Security TIPS for home and work
Call Larry Love for additional information and pricing for Peak Alarm Systems (801) 428 1384 Larry@PeakAlarm.com
How to Protect Your Home…
Burglars hit a house, apartment or condominium every ten seconds. But if the burglar picks your place instead of the one next door, you probably helped invite him there. He looks for what the police call “targets of opportunity”. In other words, easy pickings.
To protect yourself, make your home look occupied when you’re away. Chances are the thief will pass it up for an easier target. Also, look into making a reasonable investment in good locks, outdoor lights and an alarm system. It will pay off in security and peace of mind. Here are some specific measures you can take.
Keep garage door closed and locked. This helps protect any valuable property you store in garage and prevents access to interior doors. Electric doors should be disconnected and, if practical, consider padlocks on the garage door tracks.
Have your lawn taken care of. Dry, uncut grass and build-up of excessive leaves and debris says you’re away.
Display “beware” signs. If you have a dog or an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. They deter thieves.
Put peepholes in doors. The type with a magnifying glass lens lets you see who’s out there without opening the door. Consider heavy-duty door chains as well.
Ask for police patrol. When you’ll be gone for an extended time, ask police to check your home periodically. And be a good neighbor. If you see unfamiliar or suspicious activity, call the police.
Consult a good locksmith. Different kinds of doors and windows require different kinds of locks. Deadbolt locks are recommended.
Don’t keep expensive jewelry at home. Keep it, along with other small valuables and important documents, in a safe deposit box.
Light the outside of your house. Use automatic light sensors near doors and the rear of the house where thieves do most of their work.
Secure patio doors. A steel rod in the door channel can work. A pin-type lock or a key lock is better. Additionally, secure two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of lifting the doors out of the track.
Don’t stop all deliveries. Cancel the milk, but have a neighbor pick up mail, newspaper and circulars daily.
Ask a neighbor to use your garbage cans. An empty garbage can is a tip-off that you’re away.
Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick, tall shrubbery provides cover for a burglar and lets him work detected.
Leave a radio on. It says someone’s home. If you have a volume adjustment on your telephone bell, turn it to the lowest level.
Leave interior lights on. It’s best to use automatic timers to light different rooms at designated times.
Mark valuable items. Marking things a thief would be likely to steal, like the TV and stereo, will help police trace them and return them to you if they are recovered. Use an engraving pen, available at most police stations, and mark your driver’s license number with state abbreviations on items.
Leave drapes and shades open. When they’re closed, they’re a sign of an unoccupied house.
Take care with keys. Don’t leave a key under a doormat, flower pot, or a window ledge. Burglars look there first.
Park a car in your driveway. If you have a second car, leave it in the driveway. Or ask a neighbor to park there. This not only gives the appearance of an occupied house, but prevents burglars from backing up a van for loading.
Look into an alarm system. They vary in sophistication. Peak Alarm systems can even arm automatically when you leave the home. (Geofencing) They can control your lighting, temperature, garage doors,locks and more. Arm and disarm remotely. For the basic system with 3 doors, 1 motion, Panel, Cellular communicator, Keypad, siren and battery $99 installed and $39 per month ($5 more per month for remote arm/disarm) Add $10 per month when you need alarm response in areas the police will not respond.
Consider a camera system that you can view remotely with your cell phone. These type of systems are becoming more affordable and it can give you peace of mind to know when the kids get home and view them home. Many people use cameras to check on their pets while they are at work. Having cameras can be great when you are on vacation.
Tips to Protect your Business
SECURITY SYSTEMS: Burglars target businesses that do not have security systems and camera systems more often than those that do. Burglars look for what the police call “targets of opportunity” In other words, easy pickings. When your alarm system is outdated or in disrepair this can also put you at risk. Look into making a reasonable investment in good locks, outdoor lighting, a new camera system that you can remotely access and a new security system that you can control using your smartphone. This investment will pay off in security and peace of mind. If you forget to arm the system you can remotely do so.
Leasing a system will allow you to make smaller monthly payments yet you can have your system installed today and when the technology changes in a few years you can have the system updated to a newer system keeping your business on the cutting edge and protected.
CAMERAS : Consider installing a new camera system with high definition cameras that you can view remotely. This can be a deterrent to crime especially internal crime by employees. The cameras also work well as a positive training aid, let the employees know you appreciated specific work they did that you viewed on the camera system. This let them know that you are watching and it won't come accross as a negative thing when you use the right comments. Cameras can also be very valuable when someone has an accident to view how to prevent future accidents or for insurance purposes.
Here are some specific measures you can take starting today.
TEST: Test your security and camera system regularly replacing decals and signs as needed.
Keep overhead doors closed and locked. Consider padlocks on the garage door tracks.
Keep your outside lighting in working order and consider adding additional lights and cameras.
Hold ongoing training on how to use the security system for new employees and hold review training for employees that may have been trained but do not use the system very often. Test your system every month to assure it is working.
Update your call list every few months making sure phone numbers and names are current.
Every 6 months or every year it is prudent to change all of the security codes. That way if anyone was sharing their code with someone else the old codes will not function. Avoid programming codes that are easy to guess like birth years etc…
LEARN ABOUT YOUR SYSTEM AND ACTIVELY USE IT: To reduce false alarms do not leave balloons near your motion detectors, avoid having hanging displays or mobiles near the motion detection areas. Keep the equipment clean and free of spider webs. Do not have plants or other hanging objects near the heating and air conditioning vents because many times the air flow can cause them to move and set off your motion detectors. Avoid installing motion detection in areas where the temperatures are very low or very high.
Have your security system serviced so it stays in top operating condition. Batteries should be checked periodically and changed as needed. When a door contact or motion detectors are damaged and not repaired, employees notice as do others making the building a more desirable target.
Don’t keep expensive inventory in areas of your business that do not have good constant camera coverage that you can review. Unfortunately a high percentage of shrinkage is attributed to employees and former employees that know your business. Using your camera system proactively can make your employees aware that you do use the camera system and are checking. Let them know how much you appreciate how organized they are or how they handled specific situations. Tell them you saw them unload product while viewing the camera system and let them know what a great job they did. When you use your camera system in such a way people are made aware that you are viewing the cameras and they are less likely to do things they should not do or be involved in theft.
Make a list of any items you may be interested in and call Larry Love at Peak for a free consultation 801 428 1384 Larry@peakalarm.com