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Tag: Leamington Security

  • Why Shouldn’t a Cable Company Protect Your Home

    You are considering getting an alarm system and are shopping around. While there is no shortage of alarm companies to choose from, each offers different security solutions and value. You may be leaning towards selecting your cable company to secure your home because of the perception of how easy it is to bundle your alarm services with your TV and internet. But the truth is, choosing your cable provider to protect your home can have significant negative repercussions. Here is why you don’t want a cable company protecting your home. 

    The major Canadian cable companies are enormous corporations with thousands of employees located throughout the country. Telus employs approximately 90,000 people, Bell Canada has over 50,000 employees and Rogers has over 23,000. These large national businesses, because of their size and corporate structure, may produce lackluster customer service.

    Here’s an example. When you purchase an alarm system from one of these national cable companies, your first contact will be with a sales representative located in a large call center most likely outside of your local area and possibly overseas. The sales representative will ask a few generic questions and then give you a quote. All this is done without ever going to your location or truly understanding your specific needs. Then an installer, potentially a third-party subcontractor, will come to your home to install your alarm. No real thought is put into how to truly protect your home. It’s a quick and dirty process, designed for efficiency and volume, not quality protection. 

    After the installation, any issues, questions, or concerns will be routed to different call centers. Whenever you call, if your issue is unresolved, you’ll speak with someone new (since cable company call centers have hundreds, if not thousands of employees).  You’ll recite your problem again, as well as what has or hasn’t happened during and after the last call. The large infrastructure leads to various points of contact.  

    Equally frustrating is the fact that the representative that you speak to isn’t compensated based on resolving your issue, but rather by maintaining short call times. If the Rep gets you off the phone fast and gets on to the next call, they hit their bonus. You might be transferred to technical support, to customer service, to supervisors, all causing frustration and subpar customer service. Seldom will a service person be sent back to your premises because of costs, so issues can remain unresolved for a long time.  

    When looking for home or business security, the best customer service comes from companies that provide a one-to-one, ongoing relationship between the customer and the Representative. This way you can ensure you are getting whatever security solution and pricing you were originally sold. Beyond that, the company can take ownership of any issues and make sure problem resolution occurs quickly. Direct communication with the person who originally sold you the system will always ensure the best customer service and ongoing value.  

    Cable companies reserve the right to raise prices on their services at any time, even while you are locked into a contract. They are notorious for raising prices annually and this applies to home security as well. The way cable companies get away with price increases is by having customers bundle multiple services together. The cable company is betting that their customers won’t go to the trouble of price checking each individual service. Understand that if you do have a cable company providing a home security solution, over time you will be paying far more than the initially agreed upon monthly price. 

    The big cable companies provide multiple services: internet, cell and home phones, cable television, and burglar alarm systems. Home security nets the lowest revenue so it is their lowest priority.  But they remain in the security space as a tool to offer bundling. To ensure that you are receiving the best security and customer service, make sure you choose a company solely focused on the alarm space. This will ensure superior customer service, the best available technology, and focused response and customer care, maximizing your protection and value. 

  • How to protect your car when parked outdoors 

    Throughout Southwestern Ontario, it’s common for car owners to park their cars outdoors. This could be either on driveways when at home, in parking lots or on the street when they’re at work or shopping. In 2019, over 24,000 cars in Ontario were broken into. Your car is one of your most valuable possessions and a necessity in your day-to-day life, so regardless of where you are parked, it’s important to do what you can to protect your car and belongings. Here are some tips on how to protect your car when parked outdoors. 

    The first and most obvious tip is to make sure your car is locked when parked. Seems simple, right? It’s surprising how often car owners forget to lock their doors. This is essential, as the first thing a car burglar does is a test to see if the car doors have been left unlocked. Locking your car doors dramatically lowers the chances of your car being broken into. In addition, many models automatically activate anti-theft systems when the car doors are locked.  So always do this basic first step. 

    If you are parking outdoors at night, make sure there is adequate lighting.  Effective lighting is a great deterrent to would-be burglars. Outside your home, lights can be motion triggered or remain on throughout the night. Cars that are parked in areas that are dimly lit or unlit have a significantly higher chance of being broken into than those parked on well-lit driveways. 

    For even more protection, place an outdoor video camera pointed toward your parking spot. If the area is properly lit, then the video camera not only will record whatever activity occurs, it also acts as a great burglar deterrent when coupled with lawn signs and window decals.  A potential burglar will most likely move to another car/home where there’s less chance of being detected and apprehended. 

    When you park your car, make sure to take all valuables with you. Too often people leave appealing items in plain sight inside their vehicle. Articles like laptop computers, cash, sunglasses, and wallets are very inviting to burglars. Make sure that there is nothing visible in your car when you park, and if you must leave things inside your vehicle, hide them under the seat, or in the trunk and out of sight.  

  • 3 Simple Home Security Tips for When You’re Traveling

    3 Simple Home Security Tips for When You’re Traveling

    Everyone loves a vacation. While you’re away it’s important though to properly protect your home when you’re away. It doesn’t matter if it’s one night or an extended vacation, a break-in can occur anytime you are away from your home. Here are 3 simple home security tips for when you’re traveling. 

    Make it seem like you are home when you’re not 

    Burglars target unoccupied homes. The goal of a burglar is to enter a location, take valuables and leave quickly and undetected. No burglar wants to be caught, which is why they target vacant locations. By making it seem like you are home when you’re not, you will dramatically lower your home’s chances of being targeted.  

    Having timed smart lights come on at night, making sure mail doesn’t pile up and having a neighbor leave tire marks on your driveway after snowstorms are all great ways to make it seem like you are home when traveling. 

    Limit blind spots around your home 

    A blind spot is an area that is hidden from the street. Blind spots are often caused by shrubs, bushes or other foliage and are dangerous when they are in front of windows that lead into the home. A blind spot provides a burglar with coverage from the street, making it easy for them to enter your home without being noticed. 

    Some great ways to protect yourself against blind spots are limiting plants that cover these areas or by putting bars on those hidden windows. This will make entering through these entry points more difficult. Beyond that, place motion-controlled lights in high-risk entries around your home. This will create a spotlight on those areas, making it harder for burglars to hide and enter your home undetected. 

    Get a monitored home alarm system 

    Monitored home alarm systems are a fantastic burglar deterrent. They provide 24/7 peace of mind because they react and notify emergency services to alarm events regardless of where the homeowner is. Burglars avoid homes with monitored alarm systems (homes with alarms are 3 times less likely to have a break-in than those without). Burglars don’t want to be caught, and a monitored alarm systems reduces their chance of a success break and enter. 

    Make sure to have a lawn sign outside your home and window decals placed on various windows throughout the house. This will show any potential burglars your home is protected.  

  • When is the Best Time to Buy an Alarm System?

    When is the Best Time to Buy an Alarm System?

    You’re thinking about getting an alarm system for your home or business. You know it will provide additional security and you understand the protection an alarm system brings. You’re not sure though if it’s the best time to go forward with your purchase. Will there be a sale? Promotion? Maybe your cash flow will be better next month. There are always considerations in any financial decision and purchasing a security system is no different. So, when is the best time to buy an alarm system? 

    The answer is that there is never a better time to purchase and install an alarm system than right now.  

    Alarm systems work. Homes and businesses with monitored alarm systems are 3 times less likely to have a break-in than those without. Alarm systems are fantastic burglar deterrents and provide unparalleled peace of mind. You’ll also save on your insurance, as insurance providers give a discount on home or business policy premiums. 

    Too often people wait until after a break-in occurs to get an alarm system. This is unfortunate, as there is a significant chance that the burglary wouldn’t have happened had an alarm system been installed beforehand. Burglars don’t want to be caught, and they know that alarm systems will increase their odds of being detected and ultimately apprehended.  

    Waiting for a sale or promotion, while providing savings, also adds time that your property is at risk of an undetected break-in. Why jeopardize the protection of your home or business? Speed to install a new alarm system should be prioritized over any potential promotions. 

    An alarm system is an important purchase and should be prioritized. Security systems provide value and peace of mind. Regardless of the size of your home or business, every location should be protected with a monitored alarm system. And the best time to buy that alarm system is right now. 

    Find out how you can be protected by a Security ONE alarm system today by calling 1-800-265-5317. 

  • Why Do Churches Need Security Systems?

    Why Do Churches Need Security Systems?

    All residential and commercial locations may be targeted for break-ins. Stores, homes, offices, burglars will target any location that contains valuables and can be entered undetected. But a burglar wouldn’t target a church, right? Sadly, burglars will often target churches, as they know that often these locations include valuables and are often unoccupied. 

    In 2020, churches in Saskatchewan saw a 60% increase in break-ins, while churches in Nova Scotia also saw a string of break-ins (4 break-ins over a weekend). More recently, in 2021, Vancouver churches saw a spike in vandalism. This is why all churches should have monitored alarm systems.

    A monitored alarm system provides unparalleled peace of mind as they deter and detect burglars. This means that when a burglar enters a location with a monitored alarm system, they will trigger the alarm, which will sound, as 24/7 response will be notified and respond to the alarm signal. This instant connection and response greatly increase the chance the burglar will be apprehended. 

    Churches are typically easy to protect with a monitored alarm system. This is because they often contain large open areas, where motion can easily be detected. Beyond that, while they may have multiple points of entry, usually only one is used during day-to-day operation. This means that churches can be protected cost-effectively with the proper placement of alarm equipment. 

    Most importantly, all churches should have video surveillance placed both outdoors and inside the location. Video is a fantastic deterrent, especially if combined with proper lighting. Video systems let any potential burglar know their actions are being recorded, which not only lowers the chance of a burglary from happening, it also dramatically increases the chances of burglars being caught afterwards.

    Whether your church has a 30 person or a 3000-person congregation, all churches should be protected with a monitored alarm and video surveillance system. A proper, professionally installed and monitored alarm solution will dramatically lower the chances of break-ins occurring and will provide unmatched peace of mind.