DIY Home Security Systems: Are They Worth It?

Saving money as a homeowner by engaging in DIY projects is important, but not at the expense of a proper security system. There are simple and safe measures a homeowner can take to prevent danger or theft, but these methods shouldn’t exist as the only security practices in the home.

For example, a homeowner might strive to keep doors and windows locked at all times, which will reduce crimes of opportunity. However, creating a safer environment by adding an alarm system to those locked doors is best.

Potential Problems with DIY Security

Many simple devices sold in stores today promise to do the job of a full-fledged security system, but homeowners shouldn’t rely on these basic machines to provide the same level of security alarm monitoring as a professionally installed system.

One of the biggest issues homeowners run into when attempting to install a DIY home security system is that professional monitoring isn’t always available with homemade security devices.Albany security companies can’t guarantee full protection if the home’s system hasn’t been installed and checked by professionals.

Comprehensive Systems and Installation Complexity

A homeowner might not have too much difficulty installing a floodlight that’s activated with a motion sensor, but many other types of devices are important for full protection of any residence. For example, systems that require a homeowner to modify the wiring in the home could result in fire danger if the installation isn’t handled correctly.

In addition, DIY security systems are often quite general and don’t offer a tailor-made design for the home. Professionally installed security alarms are designed for a specific house or property instead of a general residence. One home might need additional glass-break sensors while another might benefit from more surveillance cameras.

Also, professional systems often come with neat features that aren’t always available or easily installed by homeowners. For example, professional systems may feature battery backups for security devices, fire alarm monitoring and carbon monoxide detection.

Smart Habits for Family Security

An updated and comprehensive security system isn’t the only way a homeowner can protect his or her home. Active security alarm monitoring is essential, but homeowners can indeed use simple practices to increase the effectiveness of the security system and the overall safety of the home.

For example, a homeowner can install new locks on all the doors, as well as locking mechanisms on every window to make it more difficult for a thief to get into the home. The security system will alert the homeowner if an intrusion does occur, but a homeowner can make it more difficult for a thief to get into the home in the first place.

Handling the Cost of Professional Installation

Homeowners who are worried about the cost of active monitoring may want to speak with a local Albany security company to discuss different types of plans. Often, security companies offer attractive discounts for equipment installation and service when a contract is signed, and most companies provide different monitoring options.

A safe and protected residence will always have an updated security system, as well as a vigilant homeowner who is smart with the protection and security of his or her family and home.

Help! I’ve Been Robbed!

Many homeowners who haven’t been robbed before believe a robbery is always going to happen to someone else. When a burglary or theft does occur, the victim might not know what to do or how to get life back to normal. The psychological impact of a burglary may be difficult, but there are some vital steps a homeowner can take to make the recovery process as smooth as possible.

Remember to do the following after a burglary occurs:

1. Make an immediate call to law enforcement

Time is an important factor for solving crimes, and an old burglary has a much lower chance of being solved than a burglary that happened a few hours ago. Calling law enforcement immediately is essential. If the theft occurred where the homeowner was able to see the burglar, writing down key pieces of information about the criminal is an incredible help.

It’s easy to forget vital details after a burglary because of the shock of the experience, so writing things down ensures that law enforcement has as much information as possible to find the perpetrator(s). Vital details like sex, race, height and clothing will help law enforcement create a description of the thief. Additional details like where the thief ran when he or she escaped, as well as any vehicles used, should also be shared with the police.

2. File an insurance claim and official police report

In addition to visiting with the police in the home, a homeowner may also need to visit the police station to file an official report. Some locations offer online reporting, so inquire about this option before heading down to the local precinct.

Immediately after filing a police report, the next contact should be to an insurance company. Remember that insurance companies usually require that a police report be filed in cases of burglary, so the call to the insurance company should occur after a homeowner has made an official report with the police.

3. Check the security system

Experiencing vandalism, burglary or theft without the benefit of a security system often spurs homeowners into action. Many speak to an Albany security company almost immediately to have items like cameras and proximity alarms installed. However, the best time to speak with home security companies is before a burglary occurs.

Homeowners who already have a security system may need to request repairs if the burglar broke or disabled the system. Sometimes an older system might have vulnerabilities, such as cords hanging out from surveillance cameras. New cameras are often wireless and are more difficult to disable.

4. Recover emotionally and live smartly

Most people assume that a burglary will never happen to them, but with the FBI counting somewhere around 9 million property crimes in the U.S. every year, the chance of burglary is something everyone needs to consider. Crime levels ebb and flow, but smart security and lifestyle choices will always help reduce the chances of a future crime.

After taking steps to report the crime, inform the insurance company and beef up security, it’s also important consider ways to reduce theft in the future. Creating a neighborhood watch program and ensuring active security monitoring are two great options for decreasing the chances of future burglary.

Tips for Hiding Valuables in the Home

A beautiful home with stylish and tasteful decor is a joy for homeowners and their families, but a nicely decorated home is exactly what burglars want to see. Thieves must work quickly to avoid detection, and a homeowner must hide valuables smartly so that a quick sweep of the home won’t reward a burglar with items to steal.

Experienced thieves know exactly where a homeowner might hide valuables and will head to those spots first when rifling through your possessions. Smart homeowners will use unconventional methods to ensure valuable items aren’t placed in popular hiding spots.

Hiding Spots to Avoid

Although hiding money under the mattress and putting jewelry in a sock drawer might sound obvious and the worst spot for concealing valuables, many people still assume these spots are safe because they’re not out in the open. The only appropriate item to put under a mattress is a box spring, and sock drawers shouldn’t have anything in them but socks.

Other incredibly obvious tricks include using baggies in the toilet tank or using a “hidden” cubbyhole behind a picture. Thieves commonly toss pictures off the walls when they’re looking for a hidden safe or other hiding spot.

Tip: A jewelry box is an obvious place for valuables, but filling it with fake pieces or costume jewelry is a great way to trick a less-experienced thief into thinking they’ve found the “mother lode”.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Getting creative with hiding spots often requires using common items in the home for concealment. A thief may not notice a shelf of old VHS tapes or realize that some valuables are hidden in one of the cases. Likewise, a fake or hollowed-out book is a hiding spot that’s not too obvious. However, smart thieves often know about this trick and may rifle through books in the home.

False containers are available in many spots around the home, such as in the kitchen where an innocent box of cereal might actually be a hiding place for valuable documents or some jewelry. Likewise, a bottle of lotion in the bathroom might actually hold a roll of cash or some earrings instead of liquid. It’s unlikely that a thief will try to look in every single bottle in the medicine cabinet.

Don’t use a medicine or prescription bottle to hide valuables. A thief might decide to take off with some prescription pills or antibiotics and unknowingly end up with some of the family’s valuable possessions.

Advanced Protection for Valuables

Homeowners who want to increase safety of valuables will want to speak with an Albany security company about installing theft prevention measures. Popular and effective choices range from a standard alarm systems to advanced CCTV networks for visual surveillance. Investing in a safe may also help. However, it’s important to make sure the safe is well hidden because a thief could steal the entire safe and try to crack it at his leisure.

The simple act of locking doors and windows will prevent many burglaries from occurring, but the addition of a security system will provide the best protection possible. A homeowner may choose active monitoring through home security companies, so residents know immediately about a potential break-in. Additionally, if a theft does occur, surveillance measures like cameras may provide valuable evidence for law enforcement.

Odorless and Dangerous: Carbon Monoxide Monitoring Can Save Lives

While the smoke and flames of a fire are incredibly noticeable, the infiltration of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible and requires special monitoring. Common devices in the home that might malfunction and cause a buildup of this odorless, colorless gas include water heaters, the heating system, and any type of appliance that utilizes gas.

A Silent Danger for Families

It’s common to underestimate the value of a carbon monoxide detector as part of an Albany security system, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests around 170 deaths occur every year because of CO poisoning. This number doesn’t include deaths from automobiles but does include devices like furnaces, portable generators and fireplaces.

Each of these devices is very safe when used correctly, but may represent significant danger if they’re not used properly. The CPSC counts an extraordinary percentage of deaths that come from generators, which means that people aren’t using these helpful devices properly. Using a generator during a power outage may save lives, but the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning cannot be ignored or downplayed.

Know the Signs of CO Poisoning

Remaining aware of the simple signs of carbon monoxide poisoning should help residents evacuate early when a device has started to malfunction. Initial signs of CO poisoning include:

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nausea

• Trouble catching breath

Symptoms of CO poisoning are often compared to those caused by the flu, but there won’t be any fever. Additional symptoms may occur with higher levels of exposure. Severe exposure might include symptoms like:

• Loss of consciousness

• Loss of muscle control

• Vomiting

• Death

Sustained exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide may result in long-term problems such as memory loss and depression, so preventing exposure at all costs is essential.

Add Monitoring to the Security System

Although a particularly aware homeowner may be able to figure out that a device is malfunctioning, carbon monoxide isn’t as easy to detect as other dangers. Installing a carbon monoxide detector as part of an alarm for residential homeowners is best. Monitors may work much like a smoke detector and may even be placed in a similar spot like a ceiling.

An active Albany security system with carbon monoxide detection is essential because swift and heavy exposure to carbon monoxide may cause unconsciousness and death before a resident has any time to evacuate. The mental bewilderment experienced during heavy carbon monoxide exposure may make it very difficult to evacuate in a timely manner.

Test the System and Create a Plan

Just as the family should have a plan for evacuation in case of fire, it’s also important to have a plan in place to evacuate due to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The family should be aware of the difference in sound of a smoke detector’s alarm and the warning given off by a carbon monoxide detector because evacuation procedures may differ. Additionally, the CO alarm should be tested on a monthly basis, particularly if it is battery-operated.

Homeowners should feel safe with carbon monoxide detectors installed in the home. These devices are designed to alert residents before a life-threatening level of carbon monoxide is reached. At one time, false alarms were common with carbon monoxide detectors, but today’s devices are extremely reliable and valuable for alerting residents to CO buildup and danger.

Safety and Security Tips for the Party Season

Glasses of eggnog, festive music, and gatherings of family and friends mark the holiday season. If the hostess forgets to take security precautions, however, that Christmas soiree or New Year’s Eve bash can go from fun to frightful in a hurry. Whether a homeowner is hosting dozens of near strangers or a small gathering of close friends, there are a number of ways to improve Albany security and safety during the celebratory season.

Control Large Crowds

For homeowners who are fortunate enough to have a large circle of friends and family at their holiday celebrations, the convergence of so many people at parties represent the potential for some security problems. If a party might have several dozen guests, hiring individuals to guard the door and take invitations is a good idea.

It’s not uncommon for enthusiastic “party crashers” to show up at a home, uninvited, and create a little chaos. A guard at the door should reduce the chances of uninvited guests and create a safer environment for everyone who was on the guest list. Additionally, hiring security personnel who can stand at major entrances or watch various points of entry is advisable.

Create Barriers to Personal Spaces

Although rare circumstances might warrant it, most holiday revelers won’t need to enter the family’s private living space, like the bedrooms or bathrooms. For gatherings where visitors might include more than close family members, put up some barriers to the hallways or doorways that lead into the bedrooms.

For families that have yet to open Christmas presents, relocating the gifts for the party is a good idea, even if everyone on the guest list seems trustworthy. A wayward child could rip into a present without realizing that the gaily wrapped temptations weren’t meant for him or her.

Secure the Perimeter

A homeowner can’t be everywhere at the same time, and when everyone is inside enjoying the party, the outside of the home might invite the stares of possible thieves. Homeowners should consider perimeter alarms or motion-sensor lights that come with today’s home security systems. A thief who wants to break into any one of the guest’s vehicles might be scared away by the sudden illumination of a floodlight.

Another option to secure the exterior of the home is to install surveillance cameras around points that aren’t viewable from the interior of the home. Wireless camera technology makes it relatively simple to increase security through a widespread network of surveillance cameras. If a homeowner wishes, he or she can keep track of what the cameras see by installing a CCTV system that is viewable on the family computer or on a mobile device like smartphone or a tablet computer.

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed with family and friends, and taking precautions before the festivities begin to create a safe and secure environment will lead to the best holiday memories. The Department of Commerce says security is “everyone’s responsibility,” so be sure to do your part before the guests arrive.

GPS Devices Help Keep Kids Safe

Parents invariably worry about their children whether they’re in the backyard playing with the dog or across the country in a college dorm. Some parents whose children are headed out into the world for the first time to kindergarten or to play with neighborhood friends are using sophisticated tracking systems to help keep their kids safe when they’re away from home.

Safety Precaution or Spying Device?

Since Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has been widely used for more than a decade, many are comfortable using it when they need help getting from point A to point B. When it comes to using a GPS tracker for children, however, some parents fear it is akin to spying. Parents know that toddlers and young children can wander off quickly, so overcoming this fear could help avoid moments of panic in the future.

How GPS Works

With a GPS receiver, such as those found in smartphones and wrist watches, a signal is sent out to 27 Earth-orbiting satellites. The receiver’s job is to locate four or more of the satellites, figure out the distance to each, and use that information to pinpoint its location. GPS systems are very accurate, and it just takes seconds to locate a device and the person holding it.

GPS Devices Come in Many Packages

For children who might not be ready for the responsibility of owning a smartphone, there are other items a parent can use to track his or her child. GPS tracking devices can come in wrist watches, shoes or standalone units that can be clipped on a child’s clothes.

Additionally, some devices today also come with extra features that allow the user to notify a security monitoring service if there’s a problem. Just like the red panic button on a car alarm remote, some GPS devices also feature a panic button, which is a valuable option to help lost children find an adult quickly.

Know the Law

Before using a GPS tracking system, it’s a good idea to research local laws that regulate the ability of a parent to track his or her child. Just like there are rules to protect people from unauthorized voice recordings over the telephone, there are some rules that guide who can track another person with GPS.

Using GPS technology to track your children is convenient and comforting for parents raising children in a modern world, but it shouldn’t take the place of regular talks about safety. Telling children how to deal with strangers and how to call for help if there is trouble are still important conversations to have.

In addition to keeping the family safe with monitored home security systems, safety can extend beyond the front door with GPS tracking devices. Whether using a wrist watch for young children or buying a smartphone for older kids, devices outfitted with GPS technology can help parents stay in contact with their children at all times.

Be the Brightest and Safest Home on the Block This Holiday Season

The fun of opening boxes of decorations and putting up wreaths and holiday lights must always be accompanied by simple safety rules that reduce the danger of fire from old strands of lights and overburdened electrical systems. Just because an outlet is built for four plugs, doesn’t mean it can handle four strands of holiday lights plugged into it. Consider the following simple methods for avoiding this and other safety issues when decorating the home for the holidays.

Stick with Smaller Bulbs

Older strands of exterior lights are often much larger than the lights that hang on the tree inside. Large lights may heat up dramatically and cause a fire hazard, especially when they’re placed near other decorations. If a homeowner prefers larger bulbs, never use them inside where the danger of fire may increase when they sit against a curtain or rest next to papery, handmade tree ornaments.

Ensure Indoor Safety with Lights

Just as it’s essential to check the exterior lights around the home for damage, the interior lights hung on the tree also require close inspection. The smoke detectors installed by an Albany security company will help alert homeowners to a smoking holiday tree, but the best solution is to avoid this danger in the first place by using appropriate lighting.

Look for UL and ETL Tested Lights

Only purchase new lights if they have been officially tested by a laboratory that specializes in such testing, such as ETL or UL. A strand of lights that has been tested will have a sticker or emblem on the outside that tells the buyer the lights are safe.

Put the Stapler Gun Away

A popular method of attaching Christmas lights to a house is to secure the wires with a staple gun. This is a bad idea because staples can cause wire damage and increased fire hazard. Light strands should be checked for fraying and damage, and using a staple gun will just hasten the wear that results from hanging the lights on the home. Light clips, available at most home improvement stores, are the safest option for hanging outdoor lights.

Protect Against Wind Damage

Be sure lights are securely attached to the house. Lights that are left to dangle and whip around in the wind may become damaged and may even cause false alarms from the home security essentials system when a wayward strand breaks a window or causes damage to the home.

Don’t Forget the Extension Cords

Just as exterior lights are necessary for outdoor decorations, the extension cords that will invariably snake their way across the home’s walls will also need to be made for outdoor use. Additionally, all light strands and extension cords should be plugged into GFCI outlets. These outlets will interrupt the electrical current if there is an imbalance in the circuitry.

Check the Smoke Detectors

Fire danger increases during the holidays and a quick check of home security essentials like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors will help keep the family safe. If your Albany security system needs updating, chances are the electrical system could also use a refurbishment. There’s no way to eliminate the danger of electrical fires; however, an updated security system helps.

Focusing on safe holiday light strategies will allow all homeowners to have the most festive and safest house on the block. Keep the family safe with these smart, festive light safety rules.

What Small Businesses Need to Know About Georgia Security Systems

In the Information Age, the small business that is best able to protect its proprietary information will be the most successful company in its industry. Protecting information means that a company must invest in the proper security to maintain its physical as well as its digital stability. After all, digital security begins with physical security. Central Monitoring, a provider of Georgia security systems fully understands this concept.

A small business never knows from what angle it will be attacked for its information. Only those fully prepared with Georgia security systems are able to address the widespread forms of sabotage that can be initiated. From physical security to digital security, your Albany security is fully covered.

Below are just a few of the features you can expect in your Albany security business package.

Perimeter Protection

At a minimum, commercial businesses must protect their perimeter and points of entry. If your business has an attic, a back door or even a window, you can bet that anyone who has been casing your building knows about it no matter how secret you feel that it may be.

A perimeter protection program will allow you to monitor your business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when no one is physically at the building. You, as well as the authorities, will be alerted at the first sign of suspicious behavior or a suspected break in.

Interior motion systems

Information theft does not only occur from outside, but from inside a business as well. Interior motion systems will allow you to monitor any movement at weird times when you are not physically at the location. This interior motion system can monitor employees as well as outside threats.

Your employees, no matter how judiciously they are vetted, may be the ones that you need to watch most closely. Employees will likely have the ability to override a perimeter alarm system. However, this second level of protection will keep your information safe from the inside as well.

Video Surveillance

Although many experts do not have enough data to conclude that video gives a residential area better security, they agree overwhelmingly that video surveillance helps commercial businesses tremendously. As a matter of fact, video surveillance will provide a final level of security, which will create a wall that is very difficult to penetrate from the inside or the outside.

Even if a threat to your business were able to get past the perimeter security and the interior motion security (not likely), they would be captured by video surveillance, which is set on completely different circuits from the other two forms of security. This means that you will still have evidence that can be used in a courtroom even if only one of the three security systems works.

Peace of Mind is a Touch Away with Remote Access to Your Georgia Security System

With an Albany security system, you can be assured that your family is alerted to emergency situations such as fire, intruders or medical emergencies. Whether keeping your family safe, helping a business run smoothly or satisfying your curiosity about how your pets spend their day without you, Georgia security systems will be there to help.

Many of these Georgia security systems allow remote access to your home or business to keep you in the loop through your wireless handheld devices. Total Connect is one such remote system available in Albany, Georgia.

Total Connect can provide real-time alerts that will contact you via text, email or video when a specified event takes place, such as when the kids get home, or when the last employee leaves the office. It can be set up to alert you when a liquor or gun cabinet has been unlocked. Maybe Grandpa has wandered out of the house without needed supervision. The real-time alert will let you know. Maybe the basement water heater has sprung a leak and is flooding your basement. You will be alerted. Perhaps your furnace has gone out, and the temperature indoors is dropping dramatically. They will alert you. If you can think of a situation that you would need to be aware of, Total Connect can set your system to contact you immediately.

Total Connect also offers video services. You will be able to check in on how the babysitter is bonding with the kids. If you are gone and your teen is supposed to be in by curfew, the alert will let you know when he or she arrives. Maybe you have a new pet and would like to see how it is adapting to being alone in the house. Total Connect will let you peek in and see what is happening. With video monitoring in your business, you will be able to keep track of employees or monitor cash register receipts with live video or snapshots. Cameras throughout your home or business will allow you to view all rooms at the same time and pan the area to give you a complete view of the area being monitored.

With a remote keypad application, you will be able to access your home or business security system anywhere in the world from your smartphone, iPad or any other compatible wireless hand-held device. You will be able to turn off lights, change room temperatures, receive alerts, bypass a door for maintenance entry, disarm or arm your security system, control your garage or warehouse door, and turn on or off lights to help your home appear occupied when you are away. You can also set your system for multiple accounts for vacation homes or franchises. Can you imagine having this much control over your home or business in the palm of your hand?

Albany security has never been easier to attain. With a simple call to Central Monitoring, you can have peace of mind. Your family or business is totally worth it!

Why Georgia Security Systems Monitor Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is untraceable. It cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, and that is why it is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer."

When fuels do not burn properly, carbon monoxide can become present in the air. Some of the culprits include gas, coal, propane and methane. The most well-known carbon monoxide gases come from vehicles that are left running in garages. The threat also exists in heating appliances that do not have enough air to let the gas escape.

Since carbon monoxide cannot be easily seen, you cannot rely on certain symptoms to determine the presence of the deadly gas. Most people will begin to get constant headaches, dizziness or extreme drowsiness. If a person is exposed to carbon monoxide for a long period of time, he or she could experience immense damage to the major organs, and death could be possible.

Even if you do not have any symptoms, your Albany security company can help you install carbon monoxide detectors properly. There are many specific tasks that should be done to make certain that the alarms work properly, so it is in your best interest to have a professional help with the job.

Georgia security systems offer this in-home protection from carbon monoxide and fire. Besides keeping your perimeter safe, you will also be protected from gases and other dangerous situations. It is extremely important to have the carbon monoxide detectors in many of the same places as fire alarms. You can purchase combination fire and carbon monoxide detectors to make the process easier for you.

It is recommended to have one of these detectors in a centralized location and also on every level of your home. It is best to have them located directly outside of the bedrooms to prevent an entire night of breathing in the deadly gas. The Albany security systems you put into place can also have all of the detectors wired together. When this is done, all of the detectors will sound simultaneously as soon as one is triggered. This keeps everyone safe all of the time.

A provider of Georgia security systems can help you with the interconnection of carbon monoxide detectors. If your alarm does sound, you must get everyone in the home, including the pets, outside into the fresh air. It is absolutely essential to do this immediately. You should then call 9-1-1 and your security company to help you to remedy the situation. The local fire company can also help you stay safe with carbon monoxide problems.

Carbon monoxide has taken many people's lives, and the truth is that many of these fatalities could have been prevented. Make sure that the detector(s) you choose have been properly tested, and you may want to do some online comparisons before you purchase a device. It’s also important to understand the difference in the sound created by the fire alarm and the carbon monoxide alarm. This will help you to pinpoint the real problem faster.

Be safe and contact your Albany security company for more help regarding the installation and usage of carbon monoxide detectors.