Home Security Essentials

Securing a home is best done using a multi-layered approach. Real security is a mix of barriers, technology and procedures. Criminals desire easy entry, which makes strong doors and locks an essential component of home security. They also do not want their presence to be announced, so the next layer of protection is a good home security alarm system. Another critical component is implementation of best practices that everyone in the home agrees to follow in order to increase security.

Barrier Protection

Solid doors with quality deadbolts and locksets are deterrents to criminals who are targeting homes in a neighborhood. The goal of a burglar is to get in and out of a house without getting noticed. Thieves assess solid barriers that are between them and the contents that they want to steal from homes. Flimsy doors and locks are no match even for the most novice of criminals. Some windows have easy to defeat plastic locks.

Upgrading entry doors, especially ones with glass windows, to ones designed for security protection is a first step. However, doors are only as good as the locks installed on them. Inexpensive locks can be "bumped" open with an easily obtainable key blank. Incorrectly installed deadbolts can be easily forced open without making much noise. Solid doors need sturdy locks to maintain the integrity that protective door barriers provide.

Technological Protection

Modern digital alarm systems are wireless and use advanced sensor technology. A wireless alarm system that protects every door and window and also has sensors to protect against fire, smoke and carbon monoxide can be installed in less than a day. Extra components such as night-vision security cameras that can be monitored even through a homeowner's smartphone are also available.

Thieves do not like alarm systems. Home security alarms are a powerful deterrent. Thieves canvassing an area for homes to hit choose ones that are not protected by alarm systems or surveillance cameras. State-of-the-art home security essentials provided by Honeywell in Georgia can be installed in any home or apartment to provide 24-hour monitored protection including yard signs and decals that announce an alarm is present.

Home Security Best Practices

Solid doors and a home alarm system are only good if the doors are locked and the alarm is armed. A home's occupants must take an active role in implementing basic home security measures that include securing doors and windows as well as arming the alarm system when at home, before leaving or when going to bed.

Learning how the alarm system works and arming it in "Stay" mode when at home or "Away" mode when leaving are very important practices. Other basic security precautions, such as not opening any exterior door until the person on the other side is identified, increase the protection that barriers and technology provide.

Central Monitoring is a top provider and installer of home security essentials from Honeywell in Georgia. Honeywell manufactures security system components that are highly trusted by both residential and commercial customers. From basic monitored home security alarms to advanced systems, Central Monitoring has been protecting homes and businesses for three decades.

Preventing Theft While on Vacation

While plenty of people love going on vacation, many of them wind up leaving their homes feeling a bit uncertain. Traveling can be scary, because you do not know what is happening in your house when you are not there. What are some tips you can employ to prevent theft while you are away?

Install an Alarm System
When considering Albany security options, having an alarm set up in your home is worth a look. If you have an alarm and someone breaks into your house, the police will be notified within minutes. You do not have to come home to find out that someone has broken in. Instead, the police will be there as soon as possible to scare off the criminals. In fact, just having a sign outside your home noting that a security system is at work will keep many people from attempting to break into your house.

Let Your Company Know
When you are going on vacation, it’s good to let your alarm company know that. If the alarm goes off in your house, the company might call to see if you tripped the system or if a true crime is happening. By letting them know you will be away, however, the company will have a heads up that the alarm is not supposed to go off at all. Therefore, even less time will pass between the moment someone walks into the house and the time police arrive. Remember, the company is always monitoring security systems to ensure your safety.

Have Someone Come Over
Even when you have a company monitoring security systemsaround the clock, having a friend or family member come over to check out your house is wise. After all, you do want someone to take in the newspaper and the mail on a daily basis. When you leave these deliverables outside for too long, people start to realize that you are not home. Be sure to advise the person of any pets that will be home, so he or she can make sure they do not get out.

Make It Lively
You also want your house to look as though someone as home. The fact that a family member or friend will be going in each day to check on it helps to exude this vibe. Keep those outdoor lights on, whether they are a part of your Albany security system or not. Thieves do not like to be seen by the neighbors, and it’s easy for people to see them if a light is shining on them. You can also put timers on your televisions or lights to give a more lively appearance.

Schedule Outdoor Maintenance
Scheduling the landscapers or the termite inspectors to come while you are away helps to give the impression that someone is home. Furthermore, having people on the property is often enough to deter potential criminals. They will not want to have any confrontations. When you have regular service people, they will usually be alert to any intruders coming into the house as well.

Fortunately, you do not have to be so tense and anxious the next time you go on vacation. Instead, take these tips into consideration and let your security system monitor your home for you.

How CCTV Could Help Your Georgia Business

As a business, you are concerned with making as much money as possible, while losing as little money as possible. One of the biggest ways that a business can lose money is through theft, which is why loss prevention has always been a major aspect of business. Every company has a different loss prevention strategy, but some things apply to each and every company out there that is trying to prevent theft. One of those is a CCTV system. If you have heard the acronym but aren’t quite sure what it means, CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. CCTV refers to one or more security cameras, which are projecting a feed to a monitor or series of monitors located somewhere nearby. The cameras can provide a live feed and record what they are looking at, or they can do both. 

CCTV in Georgia for Loss Prevention

One of the main uses of CCTV in Georgia is for loss prevention. When you have cameras monitoring your store, you can easily monitor every one of your customers. Since you would not be able to keep an eye on every corner in the store at once, CCTV allows you to do so effectively. In addition, you can keep your cameras on at night in case someone tries to burglarize your business. The cameras will help you identify the culprit, so the police can easily track him or her down. In addition, CCTV cameras keep an eye on your employees to ensure that they aren’t slipping change from the register, spending their time on the phone or giving away free merchandise to their friends. 

Using Georgia Security Systems for Legal Protection

Cameras provide you with other benefits aside from loss prevention. Most notably, they provide documented proof of a situation in case a scene is started inside your store. Some customers are notorious for trying to get away with things inside businesses, because they feel that they can get away with it, but your cameras will give you proof that your company did nothing wrong. This footage can save you from a big lawsuit, which could potentially bring your company down, so it’s important to always have those cameras rolling. As long as you have proof of an event, you will be protected.

Installing Georgia Security Systems

In addition to cameras, there are other aspects of a security system that you could have installed in order to protect your business in the most effective way possible. One of the most popular is an alarm. You can have loss prevention alarms by the doors and burglar alarms on your doors and windows to ensure that if anyone tries to steal anything or break in, the alarm will go off and alert the police. If you are interested in installing a CCTV system or a more comprehensive security system, don’t hesitate to get a quote today. It could save you a massive amount of money in the long run.

Summer Safety Tips

Summer is right around the corner. It’s time to think about trips to the beach, cooking outside on the grill and bike riding to the park. Don’t forget to consider the safety of your family this summer season when you are participating in all the fun, outdoor summer activities. Here are a few summer safety tips to keep in mind. 

Bike Riding and Helmets
Whether the child is riding a bike or scooter, using rollerblades or a skateboard, a helmet is essential. The helmet should fit the activity too. Skateboard helmets shouldn’t be used for bike riding. Each helmet guards a different area of the head more efficiently based on the activity. Helmets should fit properly on each child, and each child should have his or her own helmet. Parents should lead by example and wear a helmet as well. 

Grilling and Fire Safety
For safety during GA barbecues, don’t let children play around the grill. When parents are near the grill, small children want to be near the parents. Have another adult watch the little ones while you are grilling. Older children should be directed to play away from the hot grill. Be sure that the grill is not in a busy area, and be sure the grill isn’t touched after use. It stays hot for a long time. 

Beach and Water Safety
Parents must keep an eye on their children even if there are lifeguards at the beach. Even children who are great swimmers can get into trouble. They might not be able to get the attention of a lifeguard who is overseeing dozens of other people. Ultimately, you are the only one watching and concerned with your child’s safety on GA beaches and swimming areas. Assume that nobody is watching your child except you. Trouble can happen in an instant. Rip currents are a serious problem in the ocean, but there are dangers in lakes, streams or creeks as well. Be careful about letting your children jump from high places into water that isn’t clear. You never know what is hiding under the surface. 

Hiking and Bugs
Follow these summer safety tips when hiking. In the summer, a big concern is ticks. Tick bites are responsible for some very serious issues like Lyme disease. Wear protective clothing with long sleeves. Use bug repellent that is made for hiking. It will have the ingredients needed to keep ticks at bay. At the end of any hike, check all family members for ticks, especially the scalp where ticks can hide easily. 

First Aid Kits
Always have a first aid kit stocked and readily available in case of an emergency. Have one in the car and if you’ll be at a long distance from the car, bring one with you. Kids can be cut or scraped easily in the summertime because they are outside playing, but there are other dangers as well. First aid kits often contain ice packs and bandages to control bleeding until the person can be brought to an emergency room. 

Home Safety and Security
While you’re concerned with your children’s safety in GA when they’re outside, be conscious of the problems that can result in the summer months. Windows that are open during the day to catch a breeze should be closed at night. It’s easy to forget about home safety when kids are running in and out of the house. Each night check to be sure all windows are locked on every floor. In the upstairs windows, consider window clips so that windows can only be opened a few inches. 

With all of the fun that comes with summer, your family will enjoy it most when everyone stays aware of certain dangers and does their best to use preventative measures.