No matter where you live, it is vital that you have security measures in place. After all, crime knows no region or city line lines. So whether it is being sure to activate your vacation home security systems in Tampa or keeping your yard unappealing to would-be thieves, taking care of your family should be one of your topmost priorities. To help you do just that, ADT-one of America’s leading home monitoring companies, has a list of things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a home invasion or a home medical emergency. How does your home and everyday practices measure up?

• You have a personal emergency response system to contact emergency services if help is needed.
• A neighbor or nearby relative has a spare key to your home.
• All medications are kept in clearly marked containers and stored in one place along with a easy to understand dosage schedule.
• The kitchen and bathroom cabinets are arranged so that the most commonly used tems are within easy reach.
• There are fresh batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Your home’s interior is painted with bright colors, so that walls, doorways and architectural elements are easily seen.
• You have a usable stepstool with a no-skid surface.
• All flammable products and decorative elements (curtains, towels, pictures, etc…) are kept away from the stove.
• Household cleaners are capped tightly-preferably with child-proof caps- and kept away from the ignition sources and out of the reach of children or pets.
• You keep in touch with friends, neighbors and family.
• You have a telephone and a lamp/light switch within easy reach of your bed. Also, many security experts recommend that if your vehicle keychain has an alarm on that your keys be kept near your bed as well. In the case of an emergency, simply push the alarm button and other will hear the noise and come to investigate (this also works as a great deterrent to a would-be thief).
• All stair cases have handrails. Also, bathroom should have grab bars in the shower/tub and toilet areas-this is especially important for homes where there are elderly people in residence.
• There are nightlights in the hall or bathroom.
• Any cords are kept out of pathways.

Keeping your home and family safe is the responsibility of all those in the home. It may seem like an inconvenience at times, but when it comes to protecting who and what you love, there is no price tag to be considered. After all, some things in life truly are priceless!

© janetslagell for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alarm Monitoring, alarm system, burglar, burglary, home monitoring service, Home Security, home security checklist, Home Security System, personal safety, safety tips, tampa home security

          Not arming your alarm system

          According to one survey, 33% of alarm owners admit they don’t arm their systems.  This is a stupid mistake that is very simple to fix.  The solution – arm your alarms!  You should install the alarm key pad near exit doors to help you remember.  Also, getting a remote control that operates the alarm is a good idea or simply making reminder notes.  

          Hiding a key by the front or back door

            This is never a good idea.  Yes, sometimes you or a family member may be left locked outside the house after they lose a key, but to prepare for cases like this it’s best to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor.  Thieves are familiar with where you hide your keys, especially inside those fake rocks that are really small hiding compartments. 

          Don’t flaunt what you got

            This is kind of a downer because we all want nice stuff, but is the risk of showing it off worth it?  Fancy yard ornaments and expensive cars are invitations to crime.  That’s because they advertise that you have money.  You should only display flashy things where they can’t be seen by outsiders and remember, park that Mercedes in the garage!

          Hiding valuables in the bedroom

          This is the first place a burglar will look.  One former burglar tells “Get Rich Slowly” on-line magazine that he would spend 15 minutes or less in each house.  More than half that time he would spend in the bedroom.  It’s best to spread out your valuables throughout the house, in plants, in freezers, and in the cushions of your couch.  Try to be inventive and hide your valuables where you think a burglar will not look.

          Hiding windows and entry ways with landscaping

          How many endless home security tips tell you to keep a clean landscape?  Don’t let bushes and shrubs grow around your house that will give burglars nice areas to hide while breaking in.  This is the one time to give your neighbors a view!

          Leaving your child at home without teaching them proper safety

            Children should be taught that safety while home alone includes not opening the door to strangers, never telling an unfamiliar phone caller that a parent is not home, and knowing when to call for help.

          Letting strangers or acquaintances into your house

          If you don’t know the person then the bottom line is you can’t trust them.  The idea is to not be paranoid but to be smart.  There’s always that chance that it’s an inside job.  The visitor can take something when you are not looking or can case the house for when he comes back to possibly rob you.

© Annie Blanco for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: alarm system, burglar, Home Security

          Billie Corder, a psychiatrist at the University Of North Carolina School Of Medicine, conducted interviews with burglary victims.  “The majority of victims say they will never have the same feeling of security and inviolability that they had in the past,” Corder said.  Corder found that half described the experience as feeling “like a violation or rape.”  Corder told Psychology Today that the feelings of violation led several women to wash all of their clothes after a burglar had rummaged through them. One laundered everything three times.  In a third of adults, sleeplessness and anxiety lingered for months after the break-in, but kids were especially shaken by the experience.  One first-grader began hiding favorite toys before leaving for school each day.

          Before we cover what to do mentally after a robbery, let’s talk about what you should do immediately after your house is broken into.  If you discover you have been the victim of a theft or burglary from your home, it is important that you not move or touch anything.  You should call the police immediately.  The next call you make should be to your insurance loss assessor.  The sooner they are involved, the better.  They will come to your home as soon as possible to take photos and assess the damage.

          It is also important that once you have taken all the responsible action you should accept the burglary as an unfortunate event and try to move on.  This is not always easy but there are people who can help.  Although friends and family, as well as the police, will help you through this difficult period it is worth being aware that special counseling and practical advice should be provided at a local level.  Ask the responding police officer for guidance in finding a group.

          Robbery victims may experience recurrent and intrusive thoughts and dreams of the incident and may also be hyper-alert.  They might get scared easy after noises or abrupt actions.  Changes in eating and sleeping habits are also common.  A robbery can be a violent, life-threatening situation and for the victim can incorporate issues of one’s own death and fears of leaving loved ones behind.

          Psychologists say realizing and accepting that these reactions are normal are the first steps to recovery.   Another critical step in recovery is being able to talk about the experience and feelings.  This enables the victim to validate feelings and fears.  As victims talk about the robbery and their reactions, over time the incident will begin to be put into perspective.

© Annie Blanco for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: burglar, emotional symptoms, Psychological, Robbery victims

You never know if or when a burglar will decide that your family is their next target. You can help prevent that by having the best home security possible. Learn as many security steps as you can to be sure you are securing every vulnerable area around and in your home. That is the best way to be sure your family is safe at home.

Now, it is a good idea for you to read news stories that have been done about how to secure your home. Also read news stories that teach you how to set up your own home security safety plan. The internet is the best way to use to find these news stories. The more of them that you read, the more informed you will be. This means the more secure you can make your home and the more prepared you can make your family.

There was a news story done about how good planning can prevent you from becoming a victim. The news story can be found at, http://tinyurl.com/mw4lhn. In this news story they tell you the important things to do to keep yourself from becoming a victim.

In this news story they state, “We must create a mind-set. We must make a conscious decision that we will not become a victim. We must learn what steps we need to take to keep from becoming a victim. Once we have made up our minds we will not become a victim, we can do research, take classes or beef up our security measures to keep from becoming a victim. If we beef up our home security by checking our doors, locks, windows and lighting, we can, if not prevent, at least minimize the damage or loss we would suffer if we became a victim of a burglar or thief.”

The important thing to remember is to always have the best security possible. Also, be sure that every member of your family knows what your home security safety plan is. This is especially important if you have children. Your plan doesn’t have to be long and difficult. Just be sure that everyone knows what to do in case a burglar should try to get in or succeed at getting in.

You never know when the unthinkable will happen, so always have your family prepared in case it happens at your home. Don’t take chances with your family’s lives, instead prepare them for anything. That is the one and only way to be sure that they are protected. A home security safety plan is your family’s best bet for this type of danger, so make sure you have one immediately and make sure everyone knows it.

© Ralph for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: burglar, burglar or thief, safe at home

While this is certainly true, having the biggest and the best in home security isn’t necessarily enough. However, there are a number of ways to make the most out of your new home security system.

Advertise Your Home Security Measures

Often, the only way a burglar is going to find out that you have a state-of-the-art alarm system is by breaking in and setting it off. To give your burglar some prior warning, place alarm system warning stickers on visible windows, doors, and your gate. This should act as a deterrent, preventing the burglary attempt from occurring in the first place – and that’s always preferable!

Teach your Family How to Use the Home Security System

A brand new intercom system that lets in your visitors at the press of a button is great for convenience—but it’s only great for security if your family knows how to use it. Ensure that younger family members know never to let in strangers, and to try to get visual confirmation of all visitors, including friends and family, before allowing them on to the property.

Similarly, while a password-protected electronic access system is more secure than the traditional key and lock; its effectiveness can be easily negated if PINs or passwords are given out. Passwords should only be known to those who need them, and should be changed regularly.

Ensure that Security Equipment is Maintained

While there’s no question that smoke detectors save lives, they can only do so if they have been properly maintained, and have fresh batteries. Regularly check wiring and connections to ensure that they have not been damaged, and replace batteries and light bulbs as needed. Outside devices, such as security cameras and lights, should be checked to ensure that they are functioning and have not rusted or been damaged by animals or vandals.

Use it or Lose it

There’s one thing worse than using an alarm or intercom system inappropriately – and that’s not using it all. How many times have you heard someone say that they couldn’t be bothered setting their elaborate alarm system, or that they were worried about not being able to lock the door before the alarm went off? The fact is that these systems can only be useful if they are actually used.

To make the most of your new home security features, always switch on your alarm systems, ensure that your doors and windows are locked, and that your lighting is programmed to turn on at night. While they might seem like time-consuming measures, they’re a far better option than coming home to a burgled home. Home security systems are only as effective as the people using them.

© Ralph for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: burglar, Home Security, Home Security System