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  • Summer Home Safety Tips

    Summer Home Safety Tips

    Secure it. Survey your property. Look for ways to get in. Be sure you have good locks on your doors. Lock up ladders, patio furniture, recycling bins and anything else a thief could use to climb up to a second-storey window. And never hide a key anywhere outside. Most criminals take advantage of opportunities, so a home that’s well protected is less likely to attract that kind of attention.

    Keep it living.Your home is less likely to catch the attention of a thief if it looks like it’s being lived in. Draw the shades or curtains. Turn down the volume on your phone – constant ringing is a sure sign that you’re away – and don’t forget timers for your lights.

    Maintain it.A home that’s well cared for is a less attractive target for thieves. Trim hedges that exceed window-height and cut evergreen branches up at least three feet from the ground to eliminate hiding places on your property. General maintenance also decreases the risk of other problems, especially water damage. Hot water tanks, toilets and pipes are the usual culprits, so keep them in good repair as prevention.

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    Shut it off.If you’re going on vacation for more than a few weeks, turn off the water to your home and drain the lines (turn on your taps for a few minutes and flush your toilets). The less water and pressure there is, the safer your home will be if a pipe, toilet or tank happens to burst. With the water on, even a tiny leak can cause devastating damage in a short period of time. Also shut off the gas and pilot lights in your furnace and electric appliances to minimize the chance of ignition if ever a gas leak occurs or the pilot light blows.

    Make a friend. Find a friend or neighbour you trust to keep an eye on your home. Have her cut the grass, park a car in your driveway, pick up your mail and even put out some extra garbage on garbage day. Inside, she can occasionally adjust the blinds or other visible property. Guardians can also check for any water, fire or wind damage and stop it from spreading.

    To schedule a free, no obligation security evaluation of your home, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Reducing False Alarms

    Reducing False Alarms

     

    According to Windsor Police, a false alarm is any alarm caused by human error or equipment problems requiring a police response, with no evidence of an actual crime having been committed or attempted.

    Why are False Alarms a Problem?   

    • Alarms were originally designed to protect lives and property. Properly installed, used and maintained, alarms are a real asset. When misused, they become a liability. The Windsor Police Service as well as the security companies, must spend a significant amount of time and money reacting to false alarms. The system users also experience the inconvenience of false alarms and the assessment of fines.
    • A false alarm can endanger responding officers and the whole community. It may delay the officers from responding to a real emergency.
    • False alarms can lead neighbours to ignore your alarm when it goes off. In effect, your security system becomes less reliable and less credible.
    • False alarms make you reluctant to arm your system, in effect exposing your home or business to undetected theft or damage.
    • False alarms can cost you fines, and in some instances abusers may even have police response suspended.

     

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    What can you do to help reduce the amount of false alarms received?

    • Make sure everyone who has a key to your home or business knows how to operate the security system. Keep the name and number of your monitoring station handy.
    • Secure doors and windows before turning on the system.
    • Be aware of changes in the environment (ie. New animals, design changes, seasonal decorations, plants etc.)
    • Notify monitoring facility and Windsor Police Service of new installations, and any changes (ie. Name changes, new employees).
    • Check your batteries regularly
    • Equipment should be routinely inspected and maintained by qualified personnel.
    • Call your security company immediately if your system does not seem to be working properly.
    • An alarm system must be installed properly, maintained properly and used properly in order to be a deterrent against crime and perform to everyone’s expectations.

    For an evaluation of your security system, or to schedule a service call, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Help Identify Arsonist

    Help Identify Arsonist

    Windsor Police are looking to identify suspects involved in an arson investigation at 781 Erie Street East.

    The fire broke out early Thursday morning and caused $500,000 in damage. The preliminary investigation findings indicate the fire was intentionally set.

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    Police say that their ongoing investigation has revealed two suspects involved in the arson. A white male suspect and a black male suspect were seen acting suspiciously around the building. Smoke was seen coming out of the building and the black male exited the building with one pant leg on fire. The male managed to put out the fire on his leg and he got into a black vehicle and they both drove off.

    Police say that these males were also seen by the building days prior and utilizing an older model red pick-up truck.

    They are described as male black, approx 5’6, with short dark hair,and in his late 20’s early 30’s. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans and a white hat.

    The second is a white male, approx 5’7, with a mustache.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4330, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), or online at www.catchcrooks.com.

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    To learn more adding smoke detectors to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • New Features of Total Connect 2.0

    New Features of Total Connect 2.0

    Security ONE’s Total Connect 2.0 from Honeywell has been enhanced with a number of exciting new features that help provide a dynamic user experience, and keep you connected to the things that matter most..

    Smart Scene with Wizard Guide*
    An intuitive wizard guides you through scene set-up step by step—making it easy to automate scenes for energy savings, comfort and security. This convenient, time-saving feature will help you make the most of your connected home.

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    Expanded Test Drive with Tool Tips
    The expanded Test Drive demo is now compatible with smartphone and tablet devices and NOW includes tool tips — informative pop-ups that accompany and explain each and every feature.

    Touch ID*
    If you have a mobile device operating on an iOS you can use Touch ID – an easy, highly secure feature that uses your fingerprints to act as your passcode.

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    Other Highlights
    The app is a sleeker, cleaner, more modern interface that’s a delight to look at and to use. Smart auto-syncing on Lynx Touch 7000/5200/5100 models simplifies operation and updates occur automatically within seconds.

    To learn more about adding Total Connect to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Social Media Posts

    Social Media Posts

    Many people post on social networks to share information with friends and family, to have conversations, and to show the world how their lives are going. However, when you post online, it’s important to remember that people other than your intended audience could see your posts. Unfortunately, criminals frequently look to social media for opportunities to rob unsuspecting victims. Even if you have strict privacy settings on your accounts, the information that you post can still get out.

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    One of the most common ways that criminals use social media to commit crimes is by researching when people won’t be home and taking this opportunity to break into their properties.

    By sharing holiday plans in real-time online, you let criminals know that you’ll be out of town for a while. They can use this information to rob your home when they know you won’t be around.

    It’s much safer to share vacation details after the fact, once you have arrived home safely. Tell individual friends and family members in person the dates that you’ll be away and don’t post these details online.

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    How else can you protect yourself? By ensuring that you have a monitored security system installed that will alert you (and the authorities) if a crime takes place at your property while you are away. A home alarm system that also includes video surveillance camera monitoring is an even better set up. This way, even if you are away from home, your property will be watched over by a central monitoring station. In the event of a crime or other trouble conditions, both you and the authorities will be notified right away.
    To learn more about adding video surveillance to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Spring Flooding

    Spring Flooding

    Flood damage is the leading cause of property damage in North America. In order to prevent a basement flood, there are a few things that you can do. These steps include:

    • Making sure that eavestroughs and downspouts are cleaned and positioned to direct water away from your house

    • Checking to ensure that there is appropriate drainage below your window wells

    • Inspecting your walls and the exterior foundation and repairing any cracks

    • Installing a sump pump as needed

    • Ensuring the ground slopes away from your home

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    Catching potential drainage issues or leaks is important. The sooner you spot an issue, the smaller the issue will be and therefore, you should be able to handle it more easily. Watch for water stains, peeling paint and, of course, visible water inside the basement.

    To learn more about adding a flood detector to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Benefits Of Monitoring

    Benefits Of Monitoring

    A recent Statscan report shows there were 200,000 break-ins in Canada, or 15% of all property related crimes. 61% of all break-ins in 2010 were residential; 28% were commercial. But, why is monitoring a security system important?

    1. Home Automation
    • Security systems are have come a long way in the last few years. They can be fully integrated with your lights, thermostat, & door lock creating a fully Connected Home.

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    2. Energy Management
    • With a Connected Home, a security system can put your utilities into energy management mode. That helps you to go green by reducing your carbon footprint.
    3. Save Money on bills
    • When your utilities are managed through automation, home owners can see a saving of up to 20% on the bills over the course of a year.
    4. Save On Home Owner’s Insurance
    • Most insurance companies offer a discount between 5%-20% on homeowners insurance for houses equipped with monitored security systems.
    5. Door Chimes
    • Even when you are home and the system is off, it will inform you when a door a window opens with a little dinging sound. The kids can’t sneak out. Their friends can’t sneak in. And if the family pet nudges a door open you will know right away.

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    6. Life Safety
    • Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and flood sensors are an integral part of your home security protection.
    7. Real Time Check-In
    • Security systems can let you log on from anywhere and see exactly what’s going on in your home as a “nanny cam”, to check on your pets while you’re at work, or arm and disarm remotely.
    8. Protect your belongings
    • Whether you are traveling on vacation, at the cottage, or simply at work for the day, know that your home is secure with a monitored security system.

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    9. Peace of mind
    • Having an alarm system in place will help you to rest easy knowing that your home and loved ones are better protected.
    10. Monitoring
    • If your alarm goes off, the monitoring service will alert the proper authorities or dial a list of numbers that you have supplied them to make sure everything is okay.

    To learn about our Protect A Friend Program, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Fire And Spinkler Systems

    Fire And Spinkler Systems

    Many homeowners do not consider installing a fire sprinkler system. Swayed by common misconceptions as well as perceived aesthetic issues, even safety-conscious homeowners sometimes steer away from sprinkler systems. That’s beginning to change, however, as more homeowners learn about the benefits of the systems and as less conspicuous sprinklers become available. In addition, some communities are beginning to mandate the installation of sprinkler systems in new homes.

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    Many people believe that sprinkler systems will cause more damage to a home than the fire itself, but that is not true. According to the Scottsdale Report, a fire sprinkler system delivers eight to 10 times less water than the hoses used by firefighters to put out the flames, resulting in less water damage to a home. A fire hose dispenses up to 250 gallons of water per minute, while a typical residential sprinkler head will release just 15 to 20 gallons of water per minute. Typically, only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate — spraying water directly on the fire. According to industry experts, 90% of fires are contained with just one sprinkler head.

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    There are other advantages to installing sprinkler systems besides the obvious ones of saving lives and property. Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes with fire sprinkler systems and homeowners may also qualify for a tax rebate. In addition, sprinkler systems can increase the resale value of a home. Today’s prospective homeowners are much more conscious about health and safety issues, and they may be willing to pay a premium for a home with a sprinkler system.

    Some important facts to consider regarding sprinkler systems:
    • Sprinkler systems can contain and extinguish a fire in less time that it would take for a fire truck to arrive at the scene.
    • Home sprinkler systems use a fraction of the water used by fire department hoses and create about 70% less damage to the home.
    • Modern sprinkler systems are inconspicuous; many are mounted flush with the wall and ceiling.
    • Each sprinkler head is designed to go off when it senses significant heat change.
    • Typically, only the closest sprinkler to the fire will activate.
    • With a fire sprinkler system, the risk of dying in a fire is cut by about 80%.

    To schedule a no-obligation evaluation of your premises from our Fire and Life Safety Division, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Caught On Camera: California

    Caught On Camera: California

    A brazen California burglar was seen along every step of an alleged home invasion Tuesday, captured in footage recorded by 16 surveillance cameras. Authorities now hope the footage will help them nab the person responsible.

    San Jose resident Heidi Quezada said she was awaken by rustling outside of her home before 2 a.m. and used a phone app to look at some of the surveillance footage. Video shows the man checking out a window of the home, and popping a lock on a sliding door to get inside.

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    “I was just petrified,” she said.

    Quezada called 911 and crouched in her closet. As the home’s alarm sounded, the burglar could be seen walking through the home, unfazed.

    “I can hear him rattling around, and I’m telling 911, ‘He’s in the room next to me,’” Quezada said. “I was trying not to hyperventilate. I was trying to whisper and I was trying to tell them, ‘Please hurry.’”

    Quezada says she was motivated to react after the man wiggled the doorknob to the master bedroom and pushed against the door, trying to get inside.

    “I came out of the closet at that point and started banging on the door from the inside, yelling at him and saying, ‘Get out of here, the police are coming, they’re going to shoot you,’” she said.

    The man fled after Quezada yelled, leaving the home and climbing over a fence. The intruder was seen on a neighbor’s surveillance cameras, escaping on a skateboard. By the time police arrived the intruder had gotten away. But with his face splashed across social media, authorities are hopeful that the burglar will soon be captured.

    With Security ONE’s award winning Total Connect app from Honeywell, you can view your cameras in real time even when you are not home. To learn more, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Cameras And NVR’s

    Cameras And NVR’s

    NVRs now have up to 8TB, providing enough space to store and archive your video surveillance footage. Just like the 4 channel NVRs, the 8 and 16 embedded NVRs are competitively priced, easy to install and ideal for small to medium security applications.

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    Security ONE’s NVR’s offer a broader range of options making it easier for you to transition from analog to IP. The 4 – channel or 8 – channel NVR will save you time and money. Its intuitive, user-friendly configuration allows you to see live video  at a level of quality akin to to going from VCR to Blu-Ray!

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    These units are perfect for for small to medium sized businesses, office settings or convenience stores. The simple low-profile cameras are perfect for tight spaces, and offer plug n’ play ease of functionality.

    They easy to use, configure, and maintain. Call Security ONE to learn more at 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.