Protecting your Home

Protecting Your Home

In many cases of home burglaries, thieves enter the house through a door or window that was left unlocked. The fact is, thieves are “lazy,” and many burglaries can be prevented by using simple strategies to deter them from attempting to enter your home. Keep in mind that there’s more at stake than your possessions — a significant number of violent crimes that occur in the home are committed during household burglaries. Following are some tips on how to protect your home and your family from burglars.

• Lock all doors and windows, including your garage door, when you leave the house and while sleeping.
• Install a dead-bolt and/or a secondary locking system on doors that lead outside. Using a lock that can only be operated from the inside is an extra security measure.
• Remember that patio doors with glass panels can be especially vulnerable. Consider installing double-cylinder locks, where you need a key to unlock both sides, so that a burglar can’t enter your home simply by breaking the glass next to the lock. Also, insert a board at the bottom of the door, to prevent the door from sliding.
• Be suspicious of anyone who asks to enter your home for any type of “maintenance” reason. There are numerous cases of impersonating electricians or gas line inspectors who turn out to be dangerous. Always demand to see an official company ID.
• Install peepholes or wide-angle viewers in your doors.
• Replace burned out light bulbs quickly. Thieves like homes with inadequate lighting. Consider incorporating lighting into your landscaping.
• Keep trees and shrubs around doorways, windows and porches trimmed. The bushes that provide privacy also give burglars a place to hide. Dense shrubs can even make for a makeshift ladder, helping a thief into your home through a window.
• Get involved in a neighborhood watch group. Local police departments can provide you with information on how to establish a watch group in your neighborhood.
• Consider installing an alarm system.

While You’re Away

• Use random access timers that automatically change what time your lights go on and off each night. Lighting patterns that vary appear more natural.
• Ask a neighbor to park his or her car in your driveway.
• Keep expensive items out of view from the yard or the street.
• Have your mail and newspapers picked up by a neighbor or held at the post office.
• Ask your neighbors to call the police if they notice any suspicious activity. Leave a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

For more information on protecting your home...  contact me at kellywicks@atlas alarms.com

Create the Illusion.

With it being within days for summer vacation to begin now is the best time to remember to create the illusion that someone is occuppying your residence while you are away.  Keep in mind these tips are best followed anytime when you are leaving your home, whether for a long holiday or just a short weekend getaway.

• If you are going on vacation, leave your home in the care of someone you trust and let them know where you can be reached in case of emergency.

• Arrange to have your mail and newspapers picked up, your grass cut, the leaves raked (or the snow removed as necessary).

• Have a neighbour check both inside and outside the house every few days.

• Use timers on interior lights when you are going to be away or just out for the evening. These can be set to turn the lights and radio or television on and off intermittently to give the appearance that someone is home.

• Have a neighbour park their car in your driveway or your designated parking stall. If you have a garage, keep the door closed and locked so no one can see if your car is gone.

• Turn the ringer on your telephone off or set your answering machine or voicemail to pick up on the second ring and do not leave specific information about your absence.

• Install security lights around the perimeter of your house. They are relatively inexpensive and are a great deterrent, especially if they are set with motion detectors. If you already have non-motion lights, battery operated add-on motion sensors exist that simply screw into the existing light socket and mount near the fixture.

• Never leave a note or a voicemail message indicating you are not at home.

• Leave shades, blinds and curtains in normal positions.

• Do not share your vacation plans in social media, like Facebook and Twitter.

For this and more information contact Kelly Lynn Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com

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Your home is your sanctuary!

 Your home is your sanctuary. It is a place where fond memories are made and relaxing evenings are spent after a busy day. Your home is a safe haven where you and your family most feel at ease. If your home is under-protected or you've had a recent burglary, this may compromise the security you feel in your own home.

No one wants to become a statistic. Using a few simple home security tips and tricks, you can protect your belongings, thwart would-be thieves and increase your feeling of security while home and away.

 

Prevention begins outside your home from the minute it comes into view. Take a walk around your property with a critical eye to see what changes it needs. Here are a few you may have missed:

1. Don't provide places for thieves to hide: Trim trees and bushes that may give someone a place to hide or unnoticeable access to your windows. You should trim back any shrubs that are high enough to block a window.

You will also want to consider the lighting of your property. Look for places around your home that are very dark and may allow a thief access to your home under the cover of darkness. Consider installing lights in various places that can light up entrances. Motion detection spotlights are the best option to conserve energy and not annoy your neighbors or yourself with the bright lights.

2. Don't let thieves know you are not home: If you are planning to go on vacation, never announce it beforehand. We are a society that likes to share, and thieves love that about us. Sending a tweet that you've arrived at the airport or posting a status update on Facebook indicating that you can't wait to leave for your cruise is a great way to alert thieves that your home is empty. Save all updates about your vacation and picture sharing for when you return.

In addition, if you are planning to vacation, have a trusted friend or neighbor stop by every day to pick up the mail, newspapers and any fliers that may be left at the door. If a flier has been sitting on your front door for days, a thief could take notice and know you are on an extended leave.

Any time you are going to be gone during the night, even if it's just returning from work after it gets dark, you should have interior lights set to a timer. Having lights on will keep thieves guessing and will let you feel safer when you come home.

3. Keep your yard clean to prevent giving thieves an advantage: Many times, thieves will gain access to your home through a window they have broken. It is best that we don't give them a tool to do that. Clean up your yard of broken tree limbs after a storm. Ensure your kids put away their toys after playing outside. Never leave a ladder outside in the yard; a thief could use your ladder to gain access to a higher window that is more likely to be unlocked. Use the same precautions for tools, whether they are gardening or for the barbecue; lock them up when they aren't in use.

4. Take precautions to protect windows: If you are purchasing new windows for your home, it might be worth the upgrade to buy shatterproof glass. This would prevent anyone from breaking a window to gain access to your home. If new windows aren't in the budget, consider adding a security film to windows. This will prevent the glass from shattering upon breaking and may deter thieves from continuing their attempt to break in.

5. Secure sliding glass doors: Sliding glass doors have incredibly flimsy locks. A thief can easily pop them in an instant, giving quick access to your home. Installing a security bar for sliding doors would make gaining access to your home more difficult. This measure of protection is a must-have for all sliding doors and windows.

6. Always lock doors and windows: Keep windows locked when you are not home, when you go to bed at night and when they are not in use. If you like to sleep with a window open at night, install window locks that only allow the window to open a few inches.

You should also keep your garage door down, even during the day. Having the garage door open invites thieves inside to look around. It gives them quick, easy access inside your home. Even if they can't take something at the time, they can get enough of a look to see if your home is worth a visit later.

7. Change the locks as necessary: If you've just purchased a home from someone, your first order of business should be to meet the locksmith at your new home. You have no idea who is out there with a key just waiting for the moment to use it. In addition, if you've had a breakup recently, it is time to change the locks. The person may give you the key back, but you have no idea how many copies are out there. Having the locks changed is good for the peace of mind.

8. Install a home alarm system: While an alarm may not keep burglars from getting inside your home, it will deter some and bring the police to your home quickly, limiting what a thief is able to take. Home security systems will only work if you always remember to engage the alarm. You should have your alarm engaged while you are away or while you are at home as many thieves will attempt to break into one part of your home while you are busy in another. Also, many insurance companies may lower your home insurance premiums for having a home alarm system installed.

 Keeping your family, your belongings and your home safe and secure does not involve a lot of money. A few simple changes such as the home security tips mentioned above can protect everyone and everything for years to come.  For this and more information contact Kelly Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com

Securing your Basement

One of the easiest ways to access a home is the basement. While its true that burglars enter homes mainly through front door or other first level accessibility, some choose to make their way in from down low. The unfortunate truth is that basements are rarely secured as tightly as main level doors and windows.

Let us take a look at some ways to secure your basement to the fullest.

1. Clear Windows: One of the keys to maintaining a secure basement is to keep your basement windows visible. This seems a bit counter-intuitive as most homeowners think that hiding possible entry points will serve to protect the house. Do not let shrubbery overgrow to mask these entryways. It will allow a burglar to hide behind something while making his way into your living space. You want your windows to be easily seen by neighbors and those who pass by. So avoid planting shrubs and flowers by those windows and trim those that are nearby on a regular basis. It will make a burglar think twice about trying to break into your home through the basement.

2. Protect The Windows: While clearing out the area by your windows will prove critical to giving an intruder second thoughts, you should take the extra step for enhanced protection. Add bars to your basement windows so that thieves cannot access them. Unprotected windows are sometimes weak enough to be kicked in or smashed with little effort. Do not give burglars an easy way into your home's foundation. Bars are an incredibly effective deterrent. They tell burglars that you mean business and that you have gone to great lengths to protect your home. Bars do not have to be unsightly. They come in all different types of styles, colors and shapes. They can always swing open so that you can exit in case of an emergency. You can even opt for removable bars that can be uninstalled in little time.

3. Security System: Your home security system can extend all the way to the basement. Be sure to put a sticker on your property near your basement windows to announce to thieves that you have installed a security system to protect your home's foundation. This is an excellent deterrent. If a thief attempts to access your basement through your window, your home's entry sensor will trigger the alarm. The monitoring company will contact the authorities and the burglar will likely flee or be caught.

 4. Add Security Film: If you would prefer to not use bars, opt for security film. It protects window glass from objects, natural disasters and intruders but is a bit more aesthetically pleasing than bars. The film really will prevent a thief from accessing your basement. Some are easy enough to be installed yourself.

5. Water Detection: Be sure to install a water detection system in your home's basement to prevent major damage. This involves the placement of special sensors in your basement and/or laundry room to notify the monitoring company when there is flooding or any sort of leak. Your basement's water detection will operate 24/7/365. You can even be alerted to flooding or leaks through an alert on your smartphone or by e-mail.

It is imperative that you reinforce your basement's entryways. Your home is just as vulnerable from windows and doors that lead to your basement as it is from the door in the front of the house. All it takes is a few precautions and you will be able to rest easy knowing that you have done all that you can to protect your home and family.

For more information on how you can secure your premises contact Kelly Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com

Back to Basics

Happy New Year!

As we begin another new year - let's start it off correctly.  Security is important, it should be foremost in your mind.  It is the way this world has become, sad but true.

I hear over and over again how homes and businesses are broken into but if we sat back and really looked at our homes we would see that maybe just maybe we did invite the burglar to come in and help themselves.  When I am going for a walk or delivering flyers to homes I notice all sorts of things that people seem to just accept as everyday life.  I see garage doors open with their children's bikes just sitting there waiting to be taken.  I see ladders leaned on the side of house allowing burglars access to that second floor open window.  Common sense is really not used! 

When at the malls or other places in my car I will notice other vehicles parked next to me with shopping bags or purses on the front seat in plain view.  Seriously - why?  Why would one want to tempt someone to break into their vehicle? Again common sense people.

Most home burglaries will happen via the front door being left unlocked - giving the bad guy easy access.  People have to start to think smarter and make security the most important part of their home.

Security does not have to mean installing a security system but the little things that you can do as a home owner.  Double locks on your windows and patio doors.  Proper dead bolts on your entry doors.  Closing and locking garage doors.  Installing a lock on your gate to the back yard will also help to slow the burglar down.  Make it as difficult as you can so that the burglar will think twice and move along.

Now to Security Systems - if you have one - USE IT!  Make sure that your window and door decals are current and that you are displaying a lawn sign.  A home that has visible security is less likely to be broken into than one that does not display security.  Ensure your security system is monitored by a local reputable company.  Monitoring ensures your home always has contact to the proper authorities.  And finally if you do not have a security system you should seriously think about having a security assessment by a proper security company.  Systems are not as expensive as you might think and many companies with work within your budget.

Security is common sense - give it a thought!

For this and more information you can contact Kelly Lynn Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com

Why You Need A Monitored System in Your Home

Merriam-Webster defines "home” as "the place (such as a house or apartment) where a person lives.” If you are like most people, your home is so much more than the four walls and a roof where you return after a hard day’s work. Your home is your sanctuary. It is where everything that matters to you is. Your spouse, children, pets and possessions reside there, and all those things are well worth protecting. Whether you are home or away, you want to know that the things you value the most are being cared for. There are few better ways to ensure your property and loved ones are protected than by having a professionally-installed home security system.

Intrusion - When most people think home security, the first thing that jumps to mind is "burglary alarm.” Magnetic contacts on doors or windows, motion sensors and glass break detectors work in conjunction to notify the monitoring station that there is an unlawful intruder. If you are away, you can trust that the authorities have been contacted and will meet you there to help assess what damage has been done. If the unthinkable happens and you are home when an intrusion occurs, you do not have to worry about trying to reach out for help, yourself. The monitoring station has you covered 24/7, as long as the system is armed.

 While intrusion detection is an important component, it is not the only function of a monitored home security system. In fact, fire and life safety devices are essential to having a well-protected home. They work around the clock, whether your system is armed or not.

Monitored Smokes - From cooking fires to electrical malfunctions, there are many potential causes for residential fires. They can happen quickly and without warning. Moreover, statistics show that 50% of all fatal fires occur between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. A home security system with monitored smoke and heat detection devices means that, no matter the cause or the hour, someone is getting help to you quickly.

Monitored CO Detection - Carbon monoxide "an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and death” and which "is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned.” Humans cannot detect it. A disturbing fact, when you consider that many household items, including furnaces, portable generators and charcoal grills produce this poison gas. With the installation of carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home, monitored detectors would offer an extra level of protection for your family.

Water Detection - While a flooded basement, laundry room or water closet is hardly a life-threatening event, water damage accounts for the most frequent causes of homeowners’ insurance claims. A monitored water detection system is designed to alert you of the presence of moisture before any major damage can occur. Like life safety devices, they are monitored 24/7, and can be essential to helping you prevent the considerable hassle and expense of dealing with the result of a leaking or burst pipe in your home.

Detection of intruders, fire and other emergency situations can give you the peace of mind you want and deserve when it comes to your home and the people you care for the most; but these are just a few benefits to having a monitored home security system professionally installed and serviced by Atlas Alarms. Contact us for a tailor-made proposal suited to your family’s unique security needs. - See more at: http://www.atlasalarms.com

Secure Your Home

Home security systems are a great way to provide peace of mind. A home security system will not only protect your family while at home, they can often provide a quick link to the authorities while you're away when your system is monitored. Home security systems are used to ensure the safety of your home and family. Home security systems are very effective and easy to use.

It's just important to know what your goal is for the system. Do you want to protect the people when they are in the home or your possessions when the people are away? Home security systems are a great investment and are a must have for every household to keep your family safe inside as well as your possessions. Most everyone has been broken into or knows someone on their street who has been the victim of a break-in, so it makes sense to consider some kind of home security system.

Some home security systems are commonly perceived as consisting of flashing lights and loud sirens. While some systems certainly do employ these methods, it is important to be aware that certain home security systems have become quite sophisticated.

A good home security system is not the only way to guarantee home security; some basic common sense steps need to be taken to safeguard your home to give you total protection. If a burglar is delayed just a few minutes, he is apt to give up and try another less problematic home.

Home security systems are now easy to operate and come with a variety of options and styles. But best of all, they provide you with better security and more peace of mind than you've ever had before. Home security systems are a vital part of keeping your family and your home safe. If you have never tried shopping for a home security system before, it can be a little overwhelming but well worth the effort.

Secure your home using some common sense home security ideas. For advice on home security systems contact Kelly Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com

Safety Tips 101:

1)  Store valuables in your child’s sock drawer rather than in your nightstand.

Thieves often scour the master bedroom but tend to leave children’s rooms untouched.

 2)  If your front entrance contains decorative glass, install your security keypad in a spot that is not visible from the doorstep.

That way, burglars won’t be able to peer in and see if the alarm is set.

3)  A mail slot goes against the wood grain, weakening the horizontal integrity of a door and making it easier to kick in.

Opt for a mailbox, or install your slot near the bottom of the front door, no higher than a quarter of the way up.

4)  Keep car keys next to your bed while you sleep.

If you hear a suspicious noise and suspect that someone is trying to break in, press the Panic button on your key ring. The car alarm will sound, and the burglar will have no choice but to flee the scene.

5)  Plant thorny shrubs, such as rosebushes, beneath ground-floor windows.

They’ll add beauty to your garden and deter burglars.

 6)  If you’re going away on vacation, ask a neighbor to check daily for flyers stuck in your front door.

Crafty criminals have been known to leave pizza ads in doors to see how long it takes for residents to remove them.

 7)  Rather than loading up the car the night before a weekend getaway, quickly do it in the morning right before you leave.

Left in front of the house, a fully packed car can serve as a green light for those looking for one.

 8)  Lower the volume of your telephone ringer.

This way a passerby won’t be able to hear it go to voice mail, which is an indication that no one is home.

9)  Don’t store wood near the side of the house, as it can easily be used by intruders as a step ladder up to a window.

Keep logs in the garage or in a pile at the edge of the yard and of course lock up ladders.

10)  Program your GPS for the nearest Police Station.  Store your Vehicle Registration in a safe location in the vehicle.

Thieves break into vehicles at community events, thus knowing how long you will be away from home, don't allow the thieves to find their way to your unattended home.

 11) Invest in a home Security System.

Homes with Security System's are less likely to be broken into.  Display lawn signs and door/window decals and be sure to use the Security System, even it just popping out for a few minutes.

 For more information contact Kelly Wicks at kellywicks@atlasalarms.com