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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Home Security Solutions To Prevent Burglary

According to the FBI, someone’s house, apartment, or condo is burglarized every 15 seconds, in the United States.

It’s for that exact reason that so many people choose to purchase a home security system to keep their home and family safe.

However, a security system isn’t the only way to prevent burglary. By combining your home security system with the measures listed here, you’ll increase your chances of stopping burglars from entering your home.

The average criminal is looking for four things when they case a house. Those things are:

Valuable stuff to steal (TVs, Appliances, Jewelry, Etc.).

1. An easy way to enter and exit the house without being seen.
2. Nobody at the home.
3. No active security system.

If they can establish those four things, they will feel comfortable that they can steal your stuff and get away without being caught.

With that in mind, it’s not difficult to set up your home so that it’s not in a criminal’s best interest to target you.

• Make your home look occupied at all times. You can do this by:

• Using automatic timers on lights and radios so they are visible and audible throughout the day while you’re away.

• Make sure your home phone cannot be heard from outside.

• Always park in the garage and leave the garage door closed. This way criminals can’t spot a pattern and figure out when you’re away.

• Leave your valuable belongings out of view and keep windows closed.

• Install motion detector lights and good lighting all around your house.

• Remove or keep all hedges and shrubs well trimmed around your house. This way there will be no place for a burglar to hide.

• Keep your security system active and well maintained at all times.

Don’t forget to consult your home burglar security alarm systems provider for more information.

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Business Security For Your Home Office

As more and more people work from home – either through telecommuting or because they run their own small business – the concept of business home security is becoming more and more important.

After all, if you’re at home, but also at your business, which type of protection do you really need?

The answer is you need a little of both. Since you are in a private residence, you’ll technically need a home security system rather than business security solutions. However, since you are also in a place of business, you’ll want to take some additional security measures that most homes do not need.

You’ll want to make sure that in addition to a well-maintained security alarm, you have deadbolts on all doors and also that you keep windows and other possible entry points locked. Also be careful to not leave the spare key under the doormat or in a vase where anyone can find it.

Pay extra attention to whom you give a key to. Providing keys to multiple employees can be potentially dangerous, and so you will want to be sure you can really trust someone before they get a key.

Finally, natural surveillance is helpful for deterring would-be thieves. By keeping your home office well lit, clearing away shrubs or areas where someone can hide, and taking steps to show that it will be difficult to break-in without being seen, you significantly decrease your risk of break-ins.

Be sure to mention your home office to a security professional for additional ways to stay protected.

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Outlining Your Security Goals

Before selecting an alarm system to protect your home or business, it’s always a good idea to carefully consider what your exact goals are for your security. Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to security and there is no one-size fits all response.

While a good security technician will help you walk through these goals more precisely, understanding them yourself can go a long way to getting the system you want. Ultimately, the time you take to consider your goals today can save you a lot of money in the long run while keeping your family or business safe and protected.

Before buying any home security system or business security system, ask yourself these questions:

How much protection do I really want?

While the top-of-the-line alarm system promises to give you a very high level of protection, it’s not for everybody. These higher end systems cost a lot more and can be overkill for many people.

If you are buying from a reputable security alarm company, any of the systems they offer you will be reliable and capable of protecting your home of business. It’s up to you whether you want to spring for the extra bells and whistles of the higher end systems.

How important is ease of use?

Not all security systems are equal when it comes to being easy to use. More complicated systems, which are still quite easy to use for adults, can cause problems if children will be using the alarm.

A system may be more complicated because of the additional features it offers, but if you have kids or anyone who might not be able to use a more complicated system, it’s a good idea to find an easy system that anyone can learn.

Can I trust my security company?

The most important step when it comes to setting up a reliable security system is selecting the best company to install, maintain, and monitor your system.

Selecting the right company can make the difference between keeping your family safe and having a break-in. Professionals know all of the security tricks and will help you choose the exact right system for you. You can also trust that the best company will install your system correctly and provide excellent monitoring services.

Before making your decision, research the company and talk to other customers to get their opinions. Make sure that the company has a long history of success, and that they guarantee their work against problems. If a company is willing to put their money where their mouth is, that’s a good sign that they are true professionals.

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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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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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Another burglary gone bad and a homecide victim “Salvador Heredia-Arriaga” left in the aftermath

Salvador Heredia-Arriaga
killing suspects arrested for
Natomas home invasion

 Last updated 1 day ago

SACRAMENTO, CA – Two people were arrested
Wednesday in connection with a deadly home
invasion robbery and shooting that killed an
assistant football coach at Natomas High School last
month, according to Sacramento police.

A 17-year-old and a 20-year-old were taken into
custody Wednesday for the killing that took the life
of Salvador Heredia-Arriaga on the 2600 block of
River Plaza Drive March 26, Sacramento police Sgt.
Norm Leong said.

Leong said the the older suspect was arrested in the
Bay Area, while the teen was apprehended in
Sacramento County Wednesday. More information
on the circumstances leading to the arrests were
expected to be released Thursday, Leong said.

Witnesses said Heredia-Arriaga, 26, showed up at
the River Plaza Drive apartment around 11:20 p.m.
to meet friends when he inadvertantly interrupted

the home invasion. Leong said the robbers shot
Heredia-Arriaga and fled the scene.

Heredia-Arriaga’s mother Susan Heredia said
Salvador, who graduated from Natomas High School
before attending UC Santa Cruz, was looking to a
career in education. Heredia-Arriaga tutored special
needs students and served as a JV football coach at
Natomas High before his death.

News10/KXTV

I am sad that this type of thing continues to happen in our communities.  My condolences go out to Salvador’s family.  As a citizen of California and a business owner in Sacramento County, I can not help but looking at the tragic situation as an object lesson and trying to use it to grow from.  What I see is that this might have been avoided or at least the effects might have been severely lessened if the victim would have had a basic, inexpensive, but yet very effective, Alarm System installed.  Some of these gross violations and crimes we see in the media all the time could be avoided if we could educate people on simple common sense security measures that would keep themselves or their loved ones out of harms way.

Let me know what you think,

Michael Culmer

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Cell Phone Backup for your Security System

Security Systems that are monitored by a central station depend on a reliable phone line to communicate the events of your security system. In many cases your phone line can be the weakest link in these communications.

Phone lines entering your home or business typically enter at an insecure location at the outside of the building making it easy prey for a burglary. If the phone line is cut then there is not communication to central station so that the authorities can be notified.

The surest way to prevent this type of occurrence is to have a backup cell unit installed. The cell unit is installed inside the building and is protected by the security system. If the phone line were cut then the cell phone can be programmed to send that event to central station. The cell unit can also communicate all of your alarms while the phone lines are not working.

The GS3060 is such a device offered by DSC and installed by Hue and cry Security. The GS3060 can also be utilized when there is no phone line to the premises. In this case the GS3060 acts as a primary line and communicates all of your alarm signals.