Security and Alarm Systems Blog

We now offer some exciting new products and services for home security systems in San Diego. One of the most practical products we offer are cellular back-ups, which can eliminate the need for a land line. For many of our customers, the only reason they have a land line anymore is because of their home security system. So, the cellular back-up works to save money by eliminating a monthly bill. There is, however, an investment in the equipment and installation. If you are interested in a free quote for a cellular back-up for your home security system, please call us today at (800) 577-2527.

Keep a look out for more security technology updates coming soon on our blog. We are always on the cutting edge of the security industry, and we take pride in this. It is always a good idea to call us if you are interested in learning about how we can improve your home security. One customer of ours dramatically improved their safety by adding a medical alert feature to their security system in a mobile home in San Diego.

Do you have a plan in place in the event you are awakened by the sound of an alarm? Here are some tips to help you develop a plan to protect you and your family when the unthinkable happens.

A Home Invasion is usually just a “breaking and entering” but, as you hear in the news, it can sometimes lead to a murder. The vast majority of the time, a home invasion is just a burglary or it is often called a “hot burglary” because a family is home. It is proven that a home security system will deter the majority of burglars before they happen, so this is the first step.

The article below gives invaluable information on home invasions and burglaries, and outlines 4 ways to plan for the worst.

Planning for the Worst: a Home Invasion

Do you think a Security System is an important investment? Well, six out of every 10 employees stole company data when they left their job last year, said a study of US workers. Most American businesses fail to take important steps to prevent data theft (read our blog for a detailed article). This can be a frightening figure for any business owner or manager. Think about the damage an employee you have just laid-off or fired can do. But this can be prevented with a good security system.

Read the full Article : 6 of 10 ex-employees have stolen from your company

There are five basic types of burglars: Opportunity, Smashers, Prowlers and Targeted and Complete Burglars. This article covers each category of burglar, and how to watch out for them. To read the article click the link below:
The Five Types of Burglars – California Chronicle

Security systems are becoming very popular these days as people want to protect their home, family and belongings. If the burglar sees the stickers or sign of a security company around your house, a burglar will move not target you most of the time. A security system will scare off a thief and send him to another residence that has no security. But, not all security companies are created equal. Therefore, selecting the proper security system company can be very effective at scaring off would be intruders.

Many large security companies are notorious for false alarms, and dysfunctional systems. Also, some one-man operations are unlicensed, and will leave you with great liability. This makes it very important to scrutinize over which security company you choose. As I write, a Brinks Home Security commercial has come on. I have to laugh because Brinks and ADT systems are among the least reliable. Their burglar alarms can be so dysfunctional, and their service so bad, that some of their customers don’t even use the security system. You can’t blame them, if they have had several false alarms, and the security company is unreliable in servicing their alarm systems.

If you personally are looking into burglar alarm systems, what are some things you should be keeping in mind for your selection? How do you know which one is the best for you, and what features do you need? The answer will be different for everyone, because everyone has a different home, and different security needs. So, why would security companies even offer a generic $99 security system? Because this is a foot-in-the-door technique. Unless you live in a 100 squarefoot studio apartment, the $99 system will need expensive add-ons. Most ADT and Brinks customers end up paying hundreds or thousands, because they do need more security equipment than the $99 system offers.

You will be best served by avoiding the too-large and too-small security businesses. ADT and Brinks have notoriously horrible service, where they take too long to fix any problems, and their equipment has a high faulty rate. Because they are so large, they end up subcontracting the installation of your system to a smaller company that may or may not have the necessary experience, and usually install the least expensive equipment they can get away with. The subcontractor install security with a focus on trying to increase their margin, because ADT has a very domineering subcontracting agreement, which doesn’t leave the subcontractor with very much room for profit. Therefore, the subcontractor has to decide to either work for less than minimum wage, or cut corners on the installation.

So, who should you trust to install your home security system? The sweet spot is right in the middle. Try to find a company that is not too big, and not too small. They should have their own, in-house installation crews for quality control. The number of years in business tells a story about how a companies security installation methods work. In such a high liability industry, where the worst case scenario is failed security and burglary. Therefore, a company that has been around for a while is trustworthy. Price should definitely come into play, but you should try to compare apples to apples between different companies, and ask questions until you completely understand what you are getting.

Defining home security is specific to every household. Think about crimes, accidents, and incidents. If you want to keep burglars away from your family and possessions, your best bet is to add a home security system. Crimes can include burglary, theft, larceny, fire. You may want to write a floor plan. The floor plan should be a drawing of every room in your home. Make sure that you outline two ways to escape all rooms in your home. You can practice drills to keep the family prepared.

A home security alarm will alert you when a thief has broken into your house. But first you’ll need to find a company to install your home security system. In addition, they will need to continue maintenance, tests, and cleaning. If home security alarms are dusty, it can cause the alarm to go off. Modern security systems should be convenient as well as reliable. You can purchase alarms nowadays that have remote controls for home security, which will make it easy for you to test the devices weekly.

In addition to burglar alarms, it is smart to install smoke detectors in your home. smoke detectors are components of fire alarms will help you ward off carbon monoxide. You should use your manual and follow instructions when using your new alarm. In addition, you will need to continue maintenance, tests, and cleaning.

Fires and carbon monoxide are crimes committed by negligence around the world, yet many criminals will start house fires in attempt to gain something. Sometimes the fire is started out of contempt, or retaliation. In addition, gang members will sometimes start fire to earn “street cred.”

Add a deadbolt to your entry doors, and put up sensor lights outside of your home. The lights will automatically click on when someone steps on your doorstep. In addition, add outside lighting to help keep away prowlers.

Two schools in Louisiana have been burglarized consecutively (full article). Twelve new 32-inch flat screen televisions awaiting installation in classrooms were stolen from a new building the night of June 5 by unknown individuals. In addition to the burglary of the new North Lewis Elementary, a closing elementary nearby was robbed of remaining copper. “It seems that every new school we open, prior to us getting the security system set in place, we get some kind of theft,” said the Superintendent.

The stolen equipment was intended for use by teachers in conjunction with computers in the classroom. “They’re used to project the computer images on a larger screen, for all the kids, and so the entire classroom can see,” he said. “These aren’t small monitors. They’re large 32-inch flat screens. It’s a shame that someone would do that to the students who need that equipment and we have to have it ready before the school opens in the fall.”

If the SAT Scores drop in that district in the next 5 years, we know who to blame.

The Department of Education in San Diego now says that the school board is nearing a balanced budget (read article). However, incidents like these in Louisiana are a reminder that security is an important safeguard. With a security system, schools are less reliant on sheriff departments to constantly patrol their grounds. Also, if you add up all of the potential for loss, a security system is a great bargain. We have customers with security systems who have saved tens of thousands a month from the constant, unmanned protection.

The original article included many honest, and sometimes funny comments. Here are a few of the best:

” Couldn’t delivery of expensive equipment be done AFTER the security systems are activated ? Perhaps this should become common practice in the future.”

” I would think that once any valuable piece of equipment would be placed inside the school, an alarm system would be activated. Especially, since they mention that it has happened before in some of the other new schools. How many things need to be stolen before our officials figure this out? I’m sure some of the older schools, the ones with all the obsolete techonology, would have loved 12 flat screen televisions. ”

” Shame on whomever took these monitors, because they took them in essence from the children for whom they were intended. … As for the possible culprits being bored students or constuction workers, I think it best not to accuse anyone until we have a real reason to do so. ”

” Sounds like the work crew know exactly where its at. But it will be replace its North Lewis, if it was another school they would have to see where they can get funds from to replace the stolen TVs. ”

Holly Derrick was recently the victim of a burglary where the thief’s made away with over $25,000 in jewelry, much of it with deep sentimental value. But, she has taken lemons, and decided to make lemonade.

“I thought, ‘That’s it,’” she said. “Everybody in this subdivision has to know I was burglarized to protect themselves and to be more aware. I was fed up.”

For her own safety, she had security Screens installed on every window of her home. Security screens look just like normal window screens, but they set off the alarm if they are tampered with or cut into.
In Derrick’s case, the burglary occurred because her security system was bypassed. Derrick started collecting newspaper articles. She searched for similar situations and came across another burglary in which an alarm was bypassed, as it had been at her home.

Many alarm systems don’t include glass-break detectors. Without this added service, the glass can be broken without sounding the alarm because the frame has remained in place. Once inside, they crawl low to the ground to avoid setting off motion detectors.

The burglary of her home remains unsolved, but Derrick is pretty sure she knows at least one of the guys who did it. As she was getting ready to go out for dinner that night, the doorbell rang. She answered. A man standing next to a big green bin asked her, “Would you like to buy something?”

Her instinct told her something was wrong, “I was really uncomfortable. He looked at me, and then he was looking beyond me. Now, I understand he was looking out back.”

When Derrick returned home that night, everything appeared normal until she saw the shattered glass.

Armed with her information about burglary, Derrick organized a recent crime prevention meeting to educate her neighbors. Derrick’s efforts are already raising awareness in the Three Oaks community, said neighbor Carolyn Neill said, “I had my security company come out to reinspect our system.”

Any burglar alarm installation is not complete without the bare necessities. What are these necessities, though? The first, of course, is a control panel and at least one keypad. These are the brain of the system, taking in the programming from the technician, and acting intelligently based on information given by equipment. The Equipment is the second security system necessity. Security equipment such as door and window contacts, infrared motion detectors and glass break detectors alert the control panel that something fishy is happening. The third, and final, very necessary part of any alarm is a well-trained user. Without a person to arm and disarm the system, it is useless. I hear some of our customers here in San Diego tell me that they don’t use their system. This breaks my heart, because (1) they pay for it and (2) they are susceptible to a burglary which could be avoided (or at least minimized) by their security system. So, What Equipment Should Come Standard With Any Home Security System? A Control Panel, keypad, security equipment, and person that uses the system.

Yes, we have had a modest presence in Orange County for decades. But now we are actively courting security installation business in Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim and even Los Angeles. Please click on the appropriate link below for more details:

California Alarm Systems
Security System Orange County
Security Systems Irvine
Security Systems Santa Ana
Security Systems Anaheim
Alarm System Los Angeles

Of course, we still install burglar and fire alarms, surveillance and door access in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.