Summer Means an Increase in Burglaries; Here’s What You Need to Do

Warm weather is finally here and that means lots of fun and activities outside of your home. It also means that we’re broaching peak season for burglaries. With most burglaries occurring in the summer, you’ll want to be sure that your home is secured before you go on vacation or spend your days outside enjoying the heat. When you take the proper precautions, you can enjoy summer without worrying about the increase in burglaries.

 

Cameras

Most break-ins happen right through the front door. This means that you need a device in this area as a front-line solution. Exterior cameras are helpful, with the newest trend being the use of video doorbells. Ring security makes it easy to see who’s at your door with their video doorbell lineup. And you can use the two-way talk feature to make it seem like you’re home, no matter where you are.

 

Ring also has a spotlight cam, equipped with two-way talk, a built-in spotlight, and an alarm. So if you notice suspicious activity, you can scare away criminals before they ever step foot into your home.

 

Door Sensor

A basic, but important part of your monitored security system is a door sensor. If a criminal happens to open your front door, you and the proper authorities will be alerted. An oldie, but a goodie, door sensors continue to be the best way to monitor your home’s exterior doors.

 

When you use a monitored home security system, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is equipped with the latest technology. This includes cellular technology, so you don’t have to worry about criminals cutting your phone line to get into your home. You also won’t have to wonder if the wi-fi is working so that your DIY system is also working. The most reliable service and safety comes from a professional company keeping your home protected this summer, despite the increase in burglaries.

 

Do I Really Need Smart Home Automation?

,

With all the new smart devices available, you may feel a little lost on what you do or don’t need. And you may be wondering why you would need smart home automation at all. The main selling point of smart home products is their ability to make life easier and maybe even a little fun, but that’s not all they’re good for. While smart home products can make convenient, they can also provide safety and security. Read on to see how different products can make a significant difference in the way your household is run.

 

Security

There’s a wide range of smart products you can add to your monitored security system. Video doorbells are a great front-line solution to keeping your home safe and secured. You can also integrate security cameras inside and out to monitor your family and assets. Thanks to the wide range of smart products available, home security is better than ever.

Safety

Integrating safety devices with your monitored home security also gives you a better chance of keeping your family safe. Adding smart carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms gives you an opportunity to be notified of a serious situation at your home, even when you’re not at home. This gives homeowners peace of mind when they’re on vacation or at work. This is also a great solution for families with working parents.

 

Energy Savings

While the most enjoyable part of having a smart thermostat is the ability to change the temperature in your home without having to get out of bed, there’s more to this smart device. The Nest Learning Thermostat has the ability to sense when you’re home and when you’re away. That way, you’re not spending money heating or cooling an empty home. It’s also a great solution for those who might forget to set their devices while they’re on vacation. If a cold front happens to come in while you’re away, you can change your device from anywhere to keep your pipes from freezing. With an average savings of $180 per year, this device pays for itself in no time.

 

Home security is not what it used to be, especially when you bundle in some of the amazing devices available on the market today. Home security and smart home automation make the perfect team to give you peace of mind.

Surprising Crime Rates in Utah

Unfortunately, many people are under the wrong impression regarding how safe their city truly is. Many times, we are comfortable in our neighborhoods and may not be aware of the crimes occurring, especially when they’re less violent crimes like property theft. This is also true of people who haven’t yet been the victim of crimes. Too often we see homeowners looking for home security after they’ve experienced a theft, which is much too late. In our home state of Utah, we have some cities with a surprising amount of crime. As our population increases, so will crime rates in Utah, naturally. Read on to see the stats and what you can do to protect your home and family.

 

Salt Lake City Leads in Crime

Salt Lake City, our bustling metropolis and center of business and religion, has one of the worst crime rates in the nation. While it mostly stems from non-violent crimes, you’re at a huge risk for personal losses if you live in the city. With a crime rating of 0, where 100 is the safest, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your home and assets.

 

Small Towns

Even some of the smallest towns in Utah have high crime rates. Small towns usually have a reputation for being family-friendly and safe. And while the former may be true, safety is not always a guarantee in a small town. An example of this is the small town of Roosevelt, Utah. Even with a population of only 6,800 people, it has a crime rating of 5. This means a large percentage of its citizens are experiencing property crimes.

 

What You Can Do

So now that you’re aware of the crime rates in Utah you’re probably wondering what you can do to prevent losses. The first step is making sure your basics are covered: always lock your doors and windows, and leave valuables out of sight. Whether they’re visible from windows or along your property’s fence, visible valuables are tempting to criminals. Next, you’ll want to invest in a reliable security system. Hiring a professional company to monitor your home is the best way to ensure that your family is being properly protected. When you invest in a comprehensive home security system, you give your family the best opportunity to combat crime rates in Utah.

Crime in Retirement Communities: What You Should Know

Every year, a list of the best places to retire is released. They base the ratings off of reported happiness, affordability of housing, and several other factors. Unfortunately, crime rates are not considered in these reports. But a bit of research will show that the crime rates in retirement communities are fairly high. So what can you do to protect yourself and still enjoy your retirement in these places that have so many other benefits? Read on to see some solutions, including a proper home security system.

 

The statistics

First are the statistics of crime in retirement communities. Below are the top 10 retirement communities and their crime ratings, with a score of 100 being the safest:

City and Crime Rate (100 is Safest)

  1. Lancaster, PA – 8
  2. Fort Meyers, FL – 11
  3. Sarasota, FL – 9
  4. Austin, TX – 11
  5. Pittsburgh, PA – 10
  6. Grand Rapids, MI – 19
  7. Nashville, TN – 5
  8. San Antonio, TX – 4
  9. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX – 9
  10. Lakeland, FL – 9

The statistics show that up to 5% of these cities’ residents experience property crimes on a yearly basis.

 

The Solution

First and foremost, you should take the normal precautions of locking your doors and windows, and keeping valuables out of sight. Besides those actions, the best way to protect yourself and your home is to invest in a comprehensive home security system. Simple additions like a an exterior camera and video doorbell will let criminals know that your home is being monitored. Criminals admit that they’re less likely to commit a robbery if they know there is a home security system present.

In addition, Home security offers many more solutions to make your life convenient. If you’re worried about your health or taking a spill when there’s no one around, you can add a health monitor to your security system that will send an ambulance right to your home if it’s triggered. You can even set up smart lightbulbs and programmable thermostats to get the most out of your security system.

 

If you’re looking to move to one of the top retirement communities this year, make sure you take the steps needed to secure your home and belongings. A comprehensive home security system will make sure you’re one step closer to having peace of mind, anywhere you live.

 

Don’t Wait for a Break-In to Invest in Home Security

Often times, homeowners who are interested in home security have just experienced theft. Unfortunately, in this case, the addition of the security system is much too late and unable to fix the issues the homeowner has faced. It’s important to take preventative steps rather than waiting for something to happen to your home and family.

 

The Stats

The statistics are simple – no matter where you live, there is crime happening around you. Even the safest of cities experience multiple crimes on a daily basis. This means you could be a target of theft at any time. And studies show that the likelihood of getting your items back after a robbery is depressingly low.

 

Where to Begin

The first step every homeowner should make is to keep their doors and windows locked. Many times, criminals look for easy targets. If you’re prone to leaving a window open or a door unlocked, you’re raising your chances of becoming a victim. Then after you’ve taken these steps, invest in a monitored security system to completely protect your assets and ward off intruders. Criminals admit that they’re less likely to commit a crime if they know an alarm system is present in a home.

 

Start With the Basics

With many options to choose from, it’s important to get in touch with a trustworthy home security company that can customize a system to fit your exact needs. This prevents you from not having enough security or paying for extras you don’t need.

 

The Devices You’ll Need

While every home is different, the first step to take is to arm your doors and windows. Often times, it may not even be worth using window sensors and investing in a single glass shatter sensor instead. Video doorbells and smart garage devices are other smart devices that make your life easier while bumping up your security.

 

It’s always recommended that you take the steps to secure your home and family before something happens. In the end, you’ll be saving on potential losses and gaining peace of mind. 

 

Do I Still Need Home Security in a Safe Neighborhood?

If you’re wondering whether you need home security in a safe neighborhood, the short answer is yes. One of the reasons some people put off home security is because they believe they’re never going to experience a break-in. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that their neighborhood is not as safe as they think it is. Even if your hometown is listed in one of the safest neighborhoods in America, you’d still benefit from a home security system. 

 

Is your town really safe?

An important question to research is whether your town is actually as safe as you think it is. People often expect that because they’re living in a small town that there is less crime. While the number of crimes is fewer than in large cities, there can be the same percentage of crime per capita. You can have an equal or greater chance of becoming a victim of a crime, simply because there are fewer victims for criminals in small towns to choose from.

 

An example of this is the small town of Roosevelt, Utah. Even with a population of 6800 people, its crime rating is 5 (100 is the safest). This means a large percentage of its citizens experience property crimes.

 

Sometimes people depend on religious populations being enough to keep crime down. But even in a place like Salt Lake City, where half the population is religious, you’ll find that it has one of the worst crime ratings in the nation. According to Neighborhood Scout, Salt Lake City’s crime rate is a 0, where 100 is the safest. Complacency can leave a city vulnerable to break-ins and thefts.

 

Other benefits of a home security system

 

Even if you find yourself in one of the actual safest cities in America, no town is invulnerable to crime. Every city experiences crime so it’s not a matter of if, but which house and when.

 

But home security systems don’t only offer peace of mind for break-ins. Modern home security systems come with a host of features to make life more convenient. You can add devices such as programmable thermostats, smart smoke detectors, and smart door locks to have complete control over your home.

 

As you can see, most homeowners can benefit from home security, even in a safe neighborhood. If you’re ready to invest in your safety and ready to experience a little more convenience in your life, it’s time to get a monitored home security system.

 

How to Better Secure Your Home Business

If you’re one of the 15 million entrepreneurs running a company out of your home, you are probably wondering how you can better secure your home business. The first step is to access what your risks are. After that, you can take steps to lower those risks, including adding a monitored security system to your office.

 

Your Valuables

When you own a home business, you are at least invested in some tech equipment. But you’re most likely storing much more valuable items in your home. When assets like photography and salon equipment are being stored in your home, they’re just a door or window away from any potential thieves.

A point of concern for a lot of business owners is insurance coverage. If you haven’t added a separate business policy or a rider to your home insurance policy, you’re not likely to recover any money for your business items after a robbery. The chance of getting your stolen items back is also extremely low. A home security system is the best way to ensure that your items remain safe within your possession.

 

Your Security Solution

Arming your home with a monitored home security system will also make you less of a target. Criminals admit that they’re less likely to commit crimes when they know a security system has been installed. Additionally, you’ll be immediately alerted to any suspicious activity captured on cameras or door and window sensors. Here are a few items that are most helpful to business owners:

 

Also, be aware of any documents you have lying around with sensitive information and be sure to always lock them away safely. The best way to keep your home business information and assets safe is by taking preventative steps, and the first step is investing in a monitored security system.

Do I Need a Home Security System?

Home security is more popular than ever. By 2021, more than a quarter of all American households will have professionally monitored security systems. You may wonder why there is such an increase in the demand for professionally monitored home security. It’s not an increase in crime; both violent crimes and property crimes have decreased over the past quarter-century. Read on to see the reasons people are choosing professionally monitored home security now more than ever.

 

Even “safe” areas need a home security system

Despite the decrease in property crimes, crime does exist, it is real, and it does ruin lives. Many people have an illusion of their neighborhoods being safer than they are. The shocking truth is that criminals target these safe areas, where homeowners have become complacent, leaving doors and windows unlocked. If the only things you arm your home with are door and window sensors, you’re already much more prepared to secure your home.

 

If you have assets, you need security (hint: that’s everyone)

Imagine that something were to happen to your family. Virtually all cities in the United States experience crime and no one imagines that it will happen to them or their family. You spend your life taking care of your family and making sure they’re safe. Home security is just one of the many ways to make sure they’re fully protected. Something as simple as a Ring Video Doorbell can scare away potential predators, keeping your family safe and secure.

 

In the end, it’s better to practice prevention and have nothing happen, than to have something happen and be left powerless to do anything about it. Don’t let this happen to you – if you’re ready to fully secure your home and family’s safety, invest in monitored home security. As the old cliche goes – and as most Americans are realizing – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

Why Your Home Security Control Panel Matters

,

There’s been a significant increase in home security in the past decade, as more and more people are realizing the importance of securing their homes and assets. Not to mention the convenience and affordability of monitored home security. Technological updates and the implementation of smart devices has made using home security easier than ever. Choosing a home security system with easy to use features is a necessity. And the device with the most important being the home security control panel. The control panel is like the brain of a home security system. Every trigger is sent to it, and it’s where you can control every part of your home’s security. Read on to see why choosing a modern, user-friendly control panel is the best option.

 

Family members

If you or your family members tend to find modern technology confusing, you’re not alone. With so many updates and changes, even the tech-savvy can find it hard to navigate a security system panel. If a homeowner has limited ability to control outdated or confusing devices, a simple control panel is the best choice. Large, easy to read screens are beneficial for older residents. Even kids will be able to figure out the simple control buttons on a modern home security control panel.

If you’re worried about anyone in your household trying to figure out a control panel, choose a user-friendly control panel such as the GC2 panel or the GC3 control panel with an even larger, easy-to-read screen. And don’t forget a secondary control panel for multi-story homes.

 

During an emergency

During an emergency, the last thing you need to worry about is trying to figure out your control panel. Using a control panel with a large screen will give you less to decipher during an emergency so you can focus on what you need instead. You can control whichever device you need to, with ease. A user-friendly panel will also guarantee less accidental triggers. Any house-sitters, babysitters, or other new users will be able to figure out your control panel easily.

 

Conclusion

If you want to make life easier, make sure you invest in the right home security control panel. Having an easy-to-use panel will give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re fully in control of your home’s security.

 

Common Blind Spots Around Your Home That Could Use Monitoring

,

Nothing’s worse than investing in a home security system to later realize that it’s not sufficient. Having a basic home security system doesn’t mean that your whole home is secure. There are certain areas that homeowners don’t prioritize, to later find that they’ve been robbed. Read on to see how you can identify monitor blind spots in and around your home for the best protection.

 

Garage

The garage is often overlooked as an easy entry point for criminals. The truth is that criminals can access a closed garage in as few as six seconds. This leaves some of your most valuable possessions (calling all UTV’s, motorcycles, and boats!) in danger of theft. This also includes the rest of your home, as many homeowners admit to leaving the door that accesses their home unlocked. A device such as Smart Garage will alert you immediately whenever your garage door is being opened.

Shed

Many homeowners have sheds or cellars where they keep expensive tools and equipment. It’s important to properly monitor your pricey belongings in these outdoor locations. When you bundle a Tilt Sensor with your home security system, you can have peace of mind, knowing that all of your assets are being monitored 24/7.

Back doors

We often give the most surveillance attention to our front doors. But what about the rear of the house? Backyards provide plenty of visual obstructions, giving criminals the perfect opportunity to break in without anyone noticing. Arming your back door with a camera such as a Ring Spotlight Camera gives you the opportunity to be notified of any activity in the rear of your house. 

 

If you want to fully secure your home, make sure you monitor blind spots in and around your home. When you bundle the right smart devices with your home security system, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your entire home is being fully monitored.