Example of Why an Alarm System is Only a BACKUP

I came across this story today and it is a great example of why you should only use a residential home security system as a backup system.  Take a look at this video:

This story is also a great example of what I dislike about the burglar alarm industry.

Alarm monitoring companies love to get you to add devices to your home security system and some of them even charge you extra to monitor those devices.  But as you can see from the video, it takes more than just having a home burglar alarm with extra safety devices to protect your family.

I recognize the alarm system model that was pictured in the video and it is a pretty good system that uses primarily wireless devices.  The great thing about wireless home alarm systems is that they can be installed just about anywhere you want them.  The bad thing about them is that they require batteries to work properly.  The batteries that are used in the security devices are almost always lithium and therefore, provide long lasting usage but still it is a battery and I’m not sure that I want to rely on a battery to save my families life.

Where alarm monitoring companies seem to fail is in communicating with their customers.  People need to be reminded from time to time to test their home security systems and to actually look at all the security devices to see if they are in good condition.  I know that everyone is trying to save money and not spend on unnecessary things but there are a lot of things that you can do yourself that don’t cost a thing.  Testing your own alarm system is one of those things.  And I think that the alarm companies should be telling people how to do it themselves instead of maybe telling their customers that they need to pay for a service call so that a “trained” security technician can do it for them.

I’m not trying to bad mouth alarm monitoring companies, they do provide a great service.  However, I want everyone to know that home security systems are an electronic device and as such, they are subject to failure.  Please, test your systems regularly (actually put it on your calendar to do) and only use your burglar alarm system as a backup. 

Until next time stay safe and secure.


9 Ways You Tell Burglars That You Aren’t Home

Burglars like to do their work when no one is home.  They’re sneaky like that.  One of the best ways to protect your possessions is to know what a burglar looks for BEFORE they break in and then make sure that you DON’T give it to them.  Here are 9 ways you could be telling a burglar that you aren’t home and a home security solution for each one:

  1.  The daily newspaper hasn’t been brought in.  Home security solution – Put a hold on any deliveries that you normally get or ask someone to collect these items for you in your absence.
  2. The mail is piling up in the mailbox.  Solution -  Have the post office hold your mail while you are away or have a neighbor bring it in for you.
  3. There aren’t any lights on at night.  Home security solution -  put a few lamps on a timer to come on.
  4. The yard hasn’t been mowed or maintained.  Home security solution -  Have someone keep up with the yard maintenance.
  5. No one answers the phone when it rings.  Solution – Lower the phone ringer so that it can’t be heard outside or set the telephone answering machine to pick up after a few rings.  And never change your answering machine message telling people that you are away.
  6. There hasn’t been a car in the driveway for days.  Home security solution – Ask a neighbor or a friend to park a car in your driveway.
  7. You or someone in your family is Tweeting about being on vacation.  Solution – don’t let on that you are on vacation.  Save the vacation tweets for when you return.  I know that this could sound a little far fetched but it could happen.  Burglars aren’t all stupid just because they have a dishonest profession.
  8. You or someone in your family is updating their status on any of the other social media sites.  Home security solution – Just don’t do it.
  9. The house is very quiet.  Solution -  Put a TV or a radio on a timer to come on for a while during the day.

I’m sure that you know all of these things already but sometimes it’s a good idea to be reminded from time to time especially when it comes to burglar security.  The holidays are coming and many families will be away from home.  Before you take off, make sure that you aren’t telling a burglar that you aren’t home and they have the place to themselves.


Home Security Solution – The Meaning of Home Security

What is home security?  Let’s break it down a little.  When you think of the word “home” what comes to mind?  For me, it’s where I live and where I work but for others that don’t work at home it may be just where they live.   And what about the home itself, is it a traditional home, a townhouse, a condo, or something less stationary like a mobile home?

What about the word “security?”  That can mean a lot of different things to different people.  For some it may mean protection but from what.  Protection from burglars, home invaders, fire, flood, smoke, the list could go on for quite some time.

Before you can find a home security solution, you have to know what “home security” means to YOU.  What is your goal?  Once you know what you want to protect, you can then think about HOW you can protect it and what obstacles you may have to rise above in order to reach your goal.

For me home security means  doing what it takes to both; prevent and deter an attack to myself, my family, and my possessions.   In order to get the best level of home security, it may help to understand how crime happens in the first place. 

Three things have to be present in order for a crime to occur: a criminal, a victim, an opportunity

  • Criminal – the first thing that has to be present is a criminal and not just any criminal but one with desire and motivation to commit a crime.  There really isn’t a whole lot you can do to remove this element but that’s not the only thing you need for a crime to occur.
  • Victim – there has to be a target (a victim).  Usually a criminal is going to look for an easy target.  Someone that isn’t paying attention to what is going on around them.
  • Opportunity – That is something that you can control.  Be aware of your surroundings at all times and avoid places that can put you in a vulnerable situation.  If you do sense that there is danger, then get out quickly.

You may think that this only applies to your personal security and not really have anything to do with home security but it works for any crime situation.  Instead of a person being the target, it is a home, a home that looks like an easy target will be one that doesn’t have any outside lighting, or one that provides a lot plantings that gives a good hiding place for a burglar to do their work behind.  As for opportunity, you have to leave the house sometime and if you don’t, there is always darkness.

I hope that by sharing with you how crime happens, you will do what it takes to protect yourself.  Just remember that YOU can take control you’re home security.