Make Your New House Safe With These Home Security Tips

When you first move into a new house, it’s important that you take steps to make it secure as soon as possible. The longer you wait, there more chance there is of someone breaking in and stealing you belongings.

We’ve compiled this helpful list of things to do when moving into a new house:

• Change The Locks – It’s always a good idea to change the locks (and garage code if you have one) upon moving in to a new home. You never know who was given keys in the past and it’s better safe than sorry.

• Invest In Quality Locks – Since you’re buying new locks anyways, you might as well get good ones. Check with a qualified locksmith to determine the best locks for you.

• Get Extra Security For Your Doors - Use additional deadbolt locks, door strikes, secure door hinges, and sturdy doors to add extra protection to all entrances to your home.

• Install Impact Resistant Glass – A common way for burglars to enter your home is by breaking the glass near a door and reaching their hand in to unlock the door. By using impact resistant glass you can prevent this from happening.

• Reinforce Your Garage – Install locks on the garage door or use only automatic garage door openers so that thieves can’t simply pull the door open.

• Get Your Home Security System Running – A good home security system is a vital part of keeping you safe from burglars. If there is not already a system installed and operating, contact a home alarm system near you to set one up right away.

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How To Protect Your Home While You’re Away

A burglar’s first priority when casing a new home to burglarize is finding a place where no one is around. They know that if they enter a house that is occupied, there’s a good chance that they will be discovered and reported to the police. Rather than risk it, most have simply learned to spot the signs that no one is home and only go after those houses.

That’s why home burglaries are most likely to occur while you’re on vacation and no one is looking after your house. It’s during these times that newspapers and fliers pile up, nobody checks the mail, and lights never seem to turn on. This serves as a beacon to burglars looking for an easy target.

If you are planning to go on vacation or be away for any other reason, here are some easy steps you can take to make your home more secure:

Tell a Trusted Neighbor – Even if you don’t need anything done, let a neighbor you can trust know you’ll be gone. That way, if they see anything odd around your house they will know to call the police.

Have Mail And Newspapers Picked Up – Pausing your mail or newspaper can be a sure sign to burglars that you’re gone. Instead, have a close friend or trusted neighbor pick them up each day and hold on to them for you until you get back. If you’ll be gone during garbage/recycle pick up, ask them to take your bin to and from the curb also.

Have Your Calls Forwarded – Some crafty burglars will call your home number to check if you’re home. If you can have calls forwarded to your cell, you will make them think you’re home just by picking up the phone.

Get Your Lawn Maintained – People who are gone for long periods of time often forget how quickly their lawn can grow. Have a friend or lawn maintenance company keep your lawn looking good while you’re away.

Keep Your Alarm System Running – Don’t forget that a good home alarm system is your best line of defense against burglars. Before you leave on your trip, make sure that your home security system is in good working order and that you arm it as you leave.

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Do Security Alarm Systems Fail During Blackouts and Power Outages?

We get a lot of questions from people worried about the effects a blackout or power outage will have on their home security system. What we’ve learned is that many people are under the assumption that if their power goes out, so does their alarm system.

Fortunately for us, this isn’t the case. The engineers of alarm systems were quick to realize that a system that died when power was shut off didn’t really offer much security.

That’s why modern systems are all equipped with battery packs that come pre-installed. If the system is shut down for any reason, the battery immediately kicks in and allows uninterrupted protection and alarm monitoring.

Obviously batteries don’t last forever, but they will last until your power is back on. That way, you don’t have to worry about someone cutting your power, a storm destroying power lines, or any other problems that might occur.

If you’re still worried, ask your security company if your system has a battery installed. Chances are that it does but this may help you feel a little safer. Also make sure that you have regular maintenance on your system and that the battery is changed if it starts to run low.

During the next power outage in your area, don’t worry! You’re still protected.

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How to Avoid False Alarms

Follow these simple steps to avoid triggering costly false alarms.

False alarms aren’t good for anyone.

They waste police resources, they’re inconvenient to everyone, and they could result in getting a fine from the police who must respond to the call.

Fortunately, preventing false alarms doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the advice in this post you can significantly cut down on false alarms and make the world a better place for everybody.

There are three general reasons that false alarms occur:

User Error – This can be forgetting to set the home alarm system, having a friend come over who doesn’t know what to do, or a careless child.

Alarm System Issues – These are generally from a poorly designed home security system or one that has not been properly maintained.

Natural Causes – Animals, earthquakes, rain, and other natural issues can cause alarms to go off at the wrong times.

While natural causes are difficult to predict or prevent, both user error and issues with the alarm system can be prevented.

User errors are generally caused by lack of experience or knowledge and are easily preventable. Make sure that everyone who regularly enters your house has memorized the code and knows exactly how to operate the system. Don’t ever give someone a key to your house without first teaching them how to work the system.

Issues with the alarm system can be easily dealt with by ensuring you are working with a reliable alarm company. Make sure that they are well regarded in the community and stand behind their work. If you already have a system installed, have it regularly maintained and inspected by a trained professional.

If you notice that your alarm system is acting abnormally or if it has triggered a false alarm, have your alarm company check the problem immediately to get your system in working order.

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10 Qualities Your Security Company Should Have

No matter what your security needs, your security company should have certain qualities that make them experts in their field. The safety of your business could depend on it. Here is a list of 10 qualities that you should look for in your security company:

1. Desire for a long-term relationship – One strength of a security company can be measured by its commitment to your business or organization. The desire for a long-term relationship indicates stability and will let you know that your security company isn’t just a fly-by-night organization.
2. Segment-specific knowledge – A good security company will know your business needs and therefore know what type of protection your business should have.
3. Certification – You should be able to trust that your security company knows what it is doing. The best way to measure this is to check their certifications. Don’t be afraid to ask what professional certifications that your security company’s employees hold.
4. Product Knowledge – Your security company may offer a variety of solutions. However, they should have extensive knowledge of each product that they sell so that they can provide you with the best possible solution for your business’ security needs.
5. Exceptional Customer Service – Once your security system is installed, your relationship with your security company is just beginning. You should be able to count on them to provide you with excellent customer service. Check their website for testimonials from customers to see what kind of customer service they provide.
6. Strong Organizational Skills – Whether you have a large business security system or a small one, your security company should be able to keep on top of your security needs. They should always be abreast of your company’s security solution and should know the nuts and bolts of the security solution that they are providing you with.
7. Strong Portfolio – Your security company should have a healthy portfolio that contains a large variety of business solutions. A strong portfolio will indicate that your security company has the ability to design a security solution that is right for your business.
8. ESP – While no one can actually tell the future, your security company should always have an eye on your business so that they can help your security solution adapt to fit your business needs.
9. Stability – Your security solution will likely include alarm monitoring so it is important to choose a security company that’s been around for awhile. You don’t want to have to switch security companies because your current one disappears so make sure you choose someone with staying power.
10. Industry Knowledge – This one seems like a given. Any security company should know their industry but you would be surprised how many of them just don’t have the information to keep up with changes in the security industry. Make sure your security company employs knowledgeable people who can answer your questions and stay on top of your security needs.

No matter what security company your business chooses, you should be armed with the knowledge to make the right decision about which company to go with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about any aspect of your security solution – a good company will always have a good answer for any problem that you may encounter.

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How to Test Your Alarm System

As the owner of a security system, it’s important that you periodically check your system to make sure that it is working properly. Because your security system is responsible for monitoring the safety of your home and family, you should make sure that your alarm system is communicating with the monitoring station. There are a few simple guidelines that you can follow to perform a successful check of your alarm system.

1. Call your home security system provider. Let them know that you will be performing a test on your system. They will make sure that the authorities are not dispatched to your home during the test.
2. Make sure that your alarm system is armed.
3. Open several doors and/or windows to trigger the alarm system.
4. Your system will trigger the alarm and send a signal to your alarm’s monitoring station.
5. Disarm your system as you normally would.
6. Contact your alarm system provider and let them know that you have concluded your test. Make sure to ask them to reactivate your monitoring.

It couldn’t be easier to test your alarm system. This step is important in making sure that your alarm system is fully functional. You should perform this test monthly and contact your home burglar security alarm systems provider if you experience any abnormal operation.

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A GPS Could Lead a Thief to Your Home

Father’s Day is coming up and you may be purchasing a brand new GPS for Dad for the special day. GPS systems make great gifts but, when you don’t follow certain safety tips, they can also be a great gift for thieves! To help you and your dad get the most out of his new GPS, we’ve put together a few things to watch for when using a GPS to keep your car and home safe.

1. Don’t leave your GPS in your car – Not only are they tempting to steal in and of themselves, they also serve as a treasure map of sorts. A thief can use your GPS to find and access your home – and any valuables inside. Once inside your vehicle, a thief can use your GPS to find your home if you have it saved in your GPS. Once there, he can access your home with your garage door opener.  It’s better to be safe than sorry so take your GPS with you when you leave your vehicle parked somewhere.
2. Wipe suction cup marks off of your windshield glass – Those little suction cup marks on your windshield seem so innocuous but they can tip off a thief that you have a GPS and it may be hidden in your car. If you followed step one, it’s not in there but if you have it hidden, the thief could find it and use it to access your home. And, even if you didn’t hide it in your car, you may still suffer damage due to a break in. So, keep some wipes in your car and take care of those telling suction cup marks.
3. Don’t name your home preset “home” – There’s no place like Starbucks! Well, maybe there is but, in this case, you should name your home preset something other than home, like the name of a nearby business. That way, should a thief access your GPS, he won’t know where home is so, unless he just borrowed your GPS to find a cup of coffee, he won’t be able to gain access to your house.
4. Lock the door from your garage to your house – We hope that a thief never gets this far but, just in case everything else goes wrong and a crafty thief manages to use your GPS and car to get into your garage, he won’t be able to access your house.
5. Arm your alarm system – When all else fails, if a thief manages to access your home, your home alarm system going off should definitely deter an invader. Make sure that your alarm system is set whenever you are away.

With a little care, a GPS can be a great tool for Dad and not a tool for a thief.

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Freeze Alerts and your Security System

Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and the possibility of frozen water pipes. When frozen pipes burst the damage can be extensive. The damage goes far beyond the repair of the frozen pipes. If you did not keep your pipes from freezing and they burst the damage can be all of the following:

• Discoloration
• Warping
• Splitting
• Delaminating
• Musty Odors
• Mold Growth

This damage can happen to wood floors, drapes, carpets, furniture, antiques, walls and ceilings. There are a number of preventative measures that you can take to prevent freezing:

• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.
• Ensure that vulnerable pipes are insulated to prevent freezing. Pay close attention to pipes in outside walls or ceilings that may be exposed to low temperature. Leave cupboard or cabinet doors open to warm plumbing fixtures.
• When freezing (below 20ºF/-7ºC) is predicted, shut off water, disconnect hoses and drain outside faucets. If you don’t have an inside shut-off valve, wrap pipes or faucets in UL-approved insulation.
• Allow faucets to drip a little to keep water moving through them and to relieve pressure buildup.
• If you plan to be away from home, set the heating system no lower than 55ºF (13ºC). Have neighbors check your home periodically.

But what if you are not home? How do you protect your property?
How do you know that your preventative measures were enough?

A temperature alarm is the answer. A freeze alarm installed in your home can warn you when pipes are getting to an unsafe temperature. If you already have a Security System installed in your home or business then a freeze alarm can easily be added so that you gain peace of mind when the thermometer starts to dip. Hue and Cry Security Systems can easily upgrade your alarm system to include a freeze alert. When your system is setup to report to our U.L. Certified Central Station we will notify you before the temperatures are critical enough to cause damage.

If your current system is compatible we can even install a wireless system freeze alert. Wireless home security allows for the easy addition to your existing alarm system without the necessity of running new wire.

Your home security system can be much more than just the prevention of a burglary. Home security systems protect life and property and provide peace of mind at an affordable cost.

Contact us today for a free quote on the addition of a freeze alert for your home or business.

1-800-762-3196

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Going on Vacation? Hue & Cry wants to know!

It’s that time of year when the beach is calling our names.  Make sure if you are leaving on vacation you call our central station at 800-762-3196 and let them know.  The dispatchers will be able to identify that you are away and handle your account accordingly.  Extra attention will be paid to your home even when you are not there.

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