Enhancing Your Security System’s Effectiveness

San Diego, California was named the second safest large city in the United States in a 2013 CQ Press report. This, however, doesn’t mean that local homeowners can rest on their laurels. The first six months of the same year saw a 3.15 percent increase in property crimes such as auto theft, larceny-theft, and burglary. While the best way to deter would-be intruders would be to seek the help of a security systems provider, you can help enhance the effectiveness of these devices with a few supplementary tips:

Trim all trees and shrubs across your yard. This will make trespassers easy to spot and deny them convenient hiding places at the same time. Cutting any long branches will also deprive them of access to your upper floor windows. If you have money to spare, consider investing in lights to illuminate your property’s darker areas.

Seek the help of neighbors and police, especially if you’re going out of town. Have your neighbors check on your property every so often and notify you immediately of anything untoward. Get acquainted with the police patrolling your neighborhood; chances are, they’ll end up with personal incentive to ensure the safety of your home.

In the end, the biggest deterrent to break-ins are effective security systems from the most trusted home security providers. Seek their assistance in securing your home, and if you back them up with the above tips, you’ll stand a greater chance that your home won’t end up in property crime statistics.

Security Cameras—It Matters Where You Install Them

Security cameras are very useful in monitoring who goes in and out of a house. The way these devices are installed, however, sometimes enables them to capture more than they should. Security cameras can capture and record a crime unfolding, and can successfully foil any suspect’s plan. The eyes of the modern security system could be right where you need them: in the right place at the right time.

Hidden Cameras

Not all placements are convenient, though. For starters, covert surveillance—unauthorized installation of hidden cameras—is considered illegal. California, Rhode Island, and New York specifically prohibit security cameras in public areas that are considered ‘private’, like restrooms and locker rooms. Delaware and Connecticut require signs to inform people of the cameras’ presence.

Neighbor to Neighbor

Private areas in a public place is one thing; private areas in a private place is another. In September 2013, an issue was raised in Boise, ID when a lady complained that her neighbor’s security camera was trained on her bedroom and outdoor tub. The camera’s owner clarified that it’s a low-cost dummy installed to fool would-be thieves and vandals. He wasn’t cited by the police for voyeurism.

Security cameras are helpful tools in preventing crime, but individuals must be informed of their existence. Ideally, homeowners should have security companies install the cameras strategically to avoid any legal problems.

What Happens to Security Systems During Blackouts

Responsible homeowners understand the importance of having home security. Trusting that no one’s going to break in and hurt a family member is an unacceptable risk. A fully functioning home security system will end that perpetual fear and give the family peace of mind.

However, most security systems are vulnerable to blackouts and power outages. It’s during these power interruptions when burglars and crooks are usually on the move. The effect of outages depend on the type of home security system. The most vulnerable types of security systems are those that draw power from home power lines and operate via the Internet, since power outage also leads to Internet outage.

To keep a home security system functional 24/7 and provide maximum protection for homeowners, many home security companies provide a backup battery. When the power goes out, the security system automatically draws power from the backup battery and continues to do so until the power comes back. This battery is designed to last for a minimum of 24 hours.

The lifespan of a home security system backup battery depends on many different factors, including the age of the battery, its usual maximum temperature, and additional devices installed in the system to name a few. If the power outage is expected to last for several days─ which rarely happens─ it helps to ensure that all unnecessary elements that will draw power from the backup battery are removed.

Common Sense: A Good Alarm System

Never think that you've seen the last of a burglar who got busted by your security system. The experience will only make him smarter and better-prepared for another attempt. This is why it's important for you to stay one step ahead of intruders. Sometimes, common sense is the better security system.

Suppose that the burglar already knows that breaking through the front door or ground-floor window is a mistake. He might strike again but this time with a ladder to climb to your unsecure second-floor window. It's not uncommon to leave these windows open since it lets fresh air in while you get comfortable in bed.

Given that most homes come with HVAC systems, it makes no sense to leave windows open, even during the day. Therefore, you should keep your windows closed and install sensors on them in case the burglar tries to force his way through. In addition, look for any vehicle parked in front of your house, especially a pickup truck. It's the most sensible vehicle to carry a ladder.

Another effective way of making burglars leave your house alone is to protect your sources of contact information; i.e. mailboxes. Avoid printing your name on the mailbox and make sure you get one with a lock. Some thieves check for presence inside the house by giving it a call. If no one answers, it's open season for that house. 

Home Security Systems in San Diego: Taking Control When Locks Fail

"Latches are often bundled with locks, particularly thumb turn locks, forming a basic security package. When attached to the lock, the latch can stop the unlocking motion from a pick. It’s a simple mechanism that can deter thieves as effectively as multiple locks. A reinforced front door, however, will not always be enough to keep the most determined burglars away. In many occasions, intruders have forced their way in by breaking down a door or window. In situations like this, a San Diego home security system comes in as the home’s last line of defense. When all other precautions fail, a reliable security system provides a most effective failsafe."
http://sandiegoalarmsystems.com/home-security-systems-in-san-diego-taking-control-when-locks-fail/

Security Companies in San Diego: Advanced Technology to Protect Homes

"Another benefit of the wireless system is that it allows remote access. With the push of a button, you can arm or disarm the alarm system from a distance, minimizing concerns on forgetting to turn it on or off. You can also bring the remote with you to prevent unauthorized access. Likewise, wireless alarms make monitored or managed systems possible. In such a system, a command center which is on standby 24/7 is alerted when your alarm goes off. Upon verifying that the threat is real, an operator in the center then calls the police to report the situation."
http://sandiegoalarmsystems.com/security-companies-in-san-diego-advanced-technology-to-protect-homes/

Some Basic Facts About Burglary

Security is a necessity for every household to invest in. The odds of a house getting targeted for a burglary is low, but it has the same effect as betting in a casino game: when it hits, it hits big. It may not be as grand or dramatic as you’d see in movies or television, but it can be just as devastating, emotionally and financially.

That in mind, households need to understand how to protect their homes by knowing what usually happens in a burglary. Here are some facts behind the nature of burglary: