Safe Talk

I stumbled upon this interesting little article out of Longview, Washington. A local woman set up a wildlife camera to keep track of the animals around her property after seeing a bear nearby. She hoped to capture images of wild elk, deer, coyotes and other animals roving across her 150 acre property but instead found something even more interesting! After a generator went missing from her property, Gayle Kiser decided to check her wildlife camera tapes – and there he was, an unknown man, checking out her property. Unfortunately, no one has yet been able to identify the thief but now Gayle realizes that a wildlife cam may be able to serve two purposes! She noted, in this article, that she is planning to install more cameras as a way to keep her home safe and secure.

Have you ever come across any nontraditional security methods? Or things you were using for one purpose but ended up being a great addition to your home security system? We’d love to hear about it!

One of the toughest and most rewarding parts about being in the security industry is keeping up with the changing technology and learning about all the new, cool security solutions out there. For the most part, new technology and new products and services is equal to more effective solutions. These sort of advances make Do-It-Yourself security more and more a possibility every day.

So if you are thinking about DIY-ing a security solution, you should be aware of some of the cool new stuff you can use to really make sure your home or office is as safe and secure as possible. Consider wireless devices, hidden or hard-to-detect cameras, motion sensitive lights and camera, night-vision, electronic locks and other cool things. There are loads of benefits of using a DIY strategy when it comes to protecting your home. For one, you have an invested stake in doing the best job possible protecting your home; you have been around your home more than anyone else and may just have feelings about weak points; and if anything happens only you will be accountable to the failings. For some DIY is a bit scary, but for others it’s a relief to work through an issue from start to finish. Advantages of using a DIY security approach include driving down prices, increasing competition and getting a system that is highly customized to your specific needs.

But for many, there is a problem with placing too much hope and faith in new technology – this means that if the technology ever fails, your security system may also fail. You all have experienced the horror of the black screen of death…I know the last time my computer died, my heart sunk. I can’t imagine what a technology fail would be like if my whole home security depended on it. So if you decide to go the DIY route and use new technology to design your own home security system, you need to be aware of potential issues, including: internet or connectivity issues, interference, software glitches and issues with compatibility.

Have you tried any DIY security solutions? What works? What doesn’t work? Have you been happy sidestepping traditional expensive alarm set ups?

These ideas are inspired by a blog post we read recently here. Have a look.

Last time we talked about all the different types of safes that are available to protect valuables in your business. While most people think that safes are required for businesses, I would have to argue that safes are equally important in the home. If you think about it, we all have a lot of important documents that need to be protected against fire, flood, and other disasters. Even if you don’t expect to have a robbery in your home, there are obviously many other ways that these important and precious documents might perish. For this reason, we always recommend that a family have a fire-proof safe in their home. While many of these sort of objects are not necessarily valuable to any one but your family – could you imagine losing your daughters first lock of hair? Or the video of her trip home from the hospital.

In addition, if you keep expensive jewelry, a supply of cash, or other small valuables around the house (often in sock drawers?), you should consider buying a burglar safe as well. These sort of safes comes with complex locks that even the best burglar couldn’t pick. I would not suggest keeping valuables that are not fire-safe in a plain burglar safe. Instead we have combination safes available that protect both against the high heat of a fire and against the tricky lock-picking skills of a burglar. These combo safes are the best bet if you want to keep all your things in a single place.

While few people are robbed, it seems like the best decision is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. You’ll never regret having a safe but you might regret not having one. I hope this has helped you to understand the nuances and complexities of buying a safe. We have tried to break things down for you so help make your decision more manageable. If you have additional questions, we are available to help answer them and guide you towards the right decision. Don’t hesitate to contact us by telephone at 1-800-207-2259 or check out website for our live chat function.

Did you know summer is the absolute peak time for home break in’s? That’s why, while we’re all carefree and enjoying our summer holidays , robbers are thinking of new and creative ways to break into your home. It is especially important to remember how vulnerable your home can be while you and the kids are off visiting Grandma or at the Lake for a week with friends. Well…good thing Consumer Reports – one of the major authorities in just about EVERYTHING – has some top notch pointers for keeping your home safe, particularly during the very vulnerable summer holidays.

Consumer reports has tested all the latest and greatest home safety products to help keep your home safe.

Choose the right locks. About two- thirds of the keyed door locks we tested managed to withstand our kick-in test; others needed a reinforced strike plate. The Weslock 671 ($45) and Emteck Low Profile 8455 ($36) were CR Best Buys among keyed locks. High-security locks from Medeco, which cost about $175, also resisted drilling and picking. (See our Ratings of door locks, available to subscribers.) Remember to use a pull-apart key chain so your home keys stay with you when your car is valet-parked or serviced. (Learn about two interesting products from Kwikset, the SmartScan and SmartKey door locks.)

Secure glass areas. Security or safety window film can resist blows of up 400 foot-pounds, according to manufacturer claims. 3M’s 28-ply Ultra Safety and Security Clear Window Film costs $7 to $9 per square foot or about $105 to $135 for a 3×5-foot window. It should be installed by a pro, which will add to the cost.

Add an alarm. Some central-monitoring systems will call your cell phone if they can’t reach you on your landline. Radio-based alarm systems that use dedicated UHF frequencies can be used as a backup or as a stand-alone solution that elimi- nates the need for landlines. Switching to an Internet-based phone service? Make sure it’s compatible with your alarm. See “Scam Alert: Don’t Get Ripped Off by an Alarm Company” for tips on choosing an alarm company.

We’re here to help you with some of the biggies on this list. We have a great source of safes and vaults that will help ensure that your most precious belongings don’t get up and stolen. Check our website for our help guides, to chat with a live person, or to request a callback and get the real information straight from us.

We look forward to helping you secure your home!

Home invasions are scary. Not only is there the worry that you have a stranger in your home – but there’s also the worry that this stranger is interested in stealing your items and, maybe, hurting your family to get away with it. There is a sense of violation and reckless abandon that comes with finding that your home has been the subject of a robbery.

For the most part, robbers are just interested in making a quick buck – they aren’t looking at your photos, they are scoping our your personal documents; they are interested in getting your TV, your jewelry, anything of high value that they can pawn for a few bucks. They’re looking for something easy – they’re not looking for a job that requires meticulous planning or advanced knowledge of security systems. The thieves on television (a la Ocean’s Eleven) aren’t going to be breaking into your home – they’re too busy heisting casinos or mob-run rackets.

Just a few diversions, like those that we mentioned last week, and were expounded on in this video, are often enough to keep your home safe from intruders.

But, if burglars do manage to find their way into your home, you need to take the necessary precautions to prevent the theft of your essential documents, any cash or jewelry you have on hand. Would you rather lose your big screen TV (which can be repurchased or insured against theft) or the video-tape of your daughter’s first step. There is a lot more to lose than money when home invaders find their way into your home. You need to prepare yourself and your home for these possibilities. The best and easiest way to do so, is to ensure that you have a properly working safe in a secure location in your home.

Image from here.

Are you worried about burglary in today’s world? With the economy in the United States dwindling and many people out of work, we are at an increased risk of crime – from muggings to home invasions and more. While this shouldn’t stop you from living the life you do, it is smart and prudent to take some precautions to protect yourself and your property.

1) Don’t leave ladders around the home – it gives easy access to second floor windows and each entrance to an unprotected home
2) Install a home security system – even a sticker stating that you have a system will deter potential burglars
3) Don’t announce to the world that you’re leaving on vacation – not on Facebook, not on email, don’t let mail or newspapers collect in your mailbox or driveway
4) Always tell your neighbors when you’re heading out of town – and ask them to keep an eye on your home while you’re away
5) Think simply (& like a robber) – don’t make anything easy, even simple deterrence tactics will help you to avoid vulnerability
6) Make sure your important belongings are secure inside your home – install a safe (and make sure it is bolted to the floor)

This video by Fox News outlines some basic ways to deter robbers from your home. None of them are revolutionary, but they will make it more difficult for your home to be seen as an “easy target.”

Sunshine and warm weather will bring out the best in people and, unfortunately, some unscrupulous, seemingly friendly marketers looking to trick consumers. As this articles points out the problem of scammers selling junk at your front door is extended to scammers selling home alarm systems. Be careful, if you think the person at your door is a scammer, they probably are.

If you have questions about what kind of safe would be best for your home or office, please give us a call. 1-800-207-2259. Or check out our burglar fire safes, wall safes, floor safes, or other safe products online.

Full article on front door bandets is here. http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110629/BUSINESS/106290312

We think this may be happening all across the country. Not really sure about this – but it’s clearly happening in Wichita Kansas. That is, the Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers in Wichita about door to door home security sales people that are literally robbing consumers.

Some companies use high-pressure sales tactics to sell these alarm systems. We recommend you don’t let anyone talk you into purchasing something that you don’t want or need be aware of the three day cooling off rule which is federal law and gives the buyer and a door-to-door sales the right to cancel and receive and get a full refund within three business days.

You can read the full text of the post from the Wichita Eagle here – http://www.kansas.com/2011/06/04/1877947/dont-get-robbed-buying-a-home.html

For both families and businesses alike, keeping ones cash and valuables is an extremely important matter. Keeping these valuables safe and secure in an electronic safe will bring peace of mind to anyone. By determining ones needs and researching the available options, one will find a safe to suit his or her needs. (more…)