had asked the family where boxes and bouquets of flowers should go while he was “helping” them. It’s now believed that the man was asking questions to find out more information about where the gifts and cash were located.

Event security could have prevented the situation by keeping an eye on all guests in attendance.

“At large weddings, there’s a lot of people going in and out not everyone knows each other,” said York Regional Police Constable Laura Nicole. “Some criminals see that as an opportunity to blend in and potentially steal a large quantity of cash like in this case.”

This unfortunate situation shows the event security advantages and importance of having security guards at your wedding. When there are hundreds of people in attendance, it can be very difficult to keep track of who’s who and to properly identify everyone. It can also be difficult to keep an eye on all of the valuables and gifts.

Why You Should Have Event Security at Your Wedding

Event security guards can ensure that your gifts and other valuables are safe and protected at all times. They can also make sure that those who are not authorized to attend the reception are not allowed to enter the room.

A trained event security guard can work with you to create a detailed security plan for your event. Guards always dress and act appropriately to blend into your event while still maintaining an authoritative presence. For example, at a wedding we can deploy an event security team made up of a low-profile individuals dressed in blazers and dress pants to keep an eye on guests and valuables.

These are few event security advantages to keep you safe. For more information on event security guards or for assistance in creating a security plan for your wedding or other event, please contact SafeTech today.

Security Technology: A High Tech Pen Could Help Police Fight Crime

A new type of security technology called the TRACE Pen makes it easier for police to identify valuables stolen in a robbery.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is touting the benefits of this new piece of security technology that makes it easier to identify the owners of stolen items. Individuals can use the pen to mark items with a unique set of numbers that can only be read under black light by a magnifying camera. Once a person uses the pen to mark personal items, he or she can then keep a log of these items and their unique numbers in a database. This database is accessible only by the property owner and the police.

Using this method of number identification, stolen property recovered by police & law enforcement officials can be returned to its rightful owners.

The TRACE Pen security technology works by applying an adhesive to an item when it is used. The adhesive contains phosphorous (which allows it to be visible with a black light) and thousands of microscopic plastic discs that are etched with a unique number. This number is permanently linked to the property owner. The high tech pen is new to the market and it can be used to mark up to 50 items.

Using Security Technology to Prevent Crime

In 2013, there were more than one million incidents of property crime reported to police in Canada and the majority of those incidents were break-and-enters. OACP is hopeful that the pen will be a valuable piece of security technology and that it will reduce the rate of breaking and entering and property theft since marking items will make them less desirable for resale. OACP is encouraging pawn shops to use black lights to detect items marked with the high tech pen and refuse to buy and sell them. The company that makes the TRACE High Tech Pen security technology has already provided black lights to many pawn shops and second-hand stores.

The pen is just one of the ways that you can protect your home and your valuables. Other forms of security technology are also important. A monitored alarm system installed on your property along with video surveillance cameras and other physical security barriers will deter criminals and make it more likely that they will be caught and made to pay for their crimes.

For a detailed analysis of what you can do to protect your home and your valuables and how additional security technology can help you, please contact SafeTech at 416-229-9902 for a Free Risk Assessment. A member of our knowledgeable loss prevention team can work with you to help you secure your home.

Video Surveillance Cameras Stop Crime

When you install video surveillance, you’re probably thinking about how your cameras can help you catch criminals in the act. And that’s true. It can be used to capture criminals in the act of committing break-ins and other crimes. However, that isn’t all that video surveillance can do. Video surveillance cameras also deter criminals and prevent them from even considering your property a target. How? It’s simple. Video surveillance cameras are so effective at catching criminals in the act, that many criminals avoid houses that have them installed.

Criminals do not want to be caught in the act. They want to break into a home, steal what they are looking for and leave without anyone noticing. Cameras make that significantly more difficult to do. When you have surveillance correctly installed, you drastically increase the likelihood of a criminal being caught on camera while committing a crime. This provides evidence for the police. Criminals do not want to take this risk and thus they instead choose to completely avoid properties that have surveillance installed. It simply isn’t worth the risk to them.

How Video Surveillance Cameras Catch Criminals

What makes video surveillance so effective at catching criminals in the act? A number of things. First of all, the level of security depends on the type of surveillance that you have installed. When video surveillance cameras are monitored, the central station is alerted whenever a crime is taking place. The station can even view live and pre-recorded footage from your cameras. The staff at the station can then take steps to contact you and inform you of the crime. The station can even contact the appropriate authorities directly and let them know what they can see on the cameras. This means that help will be on the way quickly as an active crime has been verified. Criminals understand this and they know to avoid homes that have monitored surveillance cameras installed.

Video surveillance increases the level of protection at your home and makes it much less likely that a criminal will get away with a crime. For these reasons, criminals typically avoid striking properties that have this surveillance installed. It just isn’t worth it to them and it definitely keeps you, your family and your property safe.